UTC football coach Russ Huesman watches practice.

When the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team steps onto Scrappy Moore Field this afternoon, it will be the Mocs' 20th practice of the preseason.

The first 19 were in many ways about finding the players who can help the Mocs win consistently. Now, with less than two weeks remaining before UTC opens its 105th season, the focus will begin to shift toward prepping the players for what lies ahead.

Following Sunday's final preseason scrimmage, coach Russ Huesman said he likes what the offense is doing, especially the play of quarterbacks Terrell Robinson and Jacob Huesman. The defense, however, has him a little worried after seeing too many missed tackles and too many big plays by the offense.

"I'm still concerned about -- we're probably one or two [players] short on defense," the coach said. "We've got to keep getting people better and get them playing and making plays. I'm a little nervous about that."

Of the players who came into camp healthy, only wide receiver Marlon Anthony (ankle) and safety Dean Haynes (foot) have missed more than a couple of days of practice. Anthony should be back this week, but Haynes is still in a cast.

Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.