Finley looking like Mocs’ home

It's beginning to look a lot like football season, especially at Finley Stadium.

On Wednesday, in preparation for Saturday's season opener against No. 3 Appalachian State, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's “C” logo was painted at midfield and “Chattanooga” has been painted in the east end zone.

Finley Stadium executive director Merrill Eckstein said the west end zone will be painted today, with the Southern Conference logo likely going down Friday.

In addition, UTC's new banners, which will give the off-campus facility a home-field look, were installed atop the north-side stands and at the south-side entrance.

“I think we'll probably do some things in phases over the next several years, but I think it makes a big difference and let's people know that that's our home stadium,” UTC athletic director Rick Hart said. “It looks really first class.”

UTC has partnered with Erlanger Health System for some of the banners, Hart said.

New record set

UTC set a new record for season ticket sales at Finley on Wednesday, surpassing the mark of 2,527 set a year ago. As of 6 p.m., a total of 2,581 season tickets had been sold.

“I don't think any of us took for granted that that would occur,” Hart said. “It took a lot of work and we're actually still selling pretty strong.”

UTC has extended its ticket office hours to 6 p.m. today and Friday and will open up the south side ticket window at Finley on Friday from 12-6 p.m.

The total number of tickets that have been distributed, counting single-game tickets, is 6,847.

Hammons to kick

Freshman kicker Nick Pollard, who's been out for several weeks with a hip injury, tried to kick during Wednesday's practice at Scrappy Moore Field. He said he felt good while warming up, but struggled on his field-goal attempts.

Mocs coach Russ Huesman said junior punter Mike Hammons, a preseason second-team all-conference pick, will handle all of the kicking duties Saturday.

Hammons was the Class AAA Mr. Football kicker of the year as a senior at Polk County High School, but has just punted at UTC.

“I've definitely ingrained it in my head that I need to get good at this quick, just in case,” Hammons said Tuesday. “My field-goal swing is getting a lot more consistent here recently.”

A screeching halt

During the 17th period of the Mocs' practice, Huesman halted practice and called the team together.

He’d seen several players hobbling around in their new Nike cleats, which were distributed Tuesday, and asked how many were developing blisters or having other discomfort. About 20 players stepped forward, most of them first- and second-teamers.

Huesman sent them all back to McKenzie Arena to change, so for about 15 minutes the rest of the team got to rest, while Huesman fumed at the interruption.

Huesman said the footwear problems will be corrected before Saturday.