ETSU looks to sharpen execution after first win of the season over Tusculum

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — ETSU football got back in the win column Saturday, but head coach Will Healy knows there is still plenty to clean up as the Buccaneers prepare for their first road test of the season.

The Bucs evened their record at 1-1 with a 48-14 win over Tusculum, finishing with 259 passing yards and 225 yards on the ground. Freshman quarterback Mason Mims completed 13 of 21 passes, while running back TJ Peyton rushed for a career-high 121 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.

Despite the lopsided victory, Healy said lapses in execution remain a concern.

"We have explosive ability in all three phases, but we are not near consistent enough," Healy said. "We have mental lapses that are going to get us beat, lapses that got us beat a week ago."

That Week 1 loss to Campbell left a "bitter taste" for the Bucs, according to linebacker Jarvis Johnson. ETSU responded by putting an emphasis on discipline and preparation against Tusculum.

"When you're going against a team like that, you just got to be very disciplined. This week we had keys. You got to keep your eye on your key. If not, they're going to go for a big run," Johnson said. "When we play teams like Citadel and VMI, we just got to do the same thing with the preparation we did this week, a lot of scout periods and just staying tuned in with your key."

The Bucs will now look to carry that preparation into a much tougher test. ETSU hits the road for the first time this season next week, traveling to Chapel Hill to take on North Carolina.