Huitt comes alive in Mocs victory

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Kenny Huitt

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's running backs had been mostly ineffective through four games this season. Not Saturday. And the big game came from an unlikely player, redshirt freshman Kenny Huitt.

Before Saturday, Huitt had run the ball only in garbage time as a Moc. He had two carries against South Florida and eight against Glenville State.

With the backs previously ahead of him on the depth chart (Keon Williams, J.J. Jackson and Marquis Green) watching from the sideline, Huitt took advantage of his opportunity. He had only eight carries for 57 yards - quarterbacks Jacob Huesman and Terrell Robinson did most of the running, for a combined 177 yards - but Huitt was effective.

"I've been telling these guys, Kenny Huitt's a ballplayer," coach Russ Huesman said. "That's probably the only thing I did right this whole week of coaching, was I said, 'Put Kenny Huitt in the game!' Kenny Huitt can play."

Huitt had a good week of practice and got more repetitions, so it was clear the coaches were looking to give him a chance, and he delivered. His performance was highlighted by his first career touchdown, a 29-yard run that put UTC up 28-10 early in the fourth quarter.

"We have five great backs - we all work hard and make plays - and I've been waiting for my time patiently," Huitt said.

Dockery's first start

The Mocs had to shuffle their offensive line for the first time this season due to the absence of starting left tackle Brandon Morgan (shoulder). Morgan suffered the injury last week against Appalachian State.

Junior Hunter Dockery, son of former Mocs lineman Tim Dockery, made his first career start in Morgan's place. The rest of the line remained the same with left guard Synjen Herren, center Patrick Sutton, right guard Kevin Revis and right tackle Adam Miller.

Miller had practiced some at left tackle, with Revis sliding to right tackle and Shaun Hill filling in at right guard.

"Dock, in his first start, played very good," Jacob Huesman said.

Lewis-Harris activated

Former UTC defensive back Chris Lewis-Harris was activated from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad Saturday and will be in uniform today when the Bengals visit the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Lewis-Harris was signed by the Bengals before training camp and was among their final players cut. Cincinnati signed him to the practice squad and he said before UTC's game against Appalachian State last week that he felt he had a shot at making the 53-man roster this season.

Extra points

Mocs wideout Ron Moore blocked a punt in the first quarter. He also led UTC with four catches for 76 yards and a touchdown. ... Safety D.J. Key led UTC with 12 tackles; linebacker Shane Heatherly and cornerback Kadeem Wise each had eight. Wise also had an interception and Heatherly a fumble recovery.