SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga lost to Wofford 35-34 in overtime Saturday at Gibbs Stadium to fall to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in Southern Conference play.
Wofford is 5-2, 4-1.
SATURDAY’S STAR
UTC senior quarterback Nick Tiano had perhaps his best game as a Moc. He hurt the Terriers with his arm (245 yards, two touchdowns) and his legs, with a pair of keepers the critical plays in the rally from down seven points in the final quarter. With Wofford focused on stopping Ailym Ford and the running game, Tiano put the team on his back early with a pair of touchdown passes, including a 61-yard beauty to favorite target Bryce Nunnelly.
SATURDAY’S STAT
5 – Wofford quarterback Joe Newman, after a miserable start on the critical tying drive late in regulation, completed five passes to keep the possession alive. The Mocs wanted to force Newman, known more for his rushing ability, to beat them through the air. He did enough. Before the late surge he had completed only nine passes and had overthrown several open receivers.
TURNING POINT
The Mocs had several chances to secure the win in regulation but were a step late trying to stop Newman and the Terriers on the tying 65-yard drive. Wofford was aided when the UTC kickoff went out of bounds, but the turning point came on fourth-and-10 at the UTC 23 when the Mocs elected to rush only three defenders against Newman. With ample time he stepped up in the pocket and hit a very open Landon Parker for 13 yards to the 23. Newman isn’t the most accurate passer on the move, so to let him set his feet on that critical play was a big part of the Mocs’ undoing.
HIGHLIGHT PLAY
Tiano’s 24-yard touchdown run to tie the game in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. The 6-foot-5 quarterback put the ball in running back Ailym Ford’s belly, pulled it out and casually strolled to the edge. As everyone focused on Ford, Tiano turned it on (as much as he could), stiff-armed one defender and strolled into the end zone as players on the UTC sideline erupted.
WHAT IT MEANS
Even with the loss, the Mocs proved they belong at or near the top of the SoCon standings and will be a handful for anyone moving forward. Tiano no doubt earned major respect from his teammates for a gutty effort, while the defense, for the most part, made the Terriers earn every yard.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.