FLORENCE, Ala. — University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior edge rusher Jay Person was frustrated Saturday night, and understandably so.
His Mocs had just lost 41-27 to North Alabama in disappointing fashion, the result of what coach Rusty Wright described as an “inconsistent” performance by the team. The Mocs scored 27 consecutive points during the game, but they allowed the Lions to put up the first 21 and the final 20 points of the contest.
It marked the first time the Mocs had lost a season opener on the road to a Football Championship Subdivision opponent (UTC was 8-0 in such games prior).
“We just have to put this one behind us and get ready for Kennesaw State,” said Person, an All-American last season. “The first game was lousy on both sides of the ball, but we have to put it in the rearview mirror and keep on going. Get ready for Kennesaw and get ready for the conference games.”
UTC hosts Kennesaw State (1-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday, which will provide another test because the Owls are transitioning to the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2024 and, therefore, able to offer more scholarships than other FCS programs such as UTC. But at least compared to the game at North Alabama, the Mocs will be square in terms of number of games played as their opponent.