UTC running back Marquis Green stretches for yardage as he is tackled by Samford defensive back Josh Kimberlin during their game Saturday at Finley Stadium. The Mocs' victory and Furman's loss to Western Carolina left UTC in the driver's seat for the Southern Conference championship, but with a lot of season to go.MOCS GLANCE• VMI (1-4, 0-2 SoCon) at UTC (2-2, 1-0)• Saturday, 4 p.m.• Finley Stadium• 96.1 FM
UTC running back Keon Williams carries during the Mocs' football game against the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.The frustration of the season's first two games were forgotten, replaced by ear-to-ear grins amid the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team's on-field celebration following Saturday's 14-point win over Samford.
That convincing victory, against a team that was the preseason pick to challenge UTC for Southern Conference supremacy, along with Furman's upset home loss to Western Carolina, put the Mocs in the role of sole favorites.
"Knowing you're in the driver's seat, getting rid of one of the better opponents in the league definitely lifts some weight off our shoulders," said sophomore offensive lineman Corey Levin. "We're 2-2, back to square one, so we're ready to get rolling now.
"Now that we're the favorite it's especially important not to have any letdowns. Each week we have to come out like it's a playoff game."
The point of not having letdowns will be tested this week in the homecoming game against a VMI team that was picked last in the conference and already has lost two league games. The Keydets were blasted by Samford and lost a close one last Saturday to first-year SoCon member Mercer.
The Mocs have six conference games remaining, including road trips to 2013 co-champion Furman and a Western Carolina team that looks to be the league dark horse after last week's impressive road win.
Saturday's win for UTC also helped put to rest the disappointment of two narrow losses to start the season. And it gave the team a needed shot of confidence heading into a tough stretch of the schedule.
"It was a tough start, but to get this one out of the way early in the schedule and prove ourselves is a big confidence booster," Mocs quarterback Jacob Huesman said after the game. "We wanted to make a statement. To get this one under our belt early on gives us a little breathing room.
"There is some sunshine there. It will be nice if we win a couple more instead of thinking about having to win games and needing such and such to lose. We'd like to keep it in our hands. We don't want to have to become mathematicians. That's bad news at the end of the season, and we've got some guys on the team that aren't real good at math."
Multiple honors
Three UTC players have received recognition for their accomplishments in Saturday's game. Senior defensive end Davis Tull was named the national defensive player of the week by The Sports Network as well as the conference honoree. Tommy Hudson is the league's special teams player of the week, and freshman free safety Lucas Webb earned national defensive player of the week honors from College Sports Madness.
Tull had a career-high four tackles for loss, two sacks, six tackles, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble in helping limit the league's top scoring offense to half its season average. Tull's combined sacks and tackles for loss went for minus-38 yards, and he is now tied for ninth on the SoCon's career sacks list with 29.5.
Hudson became the first player since UTC went to Division I in 1977 to return two punts for touchdowns in the same season when he brought one back 66 yards Saturday. He also had a punt return for a TD against Austin Peay, which also earned him a SoCon honor for the week.
Webb had two interceptions and five tackles to earn the national award. It was his third straight game with a takeaway, and his three picks lead the conference and rank sixth in the nation among FCS programs.
Curtis top freshman
Former Calhoun (Ga.) High School star receiver Chandler Curtis was named the SoCon's freshman of the week after he compiled 181 all-purpose yards on just six touches to lead Mercer to its 27-24 win over VMI. Curtis scored on a 23-yard run and a 62-yard reception and had two kickoff returns for 82 yards and two punt returns for 14 yards.
Mocs move up
UTC climbed one spot in the FCS coaches' poll to No. 14 nationally, which is also where it ranks in The Sports Network poll. The Mocs are the only Southern Conference team ranked.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.