In last year’s season opener, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defense took advantage of a couple of opportunities presented by Jacksonville State, with Lucas Webb and Dee Virgin turning interceptions into points.
The two pick-sixes accounted for the Mocs’ only touchdowns in a 26-23 overtime loss to the Gamecocks at Finley Stadium.
“It’s amazing we got to overtime, especially with the offense’s struggles,” UTC linebacker Nakevion Leslie said. “For us, the pick-sixes were a miracle, so it was amazing going to overtime with them and being in the game no matter what the offense was going through.”
UTC defensive coordinator Adam Braithwaite congratulates defensive players as they come off the field during a game last season. Braithwaite expects a challenge from Jacksonville State’s talented offense in Saturday’s season opener at Finley Stadium.The eighth-ranked Mocs will open this season against No. 7 Jacksonville State again, hosting the Gamecocks at 6 p.m. Saturday. The UTC offense is expected to be better this time around, but the defense believes it will be ready regardless.
The Mocs allowed 409 yards last season against the Gamecocks. From that Jacksonville State team, dynamic quarterback Eli Jenkins – who scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime – returns. Gone is DeMarcus James, who rushed for 3,554 yards in his Gamecocks career, but returning are Troymaine Pope and Miles Jones, who combined for 88 yards and a touchdown against UTC a year ago.
Jacksonville State’s offense averaged 35.2 points and 510.8 yards per game last season.
“It’s not about what could cause a problem. It’s easier to pinpoint what wouldn’t cause a problem,” UTC defensive coordinator Adam Braithwaite said.
“Everybody in America knows what a good football team they are. They’re extremely talented from a personnel standpoint at the skill positions, and up front they’re a physical, tough offensive line. They present a scheme that forces you into one-on-one matchups and makes you have to cover the entire football field. They present problems in both the pass and run games.”
Jenkins is a problem in his own right. He accounted for 204 yards (82 on the ground) last season at Finley, half of the Gamecocks’ total offense, and stopping the elusive 6-foot-2, 205-pound redshirt junior will be important to the Mocs’ chances.
“They have a good option game. The quarterback is a double threat, and they have a good running game, so we have to be on our Ps and Qs in all phases,” said UTC safety Cedric Nettles, who had a career-high 12 tackles against the Gamecocks. “The biggest thing for us is playing to the end of the game. We can’t take any plays off; we have to bring it every down, every snap and give it our all.”
The game could turn into a chess match – the Gamecocks’ offense against Braithwaite’s defense.
“We have to limit the number of times we get in a one-on-one situation, whether it be schematically or guys getting off blocks and getting to the football,” Braithwaite said. “We have to make sure we’re tackling the football and leveraging the football in the proper direction so we can use our pursuit, whether turning it back or spilling the ball outside.
“Those are basic fundamentals in how we’re attacking – how we play defense – but especially when you’ve got guys that can turn a missed tackle into a huge play. It becomes extra important.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/genehenleytfp.