Chattanooga Mocs get it done: UTC tops Terriers, wins SoCon title

By Stephen Hargis November 9, 2014 5 min read

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Super What? Bat-Who? Adaptations of fringe comics, graphic novels abound on the small screen

Mike Colter stars as the indestructible Luke Cage in "Jessica Jones." Although he largely plays asuppporting role in "Jessica Jones," a show focused on Cage, a Marvel Comics superhero, will premiere on Netflix on Sept. 30.

Griffin Newman, left, as accountant Arthur Everest, and Peter Serafinowicz as The Tick, star in the Amazon pilot of "The Tick." The new program on Amazon Video is the second time a live-action show has been based on the comic character, and it also was an animated show from 1994-96.

Joseph Gilgun, left, as the vampire Cassidy, and Dominic Cooper as Texas preacher Jesse Custer star in AMC's adaptation of the comic book

Dominic Cooper stars as clergyman Jesse Custer — who inadvertently has been given heavenly power — in AMC's adaptation of the comic book

Andrew Lincoln fends off shambling zombie hordes as Rick Grimes in an episode of AMC's

Andrew Lincoln, left, as Rick Grimes, and Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, stand ready to fend off the undead in AMC's

Melanie Scrofano unloads as the heroine in an episode of SyFy's

A demonically possessed child confronts Patrick Fugit as Kyle Barnes in an episode of the Cinemax series "Outcast." The show is based on a series of comics written by "The Walking Dead" co-creator Robert Kirkman that focus on a man who seeks to solve the mystery of the demonic possessions that have plagued the people around him throughout his life.

Charlie Cox isn't in as much danger as he appears to be as the blind-but-tough-as-nails superhero Daredevil in the Netflix show of the same name. It's based on a Marvel Comics series and is one of four New York City-based superheroes who've had shows created about them by Netflix as part of a partnership with Marvel.

Charlie Cox stars as the blind-but-tough-as-nails superhero Daredevil in the Netflix show of the same name based on a Marvel Comics series. It's based on a Marvel Comics series and is one of four New York City-based superheroes who've had shows created about them by Netflix as part of a partnership with Marvel.

Jon Bernthal stars as Marvel Comics character Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, in an episode of the Netflix series "Daredevil." Although he plays a supporting role in "Daredevil," the Punisher, a troubled war hero-turned-vigilante, will be spun off into his own series.

Krysten Ritter stars as the hard-drinking, troubled superheroine in "Jessica Jones," one of four shows created exclusively for Netflix.

You could still see seven states from Rock City, but the most distinct and proudest view in Chattanooga on Saturday was seeing one Southern Conference champion at Finley Stadium.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga rallied from an early deficit and held off stubborn Wofford 31-13 to end a 30-year playoff drought, earning only the second postseason spot in program history. The win, combined with Samford’s upset of Western Carolina, also gave the nationally 11th-ranked Mocs their first outright Southern Conference title since 1984.

UTC players pose for a photo after the Mocs’ 31-13 win over the Wofford Terriers on Saturday at Finley Stadium. The win nets the Mocs the SoCon championship and a spot in the playoffs.

“Tremendous team effort and win — to get where we are, to look at those guys, the happiness and the joy on their faces,” said Mocs coach Russ Huesman, whose voice then began to crack with emotion.

After pausing to brush away tears that began welling in his eyes, Huesman continued, “First time in the playoffs in a long time. Unbelievable.

“It was a ballgame in the first half. But our guys came out for those last 30 minutes and played so hard. They did everything we asked. It’s been a long journey. So many times since we’ve been here the last six years we haven’t got it done. Today we got it done.”

Stephen Hargis

Stephen has covered sports in the tri-state area for the Times Free Press for more than 35 years and was named Sports Editor in February of 2015 after 10 years as assistant sports editor, where he oversaw the prep sports staff. Stephen is among the most decorated writers in the TFP newsroom, having won more than 60 awards at the state, regional and national level ranging from investigative work to feature and news writing. Stephen was named one of the top 10 sports writers in the nation at the Associated Press Sports Editors' conference in Kissimmee Fla., in 2012, and has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists with Green Eyeshade southeast regional awards three times. He received an Associated Press national award for a season-long story following the Taft Youth Center football team, was named the state's top overall sports writer by the AP Media Editors as well as Tennessee Sports Writers Association three times and has also been named the state's top prep writer 19 times by the TSWA. Stephen is a lifelong Chattanooga area resident and has two children, Riley and Lauren.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.