Huntsville, Ala. native and UTC safety Jordan Tippit circles the dates when the Mocs head to his home state.

“I love going home and to play well in front of friends and family is special,” said Tippit. “I want to give my all each week, but going home and getting a win is great.”

Last year the Mocs won at Samford in Birmingham – Tippit had six tackles and one interception - in a key Southern Conference road win (14-7), but fell to eventual national champion Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

This Saturday’s game at non-conference foe and No. 6 Jacksonville (Ala.) State, a 49-48 double overtime winner at Ole Miss, is important for several reasons.

Tippit knows that the Mocs (0-1) need a win, need to play much better in the fourth quarter than in the App State game, yet also has to put the 42-41 loss to Appalachian State behind them, but can and must learn from the mistakes.

“On Sunday’s we put Saturday’s game – win or lose – behind us and focus on the next opponent."

The 6-0, 205-pound junior had eight tackles and a forced fumble in the opener.

“We know that we have to work on our conditioning this week which is a little part of the change, but it’s all about heart. We have to fight ‘em for all four quarters,” stated Tippit.

“Each one of us has to be prepared, dig deep and play hard no matter what. We were well prepared for Appalachian State, but we didn’t finish.”

“Jacksonville State beat up pretty bad two years ago (31-3) and to get a win on the road would be great.”

Veres To Kick

Mocs head coach Russ Huesman has decided that sophomore Jeff Veres will handle kicking duties in Saturday’s road game at No. 6 Jacksonville State.

“I look forward to kicking on Saturday,” said Veres who last kicked as a senior at Independence High School in 2007 earning all-region honors as the team was state runner-up.

“I want to contribute in anyway I can,” said Veres a Thompson’s Station, Tenn. resident with three semesters on the Dean’s List.

Veres made good on all his extra point attempts in Tuesday’s practice and a few field goals from the left hash mark, but closed out with three misses from the right hash mark.

“I compare kicking to a golf swing,” he stated. “I just need to get the rust out.”

True freshman Nick Pollard is still hampered by a hip problem and Huesman wants Mike Hammons to concentrate on his punting duties.

In Saturday’s loss to Appalachian State, Hammons kicked a 29 yard field goal, missed two of three extra point attempts and had five punts for a 37.4 average a little below his 2009 average of 40.1

“Mike will handle the punting and Jeff will handle kickoffs, extra points and field goals," said Huesman.

In high school, Veres was a busy man as he played safety on defense, wide receiver on offense and handled all the kicking duties, except punting.

"I was on the field for every play except when we punted,” said Veres who was 8 of 12 in field goals in 2007, had seven touchdown catches with more than 500 receiving yards.

“I really like being in the middle of the action and doing more than kicking, but I want to do what I can to help us win.”

Veres’ high school teammate was Mocs linebacker Mike Consiglio.

“Mike was a linebacker andrunning back, so we were on the field together quite a bit,” Veres stated.

Coach Huesman hopes that Veres will be on the field quite a bit Saturday, making good on extra points throughout all four quarters.

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