Bucs evaluating options at quarterback after loss to Mocs

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – After four-consecutive weeks of at least 34 points and 380 yards per contest, the ETSU offense struggled against rival Chattanooga in a 17-10 loss on Saturday.

Head coach Tre Lamb took responsibility after the game, as he expressed frustrations about the lack of offensive rhythm throughout the afternoon.

“Everything is a 2nd & 12 or 3rd & 8,” he said after the game. “You run the ball for six yards and it’s … 2nd & 4, you try to throw it and then all the sudden you get a lineman downfield. Or all the sudden, you get a receiver not set.”

“A lot of that is driven by the play calling and quarterback,” he continued.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Lamb elected to sit starting quarterback, Jaylen King. The sophomore compiled 73 total yards in the first three quarters of action.

He turned to another Gardner-Webb transfer, fifth-year senior Gino English, for a spark. He finished out the game completing 3-of-8 passes for 57 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

“I’ve been a backup my whole college career,” he said after the game. “Staying ready – at any moment in the game – any moment anything could happen and I could go in there. So, I’m always ready for that.”

But, it’s not just the quarterback position Lamb will be evaluating headed into another home conference matchup with Samford on Saturday.

“Yeah, I would say there are no jobs right now,” Lamb stated. “We gotta go figure out who is going to win them. Who gives us a best chance to win – what eleven guys can play in rhythm, play ahead of the sticks and score points.”

When asked about the possibility of starting against the Bulldogs, English took a stand for his teammate.

Whatever happens, me or him, we’re going to push each other and compete,” English said. “But, Jaylen is an incredible player, he’s made some great plays this year. I don’t want anybody to think that he can’t do it.”

Lamb and a select few players will address the media during the team’s weekly press conference at 12 p.m. on Monday.

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