Game Notes – Mocs At #2 Alabama

  • Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Game Notes – Chattanooga at No. 2 Alabama
Bryant-Denny Stadium
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Saturday, Nov. 21 – 12:21 p.m. (E.S.T.)
Radio: ESPN Radio 105.1 FM (Chattanooga)
TV: SEC Network – Local Affiliate List - http://www.secsports.com/news/sec-network-schedule.aspx
Online: ESPN360.com

Mocs Travel to No. 2 Alabama for Season Finale
http://www.gomocs.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=17700&ATCLID=204835326

The Chattanooga Mocs hit the road for the final game of the 2009 season when they travel to No.

2 Alabama this weekend. UTC (6-4, 4-4 SoCon) is heading to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on the Crimson Tide (10-0, 7-0 SEC West) for the first time since 1994 and the eighth time in school history. Kickoff is set for 12:21 p.m. (E.S.T.) on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The Mocs have never won in 10 tries against Alabama in a series that dates back to 1908. Chattanooga fell 42-13 on Sept. 3, 1994, in the last meeting between these two teams.

The Mocs have wrapped up their first winning season since 2005 under the direction of first-year head coach Russ Huesman. Huesman, a defensive back for the Mocs from 1978-81, has sparked a rejuvenation in the program and is working to “Restore the Glory” to Chattanooga football.

After going 1-11 in 2008, the Mocs have tied the largest turnaround in the win column in school history. UTC went from 1-9 in 1950 to 6-5 in 1951 under Hall of Fame head coach Scrappy Moore. Chattanooga also saw an increase in the stands, averaging over 10,543 fans per game in 2009. It was the first time UTC averaged over 10,000 fans per game for a full season since moving to Finley Stadium in 1997 and nearly doubled the attendance average from last year.

The game will broadcast on ESPN Radio 105.1 FM in Chattanooga with Jim Reynolds handling the play-by-play duties. Reynolds is joined on the broadcast by Todd Agne (color commentator) and Will Poindexter (sideline). Pregame begins one our prior to kick-off at 11:21 a.m. (E.S.T.).

The game will also air on the SEC Network. Check SECSports.com for a full listing of SEC Network carriers across the country. The SEC Network games are seen on WDSI Fox 61 in the Chattanooga viewing area and on the ESPN GamePlan. Fans can also catch the game online on ESPN360.com. Doug Bell will handle the play-by-play duties with Chris Doering providing the color commentary.

NOTES TO KNOW BEFORE THE GAME
• First-year head coach Russ Huesman has secured a winning record with a 6-4 mark and 4-4 in the Southern Conference. He also has the most wins by a UTC first-year head coach since Bill Oliver went 8-3 in 1980. Coincidentally, Huesman was a junior DB on that 1980 squad. Harold Wilkes (9-1 in 1968) and Scrappy Moore (9-2 in 1931) each had nine wins in their first seasons at UTC.

• The Mocs’ offensive line has only allowed nine sacks on the season, the second fewest in the SoCon and tied for 4th fewest in the nation. UTC has not allowed a sack in the last three games, a string of 149 pass plays. Starting QB B.J. Coleman has not been sacked since the Georgia Southern game on Oct. 17. He has gone 188 pass plays since the last time he was sacked in the fourth quarter against the Eagles.

• Senior DE Josh Beard leads the nation and has tied a single-season school record with 12.0 sacks on the year. He was the SoCon Defensive Player of the Month after logging seven sacks in four games.

• The Mocs’ defense has held five of its 10 opponents to 20 points or less. This is the first time since 2000 UTC has held five opponents to 20 points or less in a season. The Mocs have not held six teams to 20 or less in one year since accomplishing the feat nine times in 1987.

• Senior linebacker Joseph Thornton has started 37 consecutive games heading into the Alabama contest. He leads the team and is No. 7 in the SoCon with 86 tackles on the year. His 260 career stops is tied for ninth on the Mocs’ all-time list. He will have a tough time catching Troy Boeck (1987-90) who is in eighth place with 276.

• UTC is second in the SoCon and 19th in the NCAA FCS in pass defense, allowing just 163.9 yards per game in the air. UTC is also tied for second in the SoCon with 11 interceptions.

• DL Josh Williams has set a new UTC freshman record with seven sacks on the season. The true freshman is third in the SoCon and T-24th in the FCS in sacks on the year. His seven sacks are also tied for No. 3 on the Mocs’ single-season list. Williams had a season-high seven tackles and a sack last weekend against The Citadel on his way to earning SoCon Freshman of the Week honors.

• Sophomore Jordan Tippit is second in the SoCon with five interceptions. He is tied for 14th in the nation in that category. It is also the fifth most interceptions in a season in school history.

SOPHOMORE B.J. COLEMAN LIVING UP TO THE HYPE
Sophomore QB B.J. Coleman created quite a stir in the Scenic City when he announced his decision to transfer from Tennessee to Chattanooga. The former high school standout at McCallie in Chattanooga won the Mocs’ starting job over senior Jare Gault. He is currently third in the SoCon in total offense (228.3/game) and passing yards (231.2/game). His numbers are even more impressive when you consider he had thrown a total of eight competitive passes the previous two seasons.
• 2,312 passing yards on the season
- 19th in the nation
- 7th Moc to throw for 2,000+ yards in a season
- 1st to throw for 2,000 yards since 2004
- No. 4 on the Mocs’ single-season list
• Eight 200-yard passing games is No. 6 on the Mocs’ career list
• 17 TDs is tied with Steve Woods (1980) for No. 7 on the Mocs’ single-season list. Three TD passes out of third place.
• 39-61 for 356 yards and three TDs in his last game against The Citadel
- Two completions shy of the school record and the most by anyone in the SoCon in 2009
- Five attempts shy of the school record and the most by anyone in the SoCon in 2009
- Most yards by a Moc since 2004

COOPER CLOSING OUT CAREER WITH CATCH AFTER CATCH
Senior WR Blue Cooper is currently second in the SoCon and 4th in the nation with 8.2 receptions-per-game and is second in the league and 19th in the nation with 81.7 receiving yards-per-game. He has 38 catches for 372 yards in his last three games.
• His 82 catches on the year are third-most in a season at UTC
- Needs five more to pass Richmond Flowers III (2000) for second place
- The school record is 90 held by Alonzo Nix in 2003
• 150 career receptions is tied for No. 4 all-time
- Passed Terrell Owens (1992-95) for career receptions in The Citadel game
- Will have a tough time catching Stefpon Hawkins (1996-99) for No. 3 (163)
• 1,773 career receiving yards is No. 8 all-time at UTC
- Needs 48 yards to pass Larry Stokes (1973-76) for seventh place
- Needs 91 yards to pass Rocky Turner (1968-71) for sixth place
- Needs 106 yards to pass Alonzo Nix (2003-04) for fifth place,
• Biggest catch of the year came after The Citadel game when he proposed to his girlfriend, Maci Gault, on the field at Finley Stadium. She, of course, said “Yes.” Maci is the sister of UTC senior QB/WR Jare Gault.

JOSH & JOSH
The Mocs have a strong duo of defensive ends in freshman Joshua Williams and senior Josh Beard. Together they have 19.0 sacks on the year. Beard leads NCAA with 12.0 and has tied the Mocs’ single-season school record. Williams’ seven on the season is a new UTC freshman mark. Chattanooga is currently second in the SoCon and 11th in the nation with 28 sacks as a team.

CAMAY CLIMBS THE SCORING CHARTS
Fifth-year senior Craig Camay is having an outstanding year as a place-kicker. He is 22-24 on PATs and 16-19 on field goals. He currently leads the SoCon in FGM (16) and FG% (84.2%). He tied his own school record earlier in the season with four field goals against Western Carolina. His 52-yarder against Presbyterian tied for the second longest FG in school history.
• His 16 FGs in 2009 are...
- Tied for second most in school history...record is 22 set by Matt Vick in 2000
- Leads the SoCon and is tied for seventh in the nation
• 136 career points is 7th all-time at UTC
• 27-37 for his career, ranking 5th in school history in FGM
• Career 73.0% FG accuracy is No. 3 all-time at UTC

SOCON RACE OUT OF THEIR HANDS
The Mocs have wrapped up their 2009 SoCon slate, finishing an even 4-4 for the first time since 1998. A win by Wofford at Furman would move the Mocs into a tie for third place with the Paladins. UTC is assured of at least a tie for fourth place in the league race. The Mocs have not finished as high as fourth since 1998 and as high as third since 1990.

SABAN/HUESMAN ARE LEADING VOTE GETTERS ON COACH OF THE YEAR ONLINE POLL
UTC head coach Russ Huesman and Alabama head coach Nick Saban are leading their respective divisions in the Liberty Mutual College Football Coach of the Year online poll. Saban leads the NCAA FBS with nearly 40,000 votes. Huesman is running away with the FCS race with over 13,000 votes. Visit www.coachoftheyear.com for more information.


UTC-ALABAMA CONNECTIONS
The Mocs have four players from the state of Alabama - Clint Woods, B.J. Taylor, Louis Gibson and Jordan Tippit - but there are other connections between the Mocs and Crimson Tide. Hall of Fame Coach Frank Thomas started his coaching career at UTC and was 26-9-2 in four years (1925-28). He went on to win two national titles and while guiding Alabama for 14 seasons.

INJURY BUG IS BITING
The Mocs will be without two starters for the rest of the year. Senior RB Bryan Fitzgerald and sophomore DB J.D. Dothard both had season-ending surgeries. Fitzgerald suffered a sprained foot in the first quarter at Samford, an injury that has effectively ended his career. Fitzgerald was leading the SoCon with 109.3 rushing yards/game after Week 5. Dothard suffered a knee injury at Georgia Southern and will not return this season. Senior WR Clint Woods did not play against The Citadel due to an injured shoulder and could be out for the Alabama game.

CAMAY AND WILLIAMS NAMED SOCON PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (WEEK 11)
Senior PK Craig Camay was named the Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season while DL Joshua Williams earned Freshman of the Week honors following UTC’s 31-28 win over The Citadel. Camay connected on all three field goal attempts and went 2-for-2 on PATs Saturday. Camay is tied for seventh in the nation with 16 made field goals and ranks second in school history for a single season. After scoring to trim The Citadel’s lead to 28-21, the Mocs went for an onside kick which Camay helped convert. The Mocs are now 5-of-6 on onside kick attempts this season. This was Camay’s third career player of the week honor. Williams tallied seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss as Chattanooga earned a come-from behind win over The Citadel, 31-28. By picking up a sack against the Bulldogs, Williams extended his UTC freshman record to seven sacks on the season and ranks third in the SoCon in that category. He was credited with five solo stops and two assists Saturday.

SCHOOL-RECORD EIGHT MOCS EARN SOCON PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS IN 2009
UTC had three different student-athletes earn Southern Conference Player of the Week honors for the first time in school history following Week 3. Senior Bryan Fitzgerald won the offensive award, sophomore Ryan Consiglio earned the defensive honor while sophomore Mike Hammons took home special teams recognition. The last time the Mocs won three Player of the Week honors was Sept. 23, 1989, when James Roberts was the Offensive and Freshman of the Week and Junior Jackson won the defensive honor. After not winning a single weekly honor in 2008, Chattanooga has won a school-record eight awards handed out by the SoCon this season. The other winners were Craig Camay (ST-W2; ST-W11), Chris Awuah (Fr-W2), Josh Beard (Def-W6) and Johsua Williams (Fr-W11).

LOSING STREAKS ENDING IN 2009
The Mocs snapped a 10-game losing streak with their win over Glenville State on Sept. 3. They also ended a 17-game losing streak against Division I opponents with their 29-13 win against Presbyterian. Chattanooga had lost nine straight road games overall before defeating Presbyterian. UTC also won its first non-conference game against a Division I opponent since a 31-7 victory at Tennessee Tech, on Aug. 31, 2006, with the PC win. The Wofford win snapped a 13-game SoCon losing streak. The Samford win stopped a six-game SoCon road losing streak. Chattanooga is looking to snap a three-game slide against The Citadel this weekend.

MOCS IN THE TOP-40 IN THE FCS FOR 2009 HOME ATTENDANCE
Mocs fans have been spinning the turnstiles at Finley Stadium at a near-record pace in 2009. The Mocs had the third largest crowd at Finley Stadium against Glenville State (14,002) and the fifth highest attendance against Furman (11,201). UTC is now No. 27 in total attendance (52,713) and No. 32 in average attendance (10,543) in the FCS. Chattanooga averaged 10,000+ for a full season for the first time since moving to Finley Stadium in 1997.

MOCS SET RECORD FOR SEASON TICKET SALES
The Chattanooga Mocs broke the all-time season ticket mark at Finley Stadium with 2,527 sold in 2009. The previous school record of 2,300 season tickets sold was set in the 1997 season, the first year of Finley Stadium. This is the third year UTC has topped the 2000-sold mark, including 2,003 sold in 1998. Chattanooga nearly doubled its sales from 2008 when 1,271 were sold.

MOCS ARE STILL RECEIVING VOTES IN THE TOP-25
The Mocs are still receiving votes in the FCS Coaches Poll. UTC got two votes in the coaches poll and 10 in the Sports Network Top-25 this week (pg. 9 of the Game Notes .pdf). That would make UTC No. 39 and 40, repsectively, if the rankings were expanded. The last time the Mocs were ranked was Monday, Oct. 27, 1997, following a 6-1 start to the season. Chattanooga moved to No. 23 in the Sports Network’s Top-25 on the heels of a 24-21 win against Western Carolina in the second game ever played in Finley Stadium. Chattanooga was ranked as high as No. 22 in the nation that year, after starting the season 2-0. Chattanooga’s highest ever national ranking came in 1992 when they broke into the top-10 following a 2-0 start. The Mocs were No. 9 in the Street & Smith Top-25 after posting wins at Boise State and at home against UT-Martin.

TWO TOP-5 CROWDS AT FINLEY STADIUM IN 2009
Ticket sales were booming for the Mocs in 2009. All five of the Mocs’ home crowds ranked in the top-17 all-time at Finley Stadium. UTC had 14,002 at the Glenville State game on Sept. 3, the third largest crowd in school history. UTC’s record crowd is 22,642 set against Tennessee State in the first game at Finley Stadium on Oct. 18, 1997. The largest crowd to watch a football game at Finley is 23,010 when Appalachian State defeated Delaware 49-21 in the FCS National Championship game on Dec. 14, 2007.

Below are the Mocs crowds of 8,000+ at Finley Stadium:
Att. Opponent W/L Score Date
1. 22,642 Tennessee State W 28-7 Oct. 18, 1997
2. 15,072 Georgia Southern L 10-31 Sept. 23, 2000
3. 14,002 Glenville State W 30-13 Sept. 3, 2009
4. 13,186 Samford W 23-6 Aug. 31, 2000
5. 11,201 Furman L 20-38 Sept. 12, 2009
6. 10,329 VMI W 45-7 Oct. 17, 1998
7. 10,102 Furman L 21-43 Nov. 22, 1997
8. 9,778 Samford W 23-13 Sept. 3, 1998
9. 9,499 Savannah State W 49-0 Sept. 18, 1999
10. 9,540 The Citadel W 31-28 Nov. 14, 2009
11. 9,320 Western Carolina W 24-20 Oct. 31, 2009
12. 9,003 Samford L 23-31 Aug. 28, 2003
13. 8,887 Appalachian State L 21-56 Oct. 7, 2006
14 8,842 VMI W 27-14 Oct. 14, 2000
15. 8,566 Georgia Southern L 10-38 Sept. 28, 2002
16. 8,495 The Citadel L 17-20 Nov. 3, 2001
17. 8,452 Wofford W 38-9 Sept. 26, 2009

SEASON NO. 102
The Chattanooga Mocs are in their 102nd season of collegiate football. The University of Chattanooga was founded in 1886 and football began play in 1904. No teams were fielded in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I. There was also a two-year hiatus from football action during World War II in 1943 and 1944. The Mocs have an all-time record of 455-468-32 (.493) and have won 10 conference titles.

ROSTER, DEPTH CHART AND BREAKDOWNS
A complete roster is located on pages 14-15 while a depth chart is found on pages 16-17 of the notes. A full roster breakdown is on page 18.

19 MOCS SEE FIRST COLLEGIATE ACTION IN FIRST FOUR GAMES
The Mocs had 16 players see their first collegiate action against Glenville State in the season opener. There were four first-timers in the starting line-up, including RT Dustin Tate, LG Will Hewitt, RB Bo Dyer and LB Ryan Consiglio. Two more, sophomore Thomas Green and freshman Arsenio Clemmons, got their feet wet against Furman for the first time against Furman. Adam Miller saw his first playing time at Presbyterian.

TEAMS NOTES AGAINST THE CITADEL
- Chattanooga improves to 6-4 on the year, securing the first winning season for the Mocs since 2005. UTC finishes 4-4 in the SoCon for the first time since 1998. UTC snaps a three-game losing streak to The Citadel. Chattanooga improves to 25-16-2 against its longest running rivals.
- The Mocs’s six wins equal the total of wins over the last three seasons - 1-11 in 2008; 2-9 in 2007; 3-8 in 2006.
- Chattanooga improves to 4-1 at home, its best home record since moving to Finley Stadium in 1997. The Mocs were 5-2 at home in 1997, 3-0 at Chamberlain Field and 2-2 at Finley Stadium.
- The Mocs trailed 28-13 with 13:00 minutes left in the game, making this win the largest 4th quarter comeback in Chattanooga’s FCS Division I era (1977). Chattanooga also trailed 21-0 in the second quarter.
- UTC only ran the ball 12 times for 17 yards, but piled up a season-high 356 yards through the air. It is the Mocs fewest rushing yards since gaining 16 in the season-opener at Oklahoma in 2008. It is the fewest rushing yards in a win for the Mocs in the FCS Division I era (1977).
- The Citadel converted eight of its first 10 third-down situations, including back-to-back third-and-15s in the third quarter. The Bulldogs were only 1/5 on third downs in the fourth quarter.
- The Mocs did not force a turnover for the first time this season.
- Chattanooga’s offensive line did not allow a sack in the game for the third straight contest and the fifth time in 2009. The Mocs have only allowed nine sacks on the year...coming into the game, that was the third lowest in the SoCon and tied for the second lowest in the nation.
- Today’s attendance was 9,540 pushing the Mocs total attendance on the year to 52,515. Chattanooga averaged 10,503 for the season. That is the highest average attendance at Finley Stadium for a full season. This is a dramatic increase from the 34,489 total fans UTC drew at home in six games (5,748/game) at home in 2008. Chattanooga averaged 11,576 in four games in its first year at Finley Stadium in 1997.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES AGAINST THE CITADEL
Senior DL Josh Beard
- Had five tackles and 1.5 sacks in the game
- 12.0 sacks on the year tied the school record set by Tyler Unzicker in 2001
- Came into the game leading the SoCon and tied for second in the nation in sacks

Senior K Craig Camay
- 3-3 on FGs, hitting from 30, 33 and 35 yards in the game
- 16-19 on the year...16 FGs ties Dennis Waters (1988) for the second most in a season in school history
- Has 136 career points, moving into seventh place all-time at UTC
- 70 points on the season is the No. 8 on the Mocs’ single season scoring list
- 27-37 on FGs for his career...No. 5 on the Mocs’ all-time FGs made list

Sophomore QB B.J. Coleman
- 39-61 for 356 yards, three TDs and one INT
- Attempts were a career-high and five shy of the school record set by Chris Sanders vs. Furman on Nov. 20, 1999
- Completions were a career-high and two shy of the school record set by Chris Sanders vs. Furman on Nov. 20, 1999
- 356 passing yards were the 15th highest output in school history and the most since Cedric Stevens had 514 against Appalachian State in 2004
- 220-376 for 2,312 yards and 17 TDs on the season
- 7th Moc to throw for 2,000+ yards in a season
- 2,312 passing yards is No. 4 on the Mocs’ single-season list
- 17 passing TDs ties Steve Woods (1980) for No. 7 on the Mocs’ single-season list

Senior WR Blue Cooper
- 14 catches for 139 yards and two TDs
- Third game of the season with 10+ catches
- Fourth 100-yard game of the season and fifth of his career
- Passes Terrell Owens (1992-95) and is now tied for fourth with Alonzo Nix (2000-04) with 150 career receptions
- 1,783 career receiving yards is No. 8 all-time at UTC
- Has 82 catches for 817 yards this season
- 14 career TD catches is tied with Alonzo Nix (2003-04) for fifth all-time at UTC
- Biggest catch of the night was his on-field, postgame proposal to his girlfriend - Maci Gault...from all accounts, she accepted.

Senior LB Doug Faatiliga
- Four tackles, 1.5 TFLs and a career-high 4 pass-break-ups
- Had only broken up two passes in his career coming into the game

Senior WR Jare Gault
- Former QB had seven catches for 70 yards
- Came into the game with one catch for 12 yards on the year

Junior TE Garrett Hughes
- Career-high eight catches for 72 yards

Senior LB Steven Smigelsky
- Career-high 11 tackles
- Second career sack
- Career-high 2 TFLs

Freshman DL Joshua Williams
- Career-high seven tackles
- Seventh sack of the season, extending his UTC freshman record

BEARD NAMED SOCON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AT SAMFORD (WEEK 6 - OCT. 12)
Chattanooga senior Josh Beard was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week following UTC’s 14-7 win at Samford. Beard recorded a career-high two sacks in the game, the Mocs first SoCon road victory in over two years. He led UTC’s defensive linemen with seven tackles, including six solos, while adding a pair of quarterback hurries.

MOCS DEFENSIVE STAFF EARNS WEEKLY HONOR (WEEK 6 - OCT. 12)
The defensive coaching staff for UTC was named this week’s Game Changing Coaches by FootballScoop.com. The Mocs posted a 14-7 win at Samford last weekend, improving on their best start since the 1997 season. Chattanooga’s defense recorded a pair of take-aways inside their own five-yard line to preserve the win. The Mocs also slowed Samford’s preseason All-SoCon running back Chris Evans to 64 yards on the ground, his lowest output of the season. For a full rundown on the honor, visit FootballScoop.com.

FITZGERALD POUNDS HIS WAY TO OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS (WEEK 3 - SEPT. 21)
In his first career start, senior RB Bryan Fitzgerald ran for a career-high 181 yards on 22 carries as Chattanooga defeated Presbyterian, 29-13 on Sept. 19. The senior scored multiple touchdowns for the first time in his career while leading the Mocs to their first road win in two years. The Memphis native recorded the first 100-yard rushing game by a Moc since he and Erroll Wynn accomplished the feat in the last game of 2007. It was the most yards on the ground by a Moc since Eldra Buckley had 187 against Elon on Oct. 28, 2006.

CONSIGLIO GRABS SOCON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK AWARD (WEEK 3 - SEPT. 21)
Ryan Consiglio, a sophomore linebacker, recorded a career-high 12 tackles, which also tied for the game high, in the win at Presbyterian on Sept. 19. He also grabbed his first career interception on the Blue Hose’s first offensive play of the game. In addition, Consiglio, who hails from Franklin, Tenn., added his first career sack and pass break-up.

SPECIAL TEAMS EARNS SECOND PLAYER OF THE WEEK RECOGNITION (WEEK 3 - SEPT. 21)
Senior kicker Craig Camay earned special teams player of the week following week two and sophomore Mike Hammons followed that up by taking home the honor following week 3. Hammons did not allow a return in four punts at Presbyterian, averaging 41.8 yards per kick. The sophomore from Benton, Tenn., tied a career long with a 51-yard boot, and he pinned PC inside the 20 on one of his kicks.

CAMAY, AWUAH NAMED SOCON PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (WEEK 2 - SEPT. 14)
Senior PK Craig Camay and freshman RB Chris Awuah were both honored by the Southern Conference for their performances against Furman last week. Camay connected on both of his FG attempts (35, 42) and was 2-2 on PATs against the Paladins. It is the second career honor for Camay who also won the weekly award on Sept. 24, 2007, during his sophomore season. Awuah racked up 93 total yards and a TD for the Mocs. He had eight carries for 34 yards and three catches for 59 yards. He hauled in a 52-yard TD pass from sophomore QB B.J. Coleman in the first quarter for his third TD of the season. Awuah currently leads the Mocs in scoring with 18 points. These are the first players of the week honors for a Moc since Chris Camacho was named defensive player of the week on Oct. 15, 2007.

HUESMAN, EHRENFELD ARE FORMER TEAMMATES OF THREE MOCS DADS
Head coach Russ Huesman and assistant coach Russ Ehrenfeld are both former Mocs football players. Huesman played from 1978-81 while Ehrenfeld was a Moc from 1977-80. One or both of the Mocs coaches were teammates of Bryon Coleman (1977-80), who is the father of sophomore QB B.J. Coleman, Tim Dockery (1981-83), who is the father of freshman OL Hunter Dockery, and Mike Nease (1980-83), who is the father of freshman OL Steven Nease.

LEWIS-HARRIS - HUESMAN AMONG TOP DBS IN THE UTC RECORD BOOKS
Sophomore Chris Lewis-Harris recorded three interceptions last year, tying for the second most in school history by a freshman. The most interceptions by a freshman is four made by head coach Russ Huesman in 1978.

CAPTAINS CHOSEN FOR 2009
Following the Spring Game, Coach Huesman announced the captains for the 2009 season as voted on by the players. Seniors Clint Woods, B.J. Taylor, Jare Gault and Steven Smigelsky were all selected by their teammates. Woods and Smigelsky are both 5th-year seniors while Taylor is one of the top returners on the defensive side of the ball.

MAJORITY OF THE MOCS ARE FROM TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA
Of the 88 members currently on the Mocs’ roster, 74 list Tennessee (41) or Georgia (32) as their home state. That means 84% of the roster is from Tennessee or Georgia, including 47% from Tennessee and 37% from Georgia. Four Mocs are from Alabama, three hail from California and two from Mississippi. There is one representative each from Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia.

HARR NAMED WINTER WARRIOR
Junior Chris Harr earned the Bob Davis Winter Warrior Award following the Spring Game. This honor goes to the hardest offseason worker and is chosen by the coaching staff. Harr is a 6-6, 260-pound offensive lineman from Chattanooga.

MOCS SIGN 15-MEMBER RECRUITING CLASS...NO. 9 IN THE FCS
Chattanooga head football coach Russ Huesman welcomes a signing class that includes 14 freshmen and one sophomore-transfer to the Scenic City next season. Despite getting a late start to recruiting after being named the Mocs’ 22nd head coach on Dec. 22, 2008, Huesman grabbed a ton of regional talent to fill Chattanooga’s needs for the future. Among the 15 are five student-athletes with at least a two-star rating by Rivals.com and Scout.com and eight others who earned all-state recognition during their prep careers. Huesman and his staff kept their recruiting focus close to home with the 2009 class. All 15 of the signees are from either Georgia or Tennessee.

Quick Notes on Chattanooga’s 2009 Recruiting Class
- 15 members, all from either Georgia or Tennessee
- 12 are true freshmen
- 3 transfers, two have four years to play at UTC...the other has three years left
- 5 with at least a two-star rating by Rivals.com and Scout.com
- 8 earned all-state recognition during their prep careers
- 2 former Tennessee Mr. Football Award finalists and one winner
- 5 from Tennessee
- 10 from Georgia
- 2 from the Chattanooga area
- 9 expected to contribute on offense – 2 QBs, 2 WRs, 2OL, 2 FBs, 1 RB
- 7 expected to contribute on defense – 1 LB, 4 DBs, 2 Des
- 9 honor role/National Honor Society/Beta Club students
- 3 earned Scholar-Athlete of the Year/Student of the Year/Top Student honors

THORNTON EARNS COLEMAN LEW LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Southern Conference and Coleman Lew & Associates, Inc. selected Joseph Thornton as the 2009 recipient of the Coleman Lew Leadership Award. The award recognizes scholar-athletes from each of the Southern Conference’s 11 member institutions that have been nominated by coaches, faculty athletic representatives and senior woman administrators based on leadership, academic excellence and athletic achievement in both the college environment and the community. Athletic directors and representatives from Coleman Lew & Associates conducted one-on-one interviews with the finalists before the award recipients were determined.

Sports
UTC Sofbtall Hosts ETSU In Friday Doubleheader
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga softball team returns to Frost Stadium for a seven-game home stand that begins Friday afternoon against East Tennessee State in Southern Conference action. The Mocs are 21-8 ... more

Covenant Men's Tennis Loses 6-3
  • 3/28/2024

The Covenant Scots looked to boost their nonconference tennis resume with a win on the road at Oglethorpe. Covenant was unable to get the job done, as it fell 3-6. Final: Covenant 3, Oglethorpe ... more

7 Football Mocs Participate In Annual Pro Day
  • 3/28/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs had a 7-man contingent go through their paces in front of NFL scouts at the annual Pro Day. It started in the Wolford Family Strength & Conditioning Center before shifting ... more