Some questions answered, some not as Mocs wrap up spring practice

UTC tight end Troy Dye, left, puts his shoulder into defensive back Lucas Webb during the Mocs' spring Blue and White football game Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. The white team won 6-0.
UTC tight end Troy Dye, left, puts his shoulder into defensive back Lucas Webb during the Mocs' spring Blue and White football game Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. The white team won 6-0.
photo UTC head football coach Russ Huesman puts his head in his hands during the Mocs' spring Blue and White football game Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. The white team won 6-0.

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UTC White shades Blue 6-0 on Ribeiro kicks

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team wrapped up spring practice Saturday afternoon with the Blue-White Game, an affair won 6-0 by the White team on a pair of Henrique Ribeiro field goals. Now that the team has had 15 practices, we look at five storylines surrounding the team prior to the start of the session and see if any questions were answered.

1. Depth on the lines: The biggest development from the spring was how quickly the younger defensive linemen adapted to their new roles after that position group lost four key members from last season. Taylor Reynolds has positioned himself into a starting spot at tackle, and redshirt freshman Isaiah Mack is nipping on his heels, with three sacks in the final two games. D.J. Prather had a pair of sacks in the spring game and will be competing for playing time at defensive end, as will Vantrell McMillan, who proved he could be a fierce pass rusher. That group will be further aided by the addition of Tennessee transfer Justin King, who will be in the mix when preseason practice begins. Offensively, Hunter Townson proved he will be a valuable addition at the left tackle position in his first practices since transferring in from Alabama-Birmingham. With a lot of experience already returning, the key was developing depth and now Townson's addition, along with the growth of former Walker Valley standouts Casey Hybarger and Alexander Hooper, that question has been answered.

2. The addition of Drae Bowles: The Tennessee transfer was having a solid spring prior to a hand injury that sidelined him for the final two scrimmages and two practices. With his willingness to go over the middle from the slot position, he will be a welcome addition to a receiver group that already has a ton of playmakers.

photo UTC quarterback Alejandro Bennifield hands off the ball to running back Derrick Craine during the Mocs' spring Blue and White football game Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. The white team won 6-0.

3. Newcomers get their chances: Townson has already been a good addition to the offensive line, and Bowles has proven that he can make plays as he attempts to grasp the system as quickly as possible. UAB transfer Steve Pickren, who spent time at tight end, defensive end and on the offensive line while he was with the Blazers, showed that he will be a big addition in run blocking while attempting to knock the rust off of his pass-catching skills. But the biggest breakout performer of the spring might have been running back Shaqualm McCoy, who rushed for 215 yards and two touchdowns in the three scrimmages. A lack of depth at the position, as well as limited activity by returners Derrick Craine and Richardre Bagley, gave the LaGrange transfer opportunities to show what he could do, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in when incoming freshmen Kyle Nalls and Alex Trotter enter the fray in the preseason.

4. Bennifield takes over the backup QB role: With starter Jacob Huesman firmly entrenched in the starting spot, the competition between sophomores Alejandro Bennifield and Tyler Roberson for the backup role went to Bennifield. The rangy lefty became more of a leader this spring -- a point of emphasis for him -- and became more elusive in his ability to read defenses and tuck the ball and run, skills which will only further aid his ability to throw the ball downfield.

5. Kicking game mystery: The Mocs were very vanilla in what they did in Saturday's spring game, but one thing that stuck out was the punting situation. Through the spring season -- even in the two prior scrimmages -- Bennifield had done the punting, but Ribeiro, who already handles place-kicking duties, took over the duties Saturday afternoon. The competition headed into the fall looks as though it will be between the two.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.

photo UTC defensive back Oxcar Prado, left, tackles wide receiver DeJuan McQuarters during the Mocs' spring Blue and White football game Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga. The white team won 6-0.

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