GREENVILLE, S.C. — The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team won 41-10 at Furman on Saturday, with the Mocs improving to 3-3 overall this season and 2-1 in the Southern Conference while dropping the Paladins to 2-4, 1-1.
The Mocs, who are No. 23 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25, are halfway through their regular season as they prepare to host Wofford (3-3, 1-2) at 1:30 p.m. next Saturday at Finley Stadium.
Here are three observations from UTC beat writer Gene Henley on the Mocs’ victory against the Paladins.
1. Triumph built in trenches: From pretty much the second drive on, the Mocs were able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in Greenville. UTC ran for 125 yards in the first half and finished with 199, and the Mocs had just one offensive play that lost yardage. Defensively, the Mocs pressured freshman quarterback Trey Hedden into three first-half interceptions, and aside from a drive that started at midfield by virtue of a long kickoff return, the Paladins did very little on offense until the game was already out of hand.
2. Receiver reemergence: Welcome back, Javin Whatley. The Football Championship Subdivision preseason All-American had 168 yards on 10 catches — giving him 373 yards in the past three games — including a 71-yard score, showing he has fully shaken off a slow start to the season. Considering receiver Sam Phillips went out with an injury in the second half, contributions from Whatley, as well as the others in the group, could be even more important.