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UTC’s three keys to the 2023 season

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC's Chris Houston runs with the ball during an Aug. 3 practice at Scrappy Moore Field. The Mocs kick off their 2023 season on Sept. 2 at North Alabama.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC's Chris Houston runs with the ball during an Aug. 3 practice at Scrappy Moore Field. The Mocs kick off their 2023 season on Sept. 2 at North Alabama. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC's Chris Houston runs with the ball during an Aug. 3 practice at Scrappy Moore Field. The Mocs kick off their 2023 season on Sept. 2 at North Alabama.

By Gene Henley 3 min read

UTC’S THREE KEYS

1. Balance the offense

Ailym Ford is still available.

Now entering his fifth season at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, the steadily successful running back has been the constant since his arrival, but the pieces around him have never been consistent. Quarterback play was a problem in 2021; last season it was the offensive line that was constantly banged up and inconsistent.

But in a perfect world, the Mocs don’t have to ride Ford: The offensive line has been built, both through the high school ranks as well as the transfer portal, and Chase Artopoeus has done a solid job replacing Preston Hutchinson at quarterback since arriving on campus in January. With the receivers returning experience and having built some chemistry with Artopoeus, a UCLA transfer, the pieces are in place to take some of the load off the running game.