Greetings from William B. Greene Jr. Stadium for the final home game of the 2026 season for East Tennessee State. Feels like we just got started, but ETSU has just two games left after today. The Bucs (6-3, 4-1) take on Samford (3-6, 3-3) in a win ETSU has to have to stay in the running for the Southern Conference title and auto bid to the playoffs. ETSU basically needs to win out, and hope Tennessee Tech stumbles somewhere down the stretch.
FanDuel has ETSU listed as a 13.5-point favorite.
Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
What did I miss?
Here’s our ETSU and Bucs-related coverage from this week:
- LB Jarvis Johnson was sidelined last week by a deep thigh bruise, which didn’t become apparent until the game started, which is why ETSU’s defense had 10 men on the field for the first play.
- The latest Southern Conference power rankings in this week’s FCS Briefing by Thomas Stokes.
- Picks on college and NFL games this weekend by our panel. (ETSU was a unanimous choices to win).
Touchdown: Samford 37, ETSU 35, Final
Gabarri Johnson dumps the ball off in the flat and finds Dom Thomas wide open. He crosses the goal line with ease, and zeroes showing on the clock.
Game over.
SoCon title chances over.
Playoff hopes probably over.
We’ll have recap and more later here on the site.
Picking on Bowdry
Gabarri Johnson throws the fade route in Jimmy Bowdry’s direction. Bowdry able to get a hand up and disrupt the pass. Marquise Henderson was the intended receiver.
Three seconds left, and there’s a timeout on the field for Samford.
Will Healy motioning for everyone on the ETSU sideline to join this huddle during the timeout.
Samford comes out, gets set, and ETSU takes a timeout. Some gamesmanship from Healy.
Down to the wire
Another scramble by Johnson, who eludes a sack and takes off down his own sideline. He had 26 yards on that one before getting knocked out of bounds, and Samford has first-and-goal from the ETSU 7 with five seconds left. Devin Hunter, who’s tied for the team lead in tackles with eight, got shaken up on the play.
Make that seven seconds left.
Scrambling
Third-and-10 from midfield and Gabarri Johnson drops back to pass then takes off. He gains 16 yards before he slides, and Samford takes its second timeout. Sixteen seconds remaining, the Bucs lead by four, and Samford has a first-and-10 from the Bulldog 33.
Still alive
Samford had a fourth-and-2, but Gabarri Johnson finds a sliding Kevonte Corbin at midfield to move the chains. First down at the ETSU 49. The Bucs got flagged for interference on Dre Delinois, Samford declines, and we’re waiting the snap with 32 seconds left.
Pooch to the Bulldogs
Rather that kick it deep and risk a return, Ewan Johnson with the pooch kick. Samford’s Cooper Pennington signals the fair catch and it’s Samford ball from the 25 with less than a minute.
Touchdown, ETSU
Mason Mims has had a connection with Brandon Winton in this second half, and they hook up again on the 11-yard scoring strike. More importantly, Ewan Johnson makes the PAT, meaning Samford will have to score a touchdown. ETSU leads 35-31, with 57 seconds left.
Still moving
Another fourth down, this time fourth-and-1, and the handoff to TJ Peyton gets the first down and then some, for 13 yards. Mason Mims finds Brandon Winton on the next play for 10 yards. Samford takes its first timeout of the half, and ETSU will have a first and down from the Bulldog 11 with 1:02 to go in the game.
A field goal ties it. A touchdown puts the Bucs in position to win.
Two minute warning
It’s not been a good game for Mason Mims but he delivers on fourth down with the game, and any SoCon title and playoff hopes likely also at stake, hitting Brandon Winton for 17 yards to move the chains as we hit two minutes. Previously on the drive, another pass by Mims nearly got picked off, and should have been. Then he took a sack for a 3 yard loss.
Another punt
Samford can’t get a first down, and the punt is off under pressure. ETSU recovers and gets going from its own 41 with 3:25 to go. This is basically the game.
One note: Josiha Mason was watching this one on the sideline, his helmet nowhere in sight. Looks like he’s done for the day, at least.
Another three and out
ETSU just not doing enough offensively in this game. Another three and out. Mason Mims got pressured on third down, and went to find Jaiden Daniels in the flat and threw it behind him. Some good news on the punt: the Bucs down it at the Samford 1.
The Bulldogs will be backed up at their doorstep, with 5:42 remaining.
Getting the ball back
Mirroring the previous drive by Samford, ETSU allows an initial first down then stops the Bulldogs. Samford going pretty vanilla with its play calls, and runs off about two and a half minutes. ETSU takes over from its own 30, with 7:55 to go.
And then Samford holds
The Bucs start with a strong 21-yard pass play from Mason Mims to Brandon Winton but can’t do anything with it. ETSU punts, and Samford regains possession from its own 21 with 10:40 left in the game.
Defense holds
The Bucs force a punt and ETSU gets the ball from its own 16 with 12:04 to go.
More bad news
On the first play of the ensuing Samford drive, Izziek Chandler comes hard on the cornerback blitz and hits Gabarri Johnson as he threw. Problem is, the tackle knocked Chandler into Bucs DL Josiha Mason, who is down and writhing as we go to the injury timeout. Mason has been very disruptive for the Bucs up front the past few weeks, so this would be a significant loss.
Three and out
ETSU goes nowhere on the ensuing drive and has to punt it away without gaining a first down. It didn’t help that the Bucs got flagged for a personal foul on the kickoff, which went into the end zone for a touchback. Greeneville native Drew Armbrister drew the flag for some extra curricular activities.
Trey Weary with a spectacular open field tackle to stop the punt return in its tracks, and it will be Samford’s ball from the Bulldog 32 with 13:40 left.
Touchdown, Samford
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Gabarri Johnson fakes the handoff and takes it himself on the keeper for a 4-yard touchdown run. The TD puts Samford ahead 29-28 so the Bulldogs are going to go for two. Samford snaps the ball right as the play clock expires. Johnson under duress, finds Marquise Henderson. It didn’t look like Henderson was across the goal line, but the play stands.
Samford leads 30-28 with 14:53 to go in the game.
Turnover
Samford strips TJ Peyton of the football, it rolls backwards, and the Bulldogs recover at the ETSU 8. This came right after the Bucs got moved back 15 yards on a hands to the face penalty on Sam Browder.
Potential disaster here for ETSU.
The third quarter ends with Samford at second-and-goal, 4 yards shy of the end zone. At this point, holding the Bucs to a fourth field goal is the best case scenario.
To the house
Samford answers immediately, with Kevonte Corbin fielding the kickoff in the end zone and taking it 100 yards for the touchdown, The PAT makes it a 28-23 game with 1:19 left in the third. Special teams has been a strength for the Bucs for most of the season, but it was a liability against Tennessee Tech and Samford’s done well in the kicking game today, going 3-for-3 on field goals and busting off several long returns, none longer than that one for the TD.
Touchdown, ETSU
Charlie Browder with the TD grab on senior day, an 11-yard route from Mims. That capped an impressive 11-play, 75-yard drive that overcame a holding calls in the red zone against Browder. ETSU ate up 6:29 of clock on the drive, and there’s just 1:33 left in the third period. After the PAT, the Bucs now lead 28-16.
Field goal, Samford
For the third time today, Samford puts together a strong drive but settles for three points. A 25-yard field goal to cap the opening possession of the second half. Samford had it fourth-and-1 at the Bucs’ 8 and chose to go for the points rather than to extend the drive or reach the end zone. It’s 21-16 now, with ETSU leading and about to receive the kickoff and 8:02 left in the period.
Gabarri Johnson went 2-of-4 passing on the drive, with both completions on third downs to move the chains.
Second half under way
ETSU gets the ball to start the third quarter and does very little with it. Samford dropped Mason Mims on the first play in what was basically a coverage sack and the Bucs have to punt away the ball without gaining a first down.
It’ll be Samford ball from the ETSU 45, with 13:02 in the quarter.
Halftime stats
Some strange numbers when you look at the comparison. Samford ran 39 plays to ETSU’s 28, and held the ball for 18:22 compared to 11:38 for the Bucs. ETSU has the yardage advantage, 194-165, and that 57-yard TD sprint by Jaiden Daniels is really the difference in the stats and the game.
Daniels has 59 yards on three carries; almost all of it was on that TD. TJ Peyton a quiet 31 yards in eight touches, with Jason Albritton gaining 36 yards on six rushes and having a 14-yard reception. Mason Mims a quiet 6 of 10 for 75 yards passing.
Samford has run the ball for 11 net yards on 15 carries. QBs Gabarri Johnson and Will Shields have combined for 154 yards, with Johnson making 11 of 17 throws and Shields 4 of 7.
Devin Hunter leads the Bucs defensively with six tackles.
Halftime: ETSU 21, Samford 13
We’ll have halftime stats shortly.
Samford’s sequence
The Bulldogs falling apart here at the end of the half. They got the ball past midfield, then got flagged for a false starts because Gabarri Johnson initiated the play when everyone wasn’t lined up for Samford. On the next snap, Josiha Mason comes flying and throws Johnson for an 11-yard loss. Samford has been its own worst enemy today, with penalties at inopportune moments, poor game management on this drive, and general execution issues.
Milk truck delivers
That was the 10th touchdown of the season for Jason Albritton, which ties for the eighth-most in a season in program history at ETSU. The others to score 10 TDs were Jacob Saylors (2021) and Brandon Walker (1998).
Touchdown, ETSU
Jason Albritton chugs in from 1 yard out, capping a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took 4:13 to finish. The Ewan Johnson PAT widens the Bucs’ lead back to eight, at 21-13.
Two key plays on that drive, back to back: the facemask call, and then on the very next snap, Mims finds Suderian Harrison for a 30-yard gain to set up the first and goal.
ETSU fixing to kick off with 2:37 to go in the half.
Airing it out, kind of
Mason Mims was 2-for-6 for just 19 yards after his first pass on this drive went incomplete while he was getting hit. Mims then came out and made his next three passes: two screens and a short strike to Trey Weary. Then the Bucs get flagged for a false start, but a facemask by Samford on a Jaiden Daniels run that went nowhere gives ETSU a fresh set of downs at the Samford 36. The Bulldogs committing some foolish and costly mistakes today.
Field goal, Samford
The Bulldogs have only scored 15 touchdowns, one of them coming today. They settle for a field goal for the second time today, this time from 34 yards by Ty Ippolito. Samford gained 24 yards in eight plays on that drive, but it wouldn’t have gone anywhere if not for the strong punt return to set up the possession and ETSU being backed up on the previous drive. Field position playing a major factor thus far in this one, and it’s 14-13 with 6:50 left in the half.
Another QB change
Samford has gone back to starter Gabarri Johnson at QB, even though the freshman Will Shields led the touchdown drive and has had the better day to this point.
Tough hit
Pinned deep, ETSU doesn’t get a first down and has to punt. Lashon Young got an 18-yard return, but paid for it, getting hit from behind and in front by two players almost simultaneously. He’s helped off, and Samford will have good field position coming out of the media timeout, at the ETSU 41 with 10:10 to go in the half.
Costly penalty
What a mistake by Samford. Kevonte Corbin takes the kickoff and had a huge return that looked like a possible touchdown before ETSU kicker Ewan Johnson forced Corbin out of bounds at the Samford 39. On the return, Samford’s Jackson Bussey got flagged for holding for tackling a member of the Bucs coverage team. Thing is, Corbin already had the angle and had run past that guy. With the penalty yardage, Samford started at its own 29, and the Bucs quickly force a three and out.
A mistake on the punt return by Suderian Harrison. He went to field a roller to keep it from continuing deeper into Buc territory, lost the handle, and fell on it. ETSU starts at its own 7-yard line.
Touchdown, ETSU
The Bucs answer in a hurry in the first appearance of the day from Jaiden Daniels. He’s probably the fastest straight-line runner in a deep running back room and he showed it there, with a 57-yard sprint to the end zone on the second play of the possession. The PAT makes it 14-10 with 13:25 to go in the half. That drive got set up with Izay Bridges on a big kickoff return near midfield; he had one guy to beat with nothing between him and the end zone but open turf.
Touchdown, Samford
Two straight plays where Samford QB Will Shields throws to Kevonte Corbin, with Jimmy Bowdry in coverage for the Bucs. Both times, Corbin beat Bowdry on the route.The first time, Bowdry made a play on the ball to disrupt the pass. The second wasn’t so fortunate. Shields finds Corbin on a 27-yard strike. The PAT makes it 10-7 Samford, with 13:52 left before the half.
ETSU has a fight on its hands today.
Targeting?
This has been my first look at Southern Conference football officials this season, and in a season fully of odd calls and dubious game management, ETSU DB Mike Jenkins just got flagged for targeting on what replay on the TV broadcast confirmed was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit by Cayden Aukerman. Thankfully review confirmed there was no targeting, but Samford has a first down at the Bucs’ 40.
QB change
Freshman Will Shields is in at quarterback for Samford in place of Gabarri Johnson. Not sure if there’s an injury, or just wanting a different look, or what the situation is.
Touchdown, ETSU
The Bucs answer after spotting Samford three points, with TJ Peyton running it in from 8 yards in, and eight seconds left in the quarter. Kingsport native Sam Browder, ETSU’s left tackle, had a block in space to spring Peyton. The PAT by Ewan Johnson makes it 7-3 ETSU.
A six-play, 71-yard drive that takes 2:29. Two big plays back to back on the drive by Jason Albritton, who is playing his final ETSU home game. He takes a pass from Mason Mims and gains 14 yards, with the offensive line pushing the pile; tackle Ty Williams was really active with the shove on that. On the next snap, Albritton gets loose, breaks multiple arm tackles, and gains 25 yards on the play to get the Bucs into the red zone.
ETSU had negative yards on the day before that drive. It’s also the first touchdown Samford has allowed since a 31-21 loss to Mercer on Oct. 17.
Bucs get a break
ETSU gets its first first down of the game, on a penalty, when Suderian Harrison takes a late hit on a short passing play, in a foolish decision by Samford’s Dezmon Thomas. That gives the Bucs first down near midfield.
Welcome back, Jarvis Johnson
Looks like the Bucs’ impactful linebacker is feeling better. He just came charging up the middle on third down inside the red zone to sack Gabarri Johnson for an 8-yard loss. Samford has to settle for a field goal, and Ty Ippolito hits it from 42 yards to take a 3-0 lead with 2:43 showing in the first quarter.
No touchdown, but a solid drive for Samford, especially from a time of possession perspective. The Bulldogs take 6:06 off the clock, covering 37 yards in 11 plays.
Jumped
Looked like we were headed to a fourth and short showdown for Samford. Instead, the hard count gets ETSU’s Isaiah Potts to jump, and the Bulldogs have a first down at the ETSU 48.
Samford moves the chains again, with Gabarri Johnson rolling out and finding Preston Bird underneath the coverage for an 18-yard gain. The Bulldogs in business at the ETSU 30.
Bagged
Did we mention it’s another slow start for ETSU’s offense? The Bucs go three and out. On third down, Keion Dunlap comes charging untouched on the linebacker blitz and drops Mason Mims for a 7 yard loss.
Samford ball out of the media timeout, from its own 38, with 8:49 to go in the period.
Open season
The Bucs are having some early success rushing the quarterback. On this second possession, a full blitz sees Samford go backwards after a holding call. Another big rush, and Samford QB Gabarri Johnson runs for his life and makes a conversion to get back to the original line of scrimmage on the possession. Samford punts again, and Suderian Harrison fields it on a bounce and gets tripped up.
ETSU gets the ball from its own 11 with 10:45 left in the quarter.
Can’t convert
A big gamble by the Bucs here early, and it doesn’t pay off. ETSU ends up at fourth-and-short at midfield, and Samford gets the stop. The Bucs turn it over on downs, and have another disappointing opening offensive possession, which has been a theme.
Under way
Samford gets the ball to begin, and goes three and out. Jivon Oggs, who committed a very costly personal foul on the winning drive by Tennessee Tech last week, gets tested on the very first play and breaks up a deep ball. There was contact both ways, a flag got thrown, but after conferring the officials said no penalty.
ETSU puts some heat on the punt rush, and gets the ball at its own 40.
Coin toss
Game captains for the Bucs are four of the fifth-year seniors: Xavier Gaillardetz, Ewan Johnson, Will McCraw, and Isaiah Potts.
Senior Day honorees
The full list of players getting recognized before the game. I’ve got an asterisk by the name of guys who have another year of potential eligibility:
- WR Xavier Gaillardetz
- WR Tommy Winton III
- WR Trey Weary
- WR Tyler Griffin
- WR Suderian Harrison *
- RB Jason Albritton
- DL Isaiah Potts
- S Devin Hunter *
- LS Brock Winstead
- DB Jimmy Bowdry
- TE Charlie Browder
- QB Jake McNamara
- S Terian Williams II
- OL Will McCraw
- LB Dre Delinois *
- LB Grant Bullard *
- PK Ewan Johnson
- DB Mike Jenkins *
- DB Jivon Oggs
- DB CJ Gilmore *
- S Donya Borden *
- JACK Elijah Taylor *
Pregame notes
The Bucs are wearing white helmets, navy jerseys, and navy pants today. No game captains have been announced.
Maddox Radcliffe, who started the first six games at center but hasn’t played since Oct. 3 against Chattanooga, is in full uniform today. He’s not listed on the two deep; Micah Sumpter is slated as the starting center for a third straight week.
Linebackers Jeremiah Curry and Jarris Coney are inactive, as is safety Brycen Dowdell. Curry suffered an apparent season-ending injury late in the VMI game. Receiver Xavier Gaillardetz, one of the 13 players whose eligibility is expiring this season, is in street clothes and his jersey, but he’s out of the boot after having foot surgery back in September.
No sign of Jarvis Johnson on the sideline. We’ll see if he can go today.