ETSU to face Samford in Senior Day matchup

It's a contrast of styles when the East Tennessee State football team hosts Samford on Saturday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day. The No. 19 Bucs are 6-3 overall and 4-1 in the Southern Conference after a loss to Tennessee Tech a week ago. The visiting Bulldogs (3-6, 3-3) come to Greene Stadium and winners of their last two games. Adding to Saturday's festivities, ETSU will honor 22 players on Senior Day. "We have 13 guys who have exhausted eligibility, and nine more that are graduating," ETSU coach Will Healy said. "I've allowed those guys based on what's happening next in their careers to walk this week. We will have the conversations when the season comes to an end whether they're coming back here, but I don't want those guys to miss an opportunity." Healy acknowledged wide receiver Xavier Gaillardetz and kicker Ewan Johnson, who have spent all five years at ETSU. The coach added Saturday's opponent also adds motivation to the final regular-season home game. It is also Military Appreciation Day as active and retired military members can receive up to four complimentary tickets upon showing their ID. Samford holds the overall series edge 8-5, although it's 5-5 since ETSU brought football back in 2015. ETSU has won the last two games including last season's 38-14 romp in Birmingham. Samford coach John Grass has Paul Tyson, great-grandson of Bear Bryant, as well as the sons of Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables and former Auburn coach Gene Chizik on staff. Healy talked about the momentum the Bulldogs have after back-to-back wins over Furman and Wofford where they've given up 15 points over two games. Max Steve piled up an incredible 20 tackles against Wofford, while Spencer Conn had 13. Conn ranks second in the SoCon with 82 tackles, including nine tackles for a loss. The offense is based on the passing game and Oregon State transfer Gabbari Johnson at quarterback. Johnson has thrown for 1,584 yards and eight touchdowns. "He's been extremely productive. He's talented, can beat you with his legs and has a really strong arm," Healy said. "Their best wideout is Marquise Henderson, a transfer from Clemson. The receiver (Kevonte) Corbin is also a kickoff returner and dynamic there." Preston Bird has the most catches, 33 for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Henderson is the yardage leader at 465 yards on 27 receptions, while Cayden Auckerman has 31 catches for 303 yards. Corbin has snagged 18 balls for 219 yards. Ken Cherry is the leading rusher with 357 yards, while running back Dom Thomas, who has 154 yards, is someone whom Healy is well familiar with. Thomas started at Union College, and after family members were killed in a tornado in Alabama, he fulfilled a dream as a walk-on at Clemson. The next season, he transferred to Georgia State where Healy was running backs coach. He later played at Ole Miss alongside Jason Albritton, now at ETSU. BUC LEADERS ETSU has three players in the top 15 SoCon rushing leaders. T.J. Peyton has 860 yards, third in the league, and eight touchdowns. Albritton has 352 yards and is tied for the SoCon lead with nine touchdowns. Jaiden Daniels has 350 yards and ranks fourth in the SoCon at 6.4 yards per carry. Quarterback Mason Mims had his worst game of the season statistically against Tennessee Tech when he went 15-of-32 passing for 114 yards and no touchdowns. He still leads the SoCon with a 68.8 completion rate, and ranks third in the league with both 1,838 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Suderian Harrison is the top receiver with 33 catches for 420 yards. Tyler Griffin, Brandon Winton, Charlie Browder and Trey Weary all have 20 or more catches. Linebacker Dre Delinois leads the defense with 70 tackles and Jarvis Johnson is next with 50 tackles. Samford kicker Ty Ippolito has an extremely strong leg with a 58-yard field goal this season. However, Johnson has been more consistent for ETSU making 9-of-12 attempts. He's only missed once inside 50 yards, and is perfect on 33 extra-points.