GAME NOTES | TUESDAY PRESSER | GAME WEEK PRIMER | TICKETS
 
CHATTANOOGA--- The Chattanooga Mocs and Mercer Bears meet with everything on the line Saturday. It's the biggest game of the early Southern Conference schedule with the 11th-ranked Bears (4-0) holding a half-game lead over the Mocs and Samford at 3-0 in league play.
 
It's the first highly rated matchup of this kind since the narrow 41-36 loss as the No. 9 team in the country at No. 1 Sam Houston in the 2016 FCS Playoffs. It's Finley's highest ranked duo since the No. 6 Mocs and No. 7 Jacksonville State Gamecocks went down to the wire in the 2015 season opener.
 
It's a battle of two teams that play strong defense, run the ball well and do a good job of not turning the ball over. The latter part of that equation could be the difference maker.
 
Saturday's broadcast is on ESPN+ and the Mocs Sports Network. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.
   
 
TICKETS
Home tickets can be purchased at the link above or by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627). Single-game sales start at $15.
 
PROMOTIONS

• "White Out" with all fans encouraged to don as much white clothing as possible.
• Academic Day celebrating continued success in the classroom honoring the lengthy list of 3.0 or better student-athletes.
• Hall of Fame Weekend with six new members honored at the game. Read more about the group here with five different sports represented: cross country/track & field, men's golf, softball, women's tennis and wrestling.

 
COACHES      
Chattanooga: Rusty Wright (Chattanooga '96) | UTC: 20-14 (4th) | Career: Same | vs. MU: 1-2
Mercer: Drew Cronic (Georgia '97) | MU: 18-10 (3rd) | Career: 65-16 (7th) | vs. UTC: 2-0 
 
SERIES           
Game: 33rd | Record: 20-11-1 | H: 16-4-1 | A: 4-7 | SoCon: 3-5 | Last 5: 1-4 | Streak: -2   
 
LAST MEETING          
10-6 loss last November in Macon

• "163 yards allowed...4th straight game & fifth overall with 200 or fewer total yards (90 at UNA/200 at Samford/157 vs Furman/136 at Wofford)...only time in the modern era to do it four straight games...2.7 yards per play for the Bears.
• Ty Boeck's 85-yard interception ties for the fourth longest in school history with D.J. Key (Western Carolina-Oct. 15, 2011)…longest return WITHOUT scoring…collected seven tackles.
• There were six total turnovers between the two teams but zero points off TOs for the game.

 
MEDIA
TV – ESPN+: Chris Goforth (PxP), Scott McMahen (Analysis) & Dave Keylon (Sideline)
 
Radio – Mocs Sports Network: 96.1 FM, 100.3 FM & 1070 AM – Jim Reynolds (PxP), Todd Agne (Analysis) & Will Poindexter (Sideline). Also available online at GoMocs.com.
 
Listen Live – Radio broadcast is available for free online at GoMocs.com & on the Varsity Network App
 
QUOTABLE
OL Reid Williams on the battle upfront:
"They're gonna be physical. We've got to be too. We're just gonna have to come off the ball and play how we play. We compete every day against a strong defensive front, so we know what's ahead."
 
Edge Jay Person on hosting a game like this in Finley Stadium:
"It's what you play college football for, right? This is definitely one that a lot of people are ready to see with two top teams (in the standings). We need to go out and play fast and physical on both sides of the line of scrimmage."
 
3 NOTES TO KNOW

• The Mocs have out-scored opponents 55-3 in the fourth quarter. Mercer has a 63-7 advantage in the final period.
• Zero turnovers against VMI. Last back-to-back games with no turnovers? Western Kentucky and Wofford in Oct. 2020 and Feb. 2021. Tough test, Mercer leads the nation in takeaways (18).
• A win clinches a .500 or better season for the 71st time in school history and fourth in Rusty Wright's four seasons. Happened nine times in 21 campaigns prior to 2019.

 
2022 WEEKLY HONORS
Week 1
Reuben Lowery III, SoCon Defensive Player of the Week
Reuben Lowery III, TSWA Tennessee Defensive Player of the Week
Ailym Ford, TSWA Tennessee Offensive Player of the Week
 
Week 2
Preston Hutchinson, SoCon Offensive Player of the Week
Preston Hutchinson, TSWA Tennessee Offensive Player of the Week
 
Week 3
Preston Hutchinson, SoCon Offensive Player of the Week
Preston Hutchinson, TSWA Tennessee Offensive Player of the Week
Ty Boeck, TSWA Tennessee Defensive Player of the Week
 
Week 5
Ailym Ford, TSWA Tennessee Offensive Player of the Week
Reuben Lowery III, SoCon September Defensive Player of the Month
Jay Person, TSWA Tennessee Defensive Player of the Week
 
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