The No. 6 Chattanooga Mocs return to Southern Conference action this weekend, hosting the Furman Paladins.  Game time is set for 1:04 p.m. (E.D.T.) on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn.
 
The Mocs are boasting their highest FCS ranking in school history.  UTC carries a 3-1 overall record and a 1-0 mark in SoCon action into this weekend's matchup.  The Paladins are 3-2 overall and also 1-0 in league play. 
 
UTC moved up from No. 8 in both the STATS.com FCS Top 25 and the FCS Coaches Poll.  These are the two rankings officially recognized by the NCAA.  It is the 21st consecutive week the Mocs have been ranked, a streak that dates back to Nov. 9, 2013. 
 
Furman has played a tough schedule that includes a three-point loss to then-No. 5 and current No. 1 Coastal Carolina.  The Paladins have also faced two FBS teams, including an impressive 16-15 win at Central Florida on Sept. 19.
 
TICKETS
Tickets for the game are available now at the UTC Ticket Office by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627) or online on GoMocs.com.  In addition to the regular business hours of the UTC Ticket Office (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at McKenzie Arena, the First Tennessee Pavilion ticket window at Finley Stadium opens at 9:00 a.m. (E.D.T.) on gameday.
 
FREE DOWNTOWN SHUTTLE
The FREE CARTA Electric Shuttle runs from downtown to the corner of Main & Chestnut streets.  Service begins at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 5:45 p.m.
 
MOCS SPORTS NETWORK
The Mocs Sports Network broadcasts the game on 96.1 The Legend in Chattanooga.  Jim Reynolds has the play-by-play with Todd Agne giving the color commentary and Will Poindexter on the sideline.  A link for a free audio broadcast is available on the football schedule page on GoMocs.com.  Fans can also listen to the game on the iHeart Radio app by searching for US 101 The Legend at 96.1 on their mobile device.
 
ESPN3
The Furman game is also being produced for ESPN3.  A link to the broadcast is available on the football schedule page on GoMocs.com.  Pete Yanity has the play-by-play call and Jay Sonnhalter is the color commentator. 
 
NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE FURMAN SERIES
• This is the 45th meeting between these two teams.
• Furman leads the all-time series 27-17.
• The Mocs snapped a 15-game losing streak with a 36-28 win at Furman on Oct. 23, 2010.
• UTC has won four of the last five games.
• UTC has a better road record (10-12) than home mark (7-15) against Furman.
• The Mocs are just 1-8 against Furman in Finley Stadium.
• Chattanooga is 4-2 against Furman in the Russ Huesman era (since 2009).
• The Mocs have not won four in a row against Furman since a five game winning streak to start the series from 1928 to 1968.
• UTC head coach Russ Huesman is 6-0 as a player and coach at Furman.
 
UTC-FURMAN CONNECTIONS
• UTC head coach Russ Huesman and Furman head coach Bruce Fowler are both from Cincinnati, Ohio, coaching at their alma maters and played in the SoCon in the late 1970's. 
• Furman assistant coach Jimmy Lindsey is a 2001 graduate of UTC and worked on the Mocs' staff in 2010 & 2011.
• UTC linebackers coach Rusty Wright (1992-96) coached at Furman in 2010.
• UTC junior receiver Xavier Borishade and Furman junior CB Nick Miller played together at North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Ga.
• Furman junior DT John Mackey played with UTC senior QB Jacob Huesman (and others) at Chattanooga's Baylor School.
• Furman sophomore LB T.J. Warren graduated from Chattanooga's Ooltewah High School.
• There are three players in the game from Hillgrove High School in Marietta, Ga., including Chattanooga's Richardre Bagley and Nakevion Leslie and Furman's Jaylan Reid.
• UTC senior DL Josh Freeman and Furman sophomore DL DeAndre Thorton are both from Atlanta's Creekside HS.
 
HUESMAN'S POST-BYE WEEK RECORD
Chattanooga is 4-2 when coming off a bye week under head coach Russ Huesman (since 2009).  The two losses were both to ranked teams (27-28 vs. No. 12 Wofford on 11/19/11 and 21-23 at No. 12 Georgia Southern on 9/28/13).  Here is a look at the six post-bye week games in the Huesman era:
9/27/14 – Samford – W, 38-24
9/28/13 – at No. 12 Georgia Southern – L, 21-23
10/13/12 – at Furman – W, 31-10
11/19/11 – No. 12 Wofford – L, 27-28
10/9/10 – at The Citadel – W, 28-10
10/10/09 – at Samford – W, 14-7
 
MOCS ON THIRD DOWN
After converting just 4/12 on third down in the season opener against Jacksonville State, the Mocs are 30/50 in the last three games.  Overall, Chattanooga is second in the SoCon and No. 3 in the FCS on third down (54.8%). 
 
MOCS AGAINST 3RD DOWN
Conversely, UTC leads the SoCon and is No. 11 in the FCS in third-down defense (29.8%).  UTC is allowing just 29.8% conversions (17/57) in four games this season.
 
QUICK NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOCS
General
• UTC head coach Russ Huesman is in his seventh season at his alma mater.  He is 44-30 overall and 31-17 in Southern Conference action.  The Mocs only won 44 games total in the 12 years prior to Huesman's arrival.
• The Mocs led the SoCon in home attendance, averaging 10,146 in six games in 2014 ... UTC hit that mark only four previous times in school history ... three of those in the Russ Huesman era (2009, 2010, 2011).  UTC is currently No. 19 in the FCS in home attendance, averaging  12,652 fans in two home games.
 
Offense
• Senior QB Jacob Huesman finished tied for 11th in the Walter Payton Award voting and was named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year in 2014.  He is the preseason SoCon Player of the Year in 2015 and on the STATS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List.   
• Junior offensive lineman Corey Levin won the Jacobs Blocking Award as the top offensive lineman in the SoCon last season.
• The Mocs are currently 4th in the FCS on third down (34/62 - 54.8%).
• Chattanooga leads the SoCon and is No. 4 in the FCS in Time of Possession (34:05).
• UTC has posted 400+ yards of total offense in the last three games.
• The Mocs have run for 250+ yards in the last three outings ... first time that has happened since UTC did it four consecutive games in 1980. 
• Chattanooga is No. 16 in the FCS in rushing offense at 231.8 yards per game.
 
Defense
• Chattanooga sacked Samford's Michael Eubank six times for -38 yards … most sacks in a game for the Mocs since recording six against Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 18, 2010. 
• The Mocs have 13 sacks on the year, No. 1 in the SoCon and No. 9 in the FCS. 
• Chattanooga is strong on third down, allowing just 29.8% (17/57) conversion.  That leads the SoCon and is No. 12 in the FCS.
• UTC held Samford's No. 2 in the nation in passing game (399.5) and total offense (644.0) and No. 3 in scoring (51.5) offense well below its season averages … the Mocs defense held Samford to 255 yards passing, 313 in total offense and 21 points.
• Mocs only allowed eight yards in the second half at Presbyterian. 
• Chattanooga leads the SoCon and is No. 10 in the FCS in first down defense (14.8).
• UTC is second in the SoCon and No. 17 in the FCS in passing yards allowed (168.0).
• The Mocs are giving up just 19.5 ppg, fewest allowed in the SoCon and No. 19 in the FCS.
• Junior DL Keionta Davis leads the SoCon in sacks (6.0) and TFLs (8.0).  He is second in the nation in sacks per game (1.5) and fifth in TFLs per outing (2.0). 
 
Special Teams
• Junior Henrique Ribeiro was the SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week after going 2-2 on FGs and averaging 51.5 yards on two punts in Week 1.  He is currently 22-32 on FGs for his career.
• Sophomore QB Alejandro Bennifield has also been impressive as a rugby punter.  He is averaging 43.4 yards per punt, including a 65-yarder.
• Junior C.J. Board had a career-long 48-yard punt return against Jacksonville State.  He is No. 22 in the FCS, averaging 10.7 yards per return.
 
SCOUTING FURMAN
The Paladins have played a very tough schedule to open the season, and are sitting at 3-2 overall.  Their only losses are to top-ranked Coastal Carolina (38-35) in the season opener and a 42-3 loss at Virginia Tech on Sept. 12.
In its current three-game winning streak, the Paladins' defense has yielded only 273.3 ypg, 13.0 ppg, a 52.9 completion percentage (54x102, 7 INTs), forced nine turnovers, and allowed only 13 second half points. 
 
Furman is currently No. 7 in the FCS with 11 interceptions on the year.  Junior DB Trey Robinson is the current SoCon Defensive Player of the Month, thanks to four picks in the first five games.  He currently leads the SoCon and is No. 3 in the FCS in interceptions. 
 
Offensively, the Paladins are led by quarterback Reese Hannon (83-149-4, 921 yards, 3 TDs) and runnin gback Triston Luke (57 carries, 267 yards, 2 TDs).
 
HUESMAN'S ASSAULT ON THE RECORD BOOKS
Senior QB Jacob Huesman is the Mocs' first two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Year and will own most of UTC's school records by the end of the season.  Here is a look at where he ranks in the league and school record books.  See the sidebar on page 7 for a detailed look at the record books.
• 26-12 record as a starter at QB ... most wins by a starting QB in school history.
• Career accuracy 67.1% (616-918) is a SoCon record and No. 1 among active players in the FCS ... 68.3% (164/240) in 2013 and 68.5% (226/330) in 2014 are the top two marks for season completion percentage in school history.
• 9,902 yards of total offense is the UTC record ... one of only four in SoCon history with more than 9,000 yards ... second among active players in the FCS in total offense.
• 58 TDs and 20 INTs ... school record for passing TDs ... needs two more to pass Appalachian State's Richie Williams (2002-05) for third all-time in the SoCon.
• Third all-time at UTC with 6,719 passing yards ... needs 152 yards to pass B.J. Coleman (2000-11) for second.
• School-record 616 completions is fifth all-time in the SoCon ... 78 shy of Greg Ryan (ETSU - 1993-96) for fourth.
• Third all-time at UTC with 3,183 rushing yards ... needs 158 yards to pass Mike Smith (1977-80) for second ... fourth-most rushing yards among active players in the FCS.
• School-record 33 career rushing TDs.
• 91 total TDs is a school record and second among active players in the FCS and third all-time in the SoCon.
• 198 career points is third all-time at UTC ... needs 18 points to pass Rodney Allen (1989-92) for second. 
• First Moc with 4,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in a career ... topped both marks against VMI on Oct. 4, 2014 ... active career leader in the SoCon for rushing yards and passing yards.
• Just the third in SoCon history with 4,000 passing and 3,000 rushing (Armanti Edwards - ASU (2006-09), Greg Hill - GSU (1996-99)).
 
BACK-TO-BACK 150-YARD RUSHERS
Derrick Craine posted a career-high 169 rushing yards against Mars Hill.  Jacob Huesman followed that 150 of his own at Samford.  It was the first time in school history two different Mocs rushed for 150+ yards in back-to-back games. 
 
CHEER LOCAL
Cheer Local has become the mantra for Mocs Athletics in their home town of Chattanooga.  It is a perfect slogan for the football team who has 29 student-athletes from the Chattanooga area.  That is the most local talent on one roster since 2002.
 
ATTENDANCE IN THE HUESMAN ERA
UTC has seen a dramatic growth in attendance at home football games since the hiring of Russ Huesman in December 2008.  Seven of the Mocs' top-10 crowds in school history have come in the 34 home games of the Huesman era.  Chattanooga is averaging 10,639 fans per game since the start of 2009.  Prior to Huesman's arrival, UTC averaged 5,767 fans per game in the 2008 season.  UTC averaged over 9,500 fans per game in each of his six years. Only once in the previous 12 seasons before Coach Huesman did Chattanooga football have that big of an average.