Russ Huesman remembers those that took a leap of faith when maybe faith was all they had.
"The four, fifth year seniors who signed with us as part of our first recruiting class get a game ball signifying the program's 500th win," said coach Huesman.
"I was hired as the head coach in December of 2008 after the Mocs went 1-11 and for D.J Key, Gunner Miller, Kadeem Wise and Wes Dothard to believe in our philosophy and where we planned to go enough to sign with us was huge and each deserves a 500th commemorative win game ball," Huesman stated.
"And three of our coaches who have been here since the start - Will Healy, Marcus West and B.J.
Hogan - will also receive a ball."
Funeral Set For Former Moc Great Chet Lagod
Two-time Chattanooga football All-American Chet Lagod died Friday and the funeral is scheduled for Tues. Oct. 29 at 11 a.m. at OLPH in Brainerd. He was 85.
“Chet was an excellent player and a real good man,” said former UTC athletics director Harold Wilkes.
Lagod was the first UC player to earn first team All-American honors as a tackle twice (1951, ’52) and then played one year (1953) in the National Football League with the New York Giants.
Helping UC to a 7-3 record in ’52, his final game in a Chattanooga uniform was a good one as he did battle across the line with future Pittsburgh Steelers coach Chuck Noll who was a lineman for Dayton … The Mocs defeated Dayton 40-7 on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27 1952 …
A month earlier, the UC All-American created havoc for future pro football hall of famer Johnny Unitas and his Louisville teammates in a 47-14 UC win.
Kudos For Nick Pollard
"Nick Pollard (UTC kicker and punter) had an unbelievable day," said coach Huesman. "To put five punts inside The Citadel 20 and four of those inside the 10 is great. Nick does not get enough credit for what he does."
Of the four inside the 10, the resulting drives for the Bulldogs were fumble, punt, end of first half and punt.
Costly Kickoff For Keon Wiliams
Mocs running back Keon Williams injured his left ankle on the opening kickoff … Williams was on the sideline late in the first half on crutches with boot on his left ankle.
Without Williams to run the football, the Mocs turned to quarterback Jacob Huesman who rushed for 95 yards and a score, plus 144 yards through the air and two scores. Marquis Green added 85 yards, while Kendrix Huitt had a seven yard run to the end zone in the second quarter.
Another Lion Steps Up
With Red Bank HS grad Keon Williams on the sideline, redshirt freshman and fellow Red Bank HS grad Keionta Davis recorded a half sack and a full sack on The Citadel’s final possession to thwart a final chance to score.
Four Straight Wins
The Mocs have now on four straight wins for the first time since 1997 ... Prior to 1997, the Mocs won four straight in 1981 (Russ Huesman's senior year) and five straight in 1980 (Russ Huesman's junior year)