JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – The ETSU faithful got their first look at Tre Lamb’s Buccaneers at the Ballard Health Blue & Gold Spring Game on Friday night.
The Bucs' 15th and final spring practice under their new head coach was punctuated by a 28-3 scrimmage victory for the Blue team. The team's top two quarterbacks helped the winning team score early and often, accounting for 239 of the group's 412 yards.
Jalen King, who transferred to Webb from Gardner, completed 10 of 14 for 86 yards and two touchdowns, gaining an additional 22 yards on the ground.
“He moves around here, he's taller than the offensive line. He makes unplanned plays,” Lamb said after the game. “You don’t have to make the perfect play call on 3rd & 3 and all of a sudden you get a first down.”
College transfer Cole Doyle completed 7 of 10 passes for 131 yards and two scores.
“It was great to see,” Lamb said. “I think you both had a fun day.”
Both of King's touchdowns on the night came from former Gardner Webb teammates. On the opening drive, he hit tight end Jonathan Barnes on a short route. In the second quarter, it was AJ Johnson who scored on a quick crosser.
“It was a great start,” King said. “We started the day with a touchdown. We stepped up and got going through the scrimmage.”
“Me and him, we have that connection,” Johnson explained. “When you get it early on, you know you're going to get it later on. So it was great to see that and be able to come out here and tell them that in the first place. .”
“Once you get a first down, you start going fast,” Lamb said. “You start playing point guard there. (King) knows where (Johnson) is going. He knows when it's going to lean, when it's going to work. They're on the same page right now. I have.”
Johnson finished the day with four catches for 33 yards and a score, while former GW Bulldog Justin Franklin led all receivers in scoring with three catches for 72 yards and a long touchdown from Doyle.
But it wasn't all about offense inside William B. Green Jr. Stadium. Blue defensive back Cam Sims tipped and intercepted a pass on the Gold's first drive.
“Man, that was a great play call,” he said. “I feel like I made the most of this opportunity, but I have to thank God for that.”
Jimmy Bowdry returned the favor by picking off Doyle's pass deep downfield and steadying the ship.
The Blue finally sealed the deal on Tyreke Naak's forced fumble, which was scooped up by Teddy Wilson.
“I was very impressed that our defense committed three turnovers,” Lamb said. “That's always good. If he can get three points in a game, it means we have a great chance to win.”
Both players and head coach believe the team is in a good position heading into the summer. But Lamb explained that the work is not done yet, and that includes the possibility of expanding the roster.
“We would like to potentially add another (running) back,” he said. “We didn't have any turnovers at that position, but it's possible we're looking at it in the portal. I'd love to get another pass rusher – maybe to give us a little more depth. We’d like to get another Interior All defensive lineman.”
The 2024 ETSU football season begins on August 31st with a trip to Boone, North Carolina to take on Appalachian State University. The next time the Bucs will be in front of a home crowd is their home opener against UVA Wise on Saturday, September 7th.
