UTC (1-2) vs. NO. 2 JAMES MADISON (2-1)
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019
4 p.m. at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga
VIDEO & RADIO
ESPN+ & 97.7 FM/1070 AM
THE MATCHUP
The Dukes of Harrisonburg, Virginia, have one of the marquee programs in the Football Championship Subdivision, and they have used consistent success over the past two decades to expand their recruiting base and build depth rarely found at their level. As University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Rusty Wright said, James Madison isn’t fancy. The Dukes just do what they do really well, and they can beat you with a pounding ground game or an air attack that has completed more than 70% of its passes behind veteran quarterback Ben DiNucci. Defense is their biggest strength, though, with no fewer than seven starters from that unit on All-America or Colonial Athletic Association preseason honors lists.
ONE TO WATCH
For the Mocs to consistently move the ball and score, junior wide receiver Bryce Nunnelly has to be targeted early and often. UTC believes it can run the ball against the Dukes, but those yards will get tougher if the Mocs’ passing game, which has completed less than half of its attempts through three games, doesn’t get untracked. Of course, if Nunnelly is double-teamed as expected, someone from a group that includes Reginald Henderson, Kanore McKinnon, Lameric Tucker and Juwan Tyus has to step up.
IN THE END
A good week of practice has the Mocs feeling better about themselves after back-to-back road losses to FCS power Jacksonville State, 41-20, and Tennessee, 45-0. If they start slowly again, though, they might be in for a long afternoon. James Madison is the more talented and experienced team, but early pressure could make this matchup tight. Could this be the signature win Wright and his staff need for an early highlight to their first season in charge?
PREDICTION
James Madison 31, UTC 24
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.