Where the scoreboard was concerned, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team’s season opener wasn’t a challenge.
That distinction will be reserved for next weekend.
A 300-day gap between matches for the Mocs ended Saturday afternoon as Division II’s Emmanuel College visited Maclellan Gym, and UTC won 48-0 as the Lions scored just 17 total points on the mat in the dual meet and were credited with only one takedown.
UTC, on the other hand, tallied a pin, two technical falls and two major decisions among its victories in the seven matches that were contested; the Lions from Franklin Springs in northeast Georgia forfeited at 157, 174 and 285 pounds. Mocs coach Kyle Ruschell, now in his third season leading the program, pointed out the efforts of 165-pound junior Drew Nicholson, who earned an 18-3 tech fall, and 197-pounder Logan Andrew, who won 14-7 in his collegiate debut.
UTC’s season started two months later than normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Mocs taking the mat to face another foe for the first time since the Southern Conference tournament. That event was completed in early March, just before the pandemic shut down sports, with the NCAA tournament among the events ultimately canceled.