UTC running back Derrick Craine evades Mercer defensive back Eric Jackson during the Mocs’ home football game against the Mercer Bears at Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coach Russ Huesman said Monday that running back Derrick Craine’s status is unclear heading into this week’s game against Virginia Military Institute.
Craine was helped off the field with an ankle injury on the third possession of the third quarter of Saturday’s game against The Citadel and did not return. He was seen postgame on crutches with his ankle wrapped with ice.
The 5-foot-10, 205-pound senior has rushed for 715 yards and nine touchdowns for the 6-1 Mocs, who fell to 11th in the Football Championship Subdivision STATS (media) poll after the 22-14 loss to the now fifth-ranked Bulldogs. He has been the primary back this season, with his total accounting for 49.7 percent of the Mocs’ rushing yards as a team.
A season ago, his 1,251 yards were 39.8 percent of the team’s rushing total, which was greatly aided by quarterback Jacob Huesman, who rushed for 1,244 yards.
Despite the injury limiting him to 35 yards on eight carries, Craine still averages 102.1 yards rushing per game, second in the Southern Conference to Wofford’s Lorenzo Long and 17th in the country.
Should he have to sit, junior Richardre Bagley – who is second on the team with 195 yards on the ground – will be Craine’s primary replacement. Bagley has seen his production increase after a few good weeks of practice, as 96 of his yards have come in the last three games, including a 1-yard touchdown run against East Tennessee State on Oct. 1.
Huesman said the team also will need sophomore Alex Trotter to step up. The 5-9, 185-pound McCallie graduate has 22 yards on five carries in three games, with a shoulder injury slowing him in the preseason. He had 14 of those yards on Oct. 1 at ETSU but had a fumble while going in for a touchdown that the Bucs recovered.
Leslie earns SoCon nod
UTC linebacker Nakevion Leslie was named the SoCon defensive player of the week following his 19-tackle performance against the Bulldogs.
The 5-11, 225-pound senior’s total was the most tackles in a game for a Moc since Ryan Consiglio had 19 against Wofford on Nov. 19, 2011.
It’s Leslie’s second honor of the season. He was also given the award after a 15-tackle game against Furman on Sept. 17.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.