Bucs fall short to Mountaineers in season opener

BOONE, N.C. — The East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Bucs battled in Boone, North Carolina on Saturday to kick off their football season against the Appalachian State University (ASU) Mountaineers.

The Blue and Gold hung around all afternoon, but the home squad converted a handful of big plays for a 38-10 victory.

The Mountaineers went to the air on their first drive – and were successful almost immediately. On the second play from scrimmage, quarterback Joey Aguilar placed a perfect deep ball to Christian Horn for an 83-yard touchdown strike, making it a 7-0 ball game.

Another field goal in the first quarter, followed by an Aguilar keeper in the second quarter stretched the App State lead to 17-0.

The Bucs silenced the crowd of more than 36,000 fans in a flash, however, as Devontae Houtston ripped off an 80-yard touchdown run to slash the lead down to 17-7.

Houston, the UConn transfer, carried the ball 15 times for 126 yards and the touchdown.

The Blue and gold defense forced a turnover on downs out of the halftime locker room, and drew within seven points of the Mountaineer with a 25-yard field goal from Ewan Johnson in the third quarter.

But, the home squad scored touchdowns on each of the next three drives to put the game out of reach.

Aguilar connected with Eli Wilson from 34 yards out in the third quarter. A 47-yard scamper from Makai Jackson, followed by another one-yard Aguilar keeper put ASU ahead for good, 38-10.

ETSU quarterback Jaylen King was 10-of-19 for 122 yards in his Bucs debut. He also added 17 yards on the ground.

Cam Lewis led the receiving efforts, catching three balls for 47 yards. Transfer wideouts AJ Johnson and Karim Page, who each had two catches, combined for 48 more receiving yards.

Aguilar, a preseason Maxwell Award Watch List honoree, was an impressive 22-of-37 for 326 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while adding 19 more yards and two more scores with his feet.

The Bucs will play their home opener against UVA Wise on Sept. 7.

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