The Rodney Allison era ended Saturday the same way it began six years ago, with a loss to Samford at Finley Stadium.

Almost regardless of the question, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team hasn’t had the answer this season. That was again the case Saturday as Samford moved the ball effectively with its usual deliberation and efficiency, with a couple of big plays thrown in, and easily beat the Mocs 30-7.

Injured University of Tennessee at Chattanooga running back Bryan Fitzgerald helped carry primary tailback Erroll Wynn into the locker room during the second quarter.

William Giles and Mitchell Meadows arrived on campus five years ago. Brent Hayes and Joseph Pitman joined them a year later. Since then, the four have been practically inseparable.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — In the middle of what looked like a monsoon Saturday at Johnson Hagood Stadium, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was 120 seconds away from finding a ray of sunshine in an otherwise dismal football season.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — After so many blowout losses this season, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga players said they were thrilled to finally be in a ballgame late in the fourth quarter. But following Saturday’s 24-21 loss at The Citadel, they said the Mocs’ ninth- traight defeat was by no means a moral victory because it was close.

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Big plays on special teams put the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in a position to win Saturday. One really big play on special teams put The Citadel over the top as Andre Roberts’ 43-yard punt return for a touchdown with 1:46 to play in the game was the difference in the Bulldogs’ 24-21 win.

Road trips are a big part of the college experience, as was demonstrated so well by Eric Stratton, rush chairman, and the gang in “Animal House.” When football teams hit the road, the experience may be less wild but no less memorable.

Wide receiver Blue Cooper is now 3-for-3 passing with two touchdowns in his college football career.

No surprises here. Just another ugly loss in a football season full of them for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

It was a win as special as any that came before or after, a long-awaited moment of joy that has lasted a lifetime.

Even if the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defense plays its best game of the season Saturday against No. 2 Appalachian State, the Mocs are still going to need find a new gear on offense to be competitive against the three-time defending national champions.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. — This time Western Carolina didn’t collapse. This time the streak finally came to an end.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Western Carolina had a solid game offensively in its 27-7 win Saturday over the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, but the outcome would easily have been much more lopsided had the Mocs’ defense not played one of its better game.

John Shulman could barely sit still.