Christmas arrived 15 days early to Tennessee at Chattanooga and the gift was post marked Indianapolis, Ind. and not the North Pole.

According to UTC athletics director Rick Hart, on Thursday the NCAA awarded UTC senior running back Bryan Fitzgerald a sixth year of eligibility for the 2010 football season, due to an injury which sidelined him for six games of the 2009 campaign.

“We are excited that Bryan has a chance to come back and play one more year,” stated UTC head coach Russ Huesman.

“He was having a great season and was a big part of our success when he went down last year (in the Samford game,'' coach Huesman said. ''We look for him to continue to be a major piece of our offense and running game again next year.”

"Fitz'' suffered a foot injury in the 14-7 road win at Samford in game number six and also did not play in the season-opening win against Glenville (W.Va.) State.

The Memphis native was also red shirted in 2008 due to a season-ending knee injury prior to the start of that campaign.

“Fitz'' gained 342 yards with two touchdowns in four games this past season and rushed for 798 yards and three TDs in 2007.

“I feel very fortunate to be able to come back for a sixth year and finish my career on a positive note,” stated Fitzgerald.

“It is an exciting time for Chattanooga football and I am just glad that I have one more year to contribute to the success of the program.”

This extra year for Fitz gives the Mocs an excellent running game with true freshman Chris Awuah (459 yards/four TDs) and redshirt senior Erroll Wynn who sat out 2009 due to suffering a broken leg in the 2008 final against Samford.

Redshirt freshmen Bo Dyer and J.J. Jackson combined for 149 yards and one TD and gives the team depth at this position.

"I am extremely excited about the return of Fitzgerald for a 6th year'' said UTC running backs coach Jason McManus.

''He adds depth, toughness, and experience to a deep group of running backs.''

Wynn gained 1,804 yards and seven touchdowns in three years, 2006-2008.

UTC Stats:

Bryan Fitzgerald: RS Sr., 5-10, 220 … career rushing: 1,140 yards … career TDs: 5

Erroll Wynn: RS Sr., 5-11, 210 … career rushing: 1,804 yards … career Tds: 7

Chris Awuah: True Fr. 5-9, 190 … career rushing: 459 yards … career TDs: 3

Bo Dyer: RS Fr., 6-1, 205 ... career rushing: 103 yards, 1 TD ...

J.J. Jackson: RS Fr., 5-9, 195 ... career rushing: 46 yards, 0 TDs.

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