The Chattanooga Mocs head into week four of the season in a tie for first with Western Carolina in the Southern Conference standings. The Mocs also head into it with the SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week, Jude Kelley.
Kelley, a junior transfer from Georgia Tech, continues his impressive start to the campaign. He scored 12 points in Saturday’s 48-3 win over The Citadel making all six PATs and two field goals. It gives him 30 points on the season while solidifying the kicking game.
"Just really consistent for us," Coach Rusty Wright shared on Kelley. "He had a good day, put the ball through the posts like we've needed him to, and the kicks have been bigger and bigger. Hopefully, we just continue to get better as we go along."
Kelley is 6-8 (75%) on field goals this season with his only errant kicks coming from 48 and 53 yards out. His 30 points are tied for ninth in the FCS overall, tied for second among kickers.
His 12 points this past weekend are the most by a Mocs kicker since 13 by Aaron Sears on Oct. 23, 2021. Interestingly enough, that performance came the last time the squad ventured to Birmingham, Ala., which is where week four sees them land.
No. 17 Samford is next and desperate to get a win to stay in the SoCon race. The Bulldogs are tied for eighth with The Citadel at 0-1 in the league coming off a spotless 2022 ledger in capturing the title.
"It's the next one for us," Wright added. "They're a good football team. They have good players. It's a much older team; I think I counted 50 grad guys or seniors on the roster.
"Every year is different. New faces, new group...you've got to go figure it out against a good football team. We have to play well and give ourselves a chance."
The matchup is on ESPN+. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m., Eastern time at Seibert Stadium.
Week 4: Chattanooga (2-1/1-0) at Samford (1-2/0-1)
Last Week: at Chattanooga 48, The Citadel 3 | at Auburn 45, Samford 13
Game Time: 3 p.m. (ET)
Location: Seibert Stadium; Birmingham, Ala. (Tickets)