After a convincing season-opening win over Syracuse, Tennessee returns to the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium this weekend as they host instate foe ETSU in its home opener. A week away from a matchup against Georgia, Tennessee is looking to build momentum and avoid injuries against the Bucs.
Each week, Rocky Top Insider will take you behind the scenes with a question and answer with a media member who covers Tennessee’s opponent.
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What the energy and expectations are around the ETSU program entering Will Healy’s first season as head coach?
“The energy is fantastic, Healy is a really positive guy. Expectations— they were picked fourth in the SoCon. I know some say that’s too low with those two transfer quarterbacks coming in. But I think that’s realistic at the moment because with the transfer portal, no one knows what anyone’s really got until they start playing. Murray State had like 70 transfers. ETSU has 53 new players. From week to week, it’s a question mark. Even with big schools. You saw that with Florida State and Alabama.”
How ETSU handled its two quarterback system in the opener?
“What they did in the first game is had (Cade) McNamara play the first two series and (Jacolby) Criswell played the next two. Actually, inside the series they substituted a couple times. Criswell came in for more running situations and McNamara in more passing situations.
It’s definitely unique. Will Healy made a comment about a week ago that they want to be the poster child for playing two quarterbacks. You think about East Tennessee, that’s not unique with Steve Spurrier, who grew up in Johnson City, is probably the guy who’s done that more successfully than anyone when he was at Florida.”
What are the strengths of the two quarterbacks and how they performed against Murray State?
“They look for Criswell more in running situations. He’s 230 pounds. He’s a big guy and has actually lost some weight. He was 250 when he got to ETSU. He’s a bit more toned up and in shape. With McNamara, he’s got such a strong arm. He’s a great passer.
As far as evaluating their first game, I’d give them both a B. They ended up with a win. Criswell was 5-for-8 for 38 yards and ran for 46. McNamara completed 12-of-17 passes for 146 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He had, maybe, some first game jitters. He overthrew a couple of guys but for the most part threw the ball well.”
Outside of quarterback, what is the strength of the ETSU offense?
“More than the quarterbacks, the running game was really great against Murray State. They have a burner Devontae Houston who was the second leading rusher on the team last year. Last year, he broke an 80 yarder against App State. Against Murray State, he ended up with 128 yards.
They have two bruising running backs behind him in Khalil Eischelberger and Jason Albritton who actually played at Ole Miss. He’s a bowling ball.”
What are the strengths and weaknesses of ETSU’s defense?
“I covered the scrimmages and the defense was well ahead of the offense during that time. Defensive line is really good. They have a guy that came in from UCF— Kaven Call. He’s really good on the defensive line. And they have two other linemen— Brenden LeBlanc and Rashad Whitehead. LeBlanc is a strong player and Whitehead is another good defensive lineman.
Ty Anderson leads the linebacking core. He had eight tackles against Murray State. The defensive backfield I think has really improved. Mike Jenkins had an interception on Saturday and Jason Duclona had a nice game. And they have a lot of depth back there.”
Is Tennessee transfer Charlie Browder the starting tight end? How has he performed?
“Yes. It’s been huge for him. Growing up in Kingsport and to now be playing for the Bucs against the Vols where he played last year. He’s still got a lot of good friends at Tennessee. Charlie is a real likable guy. Very athletic family. His younger brother Jack Browder is a star basketball player at Carson Newman.”
Score prediction?
“I think it’ll be closer than last time (2018). ETSU played Aguilar tough last year, getting beat 38-10 at App State.”
Tennessee 45, ETSU 10
