UTC Gameday

MOCS GLANCE

UTC (5-3, 3-3 SoCon) at No. 8 Appalachian State (6-2, 5-0)

3:30 p.m., Kidd Brewer Stadium

105.1 FM

WHEN UTC HAS THE BALL

UTC OFFENSIVE STARTERS

QB B.J. Coleman 6-5, 210, So.

TB Chris Awuah 5-9, 190, Fr.

FB Will Brooks 6-1, 225, Fr.

WR Blue Cooper 6-4, 200, Sr.

WR Chris Pitchford 6-0, 180, Jr.

TE Garrett Hughes 6-4, 260, Jr.

LT Chris Harr 6-6, 260, Jr.

LG Omre Harris 6-2, 280, So.

C Justin Galyon 6-4, 290, Jr.

RG T.J. Hurless 6-4, 296, Jr.

RT Adam Miller 6-4, 260, Fr.

PK Craig Camay 5-10, 170, Sr.

APPALACHIAN STATE DEFENSIVE STARTERS

DE Tony Robertson 6-2, 260, Jr.

DT Malcolm Bennett 6-2, 279, Sr.

DT Bobby Bozzo 6-3, 295, Jr.

DE Jabari Fletcher 6-3, 255, Jr.

MLB Jacque Roman 6-1, 240, Sr.

WLB D.J. Smith 6-1, 220, Jr.

BAN Michael Frazier 6-0, 200, Fr.

CB Cortez Gilbert 5-11, 180, Sr.

CB Ed Gainey 5-11, 190, So.

NIC Dominique McDuffie 6-2, 200, Fr.

S Mark LeGree 6-0, 200, Jr.

P Sam Martin 6-1, 180, Fr.

* The matchup: There’s little reason to think the Mocs’ running game is going to come alive against the Mountaineers, so UTC’s passing attack again must carry the offense. Expect Appalachian State to try to put the clamps on Cooper, who had 16 catches in last week’s win over Western Carolina. The Mocs will take some deep shots but there will also be a lot of screens and short, underneath passes as UTC tries to control the clock and keep Appalachian State’s offense off the field.

WHEN APPALACHIAN STATE HAS THE BALL

APPALACHIAN STATE OFFENSIVE STARTERS

QB Armanti Edwards 6-0, 184, Sr.

RB Devon Moore 5-9, 205, Jr.

WR Brian Quick 6-5, 210, So.

WR Matt Cline 5-11, 180, Sr.

WR DeAndre Presley 5-11, 170, So.

TE Ben Jorden 6-2, 240, So.

RT Orry Frye 6-2, 270, So.

RG Matt Ruff 6-3, 270, So.

C Brett Irvin 6-0, 275, Jr.

LG Pat Mills 6-2, 265, Jr.

LT Mario Acitelli 6-2, 275, Sr.

PK Jason Vitaris 5-11, 175, Jr.

UTC DEFENSIVE STARTERS

DE Josh Beard 6-1, 250, Sr.

DT Nick Craig 6-2, 295, So.

DT B.J. Taylor 6-3, 298, Sr.

DE Joshua Williams 6-3, 210, Fr.

LB Ryan Consiglio 6-1, 210, So.

LB Steven Smigelsky 6-2, 224, Sr.

LB Joseph Thornton 6-2, 215, Sr.

CB Chris Lewis-Harris 5-11, 175, So.

FS Jordan Tippit 6-0, 185, So.

SS Tony Swafford 5-11, 180, Sr.

CB Buster Skrine 5-9, 180, Jr.

P Mike Hammons 5-10, 175, So.

* The matchup: Appalachian State has numerous weapons, but everything starts with Edwards. The versatile quarterback does more passing than running these days, but he’s always a threat to take off on a big run. The Mocs need to put pressure on him to try to keep him in the pocket and possibly rush some throws. Anything UTC can do to keep the Mountaineers’ offense from getting into a rhythm will help the Mocs’ chances.

THE ONE TO WATCH

* Appalachian State QB Armanti Edwards

The 2008 Walter Payton Award winner is well on his way to repeating as the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision. He’s averaging 297.6 passing yards per game, he’s completing 72.1 percent of his passes, with 10 touchdowns and one interception, and he’s rushed for 12 touchdowns, including four last Saturday at Furman. He’s an offensive machine and the first player in Division I history with 9,000 career passing yards and 4,000 rushing yards.

IN THE END

* Breaking it down: Appalachian State has a huge game next week against No. 6 Elon that will likely decide the SoCon championship, so it’s possible the Mocs won’t have their opponents’ full attention. UTC’s offense needs to have some success early to gain some confidence and to keep the Mountaineers from getting a few quick scores and jumping out to a big first-quarter lead. The longer UTC has the ball, the better its chances of still being in the game in the fourth quarter.

* Prediction: Appalachian State 42, UTC 24