BOONE, N.C. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team dropped a hard-fought 35-20 contest at No. 8 Appalachian State tonight. The Mocs scored 20 unanswered points to cut the ASU lead to 21-20 with just under 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, but could not complete a second-straight come-from-behind win.
Chattanooga (5-4, 3-4 SoCon) spotted the Mountaineers (7-2, 6-0 SoCon) 21 points in the opening frame with the first score coming after an Appalachian State interception. Sophomore QB B.J. Coleman hit junior TE Garrett Hughes on the third play of the game. However, Hughes was unable to pull the pass in. ASU's D.J. Smith snatched the ball out of the air and returned it 34 yards to the Mocs' 1-yard line.
Two plays later, Devin Moore punched in a 1-yard strike to put ASU up 7-0 with over 12 minutes left in the first quarter.
The same play was repeated two plays into the Mocs' second drive when Coleman hit senior WR Clint Woods over the middle. Woods also had trouble tucking away the pass and ASU's Jacque Roman took that ball out of the air on the Mocs' 39.
Chattanooga's defense pushed ASU back three-yards and forced a punt after a three-and-out to keep the game 7-0. The Mountaineers were able to score on back-to-back drives to push the lead to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter, equaling the most points UTC has allowed in the open period this season.
Despite getting down 21-0, the Mocs' defense continued to fight. Chattanooga forced three first half turnovers of its own and held ASU scoreless in the second quarter for the first time this season. Sophomore Jordan Tippit picked off his SoCon-leading fifth interception of the season, while fellow sophomore Joel Bradford also recorded a pick.
The Mocs got on the board midway through the second period after senior LB Joseph Thornton recovered a fumble on ASU's 39. Coleman's ensuing 1-yard TD run was set up by a 15-yard completion to junior Chris Pitchford.
Chattanooga came out of the locker room with an aggressive approach, converting two-straight on-side kicks to start the second half. UTC was only able to muster three points on the two extra possessions, but the back-to-back conversions energized the team and helped the Mocs gain the momentum.
Chattanooga pulled to 21-17 after a nine-play 53-yard drive late in the third quarter. Coleman hit senior Blue Cooper for a 25-yard gain that set-up first and goal from the ASU 2. He connected with Cooper again for the scoring strike two plays later.
UTC's defense continued to excel, forcing another three-and-out on the next possession, setting up a 12 play, 46-yard scoring drive. Chattanooga moved the ball down to the ASU 20 before the drive stalled. Camay connected on his second FG of the game to pull within 21-20.
That was a close as the Mocs were able to get as ASU put up two touchdowns late in the game to pull away 35-20. The Mountaineers came into the game leading the nation with 513.0 of total offense per game. The Mocs held ASU to 322 yards, their lowest output against an FCS opponent this season.
Chattanooga actually outgained ASU 351-322, including 246-140 in the air. Coleman finished 25-46 for 246 yards, one TD and three interceptions. Those were season-highs in attempts, completions and interceptions.
ASU senior QB Armanti Edwards came into the game No. 2 in the nation in total offense, averaging 361.9 yards per game. Chattanooga held Edwards to 192 yards of offense in the game.
Freshman RB Chris Awuah also had a solid game, posting a season-high 97 yards on 28 carries. Pitchford had his second 100-yard receiving game of the season with 106 on a career-high nine catches.
The Mocs return home for the final game of the season against The Citadel on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kick-off against the Bulldogs is set for 2:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) at Finley Stadium.
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter/12:51: (ASU) Devin Moore 1-yard rush for TD (Vitaris Kick Good)
Drive: 2 plays, 1 yards, 0:31
Key play(s): ASU's D.J. Smith intercepted a B.J. Coleman pass and returned it to the UTC 2-yard line.
ASU 7, UTC 0
1st Quarter/5:58: (ASU) Armanti Edwards 3-yard rush for TD (Vitaris Kick Good)
Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:01
Key play(s): 1/10/H44 - Armanit Edwards rush for 18 yards to the UTC 38.
ASU 14, UTC 0
1st Quarter/2:01: (ASU) Devin Radford 2-yard TD run (Vitaris Kick Good)
Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:09
Key play(s): 1/10/H45 - Armanti Edwards pass to Ben Jorden for 20 yards to the UTC 35.
ASU 21, UTC 0
2nd Quarter/8:37: (UTC) B.J. Coleman 1-yard TD run (Camay Kick Good)
Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:14
Key play(s): Drive started after Joseph Thornton recovered a fumble on the ASU 39. 3/3/H16 - B.J. Coleman pass to Chris Pitchford for 15 yards to the ASU 1.
ASU 21, UTC 7
3rd Quarter/12:38: (UTC) Craig Camay 30-yard FG
Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 2:21
Key play(s): Mocs recover an on-side kick to start the second half. 1/10/45H - B.J. Coleman pass to Chris Pitchford for 31 yards to the ASU 14
ASU 21, UTC 10
3rd Quarter/3:34: (UTC) B.J. Coleman 2-yard TD pass to Blue Cooper (Camay Kick Good)
Drive: 9 plays, 53 yards, 3:17
Key play(s): 2/10/27H - B.J. Coleman pass to Blue Cooper for 25 yards to the ASU 2.
ASU 21, UTC 17
4th Quarter/10:43: (UTC) Craig Camay 36-yard FG
Drive: 12 plays, 46 yards, 6:11
Key play(s): 1/10/45V - B.J. Coleman pass to Chris Pitchford for 16 yards to the ASU 39
ASU 21, UTC 20
4th Quarter/7:20: (ASU) Devon Moore 8-yard TD run (Vitaris Kick Good)
Drive: 9 plays, 63 yards, 3:16
Key play(s): 3/9/46V - Armanti Edwards pass to Brian Quick for 12 yards to the UTC 34.
ASU 28, UTC 20
4th Quarter/5:38: (ASU) Devon Moore 15-yard TD run (Vitaris Kick Good)
Drive: 3 plays, 39 yards, 0:40
Key play(s): ASU took over on their UTC 39 after Mark LeGree picked off a B.J. Coleman pass
ASU 35, UTC 20
