CARROLLTON, Ga. — Somewhere in the middle of the scouting report the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s defense carried into Thursday night’s opener, past the personnel notes and the tendencies, was a single page with three words on it.
Change the narrative.
“That’s the statement we’re trying to make,” senior linebacker Zion Rutledge said. “That defensive front is trying to change the narrative. And I think they took the first step tonight for sure.”
The Mocs took several. In a 24-10 win over the University of West Georgia, they held the Wolves to 38 rushing yards on 19 carries, sacked quarterback Collin Hurst three times, forced two turnovers on downs and did not allow a point after halftime — all while UTC’s offense was playing without multiple wide receivers and some of its running back depth.
The Wolves finished with 219 total yards. Take away one 57-yard wide-receiver pass on the first snap of the second half at University Stadium, and the number falls to 162.