Nakevion Leslie remembers being “nervous” in his first football game at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Mocs coach Russ Huesman remembers Leslie’s redshirt freshman class going 6-5.
Times have changed.
Leslie, a middle linebacker, is among 11 seniors playing in their last regular-season game today for the Football Championship Subdivision seventh-ranked Mocs (8-1, 6-1), who host Wofford (6-3, 4-2) in a key Southern Conference clash. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. at Finley Stadium.
Leslie said most of the team stayed in Chattanooga this past summer, which helped them become better players and build a bond.
“I’ve gained weight, my technique has got better and I’m playing faster,” Leslie said. “We’ve come a long way, but staying in Chattanooga during the summer is paying off for us now.”
In addition to the seniors, fourth-year juniors Alexander Hooper, Trevor Jachimowicz, Jacob Revis and Tyler Roberson, who will graduate and not play next season, will be honored before the game.
All have been a part of a group that has won a school-record 35 games in four years.
“I think you’ve got to say it could be the best group we’ve ever had come through here,” Huesman said. “Just by the number of wins, what they’ve done for this program. They’ve been through a little bit of the tough times and trying to get a (SoCon) championship, and they were huge and instrumental in us winning three in a row.
“Hopefully we’ll make the playoffs this year, but it’s been a great career for those guys. You can’t say enough about them. They’re great kids and we’re going to miss them, no question.”
Some of them are the best to have played their positions at UTC. Offensive lineman Corey Levin is a two-time recipient of the Jacobs Blocking Award, given to the top lineman in the SoCon. Defensive end Keionta Davis is second all-time in sacks at UTC, behind former All-American Davis Tull. Running back Derrick Craine, who returns from injury this week, currently ranks fifth all-time in both rushing yards and 100-yard rushing games and is third in rushing scores. C.J. Board is ninth all-time in catches and 10th in yards.
“I just want everybody to know I gave it my all,” Davis said. “Every time I come out here, I enjoy playing here. I enjoy going out every Saturday and putting on a performance, and I want everybody to see me as that type of person. Hopefully it doesn’t end too soon. I know it’s coming to an end, but it’s been a fun ride and I want to keep it that way, keep it going.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.