Defensive lineman Josh Freeman (95) looks to the sidelines.Five things UTC must do to win and advance:1. Pressure Perish: Indiana State quarterback Mike Perish was sacked only once in last week's win at Eastern Kentucky. Given time, he completed a school-record 41 of 57 attempts for 407 yards. The Mocs, who have a Southern Conference-best 31 sacks, must be able to continue collapsing the pocket and get in Perish's face to disrupt his timing with receivers.2. Put speed in space: Whether it comes from jet sweeps, screen passes, downfield routes or on kick returns, UTC must find ways to get the ball in the hands of playmakers such as Tommy Hudson, Richardre Bagley, Marquis Green and Alphonso Stewart with enough wiggle room to use their speed to create big gainers.3. Make special teams special: The Mocs had the SoCon's most consistent special teams unit, and that's an area that can swing momentum quickly. Nick Pollard's punts have been defensive weapons, including 19 downed inside the 20 and a 42.3 yard average, often flipping field position. Henrique Ribeiro made 15 of 17 field-goal attempts and has range to make kicks from as far out as 60 yards. Hudson is an All-America punt returner, averaging 10 yards per return, including two for touchdowns, and Bagley has been close to breaking a kickoff for a score several times this year. UTC's speed also creates a threat to block a kick.4. Protect the ball: The Sycamores rank sixth among FCS teams with a plus-12 turnover ratio, including 15 recovered fumbles and 14 interceptions. Indiana State's defense will gamble with an array of blitzes, willing to give up a few big plays every now and then but counting on the pressure to create turnovers. UTC has been good at protecting the ball this season, having lost only eight fumbles, and quarterback Jacob Huesman has thrown just two interceptions against FCS competition.5. Don't be fooled by the record: It would be a mistake to overlook Indiana State based simply on overall record. The 8-5 record can be misleading since the Sycamores are 5-3 against FCS-ranked opponents and split two games against FBS foes.
Not even the threat of rain today could dampen the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team's excitement level this week.
After a record-breaking season that included nine straight wins over FCS opponents, an outright Southern Conference championship and a No. 8 seed for the national playoffs, the Mocs' goal all season has been to reach the national championship game, and today is the second step in that journey.
By earning a top-eight seed, UTC (9-3) had a bye last week, while today's opponent, Indiana State (8-5), won on the road at Eastern Kentucky.
"The bye week is huge for us," said UTC quarterback Jacob Huesman. "We were able to get some guys an extra week to get more healthy, and we won't go into our first playoff game so banged up. It's good to be at full strength and not one of these teams that's limping into the playoffs."
The Mocs are making the program's first playoff appearance in 30 years, and this will be its first home game in the postseason.
UTC led the SoCon in attendance this year, averaging more than 10,000 fans per home game, and players admitted this week they are hoping their on-field accomplishments and the program's first-ever home playoff game will draw a large and rowdy contingent of fans.
"Having a lot of fans yelling and being noisy for us definitely helps get us hyped up," said defensive lineman Josh Freeman. "You want as much help as you can get at this point. It's a completely different level of play and every mistake is magnified in the playoffs, so hopefully having that extra motivation from our fans will help get some turnovers or make some big plays.
"It's one and done now, so you have to give it all you've got. I think you have to turn it up a notch, and I believe we have enough older guys who have waited a long time for this chance."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.