CHATTANOOGA -- It was the Jacob Huesman Show on Homecoming Saturday at Finley Stadium as the junior ran for two touchdowns and threw for four other scores as Chattanooga beat VMI 55-7 in a Southern Conference game.
Huesman, who was 15 of 22 on the afternoon for 178 yards, connected with Derrick Crane (23 yards) in the first quarter and C.J. Board (26 yards) and twice to Faysal Shafaat (17, 18 yards) in the second for scores.
The Baylor School grad ran six yards for a score in the second quarter and 44 in the third.
“I am pretty pleased with the way the offense performed today and the offensive line is starting to click,” said Huesman.
UTC improves to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the SoCon, while VMI is 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the league.
Scoring: After the first two possessions ended with punts, the Mocs then scored on seven consecutive possessions to lead 48-0 at 12:31 of the third quarter.
Huesman moved the Mocs 59 yards in eight plays capped by a Derrick Craine 23 yard scoring reception at 1:40 of the first quarter and Henrique Ribeiro made the first of seven extra points (missing one).
UTC scored four times in the second quarter to lead 34-0 at intermission and the game was well in hand.
"We had a good win today and everyone got to play which is fun to see," said UTC coach Russ Huesman.
Receiving: Eight Mocs had at least one catch with Alphonso Stewart leading the way with eight and a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Alejandro Bennifield and Board and Shafaat with four catches each.
VMI’s Calvin Michie made two catches for 54 yards, while starting quarterback Al Cobb was 6 of 18 for 42 yards and sacked three times.
Rushing: Huesman led all players with 97 yards on nine carries, while Bennifield totaled 70 yards on four carries and freshman Richardre Bagley had 55 carries on 10 carries.
VMI’s Taylor Stout led the visitors with 36 yards on seven carries (5.1)
23rd Birthday: UTC senior linebacker Muhasibi Wakeel is 23 today and had three tackles and one quarterback hurry.
Next Game: UTC is at Tennessee next Saturday with a 4 p.m. kickoff on the SEC Network
"Our program is in a little bit better shape than VMI's right now, but they play hard and have an excellent coach in Sparky Woods."
Note Book:
Jacob Huesman Career Numbers: He now has 2,058 career rushing yards and is 9th on the Mocs all-time list ... he has 4,030 passing yards and is 8th all-time for UTC.
Several Firsts: Career firsts for receiver Alphonso Stewart (TD catch) and QB Alejandro Bennifield (TD pass) on their 31 yard pitch and catch in the 3rd Quarter.
Most Points in a Decade: Today's 55 points is the most by a Mocs team in the Russ Huesman Era ... and most points since a 59-56 win against Appalachian State (in Chattanooga) in 2004
Sidelined: Receiver/Returner Tommy Hudson sat out today due to turf toe ... in his place, C.J. Board had one punt return for 41 yards ... Running back Keon Williams started the game (1 carry, 4 yards), but left in the first quarter due to not being able to grip the ball with his right hand.
"Keon hurt his hand two weeks ago and took a shot on it again today," said coach Huesman. "C.J. had a good game with four catches."
More Sacks: UTC All-American defensive end Davis Tull had two sacks against VMI for 31.5 for a career, fourth best in the SoCon ... SoCon leader is 36.5 by Appalachian State's Josh Jeffries (1999-02).
Game Stats: First Downs - UTC, 25-8
Net Rushing: UTC - 322 yards on 49 carries; VMI - 53 on 29 carries
Net Passing: UTC - 233 yds (19-27-0, 4 TDs) VMI - 112 yards (10-27-1)
Third Down Conversions: UTC (9 of 16); VMI (4 of 15)
Fourth Down Conversions: UTC (2 of 3), VMI (0 of 0)
Red Zone Scores-Chances UTC (4-5), VMI (1-1)
Points off Turnovers USC (10), VMI (0)
UTC 55, VMI 7
1st Q ... UTC - Derrick Craine 23 pass from Jacob Huesman (Henrique Ribeiro kick), 7-0, 8 plays, 59 yards in 3:09
2nd Q ... UTC - Huesman 6 run (H. Ribeiro kick), 3-36 in 0:27
UTC - C.J. Board 26 pass from Huesman (Ribeiro kick), 7-93 in 2:52
UTC - Faysal Shafaat 17 pass from Huesman (kick blocked), 11-75 in 4:58
UTC - Faysal Shafaat 18 from Huesman (Ribeiro kick), 4-34 in 0:19
3rd Q ... UTC - Huesman 44 run (Ribeiro kick), -75 ... 2:29
UTC - Alphonso Stewart 31 pass from Alejandro Bennifield (Ribeiro kick), 8-53 in 5:15
4th Q ... UTC - Marquis Green 13 run (Ribeiro kick), 3-16 in 1:17
VMI - Hayden Alford 1 run (Dillon Christopher kick), 7-75 in 3:25
Kickoff: 4:01 p.m. ... end of game: 6:54 p.m. ... elapsed time: 2:53
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net