UTC offensive lineman Chris
Mayes has switched from
defensive line as a senior.Mocs GlanceINDIANA STATE (8-5) at UTC (9-3)Saturday, 1 p.m., Finley Stadium96.1 FM, ESPN3
What had been one of the biggest areas of concern and frustration as the season began has become as dependable a group as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team has now.
The Mocs offensive line has progressed from struggling in both run blocking and pass protection through the first two games to paving the way for the Southern Conference’s top scoring offense.
“We had three guys who had never played offensive line before. There were going to be some growing pains,” said senior right guard Chris Mayes. “But we got through those and settled down and gained some confidence. It’s evident now what type team we have.
“It’s been a huge amount of growth. From the early struggles we had, we’ve come together, bonded and made a complete 180-degree turnaround. We settled down and grew and Coach (Chris) Malone really brought us along. The first part of the year, and all those problems, feels so long ago, it’s almost like it was a completely different season.”
The turnaround began with an unselfish move that came from necessity. In the final preseason scrimmage, all-conference guard Synjen Herren was lost for the year to a leg injury. That was a gut shot for an already thin and inexperienced unit, and in the first two games of the season the Mocs managed just 179 rushing yards and allowed five sacks.
But the week of the conference opener against Samford, UTC offensive coaches moved three linemen around — freshman All America Corey Levin rom left tackle to left guard, Hunter Townson from right tackle to left tackle and Brandon Morgan from left guard to right tackle — in trying to create more of a positive push up front.
“Moving Corey Levin saved the season for us,” said Malone, the Mocs offensive line coach. “I thought it was the most unselfish thing I’ve ever been around. Most guys who were freshman All America wouldn’t want to move. He never hesitated. We needed Corey at guard because he’s the most physical guy we’ve got up front.
“Early on there were a bunch of mental errors, just out of a lack of experience. The kids have been in every situation now so they learn and adjust faster. It’s almost like we started football in mid-September. We found schemes that are simple enough that our young guys can play fast. We’re not a finished product but I’m pleased with the progress.”
Levin was the only player with game experience on an offensive line that included two freshmen starters and another, Mayes, who had made the switch from defensive line in the spring.
Although playing musical chairs along the offensive line is not an ideal situation, especially four games into a season, the result was the most productive ground game of the season to that point, with 252 rushing yards and going 4-for-4 in red-zone scoring chances.
UTC went on to finish the regular season with six games of 220-plus rushing yards, including three of 300-plus, also averaging 390.6 yards of total offense and allowed just six sacks in its final 10 games. The Mocs also led the league in time of possession.
In Saturday’s second-round playoff game, the Mocs will face an Indiana State defense that is allowing 4.1 yards per carry and 366 total yards per game, but against a very challenging schedule.
“It’s definitely feeling good to finally make a statement for ourselves,” Levin said. “We want to go out and be the most physical, and we have been. We’ve gained a lot of confidence as the season has gone and we’re playing with a different attitude now.”
Mocs get first commitment
The Mocs picked up their first commitment for the 2015 signing class when Cherokee High School linebacker Michael Bean made the announcement Sunday afternoon. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder from Canton (Ga.) chose UTC over offers from The Citadel, VMI and UNC-Charlotte and was also being heavily recruited by Air Force, Navy and Middle Tennessee State University.
“I sat down with my family and we talked it over, and it just felt like the right time to go ahead and announce it,” said Bean who made 130 total tackles, including 66 solos this season and is rated a Rivals 2-star prospect. “When I made my visit there it felt like home, and it feels good now to know that the decision is over. It’s awesome to see how well they’re doing this year, and I plan to be at the playoff game with my family.”
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.