UTC quarterback Jacob Huesman celebrates after the Mocs’ win.Mocs Glance• UTC (7-3) at Tennessee Tech (4-6)• Saturday, 2:30 p.m. EST, Tucker Stadium at Cookeville, Tenn.• WTCI TV, 96.1 FM
While stats can be misleading, there are trends in several categories that point toward the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga taking command by halftime of this week’s nonconference football game at Tennessee Tech.
First, the Mocs have been been solid in first halves and particularly dominant in second quarters, having outscored opponents in that period by a combined 126-41. That includes shutting out six opponents in that quarter, while on the flip side Tennessee Tech has been outscored 125-29 in second quarters and has entered halftimes trailing by an average of 13 points.
UTC (7-3) also has a decided advantage with its defensive front, which leads the Southern Conference with 25 sacks, against the Golden Eagles’ offensive line, which has allowed an Ohio Valley Conference-worst 32 sacks. And with his next sack, Mocs senior defensive end Davis Tull will become the SoCon’s career leader in sacks.
Tech (4-6) also is last in its league in red-zone offense, while the Mocs are the best in the SoCon in red-zone defense.