With just over 23 days until the kick-off of the 2009 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football season, GoMocs.com is breaking down each position on the team. Today's overview focuses on the quarterbacks where the Mocs have five student-athletes battling for time on the field.
UTC's home-opener is against Glenville State on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. (E.D.T.) at Finley Stadium. Season tickets begin at $22 for youth, alumni, faculty and staff and can be purchased at the UTC Ticket Office - (423) 266-MOCS (6627) - or online at GoMocs.com.
Be sure to mark your calendars for the First Tennessee Meet the Mocs event on Sunday, Aug. 16, at Finley Stadium. This is a free event and gates open at 1:30 p.m. for your chance to get pictures with the players, be on the field, watch a scrimmage and pick out your reserved season tickets. First Tennessee is also handing out "Restore the Glory" T-shirts to the first 500 fans in attendance.
Season Outlook Part 1 - Season Overview (Aug. 10)
Season Outlook Part 2 - Quarterbacks
As is always the case, the offense begins with the quarterback position where the Mocs are talented and deep with experience. There is a strong battle going on right now for the starting role between senior Jare Gault and sophomore B.J. Coleman.
Gault and fellow senior Tony Pastore both saw significant time under center last season. Gault threw for 961 yards and seven touchdowns while Pastore's 320 yards against Cumberland were the most by a Moc since 2004 and the 19th highest mark in school history. Pastore was hampered by nagging injuries throughout the spring workouts, allowing Gault to distance himself as the starter following spring practice.
However, the addition of Coleman, a transfer from Tennessee and a Chattanooga native, blew the race wide open. Coleman, who is a sophomore and has three years of eligibility remaining, brings with him Division I experience at a high level and a significant prep resume that includes Tennessee Mr. Football honors and a four-star rating from various recruiting services.
"It is early, it is an everyday process and I think they are both doing really well," stated head coach Russ Huesman. "They are showing great leadership. I have seen some great balls thrown, but I have seen some poor balls thrown too, which will happen. I think they are both doing a great job."
Gault was the primary starter for the Mocs in 2008, getting the nod in 10 of UTC's 12 games. He was 99-190 passing and also rushed for a pair of scores. His best game came against Georgia Southern when he threw for 205 yards on 17-32 attempts, including two touchdowns. In the Mocs' first scrimmage of the fall, Gault was 4-6 passing for 67 yards and two touchdowns.
Coleman announced his decision to transfer from Tennessee to Chattanooga following the spring semester. He saw action in three games as a freshman in 2008 for the Vols. He was 4-8 for 21 yards in a 21-10 win against Vanderbilt, rushing for another 24 yards against the Comodores. In the Mocs' first scrimmage of fall training camp, Coleman was 8-11 passing for 74 yards, with a pair of touchdowns and two interceptions.
"We are going to make a decision pretty soon because I think we need to," continued Huesman. "Whatever the decision is, they are both going to play this year in some capacity."
Both Coleman and Gault have taken the majority of the snaps during training camp and are pushing each other in a battle for the starting role. Despite fighting for the same spot, the duo has been very upbeat and positive on the influence they have had on each other.
"I really think that Jare is doing a great job," explained Coleman. "I am very proud to be able to be out here and competing every day and have the opportunity to play football. We are trying to make plays and get things moving and I think we are going in the right direction."
"This is fun," added Gault. "B.J. is a great quarterback and (the competition) only makes you better. We all get along and have a good time. We are all in the film room together, so we correct each other and work together. It is all to help this team win."
Pastore has played in eight games with three starts in his two seasons at UTC after transferring from Kent State. He has a strong arm and has twice connected on TD pass plays over 60 yards. In 2007, he hit Clint Woods for a 63-yard strike against Jacksonville State. Last year, he connected with Jordan Hazzard for a 62-yard TD against Florida State.
Junior Cody Romans and incoming freshman Graham Nichols will also be competing at the quarterback position. Romans has played in three games in his career under center. Nichols is a highly-touted prep player who was a finalist for the Class 5A Mr. Football award as a senior at Franklin High School in Franklin, Tenn.
"Tony is doing a nice job," continued Huesman. "Really the only other one who is getting any snaps is Tony. He is third right now, but he has had a nice camp. Cody and Graham haven't gotten a ton of snaps, but when they have gotten in there, they have shown some pretty good things."
Competition for the starting job at quarterback has been fierce. With teammates pushing each other to get better, whoever wins the position in the end, will be ready to perform on gameday.
Check out the full video interviews with coach Huesman, Coleman and Gault at the top of the page. Be sure to check back to GoMocs.com tomorrow when we take a look at the backfield.
