The Tennessee at Chattanooga football team (5-3, 3-3) needs one win in its last three games to post a winning season for the first time since 2005 and Southern Coference foe and national power Appalachian State is the first hurdle for the Mocs today at 3:30 p.m. In Boone, N.C.

And a big hurdle at that.

The No. 8 Mountaineers (6-2, 5-0) lead the nation with 513 yards per game in total offense and are second in the country in scoring average at 39.0. The Mocs have held five of its eight opponents to 20 points or less.

The Mocs offense is averaging 314 yards per game with a scoring average of 23.1.

Since an overtime road win at The Citadel (30-27) a month ago, the Mountaineer offense has been a force to be reckoned with, posting staggering numbers.

ASU total offense numbers have been 644 (N.C. Central), 611 (Wofford), season-high 712 (Ga. Southern) and 554 last week against Furman.

“They have really come alive since the overtime game against The Citadel and we will have our hands full on Saturday,'' said UTC coach Russ Huesman earlier in the week.

The Mocs will rely on senior defensive end Josh Beard to lead the way as he leads the nation in sacks (10.5). He also has 25 tackles and a forced fumble.

He has been named the Southern Conference defensive player of the month for October has he had seven sacks in four games.

UTC is second in the Southern Conference in turnover margin with +5, with nine interceptions and seven fumble recoveries. The Blue and Gold have turned the ball over 11 times. Chattanooga is No. 30 in the nation in the turnover margin category.

The Mocs are No. 2 in the SoCon and 19th in the NCAA FCS in pass defense, allowing just 160.6 yards per game through the air.

On offense, the Mocs look to sophomore quarterback B.J. Coleman and his top receiver Blue Cooper.
Coleman is fourth in the SoCon in passing yards per game (213.8) with 13 touchdown passes against only three interceptions.

Cooper had a career day in last Saturday';s 24-20 come-from-behind win against Western Carolina with 16 receptions. Cooper is averaging seven catches a game and has four touchdown catches.

Thirteen Mocs have caught at least one ball, with Cooper at the top of the list with 60 (4 TDs), followed by Chris Pitchford with 27 (4 TDs) and Clint Woods at 24 (1 TD).

On the ground, the Mocs rely on freshman running back Chris Awuah who ha 341 yards and four scores. Bo Dyer has gained 91 yards and one touchdown.

Notes:

The B.J. Hand Shake … The 6-5, 210 sophomore quarterback has, to say the least, a firm handshake which he learned from his mom, Anita.

“Before B.J. attended sixth grade orientation at McCallie I told him to give people a firm handshake and look them in the eye when you address them,'' said Anita Coleman. “You have one chance to make a good first impression.

“I believe it's a good rule to live by. Absolutely.''

Mrs. Coleman is the principal at DuPont Elementary in Hixson and is a graduate of UTC where she met her husband and former Mocs football player, Byron.

Education is important to Mrs. Coleman evidenced by the fact that her grades were good enough to allow her to skip the 11th grade in high school in New Jersey and graduate at the age of 16.

B.J. Earned Freshman Academic Honor Roll recognition while at the University in 2007.

The Western Carolina Win:

Offensive Line:

The O-Line gave Coleman good protection as he was 22 of 41 and one interception ff 248 yards.

Coach Huesman:

“The guys did a nice job of pass protection.''

Running Backs

In the second quarter scoring drive, Bo Dyer had runs of 15,2 and 2 and a 20 yard reception as the Mocs' Craig Camay kicked his first of four field goals.

Coach Huesman:

Bo (Dyer) had a couple of big plays for us in that one drive which was needed. Overall, there was no much room to run in the game.''

Quarterback

B.J.Coleman started slow, but finished 22 of 41 with one INT and 248 yards and a scoring toss to Blue Cooper.

Coach Huesman:

''B.J. played well in the second half.''

Receivers

Blue Cooper caught 16 passes - two short of the school and SoCon record for catches in a game – and 14 yards.

Coach Huesman:

''Coop played really well and he is always so tough for us.''

Defensive Line

Coach Huesman:

''The D-Line did a pretty nice job with two sacks (Josh Beard, Joshua Williams) and forced Western to do some things they didn't want to do. Joshua Williams and Josh Beard did a good job.''

Linebackers

Joe Thornton had eight tackles and Ryan Consiglio had five.

Coach Huesman:

“Solid effort and made key plays for us.''

“Our front seven did a good job against the run and Western didn't do that well on the ground (75 rushing yards).''

Defensive Backs

Jordan Tippit, who received a “dog tag'' from defensive coordinator Adam Fuller for his game, had four tackles, an interception and fumble recovery off a punt which led to a Moc field goal which pulled Chattanooga within two at 20-18 early in the fourth quarter.

“Another good game from Jordan Tippit and Buster Skrine did a nice job as well.''

“Overall, our defense kept us in the game until our offense could get going. The game could have gotten away from us if not for the play of our defense.''

Defensive Coordinator Adam Fuller:

“Good day. We gave up only one big play on a 46-yard pass play (2nd quarter touchdown drive). We got pressure on their quarterback and played very well vs. the run.

Kicking Game

Senior Craig Camay was 4-for-4 in field goals.
Punter Mike Hammons averaged 41.8 on four punts with a career-best of 54 ... Had two punts downed inside the WCU 20 yard line.

Special Teams

Coach Huesman:

''Special teams is why we won the game. Craig had four field goals, the kickoff coverage was excellent and Joel Bradford's 20 yard punt return.''

Bradford's third quarter return to the WCU 28 yard line led to Camay's third field goal as the Mocs trailed 13-9 at 7:39 of the third quarter.

Coaches

Coach Huesman:

“I think all our coaches did a good job in preparing our guys.''

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net