By Robbie Ross
SouthernPigskin.com

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East Tennessee State (2-0, 1-0) made a successful return to SoCon play this afternoon, defeating Western Carolina 34-31.

East Tennessee State (2-0, 1-0) made a successful return to SoCon play this afternoon, defeating Western Carolina (1-2, 0-1) 34-31 in front of 13,863 people at Bristol Motor Speedway in the first conference game for the Bucs since bringing football back after an eleven-year hiatus.0

Western Carolina jumped out to an early 21-3 lead with 4:09 left before halftime, but ETSU quarterback Austin Herink threw one of his three touchdown passes with four seconds left in the half to cut the Catamounts’ lead to 21-10 at the break.

Herink, who was 24 of 37 for 269 yards on the day, connected on two third quarter touchdown passes to give the Bucs their first lead at 24-21.0 Jajuan Stinson, who rushed for 91 yards on 18 carries, extended the Buc lead to 34-31 on a one-yard touchdown run with 1:19 left in the game.0

Catamount quarterback Tyrie Adams was 26 of 39 for 343 yards and two touchdowns on the day, including a 45-yard touchdown pass to Detrez Newsome with 13 seconds left in the game to cut the deficit to 34-31.

ETSU then recovered the onside kick to seal the win.0

East Tennessee State travels to Wofford next Saturday, Western Carolina takes the week off.