Chattanooga Football Game Notes
Chattanooga Mocs (1-0, 0-0 SoCon) at The Citadel Bulldogs (0-1, 0-1 SoCon)
Johnson Hagood Stadium (11,332) – Charleston, S.C.
Saturday – September 8, 2018 – 6:00 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+ – Kevin Fitzgerald (pxp), Dom Allen (analyst)
Online: Live audio, ESPN+ & live stats links on GoMocs.com
 
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team hits the road this weekend for its Southern Conference opener at The Citadel.  Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston, S.C.
 
The Mocs bring a 1-0 mark while the Bulldogs fell to Wofford in the season opener last weekend.  UTC was picked to finish fifth by the league's coaches in the SoCon and The Citadel was seventh in the preseason coaches poll.
 
The Mocs are currently second in the league in scoring after putting up 34 points against Tennessee Tech.  Chattanooga's 455 yards of total offense is fourth in the league.
 
The Citadel's schedule is unusual with two conference opponents in the first two weeks of the season.  The Bulldogs' first matchup was a battle of two triple-option teams that saw Wofford score a 28-21 win.  The Terriers posted 340 rushing yards, but had to hold off a late charge to come away with the victory. 
 
MOCS SPORTS NETWORK
The Mocs Sports Network broadcasts the game on the radio 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 iHeart Radio app by searching for Real 96.1 FM on their mobile device.
 
ESPN+
Host schools in the Southern Conference produce all games for the ESPN family of networks.  This week's contest is carried by ESPN+ and includes Kevin Fitzgerald (pxp) and Dom Allen (analyst) on the call.  Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.  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.
 
NUNNELLY NAMED SOCON PLAYER OF THE WEEK
UTC sophomore Bryce Nunnelly is the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week.  He caught seven passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in the Mocs' season-opening, 34-10 win over Tennessee Tech on Thursday.  He averaged 23 yards per reception in UTC's first season-opening win over an FCS opponent since 2006.  His 89-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter put Chattanooga ahead to stay after the Golden Eagles had taken their only lead of the game, 7-6. Nunnelly's 89-yard scored tied for the fifth-longest in school history and was the Mocs' longest since a school-record 94-yard reception by Stepfon Hawkins in 1997.
 
QUICK NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE MOCS
General
• Tom Arth is in his second season with the Mocs ... 4-8 at UTC ... 3-5 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.
• 58-56 all-time at Finley Stadium ... 39-43 in SoCon home games.
• 33-13 in league play since the start of the 2012 season ... 28-10 since 2013.
• The Mocs were 2-2 in SoCon road play last season, including wins at VMI (63-7) and No. 8 Samford (23-21) ... UTC nearly pulled off an upset at No. 8 Wofford, losing in overtime 24-21. 
• The Mocs are second in the league in home attendance with 9,020 coming out for the Tennessee Tech game. 
 
Offense
• Fourth in the league and 24th in the FCS in total offense (455.0) ... sixth in rushing (137.0) and second in passing (318.0) ... also 12th in the FCS in passing.   
• Second in the SoCon in scoring offense (34.0 ppg).
• Third in the league and 16th in the FCS in team pass efficiency (163.0).
• Third in the SoCon and 16th in the FCS on third down (8/17 - 47.1%).
• Four starting offensive linemen return in juniors Malcolm While, Taylor Helton and Brian Marshall, along with Cole Strange, who was a Freshman All-American last season.
• UTC had two runs of 20+ yards against Tennessee Tech ... 40 (TD) yards by Tyrell Price and 24 yards by Nick Tiano ... only had three such runs of 20+ yards all of last year. 
• Mocs had four passing plays of 30+ yards against Tennessee Tech ... 89 yards (TD) by Bryce Nunnelly ... 63 yards (TD) by Wil Young ... 42 yards by Bryce Nunnelly ... 30 yards by Tyrell Price ... only had five all of last year. 
• Sophomore Bryce Nunnelly is currently third in the SoCon and 20th in the NCAA with 161 all-purpose yards ... leads the SoCon and is No. 5 in the nation with 161 receiving yards.
• Junior QB Nick Tiano is eighth in the FCS and second in the SoCon in total offense (351.0) ... 10th in the FCS and second in the SoCon in passing yards (318.0) ... 11th in the FCS and second in the SoCon in pass efficiency (163.5) ... 20th in the FCS and third in the SoCon in completions (21) ... 28th in the FCS and second in the SoCon in completion % (65.6). 
• Senior Wil Young is sixth in the FCS and leads the SoCon with 36.5 yards per catch. 
 
Defense
• Led the SoCon and No. 25 in the FCS in total defense (326.4) in 2017 ... led the SoCon and No. 12 in the FCS in passing yards allowed (163.2) last season.
• Returning on the defensive side of the ball are All-SoCon defensive linemen Isaiah Mack and Derek Mahaffey.  Starting linebackers Khayyan Edwards, Tavon Lawson and Hawk Schrider also return, along with Michael Bean who made two starts last year.  In the secondary, UTC returns starters Jerrell Lawson, who made the SoCon All-Freshman team, Kareem Orr and C.J. Fritz.
• Currently fourth in the SoCon in total defense (328.0).
• Third in the league in rushing defense (151.0).
• Fourth in the SoCon in passing yards allowed (177.0) ... 10th in the FCS and third in the SoCon in pass efficiency defense (71.5).
• 18th in the FCS in scoring defense (10.0).
• Senior DL Derek Mahaffey is No. 13 in the FCS in solo tackles (8.0). 
 
Special Teams
• Victor Ulmo is on the 2018 Fred Mitchell Award Watch List ... 2-2 this season and 11-14 for his career ... (78.6%) would be the school record if he had the 22 attempts needed to qualify.   
• Fourth in the SoCon in net punting (37.4).
 
NOTES TO KNOW ABOUT THE CITADEL SERIES
• This is the 52nd meeting in the series.
• The Mocs have faced The Citadel more than any other opponent.
• UTC holds a 30-19-2 advantage in the rivalry that dates back to 1926.
• The Mocs have won six of nine in the series.
• The Citadel has won the last two meetings.
• UTC holds a slight 6-4 advantage in the last 10 meetings.
• Chattanooga is 12-12-1 on the road in the series.
 
SCOUTING THE CITADEL
• The Bulldogs erased a 21-point deficit and had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds before falling, 28-21, at No. 10 Wofford last weekend.
• Wofford had a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter, but the Bulldogs got on the board late in the first half after Noah Dawkins picked off a pass in Terrier territory. The Citadel capitalized on the turnover with a nine-yard touchdown run from Lorenzo Ward.
• Dawkins, the reigning SoCon Defensive Player of the Week, made his second big play on the opening possession of the second half as he picked off the second pass and returned it 47-yards for a touchdown to bring the Bulldogs within seven ... two INTs by a Bulldogs for the first time since Aron Spann, III picked off two passes against Chattanooga in 2017.
• The Bulldog defense forced a WC punt that hit a Terrier player and was recovered by Keyonte Sessions.  The Citadel tied the game on a 4th-and-goal play as Rod Johnson took the pitch and went around left end for the one-yard score.
• The Terriers regained the lead midway through the fourth quarter when Blake Morgan capped a14-play drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
• The Citadel had one final chance to tie the game as they got the ball on their own 30-yard line with 4:40 left to play.  After picking up a first down, the Bulldogs faced a4th-and-6 from their own 47. Jordan Black dropped back and hit Grant Drakeford over the middle for a 23-yard completion.
• Rod Johnson followed with a 14-yard gain before The Citadel was faced with another fourth-down attempt. This time, Ward went up the middle for two yards to pick up the first down.
• That set up the Bulldogs at the five yard line with under 30 seconds left to play. With no timeouts, The Citadel went to the air and nearly converted on three pass attempts before their fourth down play fell to the ground as time expired.
• Lorenzo Ward ran for 124 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. It marked the first 100-yard rushing performance of his career.
• Freshman Matthew Campbell averaged 43.8 yards on eight punts. He kicked a long of 53 yards and had two punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
• Aaron Brawley led the defense with seven tackles.
 
VS. THE TRIPLE-OPTION
UTC has an 11-12 record against triple-option teams since 2009.  The Mocs are 6-3 against The Citadel, 4-5 against Wofford, 1-3 against Georgia Southern and 0-1 against Furman's new offense.
 
CITADEL-UTC RIVALRY IS A HOT ONE
This is turning into one of the more heated rivalries in the league over the last few meetings. UTC has won six of nine since 2009, but six of the last seven encounters have been battles.
 
Last year, UTC carried a 14-7 lead into the locker room, only to see that fade into a 21-14 loss.  The Mocs gave up three INTs and 405 yards of rushing offense. 
 
The 2016 meeting in Charleston saw the Mocs only give up two touchdowns in a 22-14 loss to the eighth-ranked Bulldogs.  UTC was held to just 295 yards of total offense (240 pass, 55 rush) on just 47 plays in that outing.  Chattanooga allowed a season-high 342 rushing yards to the triple-option Bulldogs.
 
In 2015, UTC ran out to a 21-0 halftime lead before a 31-23 victory gave the Mocs a share of the SoCon title.  Chattanooga posted a fourth quarter comeback in the 2013 meeting, scoring with just over two minutes remaining for a 28-24 win on Oct. 26. The Mocs had to overcome a 17-7 halftime deficit in that victory. 
 
In 2012, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 11 in the nation when they hosted the 1-3 Mocs. The Citadel had just posted wins over No. 3 Georgia Southern and No. 7 Appalachian State, before losing an FBS game at N.C. State. The Mocs went into Johnson Hagood Stadium and put on a dominating performance in a 28-10 victory for one of the biggest road wins in school history.
 
The 2011 game was the other side of the coin for UTC fans. The 15th-ranked Mocs took a 27-0 lead into halftime. The Citadel stormed back with 28 unanswered points in the second half to post a 28-27 win.
 
UTC captured a three-point squeaker (31-28) in 2009.  The Citadel's Andre Roberts, currently with the Atlanta Falcons, scored on a rain-soaked 43-yard punt return with 1:46 left to play to give the Bulldogs a 24-21 win in 2008.
 
LAST TIME VS. THE CITADEL - THE CITADEL 20 - UTC 14 - 10/21/17 - FINLEY STADIUM
• Chattanooga dropped a 20-14 game to The Citadel at Finley Stadium in the last meeting ... second-straight loss in the series.   
• Darrell Bridges' 61-yard TD run in the first quarter is the longest rush of the season for the Mocs … first TD scored in the first quarter for the Mocs since the VMI game.
• UTC posted 143 rushing yards, second only to the 148 in the VMI game on Sept. 23 … The Citadel came into the game leading the SoCon in rushing defense (108.3).  
• UTC allowed 405 rushing yards in the game … last time UTC allowed 400+ rushing yards was 542 against Georgia Southern in a 49-10 loss on Sept. 25, 1999.
• UTC led 14-7 at the half … only the second time this season (VMI) the Mocs had a lead at the break.
• The Mocs turned the ball over on three INTS … UTC is -13 in the turnover margin and has now gone four games in a row without forcing one.
• UTC only allowed one sack in the game, the fewest since VMI on Sept. 23.
• Eight different Mocs caught a pass in the game.
• Darrell Bridges – Sr.-RB - Season-high and game-high 149 yards and two TDs on 18 carries ... Mocs rushing yards by a Moc this season ... 61-yard TD run in the first quarter is the longest rush of the season for the Mocs ... 6 rushing TDs on the season ... only Moc to carry the ball … Copeland was sacked once for -6 yards.
• Cole Copeland – Fr.-QB - 17-31 for 155 yards and three INTs ... hit eight different receivers.
• Tae Davis – Sr.-LB - Career-high 2.5 TFLs ... eight total tackles.
• Brandon Dowdell – Fr.-DB - 37-yard punt return ... longest since C.J. Board had a 72-yarder against Wester Carolina last season ... had two KOR of 50 yards ... longest since Xavier Borishade had a 53-yarder against Wofford last season. 
• D.J. Jackson – Fr.-DB - Career-high six tackles in his first career start.
• Taylor Reynolds – Sr.-DL - Career-high 12 tackles ... 1.5 TFLs.
 
POSTGAME NOTES VS. TENNESSEE TECH
• The Chattanooga Mocs improved to 1-0 for the just the third time in the last 12 years with a 34-10 win over Tennessee Tech at Finley Stadium.
• Officially, the game lasted 5:52 … there was a 2:50 weather delay … game was resumed at 12:35 a.m. with 10:25 left in the fourth quarter … UTC leading 34-10 … TTU with the ball, 1st and 10 on the UTC 45.
• The Mocs put up 455 yards of total offense on 62 plays … 7.3 yards per play … most yards of total offense and passing yards in the Tom Arth era … 137 rushing (30) and 318 passing (32) … most yards since putting up 531 at No. 1 Sam Houston State on Dec. 3, 2016 … most yards in an opener since 492 against No. 3 Appalachian State on Sept. 4, 2010.  
• The Mocs win a season-opener against an FCS opponent for the first time since defeating Tennessee Tech 31-7 on Aug. 31, 2006.
• Marshall Cooper – Jr.-LB - Career-high seven tackles ... added first career sack.
• Jerrell Lawson – So.-DB - 26-yard pick six in the third quarter ... first career INT.
• Derek Mahaffey – Sr.-DL - Tied a career-high with nine tackles.
• Devonnsha Maxwell – Fr.-DL - Four tackles with a sack and TFL.
• Bryce Nunnelly – So.-WR - Seven catches for 161 yards and a TD are career-highs ... most receiving yards by a Moc since Xavier Borishade had 168 yards on three catches with three TDs against Presbyterian on Sept. 10, 2016 ... 89-yard TD catch in the second quarter ... tied for fifth longest in school history ... longest since school-record 94-yarder by Stepfon Hawkins at  Ga. Southern on Sept. 27, 1997.
• Kareem Orr – Sr.-DB - INT in the first quarter ... 2nd INT at UTC … other was in last year's season opener vs. Jacksonville State.
• Joseph Parker – Sr.-WR - Tied a career-high with six catches ... 28 receiving yards.
• Tyrell Price – Jr.-RB - Game-high 20 carries for 98 yards and a TD ... 40-yard scoring run in the third quarter ... also had five catches for 56 yards ... 128 all-purpose yards.
• Nick Tiano – Jr.-QB - 21-32 for a career-high 318 passing yards with two TDs and an INT ... most passing yards since Jacob Huesman had 335 at No. 1 New Hampshire on Dec. 12, 2014 … most in a season opener since B.J. Coleman had 340 vs. No. 3 Appalachian State on Sept. 4, 2010 ... ran six times for 47 yards … sacked twice to end with 33 yards rushing.
• Victor Ulmo – So.-K - Two FGs in the first quarter … 37 and 20 yards ... 11-14 for his career … 78.6% would be a school record with enough attempts (needs 20). 
• Wil Young – Sr.-WR - Two catches for 73 yards ... 63-yard TD catch in the third quarter … first TD of his career … career-long catch.
 
LETTERMEN/STARTERS RETURNING/LOST
UTC returns a total of 37 lettermen from the 2017 campaign.  There are 18 on the offensive side of the ball, 16 on defense and three specialists.  There are 16 starters back, including seven on offense, seven on defense, the punter and kicker.
 
Six Mocs Earn Preseason All-SoCon Honors
UTC put six on the 2018 Coaches Preseason All-SoCon Team.  The Mocs were picked to finish fifth in the league in the coaches poll and sixth by the media covering the SoCon.  Senior Isaiah Mack led the way on the first team defensive unit.  He was a second team All-SoCon choice a year ago.  Sophomore Brandon Dowdell made the first team as a return specialist.  Three Mocs made second team offense, including senior receiver Bingo Morton, junior offensive lineman Malcolm White and junior running back Tyrell Price.  Senior Kareem Orr rounds out the Mocs recognized in the preseason with his selection to the second team defense.
 
TEAM CAPTAINS
The Mocs team captains for the 2018 season are junior Nick Tiano and senior Derek Mahaffey.  UTC will also pick on representative from the special teams each week.
 
MOST LOCAL PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER SINCE 2002
The Mocs have 30 players from the Chattanooga area on the 2018 roster.  This is the most local talent since the 2002 squad had 32 players from Chattanooga and the surrounding communities. 
 
SEASON NO. 111
The Chattanooga Mocs are entering for their 111th season of college football in 2018.  The University of Chattanooga was founded in 1886 and football began play in 1904.  No teams were fielded in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I.  There was also a two-year hiatus from football action during World War II in 1943 and 1944.  The Mocs have an all-time record of 533-527-35 (.505) and have won 13 conference titles.
 
 
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".
 
ULMO NAMED TO FRED MITCHELL AWARD WATCH LIST
Sophomore place-kicker Victor Ulmo has been named to the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List.  The annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award is provided to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker among more than 750 FCS, Division II, III, NAIA and NJCAA football teams. Ulmo was a member of the Southern Conference All-Freshman team last season after hitting 9-12 field goals.  He was 22-23 on PATs and his 49 points were second all-time among UTC freshmen.  Ulmo's season was highlighted by a game-winning 39-yard field goal at No. 8 Samford that earned him SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week honors.  He also had a career-long 44-yarder at Mercer.
 
BREWER NAMED TO MORTELL HOLDER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Junior Colin Brewer earned a spot on the Peter Mortell Holder of the Year Award Watch List.  The Peter Mortell Holder of the Year Award (or HOTY) is a tongue-in-cheek, informal award given to the top holder in college football in the United States.  The Mortell HOTY Award was created in 2015 by its first recipient, Peter Mortell, a punter in his senior year at the University of Minnesota.  Each year's finalists and winner are selected by the HOTY Foundation.  For the winner, the Foundation helps raise money for a charity of his choosing.  As the inaugural recipient, Peter raised approximately $30,000 for the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital.  The comedic nature of the award has garnered national attention as each winner records an acceptance video which is shown during ESPN's College Football Awards Show.
 
Trotter Named Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee        
Senior Alex Trotter is among a select group of individuals nominated for the 2018 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.  The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team has been one of the most esteemed honors in college football for more than 25 years. The student-athletes who are nominated for this award demonstrate a unique dedication to community service and desire to make a positive impact on the lives around them.
 
Trotter is a running back from Chattanooga who has separated himself on a team that takes pride in giving back through community service.  He has was involved with Big Brothers of Greater Chattanooga and participated in the Harrison Elementary School Reading Day.  Despite surgery on this shoulder, Trotter also worked the annual Chattanooga Clean and Green, as well as the Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence Playground Build.
 
MOCS ON NFL ROSTERS
The Mocs had a school-record 10 individuals take part in rookie and team mini-camps in the offseason.  Six signed with an NFL team, including Chris Lewis-Harris ('11) and Tae Davis ('17) with the Giants, C.J. Board ('16 - Browns), Keionta Davis ('16 – Patriots), Corey Levin ('16 – Titans) and Buster Skrine ('10 – Jets).  There were four others who participated in rookie camps, including Alejandro Bennifield ('17 – Saints), Dale Warren ('17 – Bills), Lucas Webb ('17 – Bills) and Josh Cardiello ('17 – Buccaneers).  The four that are on the current 53-man roster include Tae Davis ('17) with the Giants, Keionta Davis ('16 – Patriots), Corey Levin ('16 – Titans) and Buster Skrine ('10 – Jets).