ETSU looks to clean up Game 1 problems

East Tennessee State football coach Will Healy looked back at the disappointment of Saturday's season-opening loss to Campbell before looking ahead to Tusculum. He started with the obvious as the Bucs gave up 514 offensive yards in the 49-37 loss to the Camels. "We can't give up those type of statistics and expect to do what we want to do," Healy said. "A couple of things stood out. We played 31 snaps on defense in the first quarter and couldn't get off the field. Had plenty of chances, a 4th-and-4, we're in man coverage and try to do too much at the corner position. We're in 4th-and-11, the quarterback scrambles and instead of staying on our guys, we try to make a play on the quarterback." Simply put, Healy said the defense tried to do too much at times. There were communication issues, bad eyes and bad discipline on the defensive side of the ball. "Saturday seemed to be us trying to make too much happen instead of just doing our job," Healy said. "As guys play reps and gain confidence, I think that will shore some of that stuff up. The problem playing against an offense as dynamic as that, you get exposed. The first touchdown, we don't switch on a crosser in the back of the end zone, and the guy is standing wide open." There were times the corners did better in 1-on-1 situations, but the Bucs got burned on a seam route when the safety tried reading the quarterback's eyes instead of staying deep. The Bucs didn't do a good job tackling either, as the film showed players left their feet too early sometimes. Ironically, it was the defense which had outperformed the offense during fall camp. Instead, it was the offense which produced 528 yards, led by freshman quarterback Mason Mims who complete 33-of-41 passes for 373 yards. Healy challenged the team after watching the game film. He asked the players to raise their hands if they didn't feel they were talented enough to win. None raised their hands. "Talent doesn't necessarily win you championships, and we saw that on Saturday," Healy said. "Our first impression for our fans, media, everybody involved was not great. We've got to get it fixed. My thoughts on what this team can do, have not changed a bit. These guys are talented enough to do whatever they want to if they stick together and buy into getting it fixed." After watching the film, Healy was particularly impressed with the offensive line as the group of led by starters Maddox Radcliffe, Sam Browder, Micah Sumpter, Isaiah Hall and Ty Williams didn't allow a sack and have only one play stopped behind the line of scrimmage. Mims had a costly fumble which gave Campbell the ball on the 1-yard line and allowed them to have the 18-point lead, but otherwise had an outstanding day. Once the Bucs got down by three possessions in the fourth quarter, the team had to rely more on Mims in the passing game. He delivered with a program single-game record 33 completions. His 373 passing yards ranked fifth in program history, and were the most by an ETSU quarterback in his first game. "I love the way our freshman quarterback played," Healy said. "I didn't love the way the ball slipped out of his hands, but 33-of-41 for 373 yards, completing 80 percent of his passes. I sat here last Monday and said we're going to do whatever it takes to make sure he's not in position to have go win us the game. He did that, gave us a shot and he was competitive. The guys responded well to him." Wide receiver Brandon Winton was targeted nine times and had six catches for 46 yards. Virginia transfer Suderian Harrison finished with five receptions for 99 yards. Tight end Charlie Browder was targeted seven times and ended with seven catches for 56 yards. Even with the offense, Healy didn't like the slow start. Mims' first pass was batted down, but he recovered nicely to throw on third down to Winton, who had the ball hit him in the face mask. Featured running back T.J. Peyton Jr. had a solid day of 80 yards on 15 carries, but he got tripped up on a play that had the potential of going long. After the setbacks and getting behind, Healy was proud of how his team fought back. "The positives were we had a group down 18 points, and they in no way laid down," Healy said. "They got it back to a five-point game with 5 1/2 minutes to go with a chance to win the game if we can get a stop there. That's a moral victory, I get it. That's not what our goal was, but it is important when adversity hits you, how do you respond. I thought those guys responded well. We showed glimpses on both sides of what we can be, but not consistent enough."