The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team hosts The Citadel in Southern Conference action this weekend. The Mocs welcome the Bulldogs for Military Appreciation Day on Saturday, Oct. 21, at 2:00 p.m. (E.D.T.).
Both teams entered the 2017 campaign with high hopes and a national ranking, and both are now trying to stop three-game losing skids. The Mocs started the year at No. 13 in the country, but are trying to right a 1-6 overall record and 1-3 mark in SoCon action.
The Bulldogs came into the season ranked No.
12 in the FCS Coaches Poll and ran out to a 3-0 start. Since then, they have dropped three-straight and are 1-3 in league action.
Chattanooga has been hit hard by injuries this season, having lost its top two quarterbacks for an extended period of time. True freshman Cole Copeland has started the last two games, setting freshman records with 317 passing yards and 30 completions on 42 attempts against Furman. He is 52-81 (64.2%) for 523 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions in two games.
Chattanooga's defense is currently third in the SoCon in passing yards allowed (183.7). However, the Mocs are fifth in rushing defense (163.4) and fourth in the league in total defense (347.1). On offense, the Mocs are eighth in the SoCon in scoring (18.1 ppg) and total yards (261.3).
Turnovers have been a killer this season with Chattanooga sitting at -10 in that margin. The Mocs have not caused a turnover in the last three games, while committing eight.
The Citadel currently leads the league in rushing and is No. 5 in the FCS, posting 293.5 yards per game with a triple-option attack. Offensively, the Bulldogs are fourth in the SoCon at 402.2 ypg. Defensively, they are tied for second in points allowed (20.8) and second in the SoCon in yards allowed (298.7). The Bulldogs are coming off a 20-16 loss to No. 5 Wofford last weekend.