NOTES | QUOTES | STATS | PHOTO GALLERY
 
CHATTANOOGA---The sixth-ranked Chattanooga Mocs rolled to a 66-0 season-opening win over visiting Shorter at Finley Stadium. The Mocs owned a 441-16 advantage in total offense.
 
Junior signal caller Alejandro Bennifield had a strong debut behind center. He threw for 135 yards with four TDs, completing eight of 11 in his one half of work. His scoring strikes went to James Stovall (30 yards), Xavier Borishade (20), C.J. Board (9) and Tyler Roberson (9).
 
Roberson had three total TDs, with two rushing after the second quarter connection from Bennifield. Kyle Nalls (23 yards) and Chris Miller (3) also had their first career scores.
 
"It is a good win," coach Russ Huesman stated. "They were a little decimated with injuries coming in. Their best running back, starting quarterback, starting offensive lineman…they were down and obviously when Division II plays an FCS program, it's tough on them no question when you don't have a full complement of players.
 
"I was proud of our guys. The fact we got to play a lot of people today was huge. So a lot of guys that haven't played any football got in the game today, and it was nice to see that. We actually played a clean second half so I was happy about that."
 
The Mocs accumulated 253 yards rushing paced by Miller's 89 (15 carries). Nalls added 41. Borishade had three catches for 68 yards, while Riley Davis also caught three passes (31 yards).
 
The defense was stingy to say the least. It limited the Hawks to -20 yards in the first half before settling at 16. It allowed three or fewer plays on 12 of the visitors' 14 possessions. Tae Davis ended up with a team-high five stops. Vantrel McMillan had three tackles with two sacks in one half of action.
 
Alex McGhee led the Hawks with 32 yards rushing on seven carries. Dante Borders had 16. Three quarterbacks combined to complete one pass in 13 attempts with an interception by K.J. Roper.
 
The Mocs remain at home next weekend with Presbyterian coming to town on Saturday, Sept. 10, for a 2 p.m., kickoff. Buy your tickets on GoMocs.com.
 
The game airs online on the SoCon Digital Network and on the airwaves in Chattanooga on 96.1 FM the Legend. Links are available on the GoMocs.com football schedule page.
 
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