JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Dec. 19, 2024) – With the announcement of the SoCon football schedule earlier this afternoon, the ETSU football team unveiled its entire 2025 schedule on Thursday. The 12-game slate features eight SoCon games, six contests at Bank of Tennessee Field at William B. Greene, Jr. Stadium and a trip to nationally-ranked Tennessee.
“I’m really excited about our schedule,” said ETSU Head Football Coach Will Healy. “We start with four great non-conference games and then move into our highly competitive conference schedule. Even though it will be challenging, it’s one I’m excited for and I can’t wait to see the type of home environment that we’re going to create in Johnson City.”
The Healy era of ETSU football will begin on August 30 when the Bucs host Murray State. The Bucs and Racers have met 21 times over the years, but this will mark the first matchup between these two programs since October 21, 1978. Following the home opener, the Bucs will mark the short trip to Knoxville to take on Tennessee on September 6. The Volunteers, who are currently prepping for a playoff game at Ohio State on Saturday, will clash against ETSU for just the second time ever with the only other meeting occurring in 2018.
ETSU will remain on the road for its next game with a trip to Division I newcomer West Georgia on September 13. UWG just finished its first season of Division I football after moving up from Division II and posted a 4-7 record. One of those four wins came against fellow SoCon school Samford, 38-29. The Bucs will then close out their non-conference schedule back in Johnson City against Elon on September 20. ETSU defeated the Phoenix this past season by a score of 34-14 at Elon.
“Our home opener against Murray State will be a good test,” Healy added. “I’ve known their Head Coach Jody Wright for a long time and know what type of job he’s going to do there. Going to Tennessee the week after will be incredible opportunity for our fan base and players. I have a ton of respect for them and I know it will be a tremendous environment coming off their appearance in the College Football Playoff. West Georgia is an up-and-coming FCS program that had tons of success in their history so they’ll expect more of the same. Finally, Elon is a program that also has plenty of tradition and is led by another Head Coach that I have loads of respect for in Tony Trisciani.”
The Buccaneers will begin SoCon play against the last two conference champions. First, ETSU will welcome Mercer to Johnson City on September 27. The Bears were the lone SoCon team to make the FCS Playoff field in 2024 where they eventually bowed out against North Dakota State, 31-7. A trip to Furman is next up for the Bucs on October 4. When the Bucs head to Greenville to start October, they’ll not only look to avenge a 24-21 loss to the Paladins in November but also win at Furman for the fourth time in 21 attempts.
ETSU will close October with two of three games at home. The Bucs will host VMI on October 11 and Wofford on October 25. The Bucs’ lone road trip during this stretch will be to rival Chattanooga on October 18. This will be a homecoming of sorts for ETSU’s new Head Coach Will Healy as he is a native of Chattanooga and was an assistant coach for the Mocs from 2009 through 2015.
The season’s final month will begin with back-to-back road games for the Blue and Gold with trips to Samford on November 8 and Western Carolina on November 15. ETSU rallied to beat both the Bulldogs and Catamounts in Johnson City this past season by scores of 31-28 and 24-21, respectively. The Bucs will then close out the regular season at home against The Citadel on November 22. ETSU has won five of the last seven games against the Bulldogs, including a 34-17 victory last September in Charleston.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in Southern Conference,” Healy said of the conference schedule. “I know not only the quality of competition but also the quality of the coaches in this league. “I know each and every week it will be extremely difficult for us to find ways to be able to win. With that said, our players, myself and the rest of our coaching staff will be ready for it.”
Tickets for the 2025 season will be made available soon. Call the ETSU Ticket Office (423-439-3878) or visit ETSUTickets.com for more information.
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.
