JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – In yet another close game, the Wofford College football team came up with a defensive stand in the final minute to win 31-24 at East Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon at William Greene Stadium. The Bucs scored with six minutes remaining and then forced a Terrier punt to begin a drive with 2:39 remaining. A stop on fourth-and-one with 42 seconds left gave Wofford the win.
 
Wofford, ranked eighth in the nation, opens the season 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the Southern Conference. ETSU is 3-5 on the season and 1-4 in the league. The Terriers were led by Andre Stoddard with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown. Lennox McAfee had a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. The Bucs were led by Austin Herick with 23-of-34 passing for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
 
"On Thursday we went over the game plan completely and it was just about flawless," said head coach Mike Ayers. "We then get into these scenarios where too many guys come up with an excuse why they didn't do it. We have to correct that and address that. We put ETSU behind the sticks when they tried to run, but on second and third down they converted. We did some great things, but we had some mistakes. Next week we play Chattanooga and that is going to be difficult. It is great to win, but we are better than we are showing and that is the frustrating thing. We have to coach better and put them in a position to be on the money every time."
 
The Terriers had the ball to open the game and on the first play Brandon Goodson picked up a first down with a 24-yard run. After another first down, Wofford failed to convert a fourth-and-seven and ETSU took over on downs. The Bucs went three-and-out and punted. With the ball back, Lennox McAfee had a first down. After two more first downs, the Terriers drive ended with a 23-yard field goal by Luke Carter for a 3-0 lead at 2:13 in the first quarter.
 
ETSU had a first down pass to cross midfield and after another first down made a 51-yard field goal to tie the game with 12:34 on the clock in the second quarter. A 38-yard pass to Chandler Gouger and a 24-yard pass to Blake Morgan set-up a nine-yard pass to Lennox McAfee. Wofford had a 10-3 lead at 10:50 in the second quarter. The Bucs went three-and-out thanks in part to an intentional grounding call.
 
Wofford took over at the 14-yard line and Andre Stoddard gained 26-yards on a run up the middle for a first down before being forced to punt. ETSU had two first downs and then moved to the 22-yard line on a Wofford horse collar tackle penalty. On third down, a 27-yard touchdown pass reception by Hunter Wick tied the game at 10-10 with 4:14 left in the second quarter. The Terriers needed only five plays to regain the lead as Lennox McAfee scored on a 48-yard run to make it a 17-10 score with 2:01 on the clock. The Bucs went three-and-out, with Wofford taking over with 50 seconds remaining. The Terriers went three-and-out and ETSU ran out the clock on the first half.
 
To begin the second half, ETSU had one first down but had to punt on fourth-and-one at midfield. Starting at the 16-yard line, Wofford went three-and-out and punted. The Bucs had a first down, then added 15 yards on a Terrier personal foul. A first down pass moved the ball to the six-yard line and a one-yard run by Matt Thompson tied the game at 17 with 7:28 on the clock in the third quarter. On the next drive by the Terriers, they went three-and-out and punted. The Bucs had third-and-long and Datavious Wilson sacked Austin Herink, forcing a fumble that was picked up by Colton Clemons and returned to the six. Two plays later, Andre Stoddard scored a three-yard touchdown to give Wofford a 24-17 lead at 3:52 in the third quarter.
 
The Bucs were sacked on first down by Terrance Morris and went three-and-out. After the punt, Wofford took over at the 21-yard line. The Terriers had three first downs and then on a third-and-long, Blake Morgan took the pitch 47 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. With 11:32 left in the fourth quarter, Wofford had a 31-17 lead over the Bucs. ETSU had two big passing first downs and then converted a fourth-and-one at the ten. A six-yard pass to Drake Powell in the back of the end zone cut the lead to 31-24 with 6:16 remaining. With the ball back, Wofford gained one first down before punting with 2:39 on the clock. The Bucs had a pair of passing first downs to move across midfield. Another passing first down, the Bucs had a fourth-and-one with 45 seconds remaining. The running back tripped coming out of the backfield for no gain and Wofford took over on downs. The Terriers took a knee to end the game.
 
Wofford had 402 total yards, with 305 rushing. ETSU had 277 total yards, 262 of which were passing. Wofford had 17 first downs to 16 for ETSU. Wofford was 9-of-16 on third downs and 0-of-1 on fourth down. ETSU was 9-of-18 on third down and 1-of-2 on fourth down. Wofford was called for eight penalties to five for ETSU. Wofford had a 30:36 to 29:24 time of possession advantage.
 
Wofford vs. ETSU Post-Game Notes
 
The trip to Johnson City was the first for the Terriers since 2002. Wofford has evened the all-time series at 13 games each, with the Terriers winning the last seven meetings.
 
Wofford has played in seven games that have been decided by one possession with a 6-1 record in those games.
 
Tight end Nick Karas had his first career catch in the first quarter. Chandler Gouger had his first catch of the season.
 
Andre Stoddard had 107 rushing yards, his second career 100+ rushing game and the fourth by a Terrier this season.
 
The defense held the Bucs to just 15 net rushing yards. Tyler Vaughn and Mikel Horton shared the team lead with six tackles each. Horton, Terrance Morris and Miles Brown all had sacks, with the three total sacks a season high for the team.
 
Game captains were Jireh Wilson, Andre Stoddard, Michael Ralph and Tyler Vaughn.
 
Attendance was 7,087 at Greene Stadium.
 
The Terriers continue Southern Conference play next weekend as the team hosts Chattanooga at 1:30 p.m.