The Mocs’ offense topped the 400-yard mark for the second consecutive game, while the defense went back to the stingy ways that had made them the staple of the program Saturday at Samford.
It was the team’s eight consecutive Southern Conference win, seven of which have come by double digits. They answered the bell when called, as the Bulldogs had become a popular pick to win Saturday’s game with a high-powered offense.
The Mocs shut those prospects down, and will now step out of conference competition for a week with a game against Presbyterian College of the Big South Conference, but first, a look back at the team’s win.
SATURDAY’S STAR
Quarterback Jacob Huesman had 331 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns. He was far and away the best player on the field, leading his dad, head coach Russ Huesman, to proclaim, “He’s a gamer. If there’s a better player in this conference, I want to know who he is.”
SATURDAY’S STAT
The Bulldogs entered the game averaging 644 yards of total offense per game. They had less than half of that Saturday against the Mocs, who sacked quarterback Michael Eubank six times and made things uncomfortable for him throughout, to the point where the Bulldogs had to change their offense and start throwing screens.
TURNING POINT
The Mocs held the ball for 10:11 in the second quarter, running 22 plays that netted 160 yards. The Bulldogs ran six plays for negative-2. UTC outscored the home team 17-0 in turning a 14-7 deficit into a 10-point halftime lead.
THE BIG PLAY
Samford had a chance to trim the lead to three points late in the game and had driven to the Mocs’ 22-yard line. On a third-down play, Eubank was hurried and his throwing arm was hit by Toyvian Brand, and the pass was intercepted by Vantrel McMillan.
WHAT IT MEANS
The final margin was 10 points, but it never felt like the Mocs were threatened after taking the lead. The preseason top-10 team in the nation showed up for the first time this season, and if they put together six more games like Saturday’s in SoCon competition, it’s going to be hard to see anyone beat them.