Mocs glance
* No. 6 UTC (3-1, 1-0 SoCon) vs Furman (3-2, 1-0) * Finley Stadium * Saturday, 1 p.m. * ESPN3 and 96.1 FM
UTC offensive lineman Corey Levin removes his helmet during the Mocs' football practice Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, at Scrappy Moore Field in Chattanooga, Tenn.The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team will be welcomed back to Finley Stadium this Saturday when it takes on Southern Conference opponent Furman.
After two games on the road plus an off week, the sixth-ranked Mocs get their first game at home in 28 days this week. They'll return to the road for games at Virginia Military Institute and Wofford the following two weeks before playing at home again on Oct. 31 against Western Carolina.
"They have a couple of stout defensive linemen and they play very intense," UTC offensive lineman Corey Levin said. "Last year they had a lot of injuries, but you know that if you're playing the Furman Paladins, you know you're playing a good football team."
This Furman team has won three straight games, including 16-15 against Football Bowl Subdivision opponent Central Florida on Sept. 19. The Paladins' two losses have come by three points against Coastal Carolina - top-ranked in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the STATS FCS list - and at FBS opponent Virginia Tech.
The Paladins finished 3-9 in an injury-riddled 2014 season that included a stretch of seven consecutive losses, but the Mocs know the team they're going to face this week will be one of the top challengers in the SoCon.
Still, the Mocs intend to enjoy their home date and hope to put forth a better effort than their last game at Finley Stadium - a 44-34 win over NCAA Division II member Mars Hill.
"It's always fun to play at home," UTC defensive tackle Taylor Reynolds said. "After a bye week and two games away, it's been a while since we've played here. We hope to have a good crowd to support us. We didn't play our best ball against Mars Hill, but playing better starts with practice. We have to come out every day, have good practices and be focused.
"We've been more focused and it has helped us play better. We have to have another good week this week."
McMillan reinstated
Defensive end Vantrel McMillan has been reinstated to the UTC team and will play Saturday against Furman.
The 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior was suspended indefinitely following an arrest on the night of Sept. 19 on the charge of disorderly conduct, public intoxication and possession of a handgun while under the influence.
"His suspension has been lifted," coach Russ Huesman said Tuesday at the media luncheon.
Huesman added that McMillan has a "bunch of things" to take care of throughout the rest of the semester to remain on the team. In three games, he has 11 tackles - three for loss - with a sack, a forced fumble and an interception.
"As long as he meets the criteria, he will stay a member of this team," Huesman said.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.