The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team fell to 1-5 on the season with a 41-17 loss to Furman at Finley Stadium. The Mocs fell to 1-2 in the Southern Conference with the loss, and will travel to Mercer next week.
Here are three things we learned from the loss:
1. Copeland can play: True freshman Cole Copeland, pressed into duty with the losses of senior Alejandro Bennifield and sophomore Nick Tiano, threw for 317 yards and a pair of touchdowns and was sacked three against a Furman defense that came in leading the SoCon in sacks. Copeland had three scrambles totaling 13 yards, but threw four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown for the game's final score.
2. Defense got gashed: The defense allowed 290 yards rushing against the Furman attack, which piled up 441 yards of total offense. When UTC got sucked up trying to stop the run, the Paladins beat them over the top with long gains. It was the worst the defense had looked all season, having been a bright spot for the most part all season.
3. Walking wounded got worse: The Mocs entered the game without Bennifield and Tiano, and defensive back Markell Lawson (arm) and Tae Davis (concussion) missed Saturday's game as well. During the course of Saturday's game, they lost running back Richardre Bagley as well to an injury.
For a full story, read Sunday's Times Free Press.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.