JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Derrick Craine had three rushing touchdowns, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defense dominated in a 37-7 win over East Tennessee State at Kermit-Tipton Stadium on Saturday.
The third-ranked Mocs (5-0, 3-0) return home to host Mercer in a big Southern Conference clash on Oct. 8 at Finley Stadium.
Craine finished with 63 yards rushing, while Alejendro Bennifield had 180 yards passing. The Mocs totaled 397 yards of total offense, while the UTC defense, which allowed 71 yards in the first quarter, held the Bucs (2-2, 1-2) to 61 yards in the final three quarters.
After a slow first quarter in which the Mocs led 3-0 on a Henrique Ribeiro career-long 52-yard field goal, the Mocs exploded for 14 points in the second and third quarters. Craine had all three of his scoring runs, while Richardre Bagley added another.
Kyle Nalls scored on a 1-yard run for the final tally, set up by a Tyler Roberson 45-yard run on the prior play.
Dale Warren led the Mocs defense with eight tackles, 1.5 for loss. Trevor Wright had an interception, while Nakevion Leslie forced a fumble that was recovered by Montrell Pardue, who ran it to the 1-yard line.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.