Mocs end skid, cruise past Catamounts

UTC's Tyrell Price gets between two Western Carolina defenders during Saturday's game in Cullowhee, N.C. UTC's Tyrell Price gets between two Western Carolina defenders during Saturday's game in Cullowhee, N.C.

By Gene Henley October 14, 2018 4 min read

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Mocs over Catamounts

UTC's Jerrell Lawson (27) almost intercepts a Western pass. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC's Victor Elmo (60) kicks a extra point from the hold of Colin Brewer (41). The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

The UTC defense lead by Hawk Schrider (42) surrounds Western's Connell Young (5). The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC's Bryce Nunnery (19) goes up for a pass over Western's Marvin Tillman (29). The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC's Jerrell Lawson (27) tackles Western's Tyrie Adams (12) in the end zone for a safety. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC's Tyrell Price (23) escapes a Western tackler for a gain. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC;s Joseph Parker (13) pulls in a pass for the Mocs's first touchdown. Defending is A.J. Rogers (4). The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC football coach Tom Arth is 9-13 in two seasons leading the Mocs.

UTC's Marshall Copper (40), Rashun Freeman (3) and Isaiah Mack (8) stop Western's Connell Young (5). The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

Khayyan Edwards (44) knocks the ball from Western quarterback Tyrie Adams (12) as Jerrell Lawson (27) comes in to help. The Mocs recovered the fumble. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC defensive lineman Isaiah Mack returns a fumble during the Mocs' game at Western Carolina in October 2018.

Mocs's head coach Tom Arth fires up his team just before kickoff. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC's Will Young (11) gets yardage after a pass reception. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

Chris James (17) congratulates Kareem Orr (2) after the game. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC football coach Tom Arth questions an official's call during the Mocs' game at Western Carolina on Oct. 13.

UTC's Jacob Webster (82) picks up yardage after a pass reception. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC's Tyrell Price (23) is met by Western's Marvin Tillman (29) at the line. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

Nick Tiano (7) is stopped by the Western defense after picking up a first down on a fourth down play. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

Wil Young (11) is tackled after a pass reception by Western's Nate Link (49). The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC's Bryce Nunnelly (19) picks up yards after a pass reception as Jacob Webster (82) blocks a Western defender. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC quarterback Nick Tiano (7) throws a pass behind protection. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

Nick Tiano (7) dives into the line for a short gain. The University of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs visit the Western Carolina Catamounts in Southern Conference action on October 13, 2018

UTC defensive back Kareem Orr returns an interception as teammate Ian Hayes, left, comes up to block Western Carolina quarterback Tyrie Adams during their Southern Conference matchup Oct. 13 in Cullowhee, N.C.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team needed a solid performance heading into its bye week.

It received just that.

With a dominant defense and an opportunistic offense, UTC jumped to a 19-0 lead and cruised to a 26-6 victory over Western Carolina University on Saturday in front of 7,362 at Whitmire Stadium. The win halted the Mocs’ two-game losing streak and put them at 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Southern Conference.

UTC plays next on Oct. 27 for homecoming against Virginia Military Institute.

“It was really important for us to get back on track,” UTC coach Tom Arth said. “To be able to come down here, play well and come out with a win, our team really needed it.