The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team couldn't be much younger at cornerback heading into Saturday's game at No. 5 Jacksonville State.
With all-conference senior Buster Skrine sidelined for at least a week with a dislocated elbow, the Mocs will start a pair of freshmen - Kadeem Wise and Chaz Moore - against the Gamecocks.
"They've both got the ability, without a doubt," cornerbacks coach B.J. Hogan said. "Both of them are very capable of making plays, and that's what we're just stressing. They know their assignments with our defense and just go out and make plays."
Moore is a true freshman who doesn't turn 18 until next week, yet since arriving at UTC he's carried himself like a veteran. He picks off passes and even talks a bit a trash in his Memphis accent that his coaches can't always understand.
"He is young, but he's a great kid," Hogan said. "He had a great camp and that's why we're playing him."
By playing on UTC's kickoff unit at the start of the Appalachian State game, Moore said he "got the goosebumps out early." He played a couple of series because Skrine was injured in the fourth quarter, so the 5-foot-10, 160-pounder wasn't overwhelmed when he had to replace Skrine.
"When I got in I had to get big, had to take it strong and fill some big footsteps," said Moore, who made one tackle. "I feel like I did very well."
Wise (5-10, 180) is a redshirt freshman who made his first start last week. He didn't make a tackle or break up any passes, but he was effective, Hogan said.
"He came out and was flying around," said Hogan, who now expects Wise to "be the older guy out there."
Gamecocks wideout La'Ray Williams led JSU with six catches for 60 yards in last week's win at Ole Miss. Quarterbacks Marques Ivory and Coty Blanchard combined to complete 22 of 36 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns, so it's a passing attack that must be respected and defended well.
Wise said having a game under his belt should help him Saturday night.
"One of the main things that I learned is that anything can happen," he said, adding that the speed of the game "was a lot faster than high school and ... it wasn't like going against the scout team."
Skrine has been helping Moore this week, and Thursday night the two planned to sit down and watch video together. Moore said he was nervous at the beginning of the week but is more comfortable after a few days of practice.
"The coaches have put me in a spot to make plays," he said, "and that's my responsibility, to make some plays."
Extra points
Mocs coach Russ Huesman said Moore's insertion into the lineup is the only expected change on the offense or defense. Wide receiver Jeff Veres had a solid day kicking at Thursday's practice and will start. ... The Mocs will travel to Jacksonville, Ala., on Saturday, leaving Chattanooga at 1:15 p.m.