Chattanooga Football Game Notes
No. 6 Wofford Terriers (3-1, 2-0 SoCon) at Chattanooga Mocs (4-1, 2-1 SoCon)
Finley Stadium (20,668) – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Saturday – Oct. 6, 2018 – 3:04 p.m. (E.D.T.)
Radio:  Mocs Sports Network (Real 96.1 FM – Flagship) - Jim Reynolds (pxp), Todd Agne (color), Will Poindexter (sideline)
TV: ESPN+ – Chris Goforth (pxp), Scott McMahen (analyst)
Online: Live audio, ESPN+ & live stats links on GoMocs.com
 
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team returns home to Finley Stadium, hosting the No. 6/7 Wofford Terriers this weekend.  Game time is set for 3:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) on Saturday, Oct. 6. 
 
Sponsored by Erlanger Sports Medicine, this game is the first time a top 10 team has visited Finley since the Mocs opened the 2015 season against No. 7 Jacksonville State.  Chattanooga is off to a 4-1 start for the fourth time in the last 10 seasons.  The Mocs are receiving votes and sit just outside of the top 25 in both the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and the STATS FCS Top 25.
 
The Mocs dropped a tough 17-14 loss at ETSU last weekend.  UTC's 2-1 mark in league play is tied for
third in the league race with Mercer.  Wofford is 3-1 overall and 2-0 in SoCon games, trailing the league-leading Buccaneers (4-1, 3-0 SoCon) by a 1/2 game. 
 
The Terriers are off to a fast start under first-year head coach Josh Conklin.  They opened with a 28-21 win over The Citadel, and followed that with a 59-14 victory against VMI.  Wofford nearly pulled off an FBS upset in a 17-14 loss at Wyoming before scoring a road win at Gardner-Webb last weekend (45-14).    
 
Each of the last three meetings in the series have been one-score affairs, including Wofford's 24-21 double-overtime win at home last season.  The Terriers scored a 36-28 win in their last trip to Chattanooga in 2016, while the Mocs won on a last second field goal (20-17) in 2015. 
 
This game features the top two scoring defenses in the SoCon.  Wofford leads the way, allowing just 16.5 points per game, which ranks No. 14 in the FCS.  The Mocs are giving up just 19.8 ppg. 
 
UTC has put up some impressive passing numbers this season, averaging 288.4 yards per game.  That is good for third in the SoCon and No. 20 in the FCS.  Wofford's triple-option attack is second in the nation in rushing yards (375.5) and No. 9 in total offense (493.8).  Wofford is also No. 9 in the nation in total defense at 268.3 yards allowed per game. 
 
TICKETS
Tickets for the game are available at the UTC Ticket Office by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627) or 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 open on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 11:00 a.m.  All other booth will open at 12:00 p.m. on game day. 

MOCS SPORTS NETWORK
The Mocs Sports Network broadcasts the game on Real 96.1 FM in Chattanooga.  Jim Reynolds has the play-by-play for his 39th season, 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 TuneIn Radio app through a link on the football schedule page on GoMocs.com.
 
ESPN+
Host schools produce games for the ESPN family of networks.  This week's contest is carried by ESPN+ and includes Chris Goforth (pxp) and Scott McMahen on the call.  Subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year).  It is available as an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans, and is also be available through ESPN.com.
 
QUICK NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOCS
General
• Tom Arth is in his second season at Chattanooga ... 7-9 at UTC ... 5-6 in SoCon action ... came to the Scenic City from John Carroll University where he was the NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year in 2016 ... 40-8 record the previous four years at JCU.
• Mocs are 59-56 all-time at Finley Stadium ... 40-43 in SoCon home games.
• UTC is 35-14 in league play since the start of the 2012 season ... 30-11 since 2013 ... 2-0 overall this season.
• The Mocs are third in the league and No. 24 in the FCS in home attendance with a 9,745 average over two games.
• The Mocs have to cut down on penalties ... they are currently last in the SoCon and No. 86 in the nation with 7.6 per game and sixth in the league and 66th in the nation with 61.4 penalty yards per game through five contests.
• The Mocs have won six of its last eight games dating back to last season ... only losses win in overtime to No. 8 Wofford (24-21 on 11/4/17) and last week at ETSU (17-14 on 9/29/18).
• The Mocs are +5 in the turnover margin ... leads the SoCon and No. 15 in the FCS.
• UTC's average time of possession is 29:40 ... fifth in the SoCon and No. 67 in the FCS. 
 
Offense
• Fourth in the league and 55th in the FCS in total offense (394.4) ... eighth in rushing (106.0) and third in passing (288.4) ... also 20th in the FCS in passing yards.
• Sixth in the SoCon in scoring offense (27.6 ppg).
• Fourth in the league and 35th in the FCS in team pass efficiency (143.9).
• Third in the SoCon and 23rd in the FCS on third down (33/75 - 44.0%).
• UTC has four runs of 20+ yards in the first five games ... full list on page 34 of the .pdf of the notes ... only had three such runs of 20+ yards all of last year. 
• Mocs have 11 passing plays of 30+ yards this season ... only had five all of last year ... full list on page 34 of the .pdf of the notes.
• Mocs have scored on 12 straight trips to the red zone ... 2-2 at ETSU ... 4-4 vs. Samford, 5-5 at UT Martin & the OT trip at The Citadel ... 14-16 for the season with eight TDs ... 16-18 in red zone offense (88.9%) with 10 TDs is second in the SoCon and No. 31 in the FCS. 
 
Defense
• Fourth in the SoCon in total defense (379.0) ... 46th in the FCS. 
• Second in the SoCon in passing yards allowed (224.4) ... 24th in the FCS and third in the SoCon in pass efficiency defense (111.28).
• Fourth in the league in rushing defense (154.6).
• Second in the SoCon and 21st in the FCS in scoring defense (19.8).
• Sophomore Brandon Dowdell is third in the SoCon and No. 23 in the FCS with seven passes defended.  
• UTC leads the SoCon and is No. 8 in the FCS in red zone defense (62.5% - 10/16) ... seven red zone stops for UTC this season … Mocs only had six all of last year and just five in 2016 ... seven in 2015. 
• Eight INTs on the year leads the SoCon and is No. 4 in the FCS.
• Four fumble recoveries is second in the SoCon and No. 26 in the FCS.
• 12 turnovers forced leads the SoCon and is tied for No. 6 in the FCS.
• UTC is fifth in the league and 64th in the FCS in 3rd down defense (32/81 - 38.8%) ... fourth in the league and 80th in the nation in 4th down defense (10/17 - 58.8%).
• UTC had not allowed a point in the first quarter until the ETSU game last week. 
• Senior Kareem Orr is tied for the SoCon lead with three INTs ... he is also No. 14 in the FCS in that category. 
• Junior LB Marshall Cooper leads the team and is second in the SoCon with 9.2 tackles per game ... senior DL Derek Mahaffey is second on the team and tied for fourth in the league with 8.2 tackles per game.
 
Special Teams
• Victor Ulmo is on the 2018 Fred Mitchell Award Watch List ... 6-9 (66.7%) this season and 15-21 (72.1%) for his career.
• Eighth in the SoCon in net punting (31.4).
• Ninth in the league in punt returns (-0.3).
• Eighth in the SoCon in kickoff returns (17.4).  
 
NUNNELLY BY THE NUMBERS
Sophomore receiver Bryce Nunnelly set the school record with four straight 100-yard receiving games this season ... currently leads the SoCon and is second in the nation with 144.2 yards per game. 
- Has 38 catches for 721 yards in five games.
- Receiving yards in first four games would have led the team in six of the last 10 years.
- Seven catches of 30 yards+ this season … Mocs only had five as a team all last year.
- Four 100-yard receiving games in a season is tied for fifth all-time at UTC ... needs one more to tie for second ... last one with five was Alonzo Nix who had a school-record six in 2003. 
- Leads the SoCon and 12th in the FCS in all-purpose yards (144.2).
- 1st/7th in receiving TDs (5).
- 3rd/8th in receptions/game (7.6).
- 1st/33rd in yards/catch (19.0).
- 429 yards in first two games are most in consecutive games in school history.
- Fourth in school history with two 75-yard TD catches in one season ... no one has three. 
- STATS FCS National Offensive Player of the Week, SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week, and repeated as SoCon Offensive Player of the Week after posting 10 catches for 268 yards and two TDs at The Citadel ... also threw the game-winning 2pt conversion in overtime ... most receiving yards in a game since Joel Bradford's school-record 274 (15) in a 36-28 win at No. 25 Furman on Oct. 23, 2010 ... most catches in a game since Xavier Borishade had 10 vs. Mars Hill on Sept. 10, 2015 ... 3rd-most yards in a league game in SoCon history ... 76-yard TD in the first quarter ties for 17th-longest in school history.
- SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors after posting seven catches for 161 yards and an 89-yard TD score against Tennessee Tech ... fifth longest pass play in school history and longest since the school-record 94-yarder by Stepfon Hawkins in 1997. 
- Has a 3.85 GPA as a Mechanical Engineering major.
- Needs 104 receiving yards to pass Blue Cooper (2009) for 10th most in a season at UTC.   
 
COOPER OFF TO A STRONG START
Junior LB Marshall Cooper was the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week after posting eight tackles, a forced fumble and and interception in a 27-20 win over No. 17 Samford on Sept. 22.  His interception came as Samford was trailing by two scores but driving deep in Chattanooga territory in the fourth quarter.  The 41-yard return flipped the field for the Mocs. Cooper also added a pass breakup in the game.  Cooper is currently second in the SoCon and No. 38 in the FCS with 9.2 tackles per game. 
 
TURNOVER TURNAROUND
Through five games, the Mocs are +5 in turnover margin.  That leads the SoCon and is No. 15 in the FCS.  That is a dramatic difference than a year ago when UTC was -12 in that category, 8th in the SoCon and 113th in the FCS.  UTC is second in the SoCon (26th in the FCS) with four fumbles recovered.  The Mocs lead the league (4th in the FCS) with eight interceptions.  UTC is one of 22 teams in the FCS to throw two picks or less on the year.  The Mocs have also lost five fumbles, three at ETSU.  Chattanooga leads the SoCon and is No. 6 in the FCS in total takeaways with 12.  
 
TIANO ALSO PUTTING UP IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS
Junior QB Nick Tiano is eighth in the FCS and third in the SoCon in total offense (319.0) through five games.  He is third in the league and No. 12 in the FCS in passing yards (288.4).  Other SoCon/FCS rankings include 3rd/21st with nine passing TDs and 1st/26th in yards/completion (13.7).  His completions per game (21.0) are third in the league and 18th in the nation.   
 
Tiano was the first Moc to throw back-to-back 300-yard games since B.J. Coleman against Furman (432) and Elon (386) in 2010.  He also had the most passing yards in the first two games of the season since Chris Sanders threw for 358 at Samford and 367 at Louisville in 1999.  His 347 yards against The Citadel were the most in a game since Jacob Huesman had 359 against Mercer in a 38-31 win on Oct. 25, 2014.  His 318 passing against TTU were the most in a season opener since B.J. Coleman had 340 vs. No. 3 Appalachian State on Sept. 4, 2010. 
 
TYRELL PRICE GIVES THE MOCS A VERSATILE RUNNING ATTACK
Junior RB Tyrell Price is currently seventh in the SoCon with 73.0 rushing yards per game ... He leads the SoCon and is eighth in the FCS with six rushing TDs.  He also leads the league in scoring (8.4 - 31st in FCS) and total TDs (7 - 6th in FCS).
 
Price had season-highs with six catches and 61 receiving yards, including an 18-yard TD grab in the second quarter against Samford.  He is currently fourth on the team in receiving with 17 catches for 159 yards. 
 
NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE WOFFORD SERIES
• This is the 25th meeting between these two teams, dating back to 1927. 
• Wofford leads the series 13-11, and has won two in a row ... Mocs won three straight prior to that. 
• The Mocs are 4-5 against Wofford since 2009.
• Five of the last seven meetings have been decided by one score or less, including last year's OT win by Wofford (24-21) in Spartanburg. 
 
UTC-WOFFORD CONNECTIONS
• Wofford senior DB JoJo Tillery (3) graduated from Chattanooga's East Ridge High School.
• Wofford sophomore DB Ulysses Strawter (10) is from Chattanooga's Baylor School.
 
SCOUTING WOFFORD
• The Terriers are 3-1 overall and 2-0 in SoCon action.  They have league wins over The Citadel (28-21 and VMI (59-14) and their lone loss was at Wyoming (14-17).  They defeated Gardner-Webb on the road (45-14) last week. 
• Wofford won the 2017 Southern Conference Championship, the fifth overall for the Terriers and first since 2012. The Terries were picked second by the league's coaches and third by the media in the preseason SoCon polls. 
• Josh Conklin is in his first season as head coach. 
• The Terriers are second in the nation with 375.5 rushing yards per game ... 483.8 yards per game is second in the SoCon and No. 9 in the FCS ... Wofford is also second in the league and No. 16 in the nation in scoring at 36.5 ppg.   
• Wofford is 14th in the nation in scoring defense (16.5) and 9th in total defense (268.3) so far in 2018 ... 15th in the FCS in passing yards allowed (165.8) and 14th in rushing yards allowed (102.5) ... only allowed two rushing TDs this season.
• Terriers have only attempted three field goals this season (2/3).
• Wofford has outscored its opponents 49-0 in the first quarter. 
• The Terriers' triple-option attack has given up just one sack this year.
• Wofford goes with Joe Newman and Miller Mosley at QB. 
• Wofford defensive lineman Miles Brown and fullback Andre Stoddard were named to the STATS FCS
Preseason All-America Team ... Brown is also on the Buck Buchanan Watch List.   
• Stoddard is second in the SoCon in rushing yards per game at 90.2. 
• Wofford has the top three individuals in yards per carry in the SoCon - Ryan Lovelace (17.5), Miller Mosley (11.7) and Lennox McAfee (9.1). 
• Luke Carter is second in the SoCon in punting (43.9). 
 
VS. THE TRIPLE-OPTION
UTC has a 12-12 record against triple-option teams since 2009.  The Mocs are 7-3 against The Citadel, 4-5 against Wofford, 1-3 against Georgia Southern and 0-1 against Furman's new offense.
 
VS. THE TOP 10
Wofford is the first top 10 team to visit Finley Stadium since No. 7 Jacksonville State visited the Scenic City and came away with a 23-20 win over the Mocs on Sept. 5, 2015.  The last time UTC defeated a top 10 team at home was a 38-17 victory against the 10th-ranked Gamecocks on Sept. 10, 2011.  UTC's last win over a top 10 team overall was last year's 23-21 win at No. 8 Samford on Oct. 28. 
 
The JSU win in 2011 is one of two top 10 wins for the Mocs at Finley Stadium.  The other was a 30-27 victory against No. 6 Appalachian State on Oct. 28, 2000.  UTC is 2-14 all-time in games against top 10 foes at Finley Stadium (since 1997). 
 
LAST TIME VS. WOFFORD - NO. 8 WOFFORD 24 - UTC 21 - 2OT - 11/4/17 - SPARTANBURG, S.C.
• The Mocs dropped a 24-21 2OT game at No. 8 Wofford on Nov. 4, 2017 ... Mocs fell to 2-8 overall and 2-5 in SoCon play.  Wofford remained in first place in the SoCon race at 8-1 overall and 6-1 in league action.
• UTC had a chance to upset a top 10 team on the road for the second straight game.
• Chattanooga drove into the Wofford redzone twice in the first half but only scored FGs on those two possessions … those two drives were 14 plays long … only one longer was 17 (TD) at VMI on Sept. 23
• UTC defense held Wofford to a season-low 233 yards of total offense … 188 rushing and a season-low 45 passing … Wofford came into the game No. 5 in the FCS in rushing at 282 ypg.
• UTC's last three trips to Wofford have come down to the last play.  Mocs won 20-17 on a Henrique Ribeiro FG on Oct. 24, 2015 … Wofford won 16-13 in OT on Nov. 10, 2012.
• After allowing 31 ppg first seven games, Mocs have given up 21 ppg last three.
• Mocs defense forced three-and outs on five of Wofford's nine possessions in regulation.
• UTC posted 300 yards of offense against a Terrier defense that came into the game No. 2 in the SoCon and No. 21 in the nation in total defense.
• Mocs were 7-16 on third down today … Mocs were 6-35 on third down in previous three games.
• UTC had two turnovers in the game without forcing one … Mocs are -12 on turnovers for the season.
• Darrell Bridges – Sr.-RB - 80 yards on 22 carries ... tied a season-high for carries ... 318 yards on 62 carries last three games.
• Cole Copeland – Fr.-QB - 27-39 for 201 yards, two TDs and one INT ... orchestrated a 9-play, 43-yard drive to tie the game in regulation ... caught the game-tying 2-pt. conversion to send the game to OT.
• Tae Davis – Sr.-LB - 12 tackles ... second straight game with 10+ tackles … third of his career.  
• Brandon Dowdell - 21-yd PR in the first quarter.
• Derek Mahaffey – Jr.-DL - Tied a career high with nine tackles.
• DeJuan McQuarters – Jr.-WR - Three catches for 19 yards ... season high and tied a career high on receptions.
• Bingo Morton – Jr.-WR - Career-high seven catches for 23 yards and a score ... 5th career TD ... caught the 6-yard TD that helped tie the game at the end of regulation ... threw the pass to QB Cole Copeland on the 2-pt. conversion trick play.
• Taylor Reynolds – Sr.-DL - Game-high and career-high 14 tackles ... third career game with 10+ tackles … all in last five games.
• Alphonso Stewart – Sr.-WR - Six catches for 68 yards and a TD ... powered in for an 11-yard score in OT ... 34 catches for 422 yards and 4 TDs are all career-bests ... nine career TDs.
• Victor Ulmo – Fr.-K - 20-yd FG in the first quarter ... 28-yd FG in the second quarter ... missed from 47 yards in the fourth quarter ... 8-10 on the year ... eight FGs is tied with Mickey Brokas (1971) for third-most by a UTC freshman.  
• Dale Warren – Sr.-LB - Season-high nine tackles.
 
POSTGAME NOTES AT ETSU
- The No. 24/20 Chattanooga Mocs dropped a 17-14 Southern Conference game at ETSU on Sept. 29, 2018 … UTC fell to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in SoCon action … ETSU takes over the SoCon lead at 3-0, 4-1 overall.
• First six possessions for Chattanooga … four three-&-outs, turnover, one first down on a penalty … 17 plays, 16 yards.
• ETSU took a 14-0 first quarter lead in the game … first points the Mocs have allowed in the first quarter this season … first time the Mocs trailed this season … first scoring play was a 54-yard screen pass from Austin Henrik to Quay Holmes … longest play UTC has allowed this season.
• Mocs posted their seventh red zone stop of the season in the second quarter … that is the most red zone stops in a season for UTC since making seven in 2015.
• Mocs turned the ball over three times in the first half … came into the game with just four on the season.
• UTC lost the turnover battle 3-1 … came into the game leading the SoCon and No. 7 in the FCS in turnover margin (+7).
• Both of UTC's scoring drives were 14 plays … longest of the season.
• Mocs offense ran 34 plays for 84 yards in the first half (-5 rushing and 89 passing) … 236 yards in the second half (54 rushing, 182 passing).
• UTC's defense held ETSU to just 265 yards of total offense (94 rushing, 171 passing) … 83 yards in the second half (46 rushing, 37 passing) … fewest yards allowed this season. 
• Mocs gave up five sacks in the game … came into today with just two allowed on the year … that was third in the SoCon and No. 10 in the FCS.
• UTC posted four sacks and 9.0 TFLs in the game … Most TFLs since posting nine against VMI on Oct. 22, 2016.
• Colin Brewer – Jr.-P - Six punts for 38.7 average ... season-long 52-yarder in the first quarter.
• Brandon Dowdell – So.-DB - Second INT of the season.
• Derek Mahaffey – Sr.-DL - One off a career high with a team-high 10 tackles ... second time with 10+ in his career ... both this season ... career-high 3.0 TFLs, including a sack.
• DeJuan McQuarters – Sr.-WR - 14-yard reception is the first of the season.
• Bryce Nunnelly – So.-WR - Eight catches for 67 yards and a TD ... 100-yard game streak snapped at four ... fifth receiving TD of the season.
• Joseph Parker – Sr.-WR - Career-high eight catches for 84 yards ... long catch of 31 yards set up the Mocs first score.
• Tyrell Price – Jr.-RB - 14 carries for 33 yards and a TD ... fifth rushing TD of the season ... sixth overall TD of the season.
• Nick Tiano – Jr.-QB - 32-56 for 272 yards and a TD ... career-highs for completions and attempts.
- 18-32 for 183 yards in the second half ... ran 11 times for 68 yards … lost 36 on sacks to finish with a total of 28 rushing yards.
• Wil Young – Sr.-WR - Career highs and game highs with 13 catches for 108 yards.