Mocs' defense stifling in Glenville State defeat

The defense dominated.

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive players made it almost impossible for Glenville State to score in the Mocs' 35-0 win Thursday night at Finley Stadium.

The Mocs limited the Pioneers (1-2) to five first downs, 17 rushing yards, 61 passing yards and a total of 78 yards for the game. UTC gained 97 yards on one drive.

"The tackles got a lot of pressure, we got up the field, the DBs stayed in coverage, and that allowed us to tee off on their quarterback," said UTC defensive end Davis Tull, who sacked quarterback Darold Hughes for the first time this season.

The Mocs (1-2) recorded four sacks, including two for Tull, who pressured Hughes into throwing an interception that Wes Dothard plucked out of the air. Zack Rayl and Keyon Reed forced fumbles and Josh Williams covered one.

"I thought defensively, we played very well and got after it," coach Russ Huesman said. "I thought our defense stepped up and played like they're supposed to play. We played pretty well."

Perfect Thursdays

The Mocs improved to 2-0 on Thursdays under Coach Huesman and 4-3 on Thursday's all-time. Huesman's first Thursday game was his first as UTC's coach, a 30-13 win over Glenville State to open the 2009 season.

UTC had to bring in the Pioneers for this game as a substitute for Presbyterian, which had to back out of the scheduled game because of a conflict. Presbyterian paid $50,000 to cancel the game, and UTC sent that money Glenville State's way.

As part of UTC's original four-game deal with the Blue Hose, Presbyterian will be back on the schedule in 2015 and '16.

Green more involved

UTC running back Marquis Green hardly touched the ball last Saturday at Jacksonville State, gaining 8 yards on three carries. He was a little busier against the Pioneers.

The speedy sophomore had nine carries for 59 yards and two touchdowns.

"It's all in the game plan, I guess," Green said. "They tried to get me on the edge a little bit more tonight."

Moore quiet

Mocs cornerback Chaz Moore came into the game second in the Football Championship Subdivision iat 36.7 yards per kick return after a pair of big returns -- 42 and 48 yards -- at Jacksonville State.

Against the Pioneers, the junior didn't have much to do. Glenville State didn't kick off until the start of the second half, and Moore returned that kick only 21 yards. He also had a 1-yard punt return.

Extra points

Mocs running back Keon Williams (nine carries, 42 yards) left the game in the second quarter (hand) and did not return. ... UTC's kicking game was far from perfect. Nick Pollard fumbled a snap on a punt and kicker Henrique Ribeiro missed a 41-yard field-goal attempt. ... Redshirt freshman tight ends Troy Dye and Jarrod Colemen caught their first passes as collegians. ... UTC senior golfer Steven Fox was honored at halftime for his victory in the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills last month.

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