Chattanooga Football Game Notes
No. 11/12 Chattanooga Mocs (8-1, 6-1 SoCon) at No. 1 Alabama (10-0, 7-0 SEC)
Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821) – Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 – 7:04 p.m. (E.S.T.)
Radio:  Mocs Sports Network (96.1 The Legend – Flagship) - Jim Reynolds (pxp), Todd Agne (color), Will Poindexter (sideline)
TV:  ESPN2 – Dave Neal (pxp), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Olivia Harlan (sideline)
Online: Live Audio, WatchESPN & Live Stats Links on GoMocs.com

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team wraps up the 2016 regular season at No. 1 Alabama this week.  The Mocs face the Crimson Tide on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7:00 p.m. (E.S.T.) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.  The game broadcasts nationally on ESPN2.
 
Chattanooga owns an 8-2 overall record and is second in the Southern Conference with a 6-2 league tally.  UTC has already posted its fourth consecutive 8-win season, the longest such streak in school history. 
 
The Mocs dropped four spots to No. 11 in the FCS Coaches Poll this week.  Chattanooga is No. 12 in the STATS media poll.  This is the 46th consecutive week UTC is in the top 25, the sixth longest active streak in the nation.
 
Alabama has been the No. 1 team at the FBS level all season long.  The Crimson Tide owns a 10-0 mark and sits in first place in the Southeastern Conference at 7-0. 
 
Chattanooga has faced some of the top teams in the country in recent years.  This is the third meeting between these school since head coach Russ Huesman took over in 2009. 
 
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 or the TuneIn radio apps, by searching for US 101 The Legend at 96.1 on their mobile device.
 
ESPN2
Saturday's game broadcasts nationally on ESPN2.  Dave Neal is the play-by-play announcer and Matt Stinchcomb is the color commentator, with Olivia Harlan on the sideline.  Check your local listings for specific channel.  Fans can also catch the game online on WatchESPN.  Access the broadcast through the link on the football schedule page on GoMocs.com.  This is the second appearance on ESPN2 in recent years for the Mocs.  UTC also faced New Hampshire on the network in the 2014 FCS Playoffs. 
 
IT'S ALL IN THE NAME
On first reference, it is acceptable to refer to us as the "University of Tennessee at Chattanooga". After that, we prefer to be called "Chattanooga" or "UTC."  Our nickname is "Mocs."
QUICK NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOCS
General
• Head coach Russ Huesman is in his eighth season at his alma mater.  He is 58-35 (.624) overall and 42-20 (.677) in Southern Conference action ... 20-11 (.645) in SoCon road games.
• Ranked in the FCS Top 25 for 45 consecutive weeks ... sixth-longest active streak in the nation.
• 56-52 all-time at Finley Stadium …  32-12 in the Huesman era.
• Mocs have earned six SoCon weekly honors this season ... Nakevion Leslie (W3 & W7), Derrick Craine (W4), Henrique Ribeiro (W4, W5) and Montrell Pardue (W6).   
• The Mocs are No. 105 among all 253 NCAA Division I programs (FBS & FCS) in this week's USA Today Sagarin ratings ... that is ahead of 35 FBS programs, including Rutgers, Purdue and Kansas from Power 5 Conferences.
• Mocs dropped to No. 11/12 in the polls, snapping a 19-week run in the FCS Top 10.
 
Offense
• Chattanooga is second in the SoCon and No. 15 in the FCS in scoring offense (36.1 ppg).
• Third in the SoCon and No. 25 in the FCS in total offense at 426.5 yards per game. 
• Eighth in the FCS in Team Passing Efficiency (161.4).
• Third in the SoCon - behind two triple-option teams - in rushing offense (214.7) ... 18th in the FCS.
• Two preseason All-Americans on offense.  Senior RB Derrick Craine is on the STATS Offensive Player of the Year Watch List.  Senior offensive lineman Corey Levin is a two-time winner of the Jacobs Blocking Award as the top offensive lineman in the SoCon.
• Craine posted 222 yards against Samford on Sept. 24, earning SoCon Player of the Week honors ...  leads the SoCon and is No. 13 in the FCS with 6.4 yards per carry ... tied for second the SoCon with nine rushing TDs ... 96.5 rushing ypg is second in the SoCon and No. 15 in the FCS ... 10 carries of 20 yards.
• Senior WR Xavier Borishade leads the SoCon with 16.8 yards/catch ... seven receiving TDs tied for second in the SoCon ... ninth in the SoCon with 60.6 yards per game.
• Senior WR C.J. Board has caught a pass in 27 straight games, longest active streak on the team ... third longest at UTC.
• Junior WR James Stovall has caught a pass in 22 games in a row.
• Junior Alejandro Bennifield's pass efficiency rating is sixth in the nation (162.5) ... second in the SoCon and No. 10 in the FCS with 23 passing TDs ... 10 of his passing TDs have been 30 yards ... 10th in the FCS in points responsible for (16.8) ... 13th in the country in completion % (64.7%). 
 
Defense
• UTC is currently fifth in the nation in total defense (276.3) and eighth in scoring defense (16.9) ... leads the FCS in passing yards allowed (139.3).
• Also leads the SoCon in team pass efficiency defense (109.1) ... No. 15 in the FCS. 
• Posted back-to-back shutouts in the first two games of the season for the first time since 1964 … 18-0 vs. Tennessee Tech (Sept. 23) and 7-0 vs. ETSU (Oct. 3). 
• The shutout against Presbyterian was the fifth in the Russ Huesman era.
• Held three teams to under 200 yards of total offense this season ... Shorter (16), Presbyterian (196) and ETSU (132). 
• Held six teams to under 100 rushing yards this season ... Shorter (14), Presbyterian (86), Furman (85), Samford (46), ETSU (81) and VMI (11) ... No. 3 in the SoCon in rushing defense (137.0).
• Three preseason All-Americans on defense, including Keionta Davis (DL), Nakevion Leslie (LB) and Lucas Webb (DB). 
• Davis is on the STATS Defensive Player of the Year Watch List ... his 28.5 career sacks are second all-time at UTC behind Davis Tull's SoCon-record 39.5 (2011-14) ... leads the SoCon with 8.0 this season.  
• Webb has three career pick-6s ... school record and tied for the SoCon record ... nine career INTs ... tied for ninth all-time at UTC with Coach Huesman (1978-81).
• Leslie posted his second SoCon Player of the Week honor with 19 tackles at The Citadel.  It was the most tackles by a Moc since Ryan Consiglio against Wofford in 2011.
• Junior LB Dale Warren leads the SoCon with 14.0 TFLs.
 
Special Teams
• Senior Henrique Ribeiro is on the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List for the kicker of the year outside of the FBS (FCS, DII, DIII, NAIA) ... preseason third team All-American according to College Sports Madness ... preseason first team All-SoCon.
• Ribeiro's 75.4 (43/57) career FG% is currently second all-time at UTC ... 43 makes trails only Matt Vick's (1997-00) 44 for the school record ... 154-159 on PATs (school-record) in his career.
• Ribeiro's 283 career points is the most in school history. 
• Ribeiro hit a career-long 52-yard FG at ETSU to earn his second consecutive SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week against ETSU.
• Senior C.J. Board was a second team All-SoCon returner in 2015 ... currently second in the SoCon with 10.2 yards per return.
 
7-8-9-WIN SEASONS
The Mocs have put up some unprecedented numbers since head coach Russ Huesman took over in 2009.  During that time, UTC finished above .500 eight times, which is an amazing accomplishment considering there were only 30 winning seasons in the entire history of the program prior to his arrival. 
7-win seasons - 23 overall - 4 under head coach Russ Huesman
8-win seasons - 9 overall - 4 under head coach Russ Huesman
9-win seasons - 6 overall - 2 under head coach Russ Huesman
 
CONNECTIONS
• UTC junior safety Lucas Webb's father Stephen played at Alabama (1987-91). 
• Webb is a native of Northport and played at Tuscaloosa County High School with Alabama's Bo Scarborough and Donnie Lee, Jr.
• The Mocs have 13 players from Alabama on the roster, including nine on the two-deep.  The list includes Jerrell Lawson (Brundidge), Kyle Nalls (Fayette), Hunter Townson (Ider), Telvin Jones (Irvington), Taylor Reynolds (McCalla), Wil Young (Mobile), Demarcue Clarke (Mobile), Adrian King (Montgomery), Lucas Webb (Northport), Tae Davis (Oxford), Derek Mahaffey (Oxford), Alphonso Stewart (Robertsdale) and Tavon Lawson (Talladega). 
 
NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE ALABAMA SERIES
• This is the 13th meeting between these two teams, dating back to 1908.
• The Mocs have never beaten Alabama (0-12).
• UTC is 0-6 all-time in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
• These two teams have played four times since 1991, including a 53-7 game in Birmingham on Oct. 5, 1991, a 42-13 game in Birmingham on Sept. 3, 1994, 45-0 contest in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 21, 2009 and a 49-0 loss on Nov. 23, 2013. 
 
MOCS SENIORS MAKING SECOND TRIP TO ALABAMA
Some of UTC's seniors played at Alabama in the 2013 game, including Corey Levin who started on the offensive line.  Derrick Craine had 32 rushing yards on 10 carries and a 17-yard catch as a true freshman.  Xavier Borishade was also a true freshman who had one catch for 16 yards.  Nakevion Leslie had three tackles and a break up, while Keionta Davis made two stops.   
 
MOCS AGAINST BIG-TIME OPPONENTS
Like most FCS teams, Chattanooga takes on at least one FBS squad each year. However, the Mocs have faced some of the best in recent years. Here is a rundown of Chattanooga's notable FBS opponents since 2008:
No. 14 Florida State - Lost 52-13 on Nov. 21, 2015
Tennessee - Lost 45-10 on Oct. 11, 2014
No. 1 Alabama - Lost 49-0 on Nov. 23, 2013
No. 10 Nebraska - Lost 40-7 on Sept. 2, 2011
No. 2 Auburn - Lost 62-24 on Nov. 6, 2010 - eventual BCS Champion
No. 2 Alabama - Lost 45-0 on Nov. 21, 2009 - eventual BCS Champion
Florida State - Lost 46-7 on Sept. 13, 2008
No. 4 Oklahoma - Lost 57-2 on Aug. 30, 2008
 
UTC has also played South Florida (L, 34-13 on 9/1/12), Georgia State (W, 42-14 on 9/14/13) and Central Michigan (L, 16-20 on 8/28/14) in recent FBS action.
 
CHATTANOOGA WINS VS. FBS TEAMS
UTC picked up its third win in program history over an FBS opponent on Sept. 7, 2013, with a 42-14 victory at Georgia State. Prior to that, the last time the Mocs defeated an FBS team was a 9-7 win over Southwestern Louisiana (Louisiana-Lafayette) on Sept. 1, 1984, in Chattanooga. The other win since the divisional split in 1978 was also over the Ragin' Cajuns, 38-14 on Sept. 17, 1983, in Lafayette, La.
 
MOCS AGAINST HEISMAN TROPHY WINNERS
UTC faced the eventual Heisman Trophy winner for three straight seasons from 2008-2010, including Oklahoma's Sam Bradford (2008), Alabama's Mark Ingram (2009) and Auburn's Cam Newton (2010). The Mocs were one of only two teams to sack Newton three times in a game in 2010.
 
BIG CROWD
Two of the biggest crowds the Mocs have played in front of in school history have come on the last two trips to Tuscaloosa.  The 92,012 at the 2009 game was the most to ever see the Mocs play until that number was topped by the 100,170 in attendance at the 2013 game in Bryant-Denny Stadium. 
 
BAGLEY STEPS UP
Junior Richardre Bagley took over the starting running back spot against VMI due to an injury to senior Derrick Craine.  Bagley responded with an outstanding game that included 23 carries for a career-high 189 yards and two touchdowns.  For his play, he was named Honorable Mention STATS FCS Player of the Week and SouthernPigskin.com X-Factor of the Week.  He continued that strong play with 126 yards and two scores on 19 carries at Western Carolina.  In those two games, he had  315 rushing yards and four TDs on 42 carries (7.5 yards/carry).  He also added an 8-yard TD catch at Western Carolina.
 
RECEIVERS LEADING THE SOCON IN YARDS PER CATCH
The Mocs' three starting receivers are 1-2-7 in the SoCon in yards per catch.  Senior Xavier Borishade leads the way at 16.83, while senior C.J. Board averages 15.43.  Junior James Stovall is seventh at 14.69.      
 
CRAINE NAMED COSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT
Senior RB Derrick Craine is on the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District Team for the second year in a row. Craine, a native of McDonough, Ga., has a 3.61 g.p.a. as a Health & Human Performance major.  He is one of five Mocs to earn CoSIDA Academic All-District honors, and the third to do it twice.  Others include Freddie Patrick (1997), Adam Miller (2011-12), Davis Tull (2012-14) and Nick Pollard (2014).
 
KD'S TREYS
Senior DL Keionta Davis twice posted three sacks in a game this season.  He had three against Samford and another three against VMI.  It is the third time in his career he has tallied three sacks in a game.  He is now tied for ninth in the FCS with 8.0 sacks this season.  UTC's school record for sacks in a game is 3.5 set by Davis Tull (Furman 10/12/13) and Tyler Unzicker (ETSU 11/10/01).   
 
 
RECEIVERS CLIMBING RANKS
Senior receivers Xavier Borishade and C.J. Board are moving up the UTC ranks for career numbers.  Borishade is currently sixth all-time at UTC with 15 receiving touchdowns.  Board is currently eighth with 135 catches and needs 10 more to pass Jeremy Grier (2001-03) and Terrell Owens (1992-95) for sixth all-time at UTC.  Board is also tied for eighth in all-time receiving yards with Larry Stokes (1973-76) with 1,821 receiving yards.  Needs 44 yards to pass Rocky Turner (1968-71) for seventh.
 
BENNIFIELD PUTTING UP TOP 10 NUMBERS
Junior QB Alejandro Bennifield has thrown 23 touchdown passes this season.  That is tied for third in a season at UTC with Jacob Huesman (2014).  The school record is 27 set by Chris Sanders in 1999.
 
CRAINE'S CAREER NUMBERS
Senior RB Derrick Craine has 2,686 career rushing yards.  He is currently fifth all-time at Chattanooga and 405 behind fourth-place James Roberts (1989-91). Craine's 28 rushing TDs are tied for third and two behind second-place Keon Williams (2010-14).  He also has 10 career 100-yard rushing games, which is fifth all-time at UTC.
 
SENIORS HAVE SCHOOL RECORD FOR WINS
The 2016 senior class has a 35-14 record with three SoCon titles.  That is the most wins in school history.  This group passed the 2015 and 1980 seniors with the victory against VMI on Oct. 22.  Coach Huesman's 1981 class is fourth all-time at UTC with 31 wins.
 
NOTES FROM THE 49-0 LOSS AT ALABAMA ON NOV. 23, 2013
• The Mocs fell to 8-4 overall after a 49-0 loss at No. 1 Alabama.  The top-ranked Crimson Tide improved to 11-0.
• Chattanooga shared the Southern Conference title with Furman and Samford that season, but missed the playoffs. 
• Alabama's Christion Jones had a 75-yard punt return for a TD in the second quarter.  The last time the Mocs gave up a punt return for a TD was a 66-yarder by Alabama's Javier Arenas on Nov. 21, 2009. 
• Last time the Mocs visited Alabama in 2009, they had 84 yards of total offense in the game.  UTC put up 72 in the first half in this game.
• Chattanooga tied a season high with seven punts … same number they had in the season-opener against UT Martin.
• Alabama's 435 yards of total offense is the most allowed by UTC since giving up 451 to UT Martin in the first game of the season…it was just the third time in 2013 the Mocs allowed 400 yards of total offense (Appalachian State's 424 was the other).
• Chattanooga played in front of the largest crowd in school history with today's attendance of 100,179…the previous high was also at Alabama – 92,012 in 2009.
• UTC was flagged six times for 50 yards…the Mocs had just 10 penalties in the previous four games combined…Chattanooga came into the game No. 3 in the FCS in fewest penalties (3.73) and No. 6 in the FCS in fewest penalty yards (37.8).
• Terrell Robinson - 10-15 passing for 82 yards and one INT ... led the team in rushing with 37 yards on 13 carries.
• D.J. Key - Tied for team-high with 10 tackles ... tied with Ron Fague (1994-97) for 10th all-time at UTC with 293 tackles ... 10th career game with 10 tackles.
• Chaz Moore – Career-high 10 tackles ... had two TFLs and one PBU.
 
MOCS RANKED FOR 46 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS
The Mocs are No. 11 in the FCS Coaches Poll and No. 12 in the STATS Top 25 this week.  UTC has been ranked in the Top 25 for 46 consecutive weeks, dating back to Nov. 4, 2013.  That is the sixth-longest active streak in the country.  The Mocs have been among the Top 25 for 50 weeks in the Russ Huesman era (since 2009) and are 31-17 when ranked under Huesman.  UTC was ranked as high as No. 3 on Nov. 1, 1968, in the Small College Top 20, before the FCS was created in 1978.