Joshua Williams, No. 95, and other defensive linemen run through drills during Thursday's practice. The UTC Mocs held their first preseason practice at Scrappy Moore Field on Thursday afternoon.University of Tennessee at Chattanooga end Josh Williams was chosen the defensive player of the week in the Southern Conference, and Mocs wide receiver and punter Joel Bradford was named the top special teams player.
In UTC's 24-9 win Saturday at Samford, Williams had seven tackles and three sacks, including one for a 16-yard loss that forced Samford to settle for a field goal in the fourth quarter. UTC's all-time sack leader with 21.5, Williams leads the SoCon this season with 9.5.
Bradford, who leads the Mocs with 49 catches for 630 yards this season and was a SoCon offensive player of the week in September, punted nine times Saturday for a 40.4-yard average. Three punts went more than 50 yards, including a 58-yarder late in the game that pinned the Bulldogs deep in their territory. He also had four downed inside the 20-yard line.
UTC has had 10 SoCon player-of-the-week honors this season, the most of any team. Linebacker Wes Dothard (defensive) and quarterback Terrell Robinson (freshman) have three each.
The Mocs are off this week and will wrap up their season at home against No. 9 Wofford on Nov. 19.
Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.