University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football coach Russ Huesman is aware of the rivalry between his program – which is also his alma mater – and the Mocs’ next opponent, East Tennessee State University.
While his players have heard of the rivalry, they’ll finally get a taste when it returns this week.
The Football Championship Subdivision third-ranked Mocs (4-0), who improved to 2-0 in the Southern Conference with a 41-21 victory over Samford this past Saturday, travel to face the Bucs (2-1, 1-1) at noon this Saturday at Kermit Tipton Stadium on the campus of Science Hill. The venue is ETSU’s current home while its new stadium is being built, a project expected to be completed next season.
“I think it’s going to turn into a fantastic rivalry,” Huesman said Saturday. “Not only for football, but every sport. I think every sport that they have and we have don’t really like each other. In football we haven’t played, so we don’t know if we like each other or not, but eventually we’ll find out.
“I’m glad they’re back in the league.”
The Mocs were 2-1 against the Bucs during Huesman’s playing days from 1978 to ’81, but the two teams haven’t played each other since Nov. 15, 2003. ETSU dropped its football program after that season, only to reboot it in 2014. They went 2-9 last season as an independent, but this season they’ve already picked up a pair of quality wins against Kennesaw State and Western Carolina.
It was the latter victory that opened a lot of eyes. Western Carolina had won 14 games the past two seasons and was a top-three pick in the SoCon this season, but the Bucs defeated them 34-31 in a neutral-site game at Bristol Motor Speedway.
“I’m excited about it,” quarterback Alejandro Bennifield said of the rivalry. “I’ve heard about it, and I’m excited to make it my own. I’m excited to get in the film room and study them a little bit.”
Offensive lineman Corey Levin said that with the Bucs playing in a high school stadium, UTC is going to have to be able to “create its’ own atmosphere” this week.
“They’re going to be fired up because this game hadn’t happened for a while,” he said. “We’re going to have to come ready to play because they’re going to be ready up there in Johnson City.”
By the numbers
UTC’s defense is ranked second among all FCS teams in total defense, allowing 212.8 yards per game. Their rush defense is third in the country, allowing 57.8 yards per game, and they are fourth in sacks (3.75 per game). The offense is ranked 12th in scoring (40.5 points per game). Bennifield ranks third nationally in passing touchdowns (11), fourth in yards per completion (16.2) and fifth in points responsible for (84 – 11 passing, three rushing). Receiver Xavier Borishade is third in yards per reception (28.2) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (five). Derrick Craine ranks 10th in rushing yards per game (114.3). Keionta Davis and Vantrel McMillan are each ranked in the top 12 in sacks per game. Davis is sixth with 1.25 per game, while McMillan is 12th, with four sacks in four games.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.