MOCS GLANCE
UTC (2-2, 1-1 SoCon) at The Citadel (2-3, 0-2)
2 p.m., Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston, S.C.
105.1 FM
WHEN UTC HAS THE BALL
UTC OFFENSIVE STARTERS
QB B.J. Coleman 6-5, 220, Jr.
TB Keon Williams 6-0, 215, Fr.
FB Courtland Ellzey 6-0, 230, Sr.
WR Joel Bradford 6-0, 165, Jr.
WR Chris Pitchford 6-0, 180, Sr.
TE Garrett Hughes 6-4, 225, Sr.
LT Chris Harr 6-6, 280, Sr.
LG Austin Wilson 6-3, 260, So.
C Justin Galyon 6-4, 290, Sr.
RG T.J. Hurless 6-4, 295, Sr.
RT Dustin Tate 6-5, 280, So.
PK Jeff Veres 5-11, 195, So.
THE CITADEL DEFENSIVE STARTERS
DE Chris Billingslea 6-5, 249, So.
NG Quintin Turner 6-0, 299, Jr.
DT Derek Douglas 6-1, 262, Fr.
DE Erik Clanton 6-3, 238, Sr.
LB Rod Harland 5-10, 202, Jr.
LB Johnathan Glaspie 5-11, 215, Jr.
LB Tolu Akindele 5-10, 213, Jr.
CB Keith Gamble 5-9, 168, So.
S Demetrius Jackson 5-10, 188, Sr.
S Joseph Boateng 5-10, 180, So.
CB Cortez Allen 6-2, 186, Sr.
P Cass Couey 6-1, 199, So.
The matchup: The Bulldogs have played solid all-around defense this season, but their strength has been getting into the backfield. The Citadel shares the Southern Conference lead with 15 sacks, which means the UTC offensive line, as well as the tight ends and running backs, must protect Coleman and give him time to throw. If given time, he could have another big game.
WHEN THE CITADEL HAS THE BALL
THE CITADEL OFFENSIVE STARTERS
QB Sam Martin 6-1, 205, Fr.
RB Terrell Dallas 6-0, 205, Jr.
RB Christian Robinson 5-8, 163, Sr.
WR Travis Ruff 6-3, 213, Sr.
WR Domonic Jones 6-5, 200, Fr.
TE Cullen Brown 6-4, 247, Fr.
LT Neal Strange 6-6, 3-7, So.
LG Jameson Bryant 6-2, 275, Sr.
C Bobby Jarvis 6-2, 260, Sr.
RG Lincoln King 6-6, 291, Sr.
RT Tyler Thornton 6-3, 244, Sr.
PK Ryan Sellers 5-1, 191, Jr.
UTC DEFENSIVE STARTERS
DE Chris Donald 6-1, 225, Jr.
DT Nick Davison 6-0, 280, Jr.
DT Nick Craig 6-2, 295, Jr.
DE Josh Williams 6-2, 230, So.
LB Ryan Consiglio 6-1, 210, Jr.
LB Shane Heatherly 6-3, 215, So.
LB Gunner Miller 6-1, 220, Fr.
CB Kadeem Wise 5-10, 180, Fr.
FS Chris Lewis-Harris 5-11, 175, Jr.
SS Jordan Tippit 6-0, 205, Jr.
CB Buster Skrine 5-10, 185, Sr.
P Mike Hammons 5-10, 180, Jr.
The matchup: This is the Bulldogs’ first season running the triple option. While they don’t have it running like Wofford, it’s still hard to defend. Everyone on the UTC defense has to stick with his assignment, and all the linebackers can expect to be busy. The Citadel will break free for 10-yard gains from time to time, but UTC must limit the Bulldogs’ big plays.
THE ONE TO WATCH
Keon Williams
The true freshman running back, who a year ago was putting up monster numbers for Red Bank High School, is making his first career start. Williams has the size and speed to be one of the elite running backs in the Southern Conference for the next three-plus years. He fumbled twice in UTC’s last game, against Western Carolina, but has worked hard on ball security during the past two weeks. This could be the start of something big.
IN THE END
Breaking it down: The Mocs are well rested, close to healthy and showed a lot of chemistry and confidence this week. UTC’s offense is too potent for the Bulldogs to stop consistently, but the key to this game is the Mocs’ defense slowing The Citadel’s option, which can chew up huge chunks of yardage and time if it gets rolling. UTC’s coaches have a good track record of defending the option, and that will continue.
Prediction: UTC 27, The Citadel 17
– John Frierson