UTC’s Marshall Copper (40), Rashun Freeman, on ground, and Isaiah Mack tackle Western Carolina’s Connell Young during their SoCon matchup Oct. 13 in Cullowhee, N.C. Mack and fellow defensive linemen Khayyan Edwards and Derek Mahaffey have a weekly competition to see who can get the most sacks in a game.Each week, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive linemen Khayyan Edwards, Isaiah Mack and Derek Mahaffey compete to see who can get the most sacks in a game. The losers have to pay for the winner’s dinner.
The winner of this week’s competition likely will be taken out to Mike’s Hole in the Wall next Thursday, when they have 50-cent wings. Going up against a pass-happy Virginia Military Institute offense on Saturday will present a number of opportunities.
The Keydets have thrown the ball an average of 59.1 times per game this season, and their ground game has mustered just 1.7 yards per carry, which is tied for worst in the Football Championship Subdivision. Part of the reason for that is opponents’ ability to get to the quarterback – VMI has surrendered 30 sacks, also worst nationally among FCS programs.
When sophomore Reece Udinski has been able to stay upright, he has been pretty good, completing 59 percent of his passes for 2,253 yards and 16 touchdowns. As a team, the Keydets rank third in the country with an average of 344.6 passing yards per game, but the UTC defense is second in the league in pass efficiency defense and has allowed only five touchdown passes this season. The Mocs also rank second in passing yards allowed per game at 192.4.
Something will have to give when the two teams play at 3 p.m. at Finley Stadium for UTC’s homecoming. The Mocs (5-2, 3-2 Southern Conference) are coming off their open date, with their most recent game a 26-6 win at Western Carolina on Oct. 13.