UTC running back Tyrell Price (23) is forced out of bounds by a trio of Samford defenders during last week’s game at Finley Stadium.FCS NO. 20 UTC (4-0, 2-0 SOCON) at ETSU (3-1, 2-0)
7:30 p.m. at William B. Greene Stadium in Johnson City, Tennessee
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THE MATCHUP
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga offense was challenged in practice this week after not doing its part to help put away last week’s win against Samford. Life doesn’t get much easier in this matchup, because the East Tennessee State University defense is second in the Southern Conference with 15 sacks and third in pass efficiency defense, but the Mocs lead the conference in pass efficiency and haven’t allowed a sack in three games. If the Buccaneers are able to penetrate the pocket, it could disrupt what has been a pretty consistent UTC offense thus far in 2018. If not and junior quarterback Nick Tiano has time to make throws, Mocs receivers will continue to succeed.
ONE TO WATCH
UTC running back Tyrell Price has topped 100 yards of total offense in three of four games this season, with offensive coordinator Justin Rascati finding ways to get the ball in the hands of the 6-foot, 220-pound junior who leads the Mocs in rushing (332) and is second on the team in catches (15). After gaining 45 yards on 23 carries against Samford, he came into this week focused on improving those numbers. If he does, it will be against a defense that has allowed an average of 81.2 rushing yards per game, although Furman gained 139 last week.
IN THE END
The Bucs have had some notable successes at home since reviving their program – 2015 marked their first game since 2003 – with memorable wins over Samford in 2016 and against Furman last week, when they overcame a 21-point deficit to beat the Paladins. Some of the best victories for the Mocs under second-year coach Tom Arth have come on the road, most notably against eighth-ranked Samford last season but also three weeks ago at The Citadel against a solid team. The Mocs are slightly better than the Bucs, and they’ll prove it with a win that will set up a top-20 clash against visiting Wofford next week at Finley Stadium.
PREDICTION
UTC 27, ETSU 16