Johnson City, Tenn. -- In the final scrimmage before beginning the 2000 season, the East Tennessee State Blue squad -- led by wide receiver Cecil Moore's three catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns -- defeated the Gold team 54-0 in the Bucs' Blue/Gold scrimmage played in Memorial Center.

The Blue offense was engineered by quarterbacks Todd Wells (9-13, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) and Matt Wilhjelm (5-8, 74 yards, 2 TDs). The running game was led by freshman Corey Carter's 69 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries.

The Gold squad was led by quarterback Nick Spearman who went 4-10 for 54 yards. Fullback Jermaine Gamble ganied 21 yards on seven carries for the Gold squad and also gained 31 yards on three carries with two touchdowns for the Blue squad.

The scoring began with two one-yard touchdown runs -- by Terrance Sims and Carter -- to give the Blue team a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter was highlighted by a 78-yard touchdown connection from Wells to Tim Turner and a 37-yard touchdown pass from Wilhjelm to Moore. Gamble added a score at the end of the first half to make the score 34-0 at the break.

In the second half, safety Ryan Vaughn picked off a Dashannon Gamble pass and returned it 35 yards for the score. Moore caught his second touchdown, this one a 25-yard reception, from Wilhjelm to make the score 48-0 after three quarters. In the final quarter, Gamble scampered in from eight yards out to complete the scoring.

Gold linebacker Danny Mathis led all defensive players with seven tackles (three unassisted). The Blue defense was led by All-America candidate Rahim El-Amin (one unassisted, four assisted tackles).

"I was very pleased with our execution today," head coach Paul Hamilton said. "We showed great intensity throughout the entire game. We have some fine-tuning to do this week, but I think we are ready to begin the season."

The Bucs will open their season at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 2 at Liberty. STATISTICS FROM ETSU BLUE & GOLD GAME (August 26, 2000)

Blue Squad
PASSING: Todd Wells -- 9-13, 179 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; Matt Wilhjelm -- 5-8, 74 yards, 2 TDs.

RUSHING: Corey Carter -- 13-69 yards, 1 TD; Terrance Sims -- 4-47 yards, 1 TD; Jermaine Gamble -- 3-31 yards, 2 TDs; Nick Spearman -- 1-15 yards; Scott Carter -- 3-13 yards; Matt Wilhjelm -- 2-8 yards; Andrew Nuckolls -- 1-5 yards; Todd Wells -- 1-4 yards.

RECEIVING: Tim Turner -- 1-78 yards, one TD; Cecil Moore -- 3-74 yards, 2 TDs; Corey Martin -- 4-70 yards; Terrance Sims -- 1-11 yards; Nick Hendrickson -- 2-9 yards; Michael Rader -- 1-8 yards; Andrew Nuckolls -- 1-3 yards.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (unassisted-assisted): Rahim El-Amin (1-4, 1 TFL -3); Frank Hopper (1-2, 1 TFL -2); Howard Nix (2-0); Mark Dukes (1-1); Brandon Calton (1-1); Ryan Vaughn (1-1, 1 INT., 1 TD); Troy Carter (1 INT).

Gold Squad
PASSING: Nick Spearman -- 4-10, 54 yards, 1 INT; Dashannon Gamble -- 3-8, 5 yards, 1 INT.

RUSHING: Jermaine Gamble -- 7-21 yards; Derrick Tucker -- 4-4 yards; Dashannon Gamble -- 2- -1 yards; Nick Spearman -- 3- -3 yards; Tony Tiler -- 1- -3 yards;

RECEIVING: Scott Brumet -- 1-20 yards; Rick Nesbit -- 2-20 yards; Tony Tiller -- 2-18 yards; Matt Young -- 1-2 yards; Jermaine Gamble -- 1- -1 yards.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (unassisted-assisted): Danny Mathis (3-4); Gary Rivers (3-1, 1 TFL -5); Austin Smiley (3-1); Jamal Rocke (1-2,1 INT); Everett Banks (2-0, 1TFL-3); Lamar Beam (1-1); LaShawn Taylor (1-1).