FINAL UPDATE
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga had No. 3 Appalachian State ready to be pushed off the ledge of Lookout Mountain.
But the Mountaineers delivered all of the blows in the fourth quarter of an 42-41 win for ASU.
The Mocs had a historic win in hand before a crowd of 15,235 which is the second-largest crowd to watch the Mocs in Finley Stadium.
Already ahead 28-14, the Mocs scored on the first play of the fourth quarter when quarterback B.J. Coleman connected with Garrett Hughes from 16 yards out.
Things went south from there.
ASU scored on a three-play drive to pull within 35-21.
Buster Skrine fumbled the ensuing kickoff and ASU scored again.
Then Coleman was sacked and fumbled one play before ASU tied the game at 35 with 11:01 to play.
ASU forced a a punt and the Mountaneers went on to score again on an odd play. ASU quarterback DeAndre Presley picked up a fumble, raced against the line of scrimmage and put ASU up 42-35.
The Mocs had one last chance after marching 86 yards for a touchdown capped on a 3-yard run by Coleman.
UTC attempted a two-point play.
ASU safety Mark LeGee broke up the pass and sealed the Mountaineers’ 42-41 victory.
THIRD QUARTER UPDATE
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga moved 15 minutes closer to pulling off its largest upset since taking down No. 1 Marshall in 1993.
The Mocs continue to lead No. 3 Appalachian State 28-14 after three quarters in the season-opener for both squads at Finley Stadium.
The Mocs and Mountaineers traded field position throughout the quarter, until ASU swiftly moved 86 yards on four plays with quarterback Deandre Presley connecting with Ben Jordan on a 14-yard touchdown pass.
At the end of the quarter, the face second-and-11 from ASU’s 16-yard line.
SECOND QUARTER UPDATE
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga continues to lead one of the traditional powers in Football Championship Subdivision.
The Mocs lead 28-7 over third-ranked Appalachian State before a crowd that nearly fills Finley Stadium.
UTC quarterback B.J. Coleman is 8-of-12 passing for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
In the second quarter, Coleman connected on a 49-yard pass to set up his own 1-yard touchdown scamper. The Mocs second touchdown came on a trick play. Running back Chris Awuah took a handoff then flipped a 9-yard touchdown pass to Marlon Anthony.
Also in the quarter, ASU missed a 49-yard field goal and failed on fourth-and-one with two minutes to go before he half.
SECOND QUARTER UPDATE
The white-out is effect ant the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team is accommodating the thousands who have arrived at Finley Stadium
The Mocs lead 16-7 over No. 3 Appalachian State at the end of an exciting first quarter featuring two touchdown passes by former McCallie quarterback B.J. Coleman.
The Mocs caught their first break when they recovered a fumble giving UTC a short field. Coleman converted a sneak on fourth-and-inches, but the Mocs had to settle for a field goal four plays later. Mike Hammons connected from 29 yards out with 11:58 to go in the first quarter.
The Mocs forced a punt on ASU’s next possession.
Coleman showed his powerful arm by throwing a tight hard spiral to Chris Pitchford who beat his defender and out-raced former Red Bank star Dominique McDuffie for a 53-yard touchdown. Hammons missed the extra point and UTC led 9-0.
Appalachian State responded 10-play drive that lasted 10 plays that quarterback Deandre Presley capped with a 2-yard scamper.
Buster Skrine took the ensuing kickoff back to midfield. A couple plays later, Coleman connected with former McCallie teammate Joel Bradford on a 36-yard touchdown for a 16-7 lead.
Coleman is 6-of-9 passing for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Keep updated throughout the game at www.timesfreepress.com. You can follow David Uchiyama on twitter at Twitter.com/UchSports