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Mocs’ defensive quickness decisive in defeat of Weber State

UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade (12) and defensive back Jordan Jones shake hands after their win in the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14. — UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade (12) and defensive back Jordan Jones shake hands after their win in the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14. UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade (12) and defensive back Jordan Jones shake hands after their win in the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

By Gene Henley November 27, 2016 3 min read

Photo Gallery

Mocs steamroll error-prone Weber State, 45-14, in FCS playoff game

UTC cheerleader Mckenzie Hammond loses her balance on teammate Skylar Hopewell's hand during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

Weber State defensive end Adam Lewis tackles UTC running back Richardre Bagley during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC quarterback Alejandro Bennifield passes against pressure by Weber State safety Josh Burton during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC wide receiver Alphonso Stewart runs into the end zone ahead of Weber State cornerback Dre Snowden during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC defensive back Lucas Webb wears a

UTC defensive players signal a turnover after a fumble recovery during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC quarterback Alejandro Bennifield breaks a tackle by Weber State linebacker Landon Stice during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC quarterback Alejandro Bennifield breaks a tackle by Weber State defensive lineman Adam Rodriguez during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

Weber State linebacker Landon Slice forces UTC wide receiver C.J. Board out of bounds during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC defensive back Montrell Pardue (21) returns a fumbled ball for a 99 yard touchdown during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC defensive back Montrell Pardue (21) dances in the end zone after returning a fumbled ball for a 99 yard touchdown during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC head coach Russ Huesman celebrates as defensive back Montrell Pardue's 99 yard fumble return for a touchdown is confirmed in review during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC head football coach Russ Huesman watches from the sideline during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC defensive backs Tae Davis (19) and Adrian King (30) tackle Weber State's Auston Tesch during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC defensive back Lucas Webb returns an intercepted football ahead of Weber State tight end Helam Heimuli during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC wide receiver Alphonso Stewart breaks ahead of Weber State cornerback Dre Snowden four a touchdown during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC defensive lineman Taylor Reynolds (94) and defensive back Lucas Webb (29) tackle Weber State running back Emmanuel Pooler during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC linebacker Nakevion Leslie, left, and defensive back Montrell Pardue celebrate a turnover during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

Weber State cornerback Taron Johnson, left, grabs UTC running back Derrick Craine too late to stop a touchdown during the Mocs' 45-14 victory Saturday at Finley Stadium in the first round of the FCS national playoffs.

UTC running back Derrick Craine breaks a tackle by Weber State safety Josh Burton during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC defensive back Trevor Wright, center, returns an interception around Weber State wide receiver Darryl Denby (3) during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade (12) and defensive back Jordan Jones shake hands after their win in the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

UTC running back Derrick Craine hurdles Weber State cornerback Dre Snowden (27) ahead of linebacker LeGrand Toia (58) during the Mocs' first-round FCS football playoff game against Weber State at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn. UTC won 45-14.

Read more about UTC’s opening round playoff game

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team prides itself on its overall team speed.

But on Saturday, the difference between the Mocs and Big Sky Conference opponent Weber State was UTC’s quickness on defense.

A step quicker than the Wildcats all day. More instinctive. Turnover hungry.

In the end, those things were the difference.

The Mocs forced five turnovers in a 45-14 victory at Finley Stadium. The turnover number was the most since UTC forced five in a 51-7 win over Western Carolina on Oct. 15, 2011.