Coach Tom Arth pleased with UTC quarterback Nick Tiano’s leadership in opener

UTC quarterback Nick Tiano calls signals behind center Josh Cardiello during this past Saturday's season-opening loss to Jacksonville State in Montgomery, Ala. UTC quarterback Nick Tiano calls signals behind center Josh Cardiello during this past Saturday's season-opening loss to Jacksonville State in Montgomery, Ala.

By Gene Henley August 31, 2017 5 min read

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Mistakes help doom Mocs against stout Gamecocks

UTC's Brandon Dowell's (17) knocks the helmet off Jacksonville's De'Marcus Flower's (37) helmet. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC kicker Victor Ulmo celebrates his first field goal. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC head coach Tom Arth reacts to a official's call. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Kareem Orr (2) returns an interception. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC quarterback Nick Tiano (7) throws an outlet pass. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Kareem Orr (2) and T.J. Jenkins (46) stop Jacksonville's De'Marcus Flowers (37). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Isaiah Mack (8) runs Jacksonville quarterback Bryant Horn (14) out of the pocket. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

Sidelined quarterback Alejandro Bennifield (15) urges the crowd to cheer for the Mocs. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC head coach Tom Arth talks with Kareem Orr (2) before the game. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's James Stovall (8) can't handle a pass while Jacksonville's Reggie Hall (6) defends. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC quarterback Nick Tiano (7) can't reach a Moc fumble. Jacksonville recovered the ball. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Darrell Bridges (14) is dragged down by Jacksonville's Marion Bridges (1) after a pass reception. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

Tavon Lawson (4) and the UTC defense celebrate a big play during the 2017 season opener against Jacksonville State.

UTC's Joseph Parker (80) goes up over Jacksonville's Marion Bridges (1) for a big pass reception. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

D.J. Prather (7) discusses a rough the passer penalty with referee Drew Myers. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

Jacksonville's Demontez Terry (87) recoils from a tackle by UTC's Lucas Webb (29) with help from C.J. Fritz (6). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Derek Mahaffey (5) is blocked by Jacksonville's Tyler Scozzaro (78). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Hawk Schrider (42), Derek Mahaffey (5) and Isaiah Mack (8) make a brutal tackle on Jacksonville's Roc Thomas (6). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Derek Mahaffey (5) and Isaiah Mack (8) bring down Jacksonville's Roc Thomas (6). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Malcom White (56) and Derek Mahaffey (5) signal that Victor Ulmo's field goal is good. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Richardre Bagley (23) gets past Jacksonville's Justin Thomas-Thornton (4). Defending is Jacksonville's Ra'Shad Green (8). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC quarterback Nick Tiano (7) is tripped up by Jacksonville's Connor Christian (56). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

The offensive line discusses play between series. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Richardre Bagley (23) gains yards after a reception. Defending is Jacksonville's Ra'Shad Green (8). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

Richardre Bagley (23) points to a Moc first down. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

Tee Davis (19) answers the taunts of Gamecock players as the two teams come off the field after warm ups. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC quarterback Nick Tiano (7) is upended after a first down run by Jacksonsville's Siran Neal (5). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC quarterback Nick Tiano (7) runs while Alphonso Stewart (9) attempts to block Jacksonville's Siran Neal (5). The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

The penatly flag flies as UTC's Isaiah Mack (8), who is consoled by Michael Bean (35) is called for a personal foul. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

Jacksonsville's Shaq Davidson (2) goes for a touchdown as UTC's Kareem Orr (2) chases him. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC's Richardre Bagley (23) looks at his hands after dropping passes on two straight plays. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

UTC head coach Tom Arth, second from right, tries to rally the offense. The University of Chattanooga Mocs met the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff at the Carmton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on August 26, 2017.

Under the circumstances, it was no surprise quarterback Nick Tiano came out rusty in his first start for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

It had been quite a while since his last start for any football team.

Tiano found out this past Thursday night he would start for the Mocs in their season opener against Jacksonville State two days later in Montgomery, Ala. The move came after UTC learned senior Alejandro Bennifield would be suspended by the NCAA for the first four games of the season due to an academic issue.

Tiano, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound redshirt sophomore, completed 23 of 43 passes for 218 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions – one of which was returned 52 yards for a touchdown. He also led the Mocs in rushing with 68 yards on eight carries as they lost 27-13.

It was Tiano’s first start since Nov. 21, 2014, when the former Baylor School standout had 206 passing yards, 43 rushing yards and three total touchdowns as the Red Raiders lost 31-29 to Montgomery Bell Academy in the TSSAA Division II-AA state semifinals. He spent two seasons at Mississippi State, redshirting in current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s final year and playing sparingly in 2016, when he threw one pass against Auburn and completed it for 5 yards.