Chattanooga's Derrick Craine runs with the ball as The Citadel's James Riley attempts to tackle him during their game Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
Photo: Paul Zoeller/Charleston Post & CourierCHARLESTON, S.C. - Derrick Craine never saw the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's first touchdown Saturday afternoon. The Mocs needed just 19 seconds to strike for the game's first points, and while that was happening, the sophomore running back was still in the locker room having an X-ray on a knee that had swollen during pregame warmups.
Once the X-rays showed no damage and Craine was cleared by the UTC training staff to return, he made up for lost time. On his first carry, early in the second quarter, Craine bolted for a 24-yard gain to convert a third-and-5 into a first down. He ran five times on that possession for 47 yards and finished the game just as strong, picking up 49 yards on eight carries on the final drive to run out the clock.
"The day didn't start out how I wanted, but once I got in, the adrenaline was going pretty good and I felt great," said Craine, who ran for a career-high 135 yards on 17 carries against The Citadel. "While I was back getting X-rayed the guy told me we were already up 7-0 after the first play. I had a big smile, but that also made me want to hurry up and get back out there.
"One of the things I've been working really hard for is to get the coaches' trust and have a bigger role in the offense. Today is a huge confidence boost for me. Opportunities can be limited, so you've got to take advantage when you get the chance."
Craine had taken a helmet to his knee in last week's game at Tennessee and dealt with recurring swelling throughout the week of practice. When the knee began to swell again during warmups, UTC trainers decided to have it X-rayed just to be sure there wasn't any severe damage.
Craine also remained on every special-teams unit for the Mocs.
"Never once did he ask to be taken off any of the special teams he plays," coach Russ Huesman said. "He goes out there and does a tremendous job on special teams as well as running the ball. I was as tickled for him as anybody, because I know what he's all about as far as work ethic. Thank goodness we've got him for two more years."
Tull adds sack
Davis Tull knew there wouldn't be many chances to add to his sack total, but he was able to do just that in the first half. The Citadel has the fewest passes of any team in the Southern Conference and attempted only six Saturday. But Tull got to Aaron Miller for his seventh sack of the season, giving him 33.5 for his career, which is just three from the league's career record.
"We got them in a third-and-long situation, so I was coming," said Tull, who now has at least one sack in five straight games. The two-time All-American leads the Mocs in sacks and also added to his team-leading tackles-for-loss total, now 11. "That was a good feeling to get another one."
Mocs morsels
UTC has rushed for 250-plus yard in three of its last four games, all against SoCon opponents. Senior running back Keon Williams and junior quarterback Jacob Huesman each had a rushing touchdown, tying them for third in career rushing TDs for the Mocs with 21, three behind the record. ... Although The Citadel came into the game leading the league in time of possession, UTC dominated that category, keeping the ball for 34:50 to the Bulldogs' 25:10, running 13 more plays.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.