JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - - Led by Derrick Craine's three rushing touchdowns, the visiting No.3 ranked Chattanooga Mocs defeated East Tennessee State Univ., 37-7, here at Science Hill High School Saturday afternoon.
Playing on a beautiful sunny fall afternoon, the Mocs (5-0, 3-0) stay unbeaten in the Southern Conference, while ETSU is 2-2 overall an 1-1 in the SoCon.
The Mocs rolled up 397 yards with 217 on the ground and another 180 by air as quarterback Alejandro Bennifield was 16 of 26 and one interception.
Joining Craine with rushing touchdowns were Richardre Bagkey abd Kyle Nalls, while senior Henrique Ribeiro kicked a career-long 52 yard field goal.
Defensively, the Mocs overcame a sluggish start to limit their hosts to just 132 yards. The Bucs started strong with 71 over the first 15 minutes before collecting just 61 over the final three frames.
The Nation's Best:: The Mocs came into the game leading the FCS nation in scoring defense at 8.8 points per game, allowing only seven today.
"I thought our defense played really, really well," coach Russ Huesman said. "Offensively, we didn't run the ball very well….didn't block very well, but we did make some plays when we had to.
"The other thing I don't think people realize is special teams. We pinned them back a couple of times and almost blocked a few punts, forcing some bad punts. I think we gave our offense really good field position."
The Mocs led 17-0 at halftime on Ribeiro's field goal followed by 1-yard runs by Craine an Bagley. Craine's two scores, along with Nalls' final tally of the fourth quarter, sandwiched an 11-yard TD pass from Nick Sexton to Dalton Ponchillia.
The big separation came in the third quarter. Craine's second touchdown of the day was followed by a touchback by Ribeiro. Nakevion Leslie dropped Ponchillia for a 12-yard loss, forcing the wideout to fumble.UTC'sMontrell Pardue scooped it and returned it to the one. Next play was Craine's third score of the day.
"I think Derrick Craine ran really hard," Huesman added. "It was a huge third down on the swing pass to keep the drive alive. He made a guy miss and then made another guy miss and kept his balance to pick up a key first down.
"He always does that though. He knows if it is third and whatever, he has to make a play. And he does, somehow.
Leslie caused the fumble, and he looked like he was really active," stated Huesman. "C.J. Fritz did a great job. He was in press coverage the whole time, and they caught one ball on him all day."
Dale Warreb led the stout Mocs defensive effort with eight tackles including one-and-a-half for loss. Leslie made six stops, as did Lucas Webb with both getting a pass breakup.
Trevor Wright intercepted Herink at his own 8 to end the Bucs first drive of the game. It was the only time ETSU's offense moved into UTC territory. Its one score came after an 87-yard fumble return to the Mocs 11 yardline.
Dylan Weigel led the Bucs with 12 tackles. On the other side of the ball, Jajuan Stinson ran for 39 yards with 30 coming in the opening quarter. Starter Austin Herink threw for 40 yards completing 11 of 19 throws with an interception.
The Mocs return home to host Mercer at 4 p.m. Tickets for Homecoming weekend are available onGoMocs.com or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627). Access links to the video stream (SoCon Digital Network), audio (Mocs Sports Network on 96.1 the Legend) and live stats on GoMocs.com's football schedule page.
Game Notes:
- Henrique Ribeiro's 52-yard FG is tied for the second-longest in school history … longest by a Moc since All-American Craig Camay hit one at Presbyterian on Sept. 19, 2009.
- 12th straight win in the month of October for the Mocs … last time UTC lost in October was in overtime to No. 2 Georgia Southern (39-31) on Oct. 27, 2012.
- Mocs turned the ball over twice going in to score … Bennifield threw an INT in the end zone in the first quarter … Alex Trotter fumbled inside the five in the fourth quarter.
- ETSU had 71 yards of offense in the first quarter … 17 in the second … 12 in the third … 32 in the fourth.
-Nation's Best - Mocs came into the game leading the nation in scoring defense at 8.8 points per game … gave up just seven today.
- SoCon's Best - ETSU only managed seven first downs … Mocs came into the game leading the SoCon in first down defense.