UTC announces challenging 2020 football slate starting at Western Kentucky

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga released its 2020 football schedule Monday, featuring an opening-week game at FBS-level Western Kentucky and five home games.

UTC held a 7-4 record against WKU while both were in the FCS from 1977 to 2007. The Hilltoppers won the last two before making the jump to the FBS, including a 28-21 victory in Bowling Green on Sept. 16, 2006.

Following the Sept. 5 game at Western Kentucky, which ended a 9-4 2019 season with a bowl win over Western Michigan, the Mocs will play FCS national runner-up James Madison on Sept. 12. The Dukes won 37-14 in their meeting in Chattanooga this past season.

UTC head coach Rusty Wright confers with Chris James (17) and Jack Keebler (87). The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Mocs hosted The Citadel Bulldogs in Southern Conference football at Finley Stadium on Nov. 16, 2019. / Staff Photo by Robin Rudd

The Mocs, who finished 6-6 last season (5-3 in the Southern Conference) open the home schedule with a visit from FCS newcomer North Alabama. The Lions went 4-7 in 2019, their second year of transition to Division I. Longtime Division II power UNA is officially a member of the Big South in football and will be able to compete for the league title in 2022 after completing the transition to the FCS level. UTC's Sept. 19 game is the first of a four-game series with the Lions.

UTC begins SoCon play at home against Virginia Military Institute on Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. Other league home games include Wofford at 4 p.m. on Oct. 10, homecoming against Mercer at 4 p.m. on Oct. 24 and the regular-season finale against Samford at 2 p.m. on Nov. 21.

SoCon road games are at Western Carolina (Oct. 3), The Citadel (Oct. 17), East Tennessee State (Oct. 31) and Furman on Nov. 14.

"We are very excited about next year's schedule," UTC coach Rusty Wright said. "We have a lot of work to do this spring and through the summer to get ready, but everyone is working hard to build on the success we had last year. I hope everyone jumps on board and gets their season tickets, because we need a packed Finley Stadium every game in the fall."

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22.

UTC coach Rusty Wright watches his Mocs during their Southern Conference win over East Tennessee State. / Staff photo by Robin Rudd