UTC's Nakevion Leslie reaches for a tackle in the first quarter. Leslie was called for a facemask penalty on the play.
photo by Greg Davick
Eleven thousand fans showed up for UTC Homecoming at Finley Stadium and the football Mocs made sure they were entertained with an impressive, 52-31 triumph against visiting Mercer Saturday.
UTC quarterback Alejandro Bennifield threw four touchdown passes and ran for another, while All-American running back candidate Derrick Craine rushed for 160 yards on 17 carries and one score as the No.3 ranked Blue and Gold continue its undefeated ways improving to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Southern Conference.
Mercer falls to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the SoCon.
UTC (6-0, 4-0) is in first place in the SoCon by half game with No.9 The Citadel (5-0, 3-0) in second place . The two teams meet at The Citadel next Saturday at 3 p.m. in a battle for first place.
Good Mocs Defense: The Mocs defense, which led the nation in total defense (202.8) and third down defense (14/70 - 20%) prior to the game, held the Bears to 118 yards rushing and 222 yards passing and 4 of 12 in third down opportunities.
In the first half, the Bears had gained only 22 yards rushing, and 43 yards passing and was 1 of 7 in third down efforts in the first half.
The Mocs offense rushed for 274 yards (second most on the season - 282 vs. Samford) 258 passing yards, 8 of 15 on third down opportunities and and 2 of 3 on fourth down situations.
Close To Perfect: In a near perfect first half (3-35 in penalties and one fumble but recovered), UTC scored on all six possessions.
First Career TDs: Mocs Malcolm Colvin and Bailey Lenoir caught their first career TD passes in the opening half.
50 Plus Points: 5 times a Russ Huesman Mocs’ team has scored at least 50 points in a game … second time this season …
Homecoming: Mocs are now 56-26-3 in Homecoming Games dating back to 1926 when the Mocs and Oglethorpe tied 14-14.
Four Times For Alejandro Bennifield: The Mocs junior QB has run for a score and thrown for at least one score four times this season … including today.
33 Wins For the UTC Seniors: This year’s seniors have now won 33 games in four years … this ties the 1980 seniors with 33 - 9-7-9-8 from 1977-80 (and 3 SoCon titles) … and ties the 2015 seniors who won 6-8-10-9 in four years (2012-2015) and 3 SoCon titles … the 2016 seniors have won 8-10-9-6 and 3 SoCon Titles ... the 1929 seniors won 30 games and 3 SIAA crowns … 6-8-8-8-8 from 1926-29
13 Straight Home SoCon Wins: The Mocs have posted 13 straight home SoCon wins .. last loss was to No.2 Ga, Southern, 39-31, in overtime, Oct. 27, 2012 in Chattanooga.
Chattanooga 52, Mercer 24
Mercer 3 - 0 - 14 - 14 -- 31
UTC - 14 - 24 - 14 - 0 -- 52
Scoring Summary
1st Q
UTC – Malcolm Colvin 9 pass from Alejandro Bennifield (Henrique Ribeiro kick), 7-0 … 11-65 … 5:01
UTC – C.J. Board 25 pass from Bennifield (Ribeiro kick), 14-0 … 5-79 … 2:15
Mercer – Cole Fisher 30 yard field goal, 14-3 … 12-62 … 4:52
2nd Q
UTC – Derrick Craine 54 run (Ribeiro kick), 21-3, 2-50 …:44
UTC- Ribeiro 20 yard FG, 24-3 … 9-50 … 4:08
UTC – Bailey Lenoir 5 pass from Bennifield (Ribeiro kick), 31-3 …9-39 … 3:31
UTC – Xavier Borishade 5 pass from Bennifield (Ribeiro kick), 38-3 … 7-57 … 1:12
3rd Q
Mercer – Alex Lakes 13 run (Cole Fisher kick), 38-10 … 1-26 … 0:16
UTC – Bennifield 21 run (Ribeiro kick), 45-10 … 5-46 … 2:07
UTC – Montrell Pardue 29 interception return (Ribeiro kick), 52-10 … 1:29 …
Mercer – Marquis Irvin 83 pass from John Russ (Fisher kick), 52-17 … 1:34
4th Q
Mercer – John Russ 3 run (Fisher kick), 52-24 … 4-38 … 1:36
Mercer – C.J. Kleckley 3 run (Fisher kick), 52-31 … 10-94 … 2:28
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net