Odds are, Chris Sanders won’t get in the game tonight when his Dallas Desperados host the New York Dragons in the wild-card round of the Arena Football League playoffs.

But in large part, it’s because of the former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga quarterback that the Desperados (12-4) are still playing and in a position to make a run at ArenaBowl XXII. Signed last November to back up veteran Clint Dolezel, Sanders, who’s from the Dallas area, was called upon early this season after Dolezel went down with a shoulder injury in the season opener.

Sanders, who set 21 UTC and 13 Southern Conference records in just two seasons with the Mocs, started the next four games and helped lead the Desperados to wins in all four.

07 March 2007 - Chris Sanders (5) of the Dallas Desperados during the Desperados 46-36 win over the Columbus Destoyers at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith.

“I didn’t really expect to get any playing time because Clint hadn’t missed any time in years,” Sanders said. “To get in four games and start four games and win all four games, that was a great feeling.”

When Dolezel, in his 13th AFL season, returned to the lineup, Sanders returned to his backup role. He’s had sporadic playing time since but has continued to play well. Entering tonight’s game, Sanders has completed 57.9 percent of his passes, with 20 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Among Sanders’ top passing targets has been former Tennessee wide receiver Marcus Nash, who has 109 catches for 1,318 yards and 33 touchdowns.

“I feel like I’ve played pretty well,” he said. “A lot of the guys (on his team) had never played against me or with me, and to lose Clint, who’s a hall of famer, I’m sure they weren’t too sure what was going to happen when I came in. It definitely feels good to have played well and gained that respect.”

Sanders started his collegiate career at SMU before deciding to transfer to UTC, one of the pivotal decisions in his life, he said.

“I enjoyed both my seasons in Chattanooga. The best move I ever did was transferring to Chattanooga,” he said. “I was able to develop as a player, and I think it set me up to play professionally.”

Sanders isn’t the only former Moc in the AFL playoffs. Offensive lineman James Clark, who played at UTC from 2000-03, is a starter with the Georgia Force (10-6), which won the National Southern division and will host Dallas next week if the Desperados win tonight.

Clark not only blocks for the Force, he’s also shown that he has some soft hands. He has five receptions this season, including three for touchdowns.