Mocs' D-line impressive in loss

photo UTC's Richardre Bagley is tackled by UT's LaDarrell McNeil (33) and Justin Coleman (27) Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

KNOXVILLE - Turns out the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has an SEC-caliber defensive line after all. While the Mocs were outmanned at almost every other position, their defensive front won the battle at the line of scrimmage, collecting a season-high five sacks and limiting Tennessee to 2.9 yards per run.

UTC's defensive line also had seven of the team's nine tackles for loss, and All-America end Davis Tull finished with a season-high seven total tackles in his return home to Knoxville. With at least one sack in his fourth consecutive game Tull moved into a tie for third on the Southern Conference's career sacks leaders list with 32.5.

The Mocs had three sacks in the first half, starting with Derrick Lott's midway through the first quarter.

"The main thing about that is preparation," said Lott, who began his college career at Georgia. "We watched a lot of film to see where we could execute, then we pinned our ears back and were ready to go. It felt good. We held an SEC team to 300 yards. That's a confidence boost for us the rest of the season.

"Going against a big school again, I wanted it. I was glad it came in the first quarter to set the tone. I prepared myself to come out and prove I can still play well against big schools."

Much has been made about the struggles of Tennessee's young offensive line, and by the end of the third quarter the Volunteers had managed just 52 rushing yards. They added to that total late, against a worn-down UTC defense, but the Mocs still added to their SoCon-leading tackles-for-loss total.

"I thought we defended the run game fantastic today," UTC coach Russ Huesman said. "I thought our guys stood up against the run game really well and we rushed the passer really well. I was pretty proud of our defensive effort.

"We knew they were young [up front]. They're talented, but when you're young at that position, it's not only knowing what to do and who to pick up, physically you're just not ready to play in the SEC. We have some guys on the defensive line who can run really well."

Following last week's win over VMI, Mocs senior defensive tackle Josh Freeman said he was frustrated at having been so close several times to getting his first sack of the season. Against Tennessee, Freeman not only got his first sack -- in the first half -- but added another, and he recovered a fumble after Keionta Davis stripped UT quarterback Justin Worley as he sacked him.

That turnover led to UTC's first points, a 27-yard field goal by Henrique Ribeiro.

"It gives us a lot of confidence to know we came in here and let them know we could get after them like that," Freeman said. "I know they're young, but their linemen are pretty good. They're strong and they come off the ball well. I wish the best for them.

"We had some success because I think we're just really, really good up front and they're still growing. I wish we could've got more, but it's good to get that. To get two here would've felt a lot better with a win, but I'll take it."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

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