MOCS GLANCE

MOCS GLANCE

Western Carolina (1-6, 1-4 SoCon) at UTC (4-3, 2-3)

2 p.m., Finley 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 Shaun Kermah 6-1, 235, Sr.

WR Blue Cooper 6-4, 200, Sr.

WR Clint Woods 6-2, 215, Sr.

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.

WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE STARTERS

DE Trey Selby 6-3, 250, So.

NG Gene Singletary 6-2, 270, Sr.

DT Charles Johnson 6-1, 280, Jr.

DE C.J. Johnson 6-2, 260, Jr.

LB Chris Collins 6-1, 210, Sr.

LB Ricky Schwarz 6-1, 210, So.

LB Adrian McLeod 6-0, 215, Sr.

CB Antoine George 509, 180, Sr.

CB Robert Peele 5-9 190, Sr.

SS Angelo Brown 6-0, 190, Jr.

FS Mitchell Bell 6-2, 185, Jr.

P Blake Cain 6-0, 195, So.

* The matchup: If the post-Bryan Fitzgerald Mocs are going to run the ball effectively against anyone, it should be the Catamounts. While UTC heads into the game averaging a modest 101.7 rushing yards per game, Western Carolina’s defense is giving up a SoCon-worst 218.1 yards a game on the ground. The Mocs need to get their ground game going to open things up in the passing game, which also has suffered since Fitzgerald was lost for the season.

WHEN WESTERN CAROLINA HAS THE BALL

WESTERN CAROLINA OFFENSIVE STARTERS

QB Zack Jaynes 6-0, 205, So.

TB Michael Johnson 5-11, 200, Fr.

WR D.J. McLendon 6-0, 175, Fr.

WR Marquel Pittman 6-3, 190, Jr.

WR Jacoby Mitchell 6-0, 185, Fr.

TE Chris Everett 6-4, 225, So.

RT Nathan Postelle 6-3, 250, Fr.

RG Teddy Rhoney 6-3, 250, Fr.

C Victor Aquilina 6-1, 280, Sr.

LG Steven Ray 6-2, 290, Sr.

LT Matt Winter 6-5, 280, Jr.

PK Blake Bostic 5-11, 185 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: Western Carolina’s offensive line faces two challenges today — protect quarterback Zack Jaynes and create some running room for the backs. The Catamounts have allowed 15 sacks this season, so UTC defensive ends Beard and Williams could have add to their good sack numbers. The Catamounts are last in the SoCon in rushing offense, producing just 80.1 yards per game, so the Mocs should be able to rush Jaynes aggressively.

THE ONE TO WATCH

* UTC tailback Chris Awuah

The Mocs have scaled back their offense this week and will keep things simple, so Awuah should get plenty of carries. With his quickness and his moves, the true freshman is due to have a breakout game at some point, and it could come against Western Carolina’s weak run defense. He’s run hard since taking over the lead back position against Samford but has managed just 130 yards on 46 carries in his past three games. If he can get some blocking, this could be his first 100-yard game.

IN THE END

* Breaking it down: A few weeks ago, UTC looked like a clear favorite in this game. But a lot has happened the past few weeks, since the Mocs were 4-1 and Western Carolina was 0-5. The Mocs’ offense hasn’t been the same since losing Bryan Fitzgerald, while the Catamounts’ confidence is up since beating The Citadel and playing three great quarters against Wofford. If the Mocs run the ball effectively, they will win — possibly convincingly. If they don’t, this one will be tight all the way.

* Prediction: UTC 28, Western Carolina 17