The 23rd-ranked Chattanooga Mocs got some good news Monday morning. Junior linebacker Ty Boeck and freshman place-kicker Aaron Sears are this week’s Southern Conference Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week per the league office for their performances in the narrow 28-23 loss at SEC co-leader Kentucky.
Boeck follows Devonnsha Maxwell in repeating the honor for the Mocs defense. He recorded 13 tackles with a strip sack that led to a fumble recovery by Jay Person thwarting a Kentucky drive in UTC territory.
The 13 stops marked the seventh double-digit tackle day of his career. The 356 yards of total offense for UK was the lowest against a non-conference opponent since January 1, 2019 (Penn State, VRBO Citrus Bowl).
Sears booted three field goals and scored 11 points. His kicks came from 27, 30 and 43 yards with the 30-yarder giving Chattanooga a 16-14 fourth quarter lead. The 11 points off a kicker’s foot are the most since Victor Ulmo's 12 in the 60-36 win over Western Carolina on Sept. 28, 2019. Sears is now 5-5 on the campaign.
“We had a lot guys play well giving us a chance,” Coach Rusty Wright shared. “Happy for Ty and Aaron to be recognized. We’ll work on a few things this week, and then get back at it next week opening conference play against Western Carolina at Finley.”
The week included a strong offensive performance by Ailym Ford offensively. He followed a strong offensive line effort to a 128-yard day which is the second-highest in school history against an SEC opponent behind former N.Y. Giant Gene Roberts’ 202 against Ole Miss on Nov. 29, 1945. Samford’s DeMarcus Ware won the offensive honors with his 3-touchdown effort in the Bulldogs 42-37 shootout win at Western Carolina.
NEXT 3 WEEKS
Sept. 25: BYE WEEK
Oct. 2: Western Carolina, 1:30 p.m. | Current Record: 0-3/0-1 | This Week: Samford
Oct. 9: at No. 22 VMI, 1:30 p.m. | Current Record: 2-1/0-0 | This Week: at Cornell