Members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offensive unit sounded deflated Saturday after the team’s 36-28 loss to Wofford. One by one, they talked about staying focused on goals and doing things better next time around.
But eyes wandered. The team knew it had let an opportunity to make a statement slip through its fingertips.
The offense gained only 265 yards in the eight-point home loss, with only 93 yards coming on the Mocs’ 34 plays in the second half.
The yardage total was a season low for the Mocs, who have to travel to FBS top-ranked Alabama (10-0) this week. Different players accepted responsibility, but the common theme was the focus.
Alejandro Bennifield threw for 177 yards on 19 completions, with 10 gaining first downs, but he also had a pair of interceptions, one of which led to a Wofford touchdown.
“I had a few key mistakes on the game,” Bennifield said. “I feel like I could have played a lot better. I feel like the mistakes I made cost us the game. Our defense played well, the offensive line blocked for me, the receivers made plays, but I feel like my game could have been a lot better.”
Derrick Craine, in his first game back from an ankle injury, had 63 yards rushing with all but 26 coming in the first quarter. He had only six carries in the second half and was tackled in the end zone for a safety in the second quarter as the Terriers took control of the game with a 16-point quarter. They led by 12 heading into the final period.
“We came up short,” Craine said. “Anybody who’s competitive is hurting. It’s not fun to lose any game, but we’re in the office tomorrow and we’re going back to work. We kind of got in situations where time was an issue and running the ball wasn’t our friend, and we had to convert to the pass game because we didn’t have tons of time to work with.”
Notes
Bennifield’s four touchdown passes gave him 23 for the season, tying him with immediate predecessor Jacob Huesman for the third-best single season total in school history. C.J. Board had seven catches for 46 yards, moving into ninth all-time in career receptions (135) and into a tie with Larry Stokes (1973-76) for eighth all-time in yards (1,821). Vantrel McMillan had 11 tackles in the game, tops on the team, with Nakevion Leslie adding 10. Richardre Bagley had two touchdown receptions for his third consecutive multiscore game.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.