Chattanooga’s Ailym Ford and Jay Person were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from September 26-October 2.
Ford rushed 28 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the Mocs’ 24-16 victory at East Tennessee State.
The Florence, S.C., native carried 18 times for 89 yards in the second half, helping UTC overcome a 13-0 deficit en route to victory. His nine-yard scoring run 38 seconds into the fourth quarter pulled the Mocs within 13-10 and a one-yard plunge with 1:11 remaining in the contest provided the final margin.
This marked the fourth multi-TD game of the season and fifth in his last six outings for Ford and also was his 13th career 100-yard rushing contest.
Person posted 10 tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks along with a forced fumble in the come-from-behind win. The Cleveland, Tenn., native was part of a defensive unit that limited ETSU to 1-of-14 on third down and allowed only three points and 109 total yards after ETSU’s first two drives of the game, including 39 yards in the second half.