Marcus Satterfield held back Sunday afternoon.
Asked about the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s six turnovers in Saturday’s 49-35 loss to Elon, and 11 turnovers in the Mocs’ past two games, the offensive coordinator didn’t launch into a tirade that appeared imminent.
Instead, Satterfield calmly stated that numerous breakdowns and mistakes are contributing to the high number of turnovers, which includes nine interceptions by B.J. Coleman.
Satterfield said he’s not ready to hit the panic button, but he’d “hit a mad button” if there was one.
“Eleven turnovers, that’s unbelievable,” he said, “and we’re 1-1 in those two games.”
The 20th-ranked Mocs (5-3, 4-2 Southern Conference) survived a five-turnover game that included four Coleman interceptions at Furman on Oct. 23, rallying from 18 points down to win 36-28.
Against Elon on Saturday, Coleman was picked off five times and Erroll Wynn fumbled once. The Mocs trailed 35-14 at the half before rallying and eventually tying the game at 35.
Coleman, who threw for 386 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, was picked off three times after UTC drew even. On the screen pass that Elon’s Joshua Jones picked off and returned 25 yards for the game-winning touchdown, there were small mistakes in every aspect of the play that led to the turnover.
“It’s little fundamental things about how the back [J.J. Jackson] should have been moving and we should have had a lineman [Austin Wilson] out there quicker,” Mocs coach Russ Huesman said. “I don’t know if it would have been a gain, but it wouldn’t have been a pick.”
UTC is tied for second in the FCS in takeaways with 26 — a robust average of 3.25 per game. Unfortunately for the Mocs, their 23 giveaways are tied for ninth-most in the FCS
In UTC’s losses — to No. 1 Appalachian State, No. 2 Jacksonville State and to Elon — the Mocs have fumbled six times and Coleman has thrown six interceptions.
Coleman is fifth in the nation in passing yardage at 282.1 yards per game and 20th in passing efficiency. His 12 interceptions are the most of any player in the efficiency top 50.
“Sometimes you’re going to get the ball deflected and sometimes it’s going to tip off players,” Coleman said after the game, “and it’s not exactly what you want or how you draw it up, but you’ve got to bounce back.”
The Mocs must win their final two SoCon games, against Samford and No. 9 Wofford, to have a shot at the playoffs. Before they turn their attention to Samford, however, the Mocs have to head to the Plains this weekend for a money game against Cam Newton and Auburn (9-0), which is ranked No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series standings.
“That’s got a good ring to it,” Huesman said Sunday, laughing, “we’re regrouping against the best team in America. Oh, that’s nice.”