Chattanooga Mocs moving forward

photo Defensive Coordinator Adam Fuller
Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Ordinarily the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team spends its Sundays going over the previous day's game and with strength coach Scott Brincks working out sore muscles in the McClellan Gym pool.

The Mocs did that, but that wasn't all.

Less than 24 hours after a crushing 27-24 loss at No. 24 Jacksonville State on Saturday, the Mocs (0-2) were also out at Scrappy Moore Field preparing for a Thursday night home opener against Division II Glenville State.

Despite having to quickly turn their attention to the Pioneers, UTC's coaches thoroughly went over what happened against the Gamecocks, who kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to win.

Mocs coach Russ Huesman said the offense, which gained 422 yards, was "OK," though it "left a ton of yards and points out there."

The defense, however, wasn't close to OK, not after giving up 410 yards. Jacksonville State deserves credit for a good plan and making a lot of quality plays, Huesman said, but UTC had a bad game defensively.

"I hope they're a little embarrassed, and I think they are," he said. "It's a good group of kids, a talented group of kids, and to give up 410 yards and miss tackles like we did and not get in gaps like we were supposed to and not take proper angles to the ball -- I hope it's a proud group and I hope they're a little irritated."

Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller's take: "It's hard when you know what's coming and they're still getting positive gains. We've got to make improvements."

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jacob Huesman made his first career start and rushed for 166 yards and completed 18 of 30 passes for 186 yards. Asked if that affected what happens at quarterback this week between his son and redshirt sophomore Terrell Robinson, UTC's coach said he will not be discussing the quarterback situation this week.

After Robinson returned to the team last Thursday, the fourth-year coach said UTC would resume its strategy of playing both quarterbacks following the JSU game.

"I'm just not going to talk about quarterbacks," Huesman said. "When the game's over I'll kind of give you an assessment of how they did."

Offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said he was very impressed with how Jacob drove UTC 79 yards for the game-tying score in the final three minutes.

"He's a winner and he was going to do whatever he had to do to get the ball in the end zone and give us a chance," Satterfield said.

The Pioneers, who visited UTC in the 2009 opener, are 1-1. They lost to Carson-Newman 56-46 in their opener and beat Fairmont State 41-21 last Thursday in the annual "Battle for the Bit."

Where's Anthony?

Notably absent from the receiving statistics after two games is junior Marlon Anthony, who has played little and hasn't caught a pass this season. Anthony suffered a sprained ankle midway through the preseason and hasn't been the same since. Freshman Tray James has started the first games at the "X" receiver spot.

"We've got to see him run, jump, catch and be physical," Huesman said. "It's on him, it's up to him [to say], 'I'm ready, coach.'"

Anthony came into the season as UTC's top returning wideout with 44 career receptions.

Extra points

The Mocs weren't mistake-free Saturday, but they were not called for a penalty in the game. ... The Mocs are trying for a "Gold Rush" at Thursday's game, and fans are encouraged to wear gold.

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

Upcoming Events