A nearly perfect day by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s skill players made up for more than a few flaws in Saturday’s 42-24 win over Eastern Kentucky.
After picking up their first win of the season, the Mocs coaches weren’t going to spend Sunday bad-mouthing their players. However, Mocs coach Russ Huesman and both coordinators said there were plenty of mistakes – from penalties to poor blocking to poor tackling and coverage – to dissect on the game film.
“We had some skill players that made plays … but we didn’t play real well on either side of the ball,” Huesman said, adding that overall UTC (1-2) played better in its losses to Appalachian State and Jacksonville State.
Some of the skill players did more than just make plays, however. Wide receiver Joel Bradford set a UTC single-game record with 254 receiving yards, the fifth-best performance in Southern Conference history.
His record-setting night was highlighted by his 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter that put the Mocs up 14-0. Bradford had 11 catches in the game and nine went for at least 10 yards.
“We’re designing plays to guys that we think can be productive,” offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield said.
Bradford even earned a post on Twitter from Cincinnati Bengals star and former Mocs wideout Terrell Owens: “Congrats 2 UT-Chatt’s Joel Bradford 4 breaking my receiving record. Congrats Joel! GO MOCS!!!”
The only problem was, it wasn’t Owens’ record. The previous mark of 247 receiving yards was set by Alonzo Nix during the Mocs’ marathon 59-56 win over Appalachian State in 2004.
Throwing all those passes to Bradford was quarterback B.J. Coleman, who completed 24 of 32 passes for a career-high 375 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception.
“We’ve got weapons all the way across the board,” Huesman said of the offense.
Nobody was more excited to score Saturday than Sloan Allison, who plays a hybrid tight end/receiver position. Allison’s 21-yard TD catch put the Mocs up 7-0 and was his first career touchdown.
His second touchdown, a much more difficult 14-yard grab, pushed UTC’s lead to 35-9.
“It’s good to see him reaping the reward for all the hard work he’s put in,” Satterfield said.
The Mocs have had big passing games during the past two seasons, but they haven’t had the balance that they did Saturday. While Coleman and Bradford were working a tremendous aerial display, running backs Erroll Wynn and Keon Williams were getting the job don on the ground.
Wynn finished with 122 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Williams added 45 yards and a touchdown on 14 runs.
Here was EKU coach Dean Hood’s assessment of the Mocs’ offense: “I saw receivers catching, the quarterback passing and the running back running the ball up our gut.”
By Sunday afternoon, UTC’s coaches had turned their attention to this week’s opponent, Western Carolina (1-2). After opening against Appalachian State, UTC will resume SoCon play this Saturday in Cullowhee, N.C.
Extra points
Huesman said the Mocs got through the EKU game without any significant injuries. He said safety Jordan Tippit (ankle) will not be available this week, but right tackle Adam Miller (ankle) could be cleared to play. … The Mocs were 7-for-12 on third down and converted both of their fourth-down plays.
Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or (423) 757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeat.