The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team is No. 7 in the Athlon Sports Preseason FCS Top 25 released today. The Mocs are coming off a 9-4 record in 2015, including their third-straight Southern Conference title and their second consecutive appearance in the second round of the FCS Playoffs.
Five-time defending FCS Champion North Dakota State leads the way, followed by Sam Houston State. Northern Iowa, Richmond and Jacksonville State round out the top five.
The Mocs are sandwiched between Charleston Southern and South Dakota State, followed by Coastal Carolina at No. 9 and The Citadel at No. 10.
The full story with the complete top 25 is available here.
UTC returns a total of 47 lettermen from the 2015 campaign. It is the most returning lettermen from one season to the next in Russ Huesman's tenure.
There are 25 on the offensive side of the ball and 19 on defense. Three specialists also return for the 2016 season. There are 16 starters back, including eight on offense, six on defense and two on special teams.
Season tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at 423-266-MOCS (6627). The season opener is set for Thursday, Sept. 1, at 7:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) at Finley Stadium against Shorter.