UTC quarterback Jacob Huesman (14), shown in a September home game, was the Southern Conference freshman football player of the week for his performance in the Mocs' 31-10 win Saturday at Furman.After a 34-17 thumping by Appalachian State at Finley Stadium on Sept. 22, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team faced two road games and an open date before its next home game.
Here's what UTC offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield had to say on Sept. 24, when the Mocs were 1-3 overall, 0-1 in the Southern Conference and headed for consecutive road games: "I think it's great. ... It's not us against the world, but we have to come together and start swinging together and fight our way out of this mess."
The Mocs (3-3, 2-1) did all they could do and head into Saturday's home game against Samford (5-2, 3-2) feeling good after a 28-10 win at The Citadel, then ranked No. 15, and last Saturday's 31-10 win at Furman.
"The one constant in the two games we won on the road?" head coach Russ Huesman asked. "Zero turnovers [for the Mocs]. That's a big thing. You turn one over and it changes the momentum."
UTC seized the momentum before halftime in both games and pulled away in the second half.
The defense was dominant at times and had two takeaways against The Citadel and one at Furman. It also held two high-scoring teams to 10 points, while the Bulldogs and Paladins had a combined 16 nonscoring drives that ended after six plays or less.
Offensively, quarterbacks Jacob Huesman and Terrell Robinson were very effective and productive. In the two wins, Jacob was a combined 29-for-37 passing for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Robinson was 11-for-15 for 159 yards and a touchdown.
Running the ball, the duo had 265 yards on 62 carries, with two touchdowns.
Among other telling stats, Nick Pollard had a net punting average of 37 yards at The Citadel (with a total of 1 return yard), and his four punts at Furman averaged 48.5 yards and all were downed inside the 20-yard line.
SoCon honors Huesman
The SoCon recognized Jacob Huesman's performance against Furman and named him the freshman of the week Monday. Along with his 171 yards passing and two touchdowns, he had a team-high 59 yards rushing and caught three passes for 32 yards.
"I'm always proud of any of my players when they get any kind of honor," said Coach Huesman, a proud father. "It's nice and he played well."
This is Jacob's first SoCon award and UTC's second of the season. Cornerback Kadeem Wise was named the top defensive player after The Citadel game. The Mocs had 10 players of the week last season.
Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.