UTC defensive back Lucas Webb (29) tackles Jacksonville State cornerback Rashod Byers during the Mocs' home game against the Gamecocks on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.Anticipation hung in the air Saturday evening as thick as the smell of burgers being grilled around Finley Stadium. But almost as quickly as the tantalizing wisps of smoke disappeared, so too did the excitement inside the stadium as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga fell flat in the first half and eventually lost 26-23 in overtime to Jacksonville State.
In a matchup of nationally ranked FCS teams, No. 9 Jacksonville State built a 10-point first-half lead as the 13th-ranked Mocs struggled to do anything on offense. Now a UTC season that started with high expectations must get redirected and fast.
The city showed up in force ready to support the Mocs with a crowd of 14,285, the third-largest in the Russ Huesman era.
Signs outside the parking lots along Reggie White Boulevard announced that each was full, and the First Tennessee Pavilion was swarmed by fans in white T-shirts for a game UTC had declared a "whiteout." Tyler Moore, wearing a bright orange golf shirt with a white power "T" on the right breast strolled with his fiancee, Ashton Carter, along the street outside the pavilion. The couple, who have been UTC season-ticket holders for four years, spent a few minutes people-watching before making their way into the stadium.
"We stayed home and watched the Tennessee game and then headed down," Moore said. "It's an awesome idea to start these games around the UT games. It already seems like a bigger crowd. I'm sure both teams being ranked has something to do with the crowd, and I think everybody is excited to see them play. There's a lot of expectations."
Throughout the offseason the Mocs experienced an unprecedented amount of hype surrounding the program. But a tough season-opening loss at FBS foe Central Michigan and Saturday night's heartbreaking defeat leaves UTC needing to dig out of an 0-2 hole as the season continues.
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.