SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College football team was defeated 24-7 by East Tennessee State University on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The Bucs had a 10-0 lead before the Terriers got on the board in the third quarter to cut the score to 10-7. The Bucs scored the next two touchdowns to secure the win.
 
Wofford is now 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the Southern Conference. East Tennessee State, ranked #23 in the nation, is 5-3 overall and 3-1 in league play. The Terriers were led by Bryce Corriston with 8-of-19 passing and a touchdown, while Ryan Ingram had 36 rushing yards. ETSU quarterback Jaylen King was 18-of-32 passing for 198 yards. He also ran for a pair of touchdowns.
 
"We played a good first half as it was a hard-fought defensive battle by both teams," said head coach Shawn Watson. "The defenses both did a really good job. In the second half we unfortunately gave up some big runs and we had some self-inflicted wounds when we were getting drives going offensively and then having penalties. Those things continue to haunt us and are discipline things that need to get taken care of. We played a good first half, but it got away from us in the second half."
 
The Bucs had the ball first and had one first down before having an incomplete pass on a fake punt attempt. Wofford went three-and-out and punted, with the ball downed at the two-yard line. The Bucs then had three first downs, which included a fourth down conversion, before attempting a 47-yard field goal that was wide right. The Terriers had one first down before punting back to the Bucs with 2:40 left in the first quarter. ETSU had a first down, which was followed by a nine-yard tackle for loss by Isaiah Mananga. On third-and-long, Eli Campbell intercepted a deep pass and Wofford took over at the 30-yard line. After a three-and-out by the Terriers, the Bucs also went three-and-out.
 
After another three-and-out by Wofford, the Bucs took over near midfield. Eli Campbell came up with his second interception of the day and returned it to the 28-yard line. The Terriers attempted a 38-yard field goal that was wide left and the Bucs regained possession. Two passing first downs moved the ball across midfield and then they converted a fourth-and-three with a run to move inside the redzone. The Bucs kicked a 28-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 1:59 left in the first half. Wofford went three-and-out and punted. After three quick first downs, ETSU had a 39-yard field goal attempt that was blocked by Isaiah Wadsworth to end the half.
 
To begin the second half, Wofford had one first down before a miscue on the punt resulted in the Bucs picking up a fumble and returning it 15 yards for a touchdown. ETSU had a 10-0 lead at 10:43 in the third quarter. With the ball back, Wofford had a pair of first downs and then Bryce Corriston found Jordan Davis open for a 29-yard touchdown reception. The Bucs had a 10-7 lead with 7:09 on the clock in the third quarter. On the next drive by ETSU, they had a first down and then converted a fourth-and-one. A 22-yard touchdown run by Jaylen King pushed the lead to 17-7 at the 3:38 mark of the quarter. Wofford went three-and-out and punted. The Bucs had a pair of first downs before Jaylen King ran 32 yards for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead at the 13:08 mark of the fourth quarter. The Terriers had one first down before punting. The Bucs had two first downs before having an incomplete pass on fourth-and-nine with 5:13 left in the game. Wofford had a 32-yard first down reception by Kyle Watkins and Kyle Parsons ran for a first down. A catch by Jack Purdy resulted in another first down, but then on fourth-and-long a pass was incomplete and Wofford turned it over on downs. ETSU took over with 2:26 left and had one first down as they were able to run out the clock.
 
Wofford had 178 total yards, with 103 receiving yards. East Tennessee State had 407 total yards, with 209 of those rushing yards. Wofford had nine first downs to 22 for the Bucs. Wofford was 2-of-12 on third down and 0-of-2 on fourth down. East Tennessee State was 8-of-17 on third down and 3-of-5 on fourth down. East Tennessee State was called for one penalty, while Wofford was called for six. East Tennessee State had a 34:06 to 25:54 time of possession advantage.
 
Wofford vs. East Tennessee State Post-Game Notes
This was the 32nd meeting between the two teams in a series that dates back to 1957. The series is now tied at 16-16 after ETSU has won three of the last four meetings.
 
The contest was the 79th Homecoming game at Wofford ... The Terriers are now 49-28-2 all-time in Homecoming games.
 
Eli Campbell had a pair of interceptions in the first half, giving him three for his career.
 
C. J. Coombes led the team with eight tackles. The defense had eight tackles for loss in the game, including two by Isaiah Mananga.
 
Isaiah Wadsworth blocked a field goal at the end of the first half, the first of his career. Wofford has blocked two field goals this season.
 
The Terriers will be on the road for the next two games, with a visit to Samford on Saturday, Nov. 2, before a trip to Furman on Saturday, Nov. 9.
 
Game captains were Bryce Corriston and Maximus Pulley.
 
Attendance at Gibbs Stadium was 4,548.