“The Jacksonville State defensive front four is as good or
better than Central Michigan’s.”
-- UTC offensive
coordinator Jeff Durden.
It’s “Whiteout Saturday” at Finley Stadium as
Chattanooga hosts its oldest rival in Jacksonville (Ala.) State in a battle of
two top 15 nationally ranked FCS teams.
Both teams – No.9 Jax State and No. 13 Chattanooga –
are looking for their first win of the season after losing to a pair of FBS
schools on the road. Central Michigan rallied to defeat UTC, 20-16, this past
Thursday, while Michigan State defeated the Gamecocks, 45-7.
The No. 13 national
mark ties the highest ranking for UTC in the Russ Huesman era (since
2009). The Mocs were also No. 13 in the Sports Network poll when they
lost 14-12 at No. 3 Appalachian State on Sept. 19, 2011. The Gamecocks are the highest ranked non-conference
opponent to visit Finley Stadium
“Jacksonville State is a talented football team and one of
the best teams we will face all season,” said UTC coach Russ Huesman. “This is
a huge test for us as we have our work cut out for us.”
Huesman was 3-0 against them as a player and looks for a win
Saturday to even his coaching record (1-2) with the Gamecocks.
UTC defeated Jax State, 38-17, at Finley Stadium in 2011,
while losing on the road 21-17 in 2010 and 27-24 in 2012.
The Mocs will need a balanced attack on offense against this
big, talented opponent.
“The Jacksonville
defense blitzed more than half the time in their game last Friday and Michigan
State had a tough time running the ball,” said UTC offensive coordinator Jeff
Durden
“They are impressive on defense and have good speed and are
physical.”
Long Time Rival: The UTC-Jacksonville State series dates
back to the Mocs first season of collegiate football (1904) as the Blue and Gold
defeated Jax State (then called Alabama Normal), 5-0, here in Chattanooga.
UTC leads in the series, 26-11, including a 21-7 advantage
at home. Jax State has won six of the last eight meetings, including wins at
Finley in 2004-06-08 before losing here in 2010.
The Alabama school is the technically the Mocs oldest
current rival by two weeks as Chattanooga beat Jax State Nov. 5 and lost to
Tennessee, 37-0, Nov. 19.
Whiteout Saturday: UTC is encouraging the fans to wear all white
for the 6 p.m. kickoff.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net