Perhaps the rugby team that I play for should show the ETSU team how to use leverage when tackling. The Sea Hawks adopted rugby style tackling and look at them now.

I guess we didn't have to worry about hearing "wagon wheel" too much last night.

Kinda expected to see an official fire Coach Torbush Thread up already up given some of the naysayers around here.

The pregame and early game atmosphere was great.

They played hard in the first half but that pick six deflated our balloon in a hurry.

Walking onto the field watching warm ups you knew we were in for some trouble. Just too athletic for us.

Having said that , we were pathetic in the tackling department.

Oh well, maybe we will see some improvement next week. Go Bucs !

(09-04-2015 06:00 AM)JWBUC Wrote:  I guess we didn't have to worry about hearing "wagon wheel" too much last night.

Kinda expected to see an official fire Coach Torbush Thread up already up given some of the naysayers around here.

The pregame and early game atmosphere was great.

They played hard in the first half but that pick six deflated our balloon in a hurry.

Walking onto the field watching warm ups you knew we were in for some trouble. Just too athletic for us.

Having said that , we were pathetic in the tackling department.

Oh well, maybe we will see some improvement next week. Go Bucs !

97 freshmen on our roster. Don't care how many on theirs. But, think I saw somewhere that they have 23 upperclassmen playing, with several transfers in from power five programs. We're building for the future (?), they built for the present. Are we following the right strategy? Why did we not go after DIA transfers like Forbes is doing in basketball? Bet there were a number of them out there who would have jumped at the chance to actually play. The difference in these two programs is glaring. All Bucs fans hope this seasoned coaching staff fixes things soon -- especially the defense.

I'm severely disappointed with how things turned out on the field last night but the atmosphere and build up were fantastic. We definitely have reason to be upset and concerned with the play and it's fair to second guess some things. However, pressing the panic button and abandoning ship like some here seem to be willing to do is a big overreaction. In hindsight we should have scheduled a Marrs Hill caliber team and beat up on them a little. That's the big mistake. everybody leaves happy and excited. Way too early to criticize recruiting and program development.

(09-04-2015 08:06 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  I'm severely disappointed with how things turned out on the field last night but the atmosphere and build up were fantastic. We definitely have reason to be upset and concerned with the play and it's fair to second guess some things. However, pressing the panic button and abandoning ship like some here seem to be willing to do is a big overreaction. In hindsight we should have scheduled a Marrs Hill caliber team and beat up on them a little. That's the big mistake. everybody leaves happy and excited. Way too early to criticize recruiting and program development.

Absolutely, we should have opened with a Ky Wesleyan (unless the Katrina State opener was for a bunch of money or something) -- Murray St walloped them last evening.

I don't think anyone is jumping ship, but last night spoke of poor planning and preparation. At times it looked like a high school team playing a college team - which in essence, it was. KSU was bigger, faster, and already experienced due to transfers. ETSU made very green mistakes that held the offense back, but defense is my concern in a startup program. Missing tackles, hung up by blocks....

It will get better, but it could take the two-three full years while we wait on the stadium. If the young men's pride is hurt already, then they learned a good lesson about big time football and the reality of competition. I'm still reserving judgment until the stadium is complete. The program is not fully here, to me, until that time. I hope the rest of the community can be as patient.

Kennesaw fan here. Fun trip and had a great time with some ETSU fans. Great hospitality and the entire trip was a good time.

Few notes.. if you don't rotate QB's you are in it much longer... There is a noticeable drop off. Your offensive line has great length and played very well for the most part. When those guys grow into their bodies a little more that could get scary. #90 on defense.. we couldn't block him all night.. There is a lot to build on.

While disappointed by the outcome it was great to be at an ETSU football game again. It was great seeing the big crowd and everyone tailgating before the game. I just hope the outcome of our first game won't stop people from coming to any future games.

I had a tough time holding it together watching the marching Bucs cross the field pregame. 12 years ago I expected that was something I'd never experience.

Herink should have stayed in while the game was still competitive. He looked composed and the chains were moving with him in command. I have no doubt that we lose this game either way but it's not as ugly with him in. Sexton gift wrapped 2 td's for KSU with the pick 6 being a soul crusher. I hate pulling a qb out of a game unless he did something to earn it. Coach Torbush obviously had an idea going in and there was no changing his mind.

My guess is Torbush realized Herink was the guy, but late in the game. So we just kept Sexton in to finish with mop up duty. I'm thinking we recruit 10-15 transfers and Jucos next season so we'll be balanced with Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. KSU will win some Big South games this year.

(09-04-2015 11:07 AM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  My guess is Torbush realized Herink was the guy, but late in the game. So we just kept Sexton in to finish with mop up duty. I'm thinking we recruit 10-15 transfers and Jucos next season so we'll be balanced with Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. KSU will win some Big South games this year.

I agree wholeheartedly. KSU got it done and brought one home for their history book. Let's do what it takes on and off the field this season to be competitive going into next season.

I don't see anyone here jumping ship at all. I expected us to lose the game (not quiet as badly), so I can't be upset when that happens. I have no doubt that the majority of the fans at that stadium will not jump ship when this happens multiple times this year. The only thing to worry about is 1) the students who don't follow this as closely and 2) the naysayers who will use this next 2-3 years of losing football to their advantage when criticizing the program and Noland.

I am excited about having a football team finally and enjoyed the experience last night. I am having a difficult time reacting to what I thought would be a close game. I expected KSU to be better but the the huge difference between us and them was very surprising. I hope we improve quickly as that will be what really is expected of a freshman team. Take lumps but get better every game. That is what I am looking for this year.

Well next week hopefully we'll crush Maryville, and keep Herink in the entire game

There are some much easier games coming up and a few almost guaranteed wins. Way to early, I hope, to be but so worried. When programs are just starting decisions have to be made about how many transfers , JUCOs, etc. you want and weighed against the longer term goals. Not sure ETSU made all the right decisions but maybe in the long term they did. In any case on to the next game. If we lose to Maryville then I will be seriously worried. Go Bucs!

(09-04-2015 11:07 AM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  My guess is Torbush realized Herink was the guy, but late in the game. So we just kept Sexton in to finish with mop up duty. I'm thinking we recruit 10-15 transfers and Jucos next season so we'll be balanced with Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. KSU will win some Big South games this year.

A quick glance shows around 35 upperclassmen on their roster. Again, why did we not go heavy after transfers the first couple recruiting cycles and then settle into signing mostly freshmen from year three on? A new program where playing time is virtually guaranteed for DIA transfers. especially from power five programs, should be attractive to people who want playing time. There can't be too many DIA benched or with little-playing-time players out there could not have an immediate impact on a brand new program. Seems this is a new era in college football --- that is, getting a new program up and running full speed the first year. Or, maybe I do not know what I'm talking about, and ETSU was simply unable to get any of these people, or there are too few of them available from up the line, or this redshirt plan will start paying big dividends by the time the new stadium opens. But, did ETSU study the strategies of recent start up programs? And, is Fulmer still on the payroll? Was he there last night?

(09-04-2015 02:17 PM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  There are some much easier games coming up and a few almost guaranteed wins. Way to early, I hope, to be but so worried. When programs are just starting decisions have to be made about how many transfers , JUCOs, etc. you want and weighed against the longer term goals. Not sure ETSU made all the right decisions but maybe in the long term they did. In any case on to the next game. If we lose to Maryville then I will be seriously worried. Go Bucs!

Still we should have kept Austin Herink in the entire game. I think he was our defined starter and should've played the most reps last night.

(09-04-2015 02:33 PM)Buc66 Wrote:  

(09-04-2015 11:07 AM)ETSUfan1 Wrote:  My guess is Torbush realized Herink was the guy, but late in the game. So we just kept Sexton in to finish with mop up duty. I'm thinking we recruit 10-15 transfers and Jucos next season so we'll be balanced with Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors. KSU will win some Big South games this year.

A quick glance shows around 35 upperclassmen on their roster. Again, why did we not go heavy after transfers the first couple recruiting cycles and then settle into signing mostly freshmen from year three on? A new program where playing time is virtually guaranteed for DIA transfers. especially from power five programs, should be attractive to people who want playing time. There can't be too many DIA benched or with little-playing-time players out there could not have an immediate impact on a brand new program. Seems this is a new era in college football --- that is, getting a new program up and running full speed the first year. Or, maybe I do not know what I'm talking about, and ETSU was simply unable to get any of these people, or there are too few of them available from up the line, or this redshirt plan will start paying big dividends by the time the new stadium opens. But, did ETSU study the strategies of recent start up programs? And, is Fulmer still on the payroll? Was he there last night?

Yes Fulmer was there, someone I know was sitting beside him.

A couple of quick observations. First, I agree, I didn't expect to be blown out like that, especially the way we started. Goes to show what having the upperclassmen can do. I liked the conservative game plan. I really expected a lot of penalties, fumbles, bad snaps and so on due to nerves. I was happy to see there wasn't any of that. I was impressed with Stinson out of the backfield both running and receiving. Does anybody know why he didn't play much in the 2nd half? I agree that Herink needs to be the starter and the #1 guy at this point. Swapping the QB's out needs to end for the time being. I was really disappointed with the defense. I did expect more there.

My observations about the Stadium. This was the first game i had been to there. I think the lighting was horrible. Way to dark. I'm surprised Science Hill doesn't improve on that. The PA was also lousy. We sat in sec B and had a hard time hearing. When the players come out the music was barely audible. That needs to be resolved. Otherwise, for the first time out, I thought they did a pretty decent job. There were some issues that were bound to happen, I just never thought i would see a game delayed due to a drone!

I'm pretty sure that the lights are being fixed. I believe the decision on that has already been made. The only issue I had with the sound system was the echo, which I guess is hard to manage. It sure is a lot better than Freedom Hall.

My biggest issues with the stadium isn't fixable. It has a track around it which I just hate, and it is too spread out. With bleachers on the hill overlooking the stadium, etc., it didn't feel like there were over 8,000 people there. I will be glad when the new stadium opens on campus as that seems like it will be a much more intimate environment. But hey, we are leasing a high school stadium- I guess we can't be picky.