“I truly believe Davis Tull is the best defensive end in the nation at our level. No question, he’s a game-changer.”

  - UTC receivers coach Will Healy

 

At Monday’s Chattanooga Quarterback Club Luncheon, UTC assistant coach Will Healy had high praise for defensive end Davis Tull and several other Mocs as he discussed Saturday’s 31-10 road win against Furman.

“Davis is a game changer … a difference maker,” said Healy now in his fourth year as an assistant coach with the Mocs after being the captain of the 2008 national championship Richmond Spiders.

Defense is the Key: “We hang our hats on our defense. To win a Southern Conference championship and a national title we have to be great on defense.”

And the Mocs are real good.  The defense has held the last two opponents (The Citadel and Furman) to 10 points each which is the first time the Mocs have held SoCon opponents to 10 points or less in back-to-back games since head coach Russ Huesman’s first season in 2009.

At defensive ends the Mocs have Davis (6-3, So.), a redshirt sophomore from Bearden HS and senior Josh Williams (6-3, Sr.).

At defensive tackles, the Mocs have Derrick Lott (6-4, Jr.) and Toyvian Brand (6-2, So.)

The four have combined for 64 tackles, eight quarterback sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

In the Furman win, Tull had two sacks, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble, while Williams had a sack and one tackle for a loss.

Tull leads the Southern Conference in sacks with six and is eighth in the nation.

“One reason out offense is good is that they have to go against this defense in practice every day,” said Healy.

Two Quarterback System

“We know that we have to find ways to have quarterbacks Terrell Robinson and Jacob Huesman on the field together for as many snaps as possible.” Healy stated.

 “Terrell in the open is as good as I have seen and Jacob is a tough tailback type who can get you the needed two-three yards.”

“Terrell is a playmaker at quarterback and also our best receiver.”

Healy noted that for the offense to be effective and get Robinson outside with the ball, the receivers have to make their blocks and open up the defensive secondary.

“When the ball is in Terrell’s hands is when we are at our best.”

Receivers

“We have a lot of talented receivers who are young and need to develop,” said Healy.

“We (coaches) need for them to have a sense of urgency for them to get good now.”

Healy commented on a few of the receivers

Tray James (Fr. 9 catches, 1 TD) – “has a chance to be really good”

Tommy Hudson (So., 17 catches) – “phenomenal, reliable receiver”

Ron Moore (So., 10 catches, 2 TDs) “can run by anyone in the conference”

Marlon Anthony (Jr. 7 catches, 1 TD) “continues to get better”

This Week’s Game

Sat. vs. Samford – Finley Stadium, 6 p.m.

“Samford is playing with a lot of confidence and lost to Appalachian State in the last few seconds,” said Healy.

UTC (2-1) is in third place in the SoCon standings and Samford (3-2) is tied for fourth.

“Samford is much better than last year … strong at cornerback and safety and has a solid front four on defense.”

 

contact B.B. Branton 

UTC leads the series, 25-9-3, and has won three in a row.