Chattanooga Football Postgame Notes
Western Carolina at Chattanooga
Finley Stadium - Chattanooga, Tenn.
Saturday - Sept. 30, 2017
TEAM
- The Chattanooga Mocs dropped a 45-7 game to Western Carolina at Finley Stadium tonight. The Mocs fall to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in SoCon play while the Catamounts improved to 4-1 and 1-1 in league action.
- UTC is 1-4 on the year for the first time since the 2008 season.
- The Mocs were down 10-0 after the first quarter … UTC has trailed after the first in four of the first five games of the season.
- UTC was shut out in the first half of a SoCon game for the first time since a 17-14 loss at Samford on Nov. 16, 2013.
- Western Carolina twice forced fumbles and recovered them in the endzone in the second quarter … UTC had not allowed a fumble recovery for a score since Pierre Warren's 75-yarder at No. 24 Jacksonville State on Sept. 8, 2012.
- The Mocs have lost two home games in a season for the first time since 2012.
- Western Carolina snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series. It is the Catamounts' first win in Chattanooga since 2005 … Mocs are 27-17 all-time against WCU … 15-7 at home.
- This is the Mocs worst loss at home and worst loss in SoCon action since a 49-7 defeat against No. 2 Appalachian State on Nov. 8, 2008.
- UTC lost both of its quarterback in the game. Senior
Alejandro Bennifield was knocked out in the first quarter, while sophomore
Nick Tiano injured his shoulder in the fourth. Freshman
Dominic Caldwell played the remainder of the game, throwing UTC's only touchdown.
- This is the Mocs' fewest points in a SoCon game since a 14-7 loss to Furman on Oct. 29, 2011.
INDIVIDUAL
Alejandro Bennifield – Sr.-QB
- 3-5 for 29 yards.
- Made his first start of the season after missing first four games due to a suspension.
- Knocked out of the game in the first quarter and did not return.
Darrell Bridges – Sr.-RB
- Ran eight time for 16 yards.
- Caught a six-yard TD pass.
Dominic Caldwell – Fr.-QB
- TD pass on his first career attempt.
- 1-2 for six yards and the score.
Jerrell Lawson – Fr.-DB
- Career-high and tied for team high with eight tackles.
Tavon Lawson – Jr.-LB
- Tied for team-high with eight tackles.
Bingo Morton – Jr.-WR
- Career-high six catches.
- 49 receiving yards.
Nick Tiano – So.-QB
- Ran nine times for 52 yards … sacked four times to finish with 19 rushing yards.
- 11-23 passing.
- Left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter.
