Xavier Borishade knew that he had big-play ability. He's taken advantage of his chances to show that this season.
UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade catches a pass before running it in for a touchdown during the Mocs' home football game against Presbyterian at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.The 5-foot-10, 175-pound University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior receiver has been explosive in the passing game this season, with 13 catches for 366 yards and five touchdowns four games into the year.
After 13 plays of 20 of more yards in his three-year career, Borishade has nine such plays this season. His receiving yards this season are only 70 fewer than his career-high 436 last season, and his touchdowns have already set a new standard.
He is one of two players - running back Derrick Craine being the other - was not redshirted as a true freshman during the 2013 season due to necessity at their respective positions. It's worked out well for both of them, as Craine is eighth all-time in UTC rushing yardage while Borishade is 347 yards away from 10th all time, although he will be competing with fellow senior C.J. Board, who has 1,398 career yards.
Borishade had nine catches for 153 yards and a pair of scores in 2013.
"I wish we'd redshirted him now that I look back at it, but at that point in time we couldn't," coach Russ Huesman said. "He played and was productive as a true freshman, but I guarantee he would have had a better fifth year than freshman year.
"We try to redshirt them all, but him and Derrick didn't get the opportunity to redshirt. Both were very good contributors their first year."
Borishade's best game and what he calls his "biggest" moment was a three-catch, 168-yard, three-touchdown performance against Presbyterian that included touchdown receptions of 68, 65 and 35 yards.
"Those were video game numbers," Borishade said. "It reminded me of high school. That was something that really stood out to me."
The average length of his touchdown catches this season is 44.6 yards, and his overall averages of 28.2 yards per catch and 91.5 yards per game lead the Southern Conference and rank third and 20th, respectively, in the nation. His touchdowns rank fourth.
"It just feels good to prove to everybody what I've been able to do, especially this senior year," Borishade said.
Room on the fan bus
The UTC athletic department is planning to take a fan bus to Johnson City for Saturday's game against East Tennessee State, the first in the rivalry since 2003.
The cost is $50, which includes the seat on the bus, pregame tailgate and a ticket to the game. Fans can also buy just tickets to the tailgate for $10.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.