After an 11-week grind of practices, game plans and games, it's time for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football Mocs to recalibrate. To refocus.
And take some time to improve.
The Mocs rose to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Southern Conference with last Saturday's 26-6 win over Western Carolina in Cullowhee. UTC moved to a league-best 3-1 on the road.
The team took Monday off, with practices today, Wednesday and Thursday to get some work in. The Mocs then will take the weekend off before starting preparation for their next game, Oct. 27 at home against Virginia Military Institute (0-6, 0-5) for UTC's homecoming.
Coach Tom Arth said after Saturday's win that the biggest positive was that the team "really hasn't hit its stride yet."
"I think we're still a team that's improving," he said, "which I think is very positive to be in the situation we're in and know we can still be better. Our team knows that; that's something that motivates them. We have a bye week, but we have got to take it seriously, have a great week of practice, and we have to improve.
"This week is going to be really, really big for us to finish the season the way we hope."
One of the big focuses is going to be continued progress in the offense, which had a solid day against the Catamounts. The Mocs rushed for 144 yards, second-most in a game this season, but still averaged less than 4 yards per carry. Running back Tyrell Price had his best game as a Moc, with 135 yards on the ground and another 38 receiving, and he broke free for a 29-yard run with the Mocs backed up at their own 1-yard line late in the first quarter.
For the defense, it's about remaining consistent and steadily improving, although Saturday was a great start. The WCU offense, which had averaged a league-best 35.8 points per game and had scored a touchdown in 42 consecutive games - dating back to a 51-0 loss to UTC in 2014 - was held to 238 yards and a pair of field goals.
"I feel we're in a great position," said Jerrell Lawson, who had six tackles, two for loss, a sack and a forced fumble. "Everyone understands how good we could be and how we let a couple of games slip away. I feel like if we keep the right mindset - stay hard-working, humble, never satisfied or complacent - we'll be pretty good."
Added receiver Joseph Parker: "This football team is one that could be easily be 7-0, or easily be 0-7. It's all about how we show up to every game; it has nothing to do with who we play. We always have the best players on the field, and we've just got to come up, play hard and not sleep on our opponents.
"The big thing this bye week is to stay level-headed, focus on the next opponent and try to be 1-0 for another week."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.