University of Tennessee at Chattanooga beat writer Gene Henley breaks down the Mocs' 24-23 win at Virginia Military Institute.
SATURDAY'S STAR
UTC running back Gino Appleberry continued his solid play in his final season of college football, rushing for 113 yards and a score while hauling in 39 yards worth of receptions, including a 19-yarder to convert a third down late in the game.
SATURDAY'S STAT
The Mocs entered the game tied for fifth in the country in time of possession, but they held the ball for only 23 minutes and 38 seconds against the Keydets. After starting off hot, the offense could never get into a rhythm as the Mocs spent most of the game watching their defense.
TURNING POINT
The game seemed destined to be tied at 24 after VMI running back Hunter Rice scored from 7 yards out with 8:09 remaining. But kicker Caden Beck, who missed a 31-yard field-goal attempt early in the contest, pushed the extra-point try right, which proved to be the difference.
THE BIG PLAY
It's no secret that sophomore running back Reggie Davis is full of potential, but entering Saturday he had just three college games under his belt. That potential showed itself when Davis broke a couple of tackles and sprinted 45 yards for the first touchdown of his UTC career and the game's first points.
WHAT IT MEANS
It's been a weird season for UTC, with the Mocs looking really good against good teams but looking listless at times against perceived inferior competition. Sure, VMI is a rough place to play, and sure, the Mocs dealt with trouble on the trip up. But those things weren't a problem when UTC was ahead 14-0 and riding high. Through it all, the Mocs are one win away from the program's first appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs since 2016, but it's going to take either a victory next Saturday over the SoCon favorite (Furman) or what would be the biggest win in school history (on Nov. 18 against Alabama of the Football Bowl Subdivision) to feel comfortable about this team's place in the playoffs — as well as its feeling of belonging in the 24-team field.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com.