Cleveland’s Austin Herink Has ETSU on Cusp of FCS Playoffs

Johnson City-ETSU is one win away from wrapping up a spot in the FCS playoffs, and former Cleveland Blue Raider Austin Herink has been a big part of the Bucs playoff drive. We get more from WJHL-TV on the ETSU senior quarterback.

LAST NOVEMBER, ETSU PLAYERS WERE LEFT SHAKING THEIR HEADS AS THEY WALKED OFF THE FIELD IN CHATTANOOGA FOLLOWING A DISAPPOINTING 10-3 LOSS TO END THE 2017 SEASON. THE TEAM’S SIGNAL CALLER CONTEMPLATED WHETHER HE WOULD SUIT UP AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

Said Herink:”In the locker room after the game I was thinking, I don’t know how much longer I can do this. I don’t know if I want to keep on going with this. But I thought, what the heck else would I do?”

A COACHING CHANGE MEANT NEW OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE BOARD AND HERINK WAS THRUST INTO A QUARTERBACK BATTLE FOR HIS FINAL SEASON. THE THREE-YEAR STARTER WOULD START THE YEAR AS A BACKUP.

Said Herink:”Kind of had a feeling, and feelings aren’t always trustworthy, but I just had a feeling that at some point they were going to need me to come back in and win a game or something.”

HERINK’S MOMENT CAME IN WEEK 4 WITH THE BUCS TRAILING FURMAN BY 21 POINTS. THE SENIOR LED A 23 POINT COMEBACK TO GIVE ETSU A 29-27 WIN. HERINK WAS GIVEN THE STARTING ROLE FROM THAT POINT FORWARD, WITH THE BUCS WINNING 5 OF THEIR NEXT 6 GAMES AND EARNING AT LEAST A SHARE OF THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE TITLE.

Said Herink:”When my moment came, I was ready for it. The only thing you can control is how you respond. You always have to stay ready because you never know when your opportunity is gonna come.”

Said linebacker Austin Gatewood”He’s one of the hardest working teammates I’ve ever been around. Just to see what he’s done, what he’s been able to do this season I’m really happy for him.”

ETSU closes out their regular season Saturday against Samford.