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Staff Photo by Angela Lewis UTC's Doug Faatiliga climbs into the stands to celebrate with fans after defeating Western Carolina 24-20 at Finley Stadium Saturday.
Taking advantage of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team's worst start of the season, Western Carolina kicked a pair of field goals to take a 6-0 lead in the first quarter.
Mocs quarterback B.J. Coleman threw an interception in UTC's opening drive that led to a 37-yard Blake Bostic field goal. Later in the period, UTC tried a fake field goal on the Western Carolina 22, but kicker Craig Camay fumbled and the Catamounts returned the ball to the Mocs' 29.
Again, the UTC defense held the Catamounts to a field goal, this one from 39 yards.
Coleman was just 3 of 10 for 28 yards in the first quarter and tailback Chris Awuah was held to 8 yards on six carries.
First quarter: Western Carolina 6, UTC 0
Western Carolina added to its lead midway through the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Michael Johnson. The Catamounts had a first-and-goal at the 1 and the Mocs were able to hold for three plays before Johnson scored on a toss sweep to the left.
Desperately needing some points, UTC finally showed some offense on the ensuing drive. Bo Dyer had a couple of good runs and had a 20-yard reception, but the drive stalled and UTC had to settle for a 30-yard Camay field goal with 2:33 remaining.
Western Carolina quickly drove the other way, converting a pair of third-down plays, but quarterback Zack Jaynes' pass deep was intercepted by UTC safety Jordan Tippit.
Halftime: Western Carolina 13, UTC 3
The Mocs got Camay field goals out of their first two drives of the second half to cut Western Carolina's lead to 13-9, but the Catamounts answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jaynes to tight end Chris Everett.
A long kickoff return by Buster Skrine gave the Mocs the ball at their 46 and three plays later Coleman hit Chris Pitchford for a 41-yard touchdown. The Mocs' 2-point attempt failed and Western Carolina carried a 20-15 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
For more Mocs coverage, see tomorrow's Times Free Press. You can also follow John Frierson's coverage of the Mocs on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeat.
John Frierson is in his fifth year at the Times Free Press and fifth year covering University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletics. The bulk of his time is spent covering Mocs football, but he also writes about women’s basketball and the big-picture issues and news involving the athletic department. A native of Athens, Ga., John grew up a few hundred yards from the University of Georgia campus. Instead of becoming a Bulldog he attended Ole ...
Mocs won playing uninspired and poorly in the first half. To show maturity and come back in the second half is a sign the program is improving greatly. Thanks Russ and all who support the program. Restoration is happing.
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