Running on fresh legs and playing with more than a year's worth of pent-up energy and emotion, Erroll Wynn looked like an all-conference tailback last Saturday night.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga fifth-year senior, who redshirted in 2009 and was suspended for the 2010 opener against Appalachian State, entered the Jacksonville State game in the third quarter.
SoCon honorsUTC linebacker Ryan Consiglio and punter Mike Hammons earned Southern Conference player-of-the-week honors for their play against Jacksonville State.Consiglio made a career-high 14 tackles and intercepted a pass to earn the defensive-player nod for the second time as a Moc. Hammons was the special-teams honoree for the second time as well. He averaged 47 yards for his three punts, two of which went to the JSU 3-yard line.Coincidentally, the first time honored for each the two juniors came against Presbyterian last season.Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or (423) 757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeat.
His first carry went for 4 yards, his second for 15, and by the end of UTC's 21-17 loss, Wynn had gained 98 yards on 13 carries - a hefty 7.7-yard average.
"The last time I played was Nov. 22, 2008, and my flame had been growing ever since I've been off the field," said Wynn, who was UTC's starter in 2007 and '08. "I couldn't wait to get on the field with them and do my part."
Mocs coach Russ Huesman liked what he saw from Wynn, but he said some perspective was needed.
"I'm not taking anything away from Erroll - he did a great job - but Erroll had some fresh legs when a lot of people were tired out there, and that's what should happen," Huesman said. "You should get your [98] yards when you're fresh."
Not only did Wynn run well in his first game since the 2008 finale, true freshman Keon Williams was productive in his first collegiate game.
The former Red Bank High School standout entered the game during UTC's third drive and showed the mix of power and speed that has the coaches excited. He finished with 33 yards on 10 carries.
"I think they're going to develop into a nice little 1-2 punch," offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said of Wynn and Williams, who entered the game behind starter J.J. Jackson and Chris Awuah on the depth chart.
The Mocs rushed for 174 yards in the game, their highest total since gaining 193 against Presbyterian in the third game of last season. The ground attack was a welcome sight for Satterfield.
"I was thinking on the way home: Wow, this is the first time since we've been here that if it's third-and-4 I can call a running play," he said. "On first down I don't have to scheme up some funny little throw just to get 4 yards."
The Mocs (0-2) will try again to get their first win of the season Saturday when they host Eastern Kentucky (0-2) at Finley Stadium.