TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - In front of a national television audience and 92,012 fans at Bryan-Denny Stadium, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga had a tough time fighting off the pressure that No. 2 Alabama brought the entire game as the Crimson Tide rolled to a 45-0 victory.
The Mocs started off strong, forcing a three-and-out on Alabama's first possession of the game. Chattanooga converted a third-and four when sophomore QB B.J. Coleman hit junior WR Chris Pitchford for a 10-yard gain and a Moc first down. Unfortunately for Chattanooga, that was one of its few highlights of the game.
Going up against a top-ranked defense proved to be difficult for the Chattanooga offense as they gained just 84 yards on 48 plays. Coleman had players in his face the entire game completing just seven of his 21 attempts for 36 yards and two interceptions.
The Mocs also had difficulty running the football as senior Shaun Kermah, freshman J.J. Jackson and freshman Bo Dyer had six attempts each gaining a total of 39 yards.
With the offense having trouble moving the ball, the defense was on the field for most of the game. Senior Steven Smigelsky tied a career-high for the second straight game with 11 tackles. Fellow senior Joseph Thornton and sophomore Jordan Tippit each added nine more tackles. The Mocs got to the Alabama quarterback twice in the game for a loss of 17 yards.
The Crimson Tide struck first scoring a touchdown on a Trent Richardson two-yard rush with 5:23 left in the first quarter. Alabama converted on third and fourth and short to extend the 51 yard, 11-play drive.
Holding Chattanooga to a three and out, the Crimson Tide was back in the endzone as McElroy found Julius Jones on a 22-yard post route just over two minutes later. Ingram capped off the two-play, 69 yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown run.
Chattanooga attempted a reverse pass on the team's next possession, but Jare Gault's throw was intercepted by Cory Reamer. After three-straight rushes by Ingram, Alabama struck again as Jones caught a 19-yard pass from McElroy to extend the lead to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
After driving for touchdowns on its first three possessions, Alabama scored on a special teams play when Javier Arenas returned a punt 66 yards. Arenas' return was the seventh in his career for a touchdown, breaking the SEC mark.
The Mocs' offense started moving the ball down the field converting two first downs, one by a roughing the passer penalty. The Alabama defense stopped Chattanooga's nine play drive on a fourth and 10 from the UA 38.
The Crimson Tide responded with a drive of their own as they marched down the field recording three first downs. Ingram went over 100 yards for the day after scoring on a 40-yard rush putting Alabama up 35-0.
After a personal foul against Alabama for roughing Chattanooga long snapper Brock Oliver on a punt, the Mocs were awarded a first down on the Alabama 40. Freshman Bo Dyer found a hole through the line for an eight-yard gain and senior Shaun Kermah converted a third-and-one to put the Mocs inside the 30. Chattanooga was unable to get on the scoreboard as Coleman's pass was intercepted on fourth and six from the Alabama 22.
At the half, Chattanooga was behind 35-0 recording 67 yards and five first downs. Coleman was 6-19 for 35 yards and an interception. Senior Shaun Kermah led the rushing attack with 18 yards on five carries.
Alabama picked off Coleman on the first play after halftime and had good field position. The Crimson Tide drive stalled when sophomore Nick Craig forced the first sack of the day bringing down Alabama backup Star Jackson to force a 41-yard field goal by Leigh Tiffin.
The Tide managed one more touchdown in the second half to end the scoring at 45-0. One small victory in the game for the Mocs was extending their streak to over four games without allowing a sack. Coleman has now thrown 213 passes since the last time he was sacked at Georgia Southern on Oct. 17.
The Mocs finish the season at 6-5, logging a winning record for the first time since 2005. With a 4-4 record in the Southern Conference, Chattanooga is guaranteed to finish no lower than fourth in the final overall standings and could end up third with a Wofford win against Furman later today.
SCORING SUMMARY:
1st Quarter 5:23: (UA) Trent Richardson 2 yard rush (Tiffin Good)
Drive: 11 plays, 51 yards, 5:35
Key Play(s): 3-1 V42: Ingram 3 yard rush. 4-1 V30: Ingram three yard rush. 1-10 V17: Richardson 15 yard rush.
Alabama 7, Chattanooga 0
1st Quarter 3:04: (UA) Mark Ingram 25-yard rush (Tiffin Good)
Drive: 2 plays, 69 yards, 0:39
Key Play(s): 1-10 H31: Jones 44-yard reception from McElroy
Alabama 14, Chattanooga 0
1st Quarter 0:54: (UA) Jones 19-yard reception (Tiffin Good)
Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 1:53
Key Play(s): 1-10 V28: Reamer intercepts a Gault pass with an 8 yard return.
Alabama 21, Chattanooga 0
2nd Quarter 14:42: (UA) Arenas 66-yard punt return (Tiffin Good)
Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00
Alabama 28, Chattanooga 0
2nd Quarter 9:53: (UA) Mark Ingram 40-yard rush (Tiffin Good)
Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 1:45
Key Play(s): 1-10 V38:Jones 10-yard rush.
Alabama 35, Chattanooga 0
3rd Quarter 11:43: (UA) Leigh Tiffin 41-yard field goal
Drive: 6 plays, 8 yards, 2:56
Key Play(s): 4-13 V31: Nick Craig sacks Jackson for 5-yard loss.
Alabama 38, Chattanooga 0
4th Quarter 10:21: (UA) Leigh Tiffin 41-yard field goal
Drive: 6 plays, 8 yards, 2:56
Key Play(s): 4-13 V31: Nick Craig sacks Jackson for 5-yard loss.
Alabama 38, Chattanooga 0
4th Quarter 10:21: (UA) Leigh Roy Upchurch 21-yard rush (Tiffin Good)
Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 4:33
Key Play(s): 2-2 V41: Goode 9-yard rush. 1-10 V21: Goode 11-yard rush.
Alabama 45, Chattanooga 0
