EXPECTATIONS
Ask any Moc and to a man they believe they can play with any team in the Southern Conference. Ask coach Rusty Wright and, while he hopes that’s the case, he’s not ready to go there just yet. The straight-shooting Wright believes if several of the numerous transfers step up and injuries don’t hit, the Mocs can be competitive in the SoCon. With nine offensive starters returning – including quarterback Nick Tiano, running back Tyrell Price, receiver Bryce Nunnelly and the entire line – the pieces are in place to field an above-average attack. The defense lost much more production and is thin in the front seven. UTC had one of the top defenses in the league a year ago, but a dropoff is inevitable. Just how far likely will determine the team’s fate.
CONCERNS
A veteran linebackers coach, Wright doesn’t mince words when discussing the outlook for this year’s group, which returns only leading tackler Marshall Cooper. Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward wants his defense to play fast and aggressive and to force the issue whenever possible, but with as many as six new linebackers in the rotation, the scheme may have to be dialed back early. Special teams, particularly the return game, were a weakness a year ago. The Mocs ranked 121st and 122nd (out of 124 FCS teams) in punt and kickoff returns, respectively, with net punting ranked 92nd. Wright is also concerned about situational football starting the season. Getting so many new players acclimated to new schemes and a new way of doing things, situations like two-minute drills and special teams have not had as much focus as he would have liked.
WHAT’S NEW