Wiedmer: Mocs want to shine for homecoming fans

Arkansas-Oklahoma State Live Blog
photo UTC head coach Russ Huesman directs players on the sidelines during the Mocs' home football game against the Gamecocks on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn.

When it comes to wisdom, former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football player and assistant coach Joe Lee Dunn has imparted a lot of it over the years.

The sockless savant of sic-'em defense, Dunn has had a cup of coffee in more outposts than the Travelocity gnome, changing jobs as often as some people change their socks, which may be why he's never worn them.

But at least one bit of advice from Dunn always has stuck in current UTC coach Russ Huesman's head, even if difficult scheduling always hasn't made following it possible.

"Joe Lee always told us, 'Win your first game of the year, your last game and homecoming,'" said Huesman, who had Dunn for an assistant coach during his own Mocs playing days.

Thanks to visiting such places as Nebraska, South Florida and Central Michigan, the sixth-year coach is just 1-5 in openers. Thanks to closing at such landmines as Alabama and Wofford, he's only 1-4 in season-enders.

But heading into this week's homecoming game against VMI, Huesman stands 4-1 in front of the alums, his lone defeat coming two years ago against Appalachian State. Further improving that record, the coach was 4-0 in homecoming contests as a player from 1978 to 1981.

"I really can't tell you a lot about them, at least the pageantry," Huesman said. "I do remember always getting a good crowd when I was a player; there were a lot of people there. But I never came back to homecoming after I left because I was always coaching somewhere else. My first homecoming game after I left the program as a player and grad assistant was when I came back as head coach."

And even that hasn't provided much time to reminisce about the good ol' days.

"A lot of my old teammates shoot me an email the week after the game saying, 'I didn't get to say hello, but ...,''' Huesman said with a grin. "But I do get to see some of them for a minute or two sometimes. It's funny, but I could probably give you great details about every homecoming game I've ever been involved with as far as the game itself, who won and stuff, but that's about it."

The coach even joked about a schedule that will roust him from his sleep around 5:30 Friday morning to do a 6:25 television interview.

"The one day I normally get to sleep late and I've got to get up for a TV interview," he said. "But that's the job. And I've always liked the pep rally on Friday. It's really nice of them to do that for us."

Though winning is always Job One, the current UTC players see homecoming a wee bit differently.

"I like the effect of having all the older fans come back," said senior running back Keon Williams, who erupted for 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Samford last Saturday. "The atmosphere around campus is different this week, too. There's more excitement. You want to win this one for the fans."

And befitting the image of football hero, Williams once dated the homecoming queen during his playing days at Red Bank High School.

"She was a senior, I was a junior," he said.

And was he excused from halftime to escort her onto the field?

"No, I think her mom and dad did that," Williams said.

Senior defensive end Davis Tull -- the national defensive player of the week at the FCS level after forcing a fumble and recording four tackles for losses against Samford -- said he's never dated a homecoming queen, but he's always looked forward to homecoming week.

"I love it," he said. "You know it's going to be a big crowd, especially the students. There are always a lot of students at this game."

As for the pageantry, the banners, maybe a fraternity float or two, Tull's into that also.

"I live off campus this year," he said. "But I see the pictures of everything that's going on with Instagram. It's a lot of fun."

It's even fun for athletes other than football players. UTC senior point guard Ronrico White -- who sometimes seems as if he's been around campus long enough to remember Huesman's playing days -- welcomes this week every year.

"It's definitely different," White said. "The fraternities and sororities put on their events. You see all the hard work. We'll all be at the game supporting the football team."

Yet just to make sure it's not all play and no work for UTC's homecoming, midterm exams also are being conducted this week.

"I've got to finish a paper this afternoon," Williams said following the Mocs' weekly media luncheon at McKenzie Arena. "And I've got an exam on Thursday."

The course?

"Team sports," he said.

Just a thought, but if the Mocs win homecoming, Williams gets an "A." And if they lose? Maybe he can get a makeup on the last game of the year.

Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.

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