Football practices at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s Scrappy Moore Field often conclude with the field-goal team attempting kicks from various distances.
After the rest of the team had been dismissed Thursday, kickers, holders and long snappers remained for a couple dozen more kicks. Coming off a 16-13 Southern Conference win over East Tennessee State University in which three field goals and an extra point were missed, coach Rusty Wright wanted to make sure junior kicker Victor Ulmo was comfortable with his mechanics.
“Just trying to get in a rhythm, that’s the biggest thing,” Wright said of the extra work as the Mocs (4-3, 3-0) prepare for Saturday’s first-place league showdown at Wofford (4-2, 3-1).
“It’s like a golf swing. Victor’s getting close, and it’s like I told him: As long as you hit the ball good – some of them are going in and some aren’t – you give yourself a chance.”
UTC’s special teams have had other breakdowns in four of the past five games, including a punt that was blocked, a kickoff that was returned for touchdown and fumbles that have led to points for opponents. There isn’t one major area Wright believes needs to be corrected, but the veteran coach knows small mistakes can turn into big problems on special teams.
“A lot of them we have brought upon ourselves,” Wright said. “One guy here, one guy there. Not kicking the ball to the right spot. It’s been a combination of things. Some of it is coaching and some of it is them understanding what we want and the execution. It has to get better.”
Ford thanks line
UTC freshman running back Ailym Ford celebrated with his offensive linemen after being named the STATS FCS national freshman of the week for his 200-yard, two-touchdown performance against ETSU.
“I was more proud of my line than anything,” Ford said of his first reaction to the news earlier this week. “They have been dominating defenses and letting me get down the field. I shared the news with them, and they were more excited for me than I was. I’m just thankful for everybody.”
Ford, who is second in the SoCon with 757 rushing yards, has carried the ball more than 90 times in the Mocs’ past three games. His recovery plan is simple – but obviously effective.
“After a game I usually get some sleep,” he said. “The next day I take an ice bath, do a normal massage and stretch a bit. In high school I never did it, but I can take advantage of the services here.”
Secondary primary
Wofford’s spread-option offense counts on quarterback Joe Newman to make quick decisions to consistently move the ball downfield, whether with his legs, his arm or his stable of running backs.
Likewise, to be effective stopping the Terriers, UTC’s defensive backfield must make quick decisions. Safeties Brandon Dowdell and Jerrell Lawson will have to help stop the run while also making sure Newman doesn’t catch them off guard with a big pass play.
Dowdell said proper pre-snap reads and discipline are the keys to success for his group.
“We have to be ready to be locked in on our keys,” he said. “They are a spread-option team and they are focused on running the ball, but they can suck you in with the pass sometimes. We have to do a great job as a group to stop the run and then kill everything else.”
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.