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CHATTANOOGA---The 2022 football season is fast approaching for the 12th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs. Kickoff is just nine days away at the time of this publication. Tickets are available at the link above with more information later to see the preseason Southern Conference favorites.
 
The sixth post in a position-by-position preview is here for the upcoming campaign.
 
Vol. 1: Defensive Line
Vol. 2: Offensive Line
Vol. 3: Linebackers
Vol. 4: Quarterbacks
Vol. 5: Secondary
 
No. 6 in this journey around the Mocs field is on a primary position for the squad. The running backs carry a big load…pardon the pun.
 
Any discussion has to start with junior Ailym Ford. The 3-year starter has more than 2,000 career rushing yards with back-to-back 1,000-yard full campaigns. While the spotlight is on him, he's not alone in that room.
 
Junior Gino Appleberry and sophomore Lance Jackson return. Appleberry has valuable game experience as an understudy to Ford and the graduate Tyrell Price. He has a demonstrated ability to affect the game from the backfield and return game. Jackson ran for 135 yards in his lone career start in spring 2021 against Mercer. The duo is battling to hold off talented newcomers.
 
Charlotte transfer Chris Houston is speedy threat out of the backfield. He was utilized as a receiver and returner for the 49ers, however, he was a run/pass threat as a running back in the Virginia high school ranks. Freshman Solomon Locke is a hard-running prospect coming to the Mocs from Christian Heritage High School in nearby Dalton.
 
Quick Take with Running Backs Coach Anthony Davis
"When I came in, they told me it was a pretty good group, which it is. And the main thing that stood out just the guys' will to get better. I mean, you talk about anything that's gonna make them better, the look in their eyes, the laser focus...that's on and off the field. No matter what it is they just want to get better, and they want to perform. They all got high aspirations, and they bring it every day. It's amazing to be a part of."
 
The Breakdown
Starters Returning/Lost: 1/0
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 3/1
Redshirts Returning: 0
Newcomers (Yr.): 2 – Chris Houston (So.), Solomon Locke (Fr.)
 
A View from the Other Side
Linebacker Kam Jones on what makes Ailym Ford special:
"Ailym is like a bowling ball. After you hit him, he just continues to move his feet. It's hard to wrap him, hard to get him down on the ground. The defenses on our schedule when they are getting ready to face Ailym, they have a lot of big eyes."
 
Record Watch
Ford got his UTC career off to a phenomenal start. He's on the cusp of several special numbers in program history. Kind of what happens when you start virtually every game since walking on campus as a true freshman in 2019.
 
Ford needs…

• 5 100-yard games for school career record (15- Gwain Durden/Mike Smith/Jacob Huesman)
• 8 100-yard games for season mark (7-Tyrone Coleman/Eldra Buckley)
• 1,000 yards to become first Mocs runner with three or more 1k seasons.
• 1,252 yards for the single-season rushing record (Derrick Craine-1,251, 2015)
• 1,465 yards for most yards by a running back in the program (Gwain Durden-3,686, 1977-80)
• 1,808 yards for most rushing yards in a career (Jacob Huesman-4,051, 2012-15)
• 12 rushing touchdowns for most by a running back (Derrick Craine-31, 2013-16)
• 19 rushing touchdowns for most in a season (Gene Roberts-18, 1946)
• 24 rushing touchdowns for most in a career (Jacob Huesman-43, 2012-15)

 
The Final Word with Offensive Coordinator Joe Pizzo
"Everything in our offense starts with the running game. I said it starts up front, but the running backs we've got are phenomenal guys. They have been ever since I came to Chattanooga. I mean, they run hard...they practice hard...they do everything hard, and they're tough kids. I love the room, probably my favorite group players on the team to be honest with you."
 
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