The Chattanooga Mocs are the consensus No. 8 team in the Football Championship Subdivision, following today's release of the STATS FCS Preseason Top 25. The STATS poll is the second of the two rankings officially recognized by the NCAA. The Mocs were No. 8 in the FCS Coaches Poll, which was announced last week.
This No. 8 national ranking ties the school record for UTC set at the end of the 2014 season. Chattanooga is coming off its most successful year ever. A 10-4 record, a perfect 7-0 mark in the Southern Conference and the first trip to the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs highlighted last year's accolades.
The Mocs open the season with a huge matchup full of playoff implications.
Chattanooga hosts No. 7 Jacksonville State in a rematch of last year's epic battle that ended in a 26-23 overtime win for the Gamecocks. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) on Sept. 5 at Finley Stadium.
UTC returns seven starters on offense, including two-time Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year and preseason All-American senior quarterback Jacob Huesman. Also back on offense is preseason All-American offensive lineman Corey Levin.
The Mocs vaunted defense has five preseason first team All-SoCon picks among its seven returning starters. Sophomore Lucas Webb tied for the SoCon lead with six picks in 2014, while senior defensive lineman Josh Freeman anchors the front line.
Single-game tickets for the Jacksonville State game are on sale now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627). Tickets for the game start at $10 for youth and $15 for faculty and staff.
Season tickets are still on sale for the entire five-game home schedule. Pricing begins at $50 for youth, alumni, faculty and staff. Full details are on GoMocs.com and any questions can be answered by calling 266-MOCS.