ETSU, Western Carolina to renew top rivalry

Nothing tops the East Tennessee State versus Western Carolina football rivalry when it comes to competitiveness. The teams have played 55 times with an even split of 27 wins, 27 losses and one tie. That number will tilt in one school's favor when the Bucs (2-2) hosts the Catamounts (2-2) on Saturday 3:30 p.m. in the Southern Conference opener for both teams. ETSU has won the last two games in the rivalry, 24-21 in Johnson City in front of the largest crowd ever at Greene Stadium, and 52-35 last season in Cullowhee, N.C., a game which helped turn their season around. "That was a crazy game last year. Jackson (Byrd) had to come in the game and make some plays off schedule," ETSU coach Will Healy said. "That was a massive win for us to keep momentum for the end of the year. What we were proud of was how our kids kept fighting. But when I watch them on film this year, their personnel is better." The teams have faced a common opponent with Campbell defeating ETSU in the season opener, and Western Carolina a week later. There are other similarities starting with the quarterbacks, who transferred from ACC schools. Western Carolina's Lex Thomas, a junior transfer from N.C. State, has completed 99 of 144 passes for a Southern Conference leading 1,044 yards. ETSU's Mason Mims, a redshirt freshman transfer from Louisville, has completed 84 of 117 passes for 991 yards. Mims leads the league with a 71.8 completion rate with Thomas second at 68.8 percent. ABOUT THE CATS The Catamounts are coached by Kerwin Bell, who led Valdosta State to the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship. The former Florida quarterback has a 124-68 record as head coach with his teams known for their high-powered offenses. Western Carolina, like ETSU, finished 7-5 last season, but also had significant roster turnover. ETSU trailed Western 35-31 in the third quarter before scoring the final 21 points to win last season. Sophomore running back Josh Perry is coming off a 142-yard rushing performance in a 58-14 romp over Presbyterian. He has 198 yards on the season, while senior Marlin Cochran has rushed for 133 yards. Thomas is third with 110 yards and two touchdowns. He has gained 157 yards, but lost 47 as the quarterback. AJ Colombo, a bit undersized at 5-8 and 170, is the team's leading receiver with 21 catches for 197 yards. Jai Boyd is more of a big-play threat with 13 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Bode Burns is next with 10 catches. "People talk about how much they throw the football around, but they rushed for 325 yards last week," Healy said. "They use their tempo to their advantage. I really enjoy watching from afar on offense, but I really don't enjoy going against them. Anything we haven't gotten fixed will be exposed on Saturday." Richard Hollis is dangerous in the return game with a 59-yard kick return against Eastern Kentucky. On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Joshua Collins leads the team with 23 tackles, two sacks and an interception. Ken Moore Jr. has 20 tackles and two sacks. ETSU LEADERS T.J. Peyton leads the ETSU rushing attack with 347 yards and four touchdowns on 56 carries. Jaiden Daniels has 190 yards on 28 attempts, a team-best 6.8 yards per carry. Jason Albritton is often called upon for the tough yards in the red zone. He has 84 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. D'Marius Rucker has rushed for two touchdowns. Virginia transfer Suderian Harrison has been Mims' favorite target with 18 receptions for 248 yards. Brandon Winton, Trey Weary and tight end Charlie Browder have 12 catches apiece. Winton has 203 receiving yards, including an 88-yard pass play last week against West Georgia. Senior linebacker Dre Delinois has been the defensive leader, second in the Southern Conference with 40 tackles. Mike Jenkins is second with 22 tackles. The senior safety was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week after eight tackles and an interception return for a touchdown in the West Georgia win. Linebacker Jarvis Johnson and defensive end Charles Woodard are next on the team in tackles. The Bucs took a big hit on special teams with an injury to leading returner Xavier Gaillardetz. On the flip side, punter Luke Stewart has been solid with a 43.9 yard average and four punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.