By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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The Buccaneers outlast Samford 55-48 in one of the best games of the college football season.

nWhat a game in Birmingham. What a finish. What a start to the season for East Tennessee State.

nIn a wild showdown with Samford that resulted in 1,259 total yards, 103 total points and 46 combined points in the fourth quarter alone, the Buccaneers are now 4-0 with an SEC win and the momentum of a 1-0 SoCon start following one of the most exciting contests in league history. Saturday’s most entertaining game featured an East Tennessee State victory. The season is just now settling in; the Buccaneers already have a resume to remember.xc2xa0

nFew teams in the country have had an opening month quite like East Tennessee State. The Buccaneers should only continue to move up in the national polls. Great teams simply find ways to win and East Tennessee State has won seven of eight meetings overall. The Buccaneers have shown a remarkable ability just get it done, regardless of the type of performance is needed. Mere weeks after beating Vanderbilt in a game with just one offensive touchdown, East Tennessee State edged Samford in a matchup with 13.xc2xa0

nThis was an afternoon that blended college football and fantasy football together; it could have come with two controllers.

nEast Tennessee State quarterback Tyler Riddell threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns, adding another rushing, running back Quay Holmes rushed for 168 yards and two scores and receiver Will Huzzie had eight catches for 113 yards and a touchdown. Overall, the Buccaneers averaged 8.3 yards per pass and 6.2 yards per rush. They came through with the overtime defensive stand that Samford could not get. In a losing effort, the Bulldogs compiled 728 total yards, with Liam Welch throwing for 582 yards, rushing for 73 more, and three touchdowns. There were 65 combined first downs.

nDown 33-24 early in the fourth quarter, East Tennessee State promptly responded with a rally for the ages: three touchdowns from Riddell, two passing and one rushing, and a Tyler Keltner field goal at the end of regulation to force overtime. In extra play, Holmes scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 13-yard run. On a corresponding fourth down, linebacker Donovan Manuel slammed the door shut with an open field tackle just before the first down marker.

nOn a day where many offensive records were set, Manuel opened play with a fumble recovery on a strip sack by Timmy Dorsey on the first play from scrimmage and later closed it with the most important tackle of the game.

nThrough it all, the final result was East Tennessee State at 4-0 for the first time since 1999.

nIt may prove to be a very special season in Johnson City. The Buccaneers are well on their way.