The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football Mocs can go through this week’s open date feeling pretty good about themselves.
Nov 19, 2013–UTC’s Toyvian Brand practices Monday at Scrappy Moore Field.
Defensive lineman Keionta Davis takes a break during the first day of football practice for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, in Chattanooga.
UTC quarterback Jacob Huesman (14) ran for 132 yards in addition to passing for 107 against Presbyterian, and he had a score each way.The new Football Championship Subdivision rankings came out, and the 3-1 Mocs moved up to eighth in the STATS FCS poll and remained in the same position in the coaches’ poll. UTC is off to its hottest start since a 6-1 beginning in 1997, which coincided with the opening of Finley Stadium.
The Mocs have reached that ranking on the strength of impressive wins in their last two games, 31-21 over Samford and 21-0 over Presbyterian, both on the road. The offense is averaging over 400 yards per game, while the defense is back to its old ways, with 10 sacks and four forced turnovers and an average of 10.5 points allowed in the last two.
This week, there is still plenty to be fixed and fine-tuned before the team’s Oct. 10 home date against Furman. All three facets of the game – offense, defense and special teams – have yet to be clicking on the same day. In the last two weeks, the Mocs have had a kickoff returned for a touchdown and a missed field goal.
In the season opener against Jacksonville State, the special teams played well while the offense sputtered and the defense gave several big plays. The offense was clicking against NCAA Division II Mars Hill – to the tune of 518 yards and 44 points – but the defense again was out of position a number of times and gave up big plays.
“I’m glad we’re playing better defense,” coach Russ Huesman said after the Mocs’ win at Presbyterian. “We’ve got good players on offense. We can move the ball and we can play and we’re creative offensively, and the offensive coaches do a great job, but I’m glad the defense is playing better. We looked like a defense today.”
The problems on that side of the ball have been fixed for the most part, but it’s not time to celebrate just yet. Six Southern Conference games remain, starting with the Paladins, who have a one-point win against FBS opponent Central Florida on their resume.
But the UTC defense is moving in the right direction.
“We pride ourselves on coming out and dominating. That’s what we want to do,” said senior defensive end Toyvian Brand, who scored on a 44-yard interception return Saturday. “I feel like we did a good job of that today.”
Duo honored
Defensive end Keionta Davis and quarterback Jacob Huesman were named SoCon players of the week Monday.
Davis, a junior from Red Bank High School, had a career-high three sacks in the win over Presbyterian. He added three pass breakups, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder has six sacks this season, which leads the conference and ranks second nationally.
Huesman finished with 239 yards of total offense – 132 rushing – and both ran for and threw for a touchdown in the win. It’s the second time this season and seventh time in his career that the former Baylor School standout has been the SoCon offensive player of the week. He was the freshman of the week four times.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.