CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — There are numerous catchwords that could pertain to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 24-21 walk-off win at Austin Peay on Saturday in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Redemption. Perseverance. Validation. Just to name a few.
Redemption in the right leg of kicker Clayton Crile, whose 35-yard winning field goal came after a forgetful previous 59 minutes, 57 seconds in which the senior missed a field goal, had another clang off the goalpost and drew a penalty on a kickoff out of bounds.
Perseverance in the fact the Mocs (8-4) defeated the Governors (9-3) despite a list of missing players that would make most teams at this level buckle. Already gone entering the game were stud running back Ailym Ford, starting quarterback Chase Artopoeus and kicker Jude Kelley, making Crile’s heroics even more stirring. The Mocs also lost the two-time reigning Southern Conference defensive player of the year, Jay Person, in the first half with a shoulder injury.
Validation in the direction of the program despite several heartbreaking losses in Rusty Wright’s five years as head coach that have too often derailed promising seasons.