Chattanooga Football Game Notes
No. 24/20 Chattanooga Mocs (4-0, 2-0 SoCon) at ETSU Buccaneers (3-1, 2-0 SoCon)
Greene Stadium (7,694) – Johnson City, Tenn.
Saturday – September 29, 2018 – 7:30 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+ – David Jackson (pxp), Mark Hutsell (analyst), Kasey Marler (sideline)
Online: Live audio, ESPN+ & live stats links on GoMocs.com

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team is back on the road in Southern Conference action this week.  The Mocs travel to in-state rival ETSU on Saturday, Sept. 29.  Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. (E.D.T.) at Greene Stadium in Johnson City, Tenn. 
 
Chattanooga is off to a 4-0 start for the second time in the last three seasons, and just the sixth time in school history.  The Mocs are also back in the top 25 for the first time this season, checking in at No. 24 in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the STATS FCS Top 25.
 
UTC is coming off an impressive 27-20 win over No. 17 Samford.  Chattanooga held the Bulldogs high-powered offense to just two touchdowns, while forcing four turnovers.
 
ETSU is also off to a strong start under first-year head coach Randy Sanders.  The Buccaneers are 3-1 overall and tied with the Mocs and Wofford atop the SoCon standings at 2-0 in league play.  They scored a 29-27 comeback win over Furman last weekend.  ETSU's only loss is at Tennessee on Sept. 8, with wins over Mars Hill (28-7) and VMI (27-24) also on the resume.    
 
The series between ETSU and Chattanooga takes on a new tradition this weekend, as the "Rail Rivalry" is introduced.  Because both universities and the cities in which they are located share a proud history within the railroad industry, the new rail trophy stands as a symbol of that heritage.
 
The Mocs have put up some impressive passing numbers this season, averaging 288 yards per game.  That is good for third in the SoCon and No. 20 in the FCS.  ETSU has been strong against the run, only allowing a SoCon-low 81.3 yards per game, which is 12th in the FCS.
 
Both defenses have total numbers in the FCS top 25.  ETSU is 23rd in the nation in total defense, allowing just 314.3 yards per game.  The Mocs are No. 25 in the FCS in scoring defense, giving up just 20.5 points per contest. 
 
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 David Jackson (pxp), Mark Hutsell (analyst) and Kasey Marler (sideline) 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.
 
NOTES ON THE POTENTIAL OF A 5-0 START
The Mocs last started a season 5-0 in 2016, but it has not been a normal occurrence at UTC.  In fact, it has only happed three times in school history.  Traditionally, the Mocs played an FBS opponent early in most season, which made a long winning streak to open the season a tough task.  Below is a look at the Mocs previous 5-0 starts.
2016 - 6-0 start - 9-4 finish - 6-2 SoCon - FCS Playoffs
1979 - 5-0 start - 9-2 finish - 5-1 SoCon - SoCon Champions
1968 - 7-0 start - 9-1 finish - No. 3 final national ranking
 
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING
Each of ETSU's last two wins have been fourth-quarter comebacks.  The Bucs are outscoring their opponents 37-14 in the fourth quarter on the year.  Conversly, the Mocs have been outscored 24-10 in the fourth quarter this season.  UTC's only fourth quarter touchdown came against UT Martin. 
 
QUICK NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOCS
General
• Tom Arth is in his second season with the Mocs ... 7-8 at UTC ... 5-5 in SoCon action ... came to UTC 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 35-13 in league play since the start of the 2012 season ... 30-10 since 2013.
• The Mocs are third in the league and No. 23 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 eighth in the SoCon and No. 91 in the nation with 8.3 per game and eighth in the league and 112th in the nation with 66.0 penalty yards per game through four contests.
• Chattanooga is 2-0 on the road this season ... equals the number of road wins from last season.
• The Mocs have won six of its last seven games dating back to last season ... only loss win in overtime to No. 8 Wofford (24-21 on 11/4/17).
• The Mocs +7 in the turnover margin ... leads the SoCon and No. 7 in the FCS
 
Offense
• Fourth in the league and 45th in the FCS in total offense (408.0) ... seventh in rushing (120.3) and third in passing (287.8) ... also 20th in the FCS in passing yards.
• Fourth in the SoCon in scoring offense (31.0 ppg).
• Leads the league and 14th in the FCS in team pass efficiency (161.42).
• Third in the SoCon and 29th in the FCS on third down (24/55 - 42.9%).
• UTC has four runs of 20+ yards in the first four 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 10 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.
• UTC's offensive line has only allowed two sacks this season and none in the last three games ... previous time with three in a row was in 2014 ... currently third in the SoCon and 10th in the FCS in sacks allowed ... last time with four in a row was 2009.     
• Mocs have scored on 10 straight trips to the red zone ... 4-4 vs. Samford, 5-5 at UT Martin & the OT trip at The Citadel ... 14-16 for the season with eight TDs.
 
Defense
• Fourth in the SoCon in total defense (398.5).
• Fourth in the SoCon in passing yards allowed (233.3) ... 28th in the FCS and second in the SoCon in pass efficiency defense (111.79).
• Sixth in the league in rushing defense (165.3).
• 25th in the FCS in scoring defense (20.5).
• Sophomore Brandon Dowdell is 2nd in the SoCon and No. 17 in the FCS with five passes defended.  
• UTC leads the SoCon and is No. 9 in the FCS in red zone defense (62.5% - 10/16) ... six red zone stops for UTC this season … Mocs only had six all of last year and just five in 2016.
• Seven INTs on the year leads the SoCon and is No. 5 in the FCS.
• Four fumble recoveries leads the SoCon and is No. 15 in the FCS.
• 11 turnovers forced leads the SoCon and is No. 6 in the FCS.
• UTC is seventh in the league and 80th in the FCS in 3rd down defense (29/67 - 41.8%) ... sixth in the league and 79th in the nation in 4th down defense (10/17 - 58.8%).
• UTC has not allowed a point in the first quarter this season.
 
Special Teams
• Victor Ulmo is on the 2018 Fred Mitchell Award Watch List ... 6-8 this season and 15-20 (75.0%) for his career.
• Sixth in the SoCon in net punting (30.3).
• Ninth in the league in punt returns (-2.0).
• Sixth in the SoCon in kickoff returns (18.0).  
 
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 163.5 yards per game. 
- Has 30 catches for 654 yards in four 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. 
- 2nd in the SoCon and 13th in the FCS in all-purpose yards (163.5).
- 2nd/9th in receiving TDs (4).
- 2nd/6th in receptions/game (7.5).
- 1st/22nd in yards/catch (21.8).
- 429 yards in first two games are most in consecutive games in school history.
- Fourth in school history with multiple 75-yard TD catches in one season ... no one has three. 
- STATS FCS National Offensive Player 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. 
 
MARSHALL COOPER NAMED SOCON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
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.  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. 15 in the FCS with 10.5 tackles per game.  He is also in the top 10 in the league with three passes defended.
 
Cooper was named SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt in last year's 10-3 win over ETSU in the season finale.
 
TURNOVER TURNAROUND
Through four games, the Mocs are +7 in turnover margin.  That leads the SoCon and is No. 7 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 leads the SoCon (17th in the FCS) with four fumbles recovered.  The Mocs also lead the league (5th in the FCS) with seven interceptions.  UTC has only thrown two picks of their own and lost just two fumbles.  Chattanooga leads the SoCon and is No. 6 in the FCS in total takeaways with 11.   
 
TIANO also putting up impressive numbers
Junior QB Nick Tiano is eighth in the FCS and second in the SoCon in total offense (319.0) through four games.  He leads the SoCon and is No. 15 in the FCS in pass efficiency (161.4) and is second in the league and No. 11 in the FCS in passing yards (287.8).  Other SoCon/FCS rankings include 2nd/12th with eight passing TDs and 1st/11th in yards/completion (15.8). 
 
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 third in the SoCon with 83.0 rushing yards per game ... He leads the SoCon and is ninth in the FCS with five rushing TDs.  He also leads the league in scoring (9.0 - 25th in FCS) and total TDs (6 - 8th 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 second on the team in receiving with 15 catches for 160 yards. 
 
NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE ETSU SERIES
• This is the 42nd meeting between these two teams in a series that dates back to 1961.
• UTC is 22-18-1 overall ... 7-10-1 on the road.
• The Mocs have won two in a row, including last year's 10-3 win in Chattanooga ... prior to this current streak, ETSU had won four of five and nine of 12 in the series.
• This is UTC's first trip to the Buccaneers new Greene Stadium in Johnson City.  The 2016 game was played at Science Hill High School. 
 
MORE ON THE RAIL RIVALRY
The rivalry is starting with the 2018 game between the Mocs and Bucs. The winner keeps the new railroad-inspired trophy each year.  The Rail is made from a former railroad tie that once connected Johnson City and Chattanooga, and was produced and constructed in tandem by ETSU's Assistant Director for Grounds/Landscaping Sean Morris and Science Hill High School instructor Brent Sluder.
 
Weighing 108 pounds – which represents the halfway point of the 216 miles that separate Johnson City and Chattanooga – and measuring five feet, seven inches in length – to represent the 57 years since the teams' first meeting in 1961 – The Rail incorporates not only the wood of the railroad tie, but steel in honor of the rails that connected the ties on the track. The Rail also includes stars in the state of Tennessee to represent Johnson City and Chattanooga. In addition, the logos of both athletic programs are present.
 
SCOUTING ETSU
• The Bucs are 3-1 overall (2-0 SoCon) after a storybook comeback last week against Furman.  Senior quarterback Austin Herink (Cleveland) came off the bench midway through the third quarter with the Buccaneers trailing 27-6, to ignite an improbable comeback that saw ETSU score 23 unanswered points to shock the Paladins, 29-27.
• ETSU has forced eight turnovers, which is second in the SoCon and No. 20 in the FCS ... 5 INTs, three FR.
• The winning score came thanks to a defensive safety courtesy of senior linebacker Dylan Weigel (Pickerington, Ohio), who tackled Furman running back Darius Morehead in the Paladins' end zone with just over two minutes left in the contest.
• At 3-1, this is the best start for ETSU since the 1999 squad began the year at 4-0.
• In just a quarter and a half of play, Herink finished 9-of-14 on the night for 202 yards and a touchdown through the air. He also added 10 yards rushing.
• Redshirt freshman tailback Quay Holmes (Powder Springs, Ga.) rushed for 102 yards and two scores on the night, as the Bucs collected 104 yards on the ground, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the fourth straight game. It's the first time the Bucs have accomplished that feat since the 2003 season.  He is this week's STATS FCS Freshman of the Week.
• Defensively, senior lineman Tremond Ferrell (Washington, Ga.) had a game and career-high 12 tackles, while Weigel finished with nine stops. Ferrell also added two sacks in the game.
• Weigel's huge play on the safety was only made possible because Furman kick returner Dejuan Bell inexplicably did not make a fair catch signal on the kickoff following ETSU's game-tying score. Instead, Bell simply took a knee and downed the ball at the Paladins' 3-yard line. Two plays later, Weigel made his big stop and the Bucs led for the first and only time in the game.       
• Following the win the Bucs have caught some national attention as the Blue and Gold are now receiving votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 Poll. This marks the first time since the start of the 2016 season that the Bucs are receiving votes in the Top 25.
 
LAST TIME VS. ETSU - UTC 10 - ETSU 3 - 11/18/17 - FINLEY STADIUM
• UTC scored a 10-3 win over ETSU in the season finale for both teams at Finley Stadium … the Mocs improved to 3-8 overall and 3-5 in SoCon action.  The Bucs dropped to 4-7 and 2-6 in league play.
• First home win of the season for UTC.
• First time as a head coach Tom Arth has won the last game of the season.
• UTC held ETSU to just 116 yards of total offense … 92 passing and 24 rushing ... fewest allowed to a Division I opponent since 117 in a 21-0 road win on Sept. 26, 2015 ... fewest allowed to a SoCon opponent since 102 at Western Carolina in a 51-0 win on Nov. 1, 2014 ... fewest allowed to a SoCon opponent in Finley Stadium ... fewest total yards allowed in a game since giving up 16 to Shorter in a 66-0 win on Sept. 1, 2016 ... fewest yards rushing by an opponent since VMI had 11 in a 30-13 win on Oct. 22, 2016.
• The Mocs were scoreless in the first half for the third time this season.
• UTC's Marshall Cooper blocked a punt in the third quarter that led to the go-ahead score … Mocs blocked three punts in the last two games.
• UTC was flagged 10 times for 73 yards … third time this season with 10+ penalties.
• The Mocs won the time of possession, holding the ball for 35:27.
• Fewest points in a win for the Mocs since a 10-7 victory at Elon on Oct. 15, 2005.
• Fewest combined points in a game since a 7-3 loss at home to The Citadel on Nov. 8, 1997.
• Fewest combined yards of offense (ETSU 116 – UTC 238 = 354) in Finley Stadium history.
• Win No. 31 for the senior class … tied with 1981 and 1982 for fourth-most at UTC.
• Richardre Bagley – Sr.-RB - Team-high four catches for 25 yards ... 90 career receptions ties Darryle Streeter (1984-88) for the most by a RB at UTC ... 733 career receiving yards is second most by a RB at UTC ... also ran 10 times for 32 yards.
• Darrell Bridges – Sr.-RB - Game-high 74 rushing yards on 20 carries ... averaged 90 yards on 20 carries last five games of the season ... one 12-yard catch.
• Cole Copeland – Fr.-QB - 20-29 for 154 yards and a TD ... 130-207 for 1,177 yards, 7 TDs and 11 INTs as a true freshman ... started the year as the No. 3 QB ... tied with Stan Nix (1987) for second-most attempts for a freshman at UTC ... tied with Brian Hampton (1995) for third-most passing TDs by a UTC freshman ... third-most passing yards by a freshman at UTC … second-most completions ... hit eight different receivers today.
• Tae Davis – Sr.-LB - Career-high four QBHs.
• Isaiah Mack – Jr.-DL - Tied a career high with three QBHs ... tied for game highs with five tackles.
• Joseph Parker – Jr.-WR - Two catches for 20 yards ... 8-yd TD catch in the third quarter was the go-ahead score ... third TD of the season.
• Alphonso Stewart – Sr.-WR - Three catches for 16 yards ... 100 career receptions.
• Victor Ulmo – Fr.-K - 1-2 on FGs today … missed from 24 yards and made from 34 yards ... 9-12 on the season.
• Dale Warren – Sr.-LB - Team-high five tackles.
 
POSTGAME NOTES VS. NO. 17 SAMFORD
• The Mocs scored a 27-20 win over No. 17 Samford on Sept. 22, 2018 … UTC improves to 4-0 and 2-0 in Southern Conference action … the Bulldogs drop to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in league play ...  Chattanooga has won six of its last seven games.
• 4-0 for the second time in the last three years … just the second time since joining the FCS/Division I-AA (1979 is the other) … just the sixth time in school history overall.
• Shut out Samford in the first quarter … first time this season the Bulldogs did not get on the board in the opening frame.
• Forced four turnovers in the game (FR & 3 INT) … improved to +7 in the turnover margin for the season … came into the game second in the SoCon and No. 18 in the FCS in turnover margin … leads the SoCon with four fumble recoveries … second in the league with seven INTs.
• Two more red zone stops … Marshall Cooper forced a fumble that was recovered by Hawk Schrider on the Samford 1-yard line in the first quarter … fourth-down stop of the last play of the game … six red zone stops for UTC this season … Mocs only had six all of last year and just five in 2016.  Chattanooga came into today's game leading the SoCon and No. 10 in the FCS in redzone defense at 60% (6/10).
• The Mocs drive that started at 5:40 in the first quarter went 13 plays for 99 yards, capped by an 18-yard pass from Nick Tiano to Tyrell Price.  It took 5:50 to complete.  Longest drive on record … there was a 13-play, 98-yard drive at Western Carolina on Nov. 3, 2012.
• Samford had only given up two sacks and five hurries coming into the game … Schrider got one sack tonight, while the Mocs posted eight hurries … Isaiah Mack led the team with three QBH.
• Tonight's attendance is 10,469 … 28th time with 10,000+ at Finley Stadium … largest crowd in the Tom Arth era … third time with 10,000+ under Arth.
• UTC has scored on 10 straight trips to the red zone. 4-4 tonight, 5-5 at UT Martin & the OT trip at The Citadel.  14-16 for the season with eight TDs.
• Samford QB Delvin Hodges was 44-64 for 437 yards, one TD and three INTs … tied a Samford record for completions … most attempts and completions ever against UTC.
• UTC offensive line did not allow a sack for the third game in a row … first time with a streak that long since 2014.
• Mocs improve to 31-10-3 against Samford … 9-2 since Samford joined the SoCon in 2008 … five in a row for Chattanooga … 7-2 in Finley Stadium.
• Chattanooga has forced 11 turnovers in the last two games against Samford.
• Mocs ran a season-high 63 plays … had a season-low 5.8 yards per play.
• Marshall Cooper – Jr.-LB - Eight tackles ... first career INT ... also force a fumble on a goal-line stand.
• D.J. Jackson – So.-DB - INT in the first quarter ... second of the season ... 6 tackles tied career-high.
• Jordan Jones – So.-DB - Career-high eight tackles ... also forced a fumble.
• Jerrell Lawson – So.-DB - Tied for game high with nine tackle ... tied career high.
• Isaiah Mack – Sr.-DL - Tied a career high with three QBHs.
• Bingo Morton – Sr.-WR - Season high three catches for 49 yards.
• Bryce Nunnelly – So.-WR - Five catches for 108 yards and a TD ... 55-yard TD catch in the first quarter.
- Seventh catch of 40+ yards this season ... Mocs only had five such plays as a TEAM last season ... 4th TD reception of the season ... first Moc with four consecutive 100-yard receiving games.
• Kareem Orr – Sr.-DB - Career-high nine tackles ... tied for game high ... third INT of the season.
• Tyrell Price – Jr.-RB - Season-high 23 carries for 45 yards ... season highs with six catches and 61 receiving yards ... 18-yard TD catch in the second quarter ... sixth TD of the season … first receiving ... came into the game leading the SoCon in totals TDs (5) and scoring (30).
• Hawk Schrider – Jr.-LB - Sack and fumble recovery ... added three stops.
• Nick Tiano – Jr.-QB - 16-35 passing for 278 yards, two TDs and no INTs ... five-yard TD run in the third quarter ... first career rushing TD ... finished with four carries for 40 yards ... two passing TDs in all four games this season.
• Victor Ulmo – So.-K - 23-yard FG in the first quarter ... 30-yarder in the fourth quarter ... 6-8 on the year ... 15-20 (75.0%) for his career.