Borishade's big day part of Mocs' improved air attack

UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade stiff-arms Mars Hill linebacker Malik Sims during the Mocs' 44-34 win over the Lions on Saturday at Finley Stadium. Borishade finished with 10 catches for 116 yards to help lead an improved passing game.
UTC wide receiver Xavier Borishade stiff-arms Mars Hill linebacker Malik Sims during the Mocs' 44-34 win over the Lions on Saturday at Finley Stadium. Borishade finished with 10 catches for 116 yards to help lead an improved passing game.

Xavier Borishade had no catches during the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's 23-20 season-opening loss to Jacksonville State, and he touched the ball just once against the Gamecocks - on a screen pass that was thrown behind him.

A week later, that was not the case.

Borishade had a career-high 10 receptions, totaling 116 yards for the Mocs in their 44-34 win over NCAA Division II Mars Hill on Saturday at Finley Stadium. He also had three rushes for 24 yards and returned two kickoffs for 46 yards in the victory.

UTC coach Russ Huesman said there was a concerted effort to get the ball to all of the receivers, who combined for four catches against the Gamecocks. That number was equaled in the first drive alone Saturday, with Borishade and Alphonso Stewart combining to catch four passes, including Stewart's 4-yard touchdown.

"I feel like it was a big confidence-booster for me and for the team," Borishade said. "Getting the ball early on helped spread the defense out, which we do. When we're able to spread a team out, we're unstoppable unless we stop ourselves.

"I love the fact the coaches trusted me early on. I was happy to be able to do so."

Borishade was the primary beneficiary, but Tennessee transfer Drae Bowles, a junior, and redshirt freshmen DeJuan McQuarters and Wil Young caught their first collegiate passes in Saturday's win. In all, seven wide receivers and 10 players total caught passes from Jacob Huesman.

"It really opens the playbook up," the senior quarterback said. "There are certain plays you call to try to get the ball to somebody, and if you have multiple people who can catch the ball and make something happen with it, it makes my job easier. They make me right sometimes.

"It was nice to see some of the younger guys step up. It was pretty cool for those guys."

After a 196-yard effort that included only 86 yards passing against the Gamecocks, the Mocs needed Saturday's performance. All aspects of the offense were improved, and they'll need to build on that as they prepare for Saturday's Southern Conference opener at Samford.

The Bulldogs, who have averaged 51.5 points in their first two games, were picked to finish second in one Southern Conference preseason poll and third in another.

"Last week's game cut us deep, because it's been two years in a row we lost to a team like that," Borishade said. "They (Jacksonville State) are a good team, but I feel we should have beat them. But at the end of the day, you've got to forget about it. Whatever happens, happens.

"You've just got to play football and do your assignment, and you'll get the best out of what you put in it."

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/genehenleytfp.

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