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Mocs crunched in crunch time against JSU, 23-20 Hargis: Gamecocks frustrate Mocs again Nearly 16,000 see No. 8 Mocs fall to No. 7 Gamecocks, 23-20 UTC uses two QBs together at times Chattanooga Mocs lose fourth down every time Eighth-ranked Mocs drop heartbreaker to No. 7 JSU Jacksonville State defeats Chattanooga Mocs, 23-20
Offensive coordinator Jeff Durden added a few wrinkles to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga playbook in the offseason, including a formation that included two quarterbacks on the field at the same time.
The Mocs used it sparingly in their 23-20 loss to Jacksonville State on Saturday night at Finley Stadium.
The first of a handful of times UTC used the formation, reserve quarterback Alejandro Bennefield took a snap and faked a handoff to starting quarterback Jacob Huesman. On the next play, he gave it to Huesman, who threw an incomplete pass intended for Xavier Borishade.
In the second quarter, UTC left its offense on the field when facing a fourth-and-2 from its own 35-yard line. UTC had both quarterbacks in the game. Bennefield took a shotgun snap and punted the ball 65 yards for a touchback.
Nettles to return
UTC junior safety Cedric Nettles served a one-game suspension Saturday. He attended the game and was on the sideline in his jersey and shorts.
“We get Cedric Nettles back next week,” coach Russ Huesman said. “Cedric was suspended this game, but it will be nice to have him back.
Redshirt freshman Montrell Pardue started in Nettles’ place. He made seven tackles and what seemed to be the play of the game when he stripped Troymaine Pope and returned the fumble 55 yards for a touchdown.
“Montrell did a good job and is going to be a good player,” Coach Huesman said. “I’m proud of his effort.”
QB sets UTC record
Jacob Huesman’s first touchdown of the evening set a UTC record for career touchdowns. Huesman entered the season tied with Keon Williams with 30 career rushing touchdowns.
But JSU has Huesman’s aerial attack figured out.
Last year, he completed 9 of 16 passes for 38 yards against the Gamecocks. Saturday, he completed 9 of 16 passes again, but with an interception and for 86 yards.
“It was bad,” Coach Huesman said. “We missed some throws. If we don’t punt the ball like we did, we’re probably not even in this game.”
Points-saver
Pope burst through a hole on JSU’s first play of the game and saw no blue jerseys between himself and the end zone. But he couldn’t see behind him.
Junior cornerback and kick returner Dee Virgin chased down Pope and saved a touchdown. He saved four points because UTC held the Gamecocks to a field goal instead of the sure seven.
Virgin made a similar play with about eight minutes remaining in the game when he chased down Josh Clemons after a 49-yard gain. JSU finished that drive with the game-winning touchdown.
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP