Businesslike Chattanooga Mocs tame Tennessee Tech

photo UTC quarterback Jacob Huesman runs past Tennessee Tech defenders during the Mocs' 38-17 win over the Golden Eagles on Saturday in Cookeville, Tenn.

Read moreChattanooga Mocs add to records, personal highs

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - There was no hangover for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team.

One week after securing the outright Southern Conference championship and the program's first playoff berth in 30 years, the Mocs stepped outside the league and dismantled Tennessee Tech 38-17 at Tucker Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

"I think that's what good teams do," UTC coach Russ Huesman said. "You come out and all you guys wanted to talk about this week was a hangover, but when you've got an older team, a mature team and a good football team, they don't let those things happen.

"I thought we had good energy, and that's what I wanted to see today coming off a big win and against a good team. We had some hiccups, some things we've got to get cleaned up, but I thought for the most part we played a pretty sound game. We were sloppy at times, but I'll take it."

In very blue-collar fashion the Mocs made the short trip from Chattanooga on Saturday morning and showed up at the job site in a workmanlike mood. UTC scored on four of its first six possessions and had a comfortable 18-point lead by halftime.

Junior quarterback Jacob Huesman tied a career high with four touchdown passes, each to a different receiver. He completed 21 of 27 attempts for 234 yards, while also rushing for 89 yards and another score.

He was involved in all four first-half TDs by the Mocs, but it was a fake punt that turned things completely in UTC's favor.

Clinging to a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter, and its offense having looked stagnant on two straight possessions, UTC called for a fake punt on a fourth-and-7 from its own 38. The direct snap went to Taharin Tyson, who bolted through the line for a 24-yard gain and seven plays later, after converting two third downs, Huesman hit Richardre Bagley for a 25-yard score.

"We knew it would work right off," Tyson said. "It was a huge call at that time. We needed somebody to spark us and I love the fact that the coaches trusted me to do that. Luckily that gave us a spark.

"Today shows how mature a team we are. We were on top of the world last week with a huge win to win the conference but to come out and take care of business today was great to see."

The Mocs (8-3) dominated every statistical category, outgaining the Eagles 457-171 in total yards and doubling the hosts in time of possession. Take away Ladarius Vanlier's 64-yard scoring run in the second quarter and the Eagles (4-7) managed just 32 rushing yards.

It was the fourth time this season that UTC has held an opponent to fewer than 100 yards rushing and the fourth time it has limited a team to fewer than 200 total yards.

"I thought we came out and just took care of business like we're supposed to. It wasn't fancy, but we just did what we came here to do," said sophomore defensive end Keionta Davis, who had four tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. "That first sack and forced fumble was just a power move. They give me the one-on-ones, I have to take advantage of that. Any time I can get the ball, too, I get excited. I'm always looking to get the ball and the sack. We emphasize that all the time.

"When we give the offense a short field, it's easy to score and get going. I thought it was really big to come out and get going early on like we did."

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.

Upcoming Events