Russ Huesman still doesn’t know a whole lot about what kind of players he has on his University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team. But the Mocs’ new coach is getting to know them as people and said he likes what he’s seen and heard so far.
When B.J. Taylor made his official visit to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga last January, the defensive tackle wasn’t impressed by the Mocs’ weight room in McKenzie Arena. The weight room was on the campus tour all recruits take, but it was by no means one of the highlights.
Russ Huesman received his first commitment Saturday when Brian Sutherland told the new University of Tenenssee at Chattanooga football coach that he was transferring to play for the Mocs.
A little before midnight Friday, Richmond defensive coordinator Russ Huesman was still on the field at Finley Stadium being congratulated after winning a national championship. By 8 Saturday morning, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate was interviewing for the Mocs’ coaching job.
University of Kentucky quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator Randy Sanders said he has talked with University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletic director Rick Hart about the Mocs’ vacant football coaching position.
Almost regardless of the question, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team hasn’t had the answer this season. That was again the case Saturday as Samford moved the ball effectively with its usual deliberation and efficiency, with a couple of big plays thrown in, and easily beat the Mocs 30-7.
Injured University of Tennessee at Chattanooga running back Bryan Fitzgerald helped carry primary tailback Erroll Wynn into the locker room during the second quarter.
William Giles and Mitchell Meadows arrived on campus five years ago. Brent Hayes and Joseph Pitman joined them a year later. Since then, the four have been practically inseparable.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — In the middle of what looked like a monsoon Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was 120 seconds away from finding a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dismal football season.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — After so many blowout losses this season, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga players said they were thrilled to finally be in a ballgame late in the fourth quarter. But following Saturday’s 24-21 loss at The Citadel, they said the Mocs’ ninth- traight defeat was by no means a moral victory because it was close.
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Big plays on special teams put the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in a position to win Saturday. One really big play on special teams put The Citadel over the top as Andre Roberts’ 43-yard punt return for a touchdown with 1:46 to play in the game was the difference in the Bulldogs’ 24-21 win.
Road trips are a big part of the college experience, as was demonstrated so well by Eric Stratton, rush chairman, and the gang in “Animal House.” When football teams hit the road, the experience may be less wild but no less memorable.