TICKETS

CHATTANOOGA---The 13th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs (7-2/6-1) and No. 2 Furman Paladins (7-1/5-0) square off in a Southern Conference Championship game Saturday at Finley Stadium. The winner clinches at least a share of the league title and the automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs.
 
According to running back Gino Appleberry, it's why you come to Chattanooga.
 
"When you come to a program like Chattanooga, you don't want to be average," Appleberry shared. "You want to be the best. You want to leave a legacy. When I was recruited, I heard about the 2015 and 2016 teams, arguably the best that played here.
 
"My philosophy is I want to leave a place better than I found it."
 
It's a clear-cut scenario for both squads. As Appleberry and defensive end Ben Brewton both shared in Tuesday's press conference…it's what's you play for.
 
The long wait is over is almost over. Week 10 (8 in the SoCon) is finally here with the bye week looming and the 10th one is kind of a biggie. Kickoff Saturday is at 1:30 p.m., on ESPN+. It's also available on Mocs Sports Network (radio).
 
There's a lot going on at Finley Stadium. Senior Day, Band Day, ticket deals and most importantly, Military Appreciation & Salute to Heroes Day. All active and veteran military personnel receive a free general admission ticket to the game. That goes for first responders too.
 
Week 10: #13 Chattanooga (7-2/6-1) vs. #2 Furman (7-1/6-0)
Game Time: 1:30 p.m. | Location: Finley Stadium; Chattanooga, Tenn. (Tickets)
Series: 21-31 (History) | Media: ESPN+ | Mocs Sports Network | Live Stats
Game Notes: UTC Media Center
 
ICYMI
Weekly Stories: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
 
Coaches
Chattanooga: Rusty Wright (Chattanooga '96) | UTC: 29-19 (5th) | Career: Same | vs. Furman: 2-2
Furman: Clay Hendrix (Furman '85) | Furman: 48-27 (7th) | Career: Same | vs. UTC: 4-2
 
Series
Game: 53rd | Record: 21-31 | H: 9-18 | A: 12-13 | SoCon: 16-30 | Last 5: 2-3 | Streak: -1
 
vs. Furman
- 53rd meeting ranks second on the all-time opponent list (57-The Citadel).
- First matchup was an exhilarating 15-0 triumph in Greenville on Oct. 6, 1928. Mocs won nine of the first 12 & was 10-4 through 1984. Went 3-22 from 1985-2009 & 8-5 since.
- Furman won the last meeting 24-20 on October 29, 2022.
- Highest ranked opponent since No. 2 James Madison on Sept. 21, 2019, a 37-14 loss at home.
- Second time playing on Nov. 4. Last? 1989, a 27-17 loss in Greenville.
 
Notes to Know…

• A win over Furman would make Rusty Wright the fastest to 30 coaching wins: Wright (49), Huesman (53/30-23), Morrison (57/30-24-3) & Moore (60/30-22-8).
• Offense is averaging a robust 6.17 yards per play. Record is 6.22 in 2000.
• Last Top 10 win? No. 10 ETSU, 21-16, 10/16/2021. Last Top 5 win? No. 1 Marshall, 33-31, 10/2/1993 in Rusty Wright's sophomore year recording one catch for 27 yards.
• Best Red Zone teams in the country with defense ranked 4th (65.0%) & offense 5th (92.5%). Only team to rank in the top 12 in both categories in the FCS. Only one in the top 10 in both in all of DI.
• Last two games: RBs Gino Appleberry (41-184, 3 TD) | Reggie Davis (22-133, 1 TD) | Combined (63-317, 4 TD).
• Defense leads the SoCon in sacks (27). D-line combines for 22. DE Ben Brewton (7.0) is the SoCon leader in sacks ahead of edge Jay Person (2nd, 5.5).

 
Top 15 Matchups in Chattanooga
Oct. 17, 1958: No. 3 UTC 18, No. 11 Middle Tennessee 6
Nov. 27, 1958: No. 1 Southern Miss 20, No. 7 UTC 13
Oct. 15, 1966: No. 9 UTC 5, No. 3 Middle Tennessee 0
Sept. 6, 2014: No. 8 Jacksonville State 26, No. 13 UTC 23 (OT)
Sept. 5, 2015: No. 7 Jacksonville State 23, No. 8 UTC 20
Oct. 22, 2022: No. 10 UTC 41, No. 11 Mercer 21
Nov. 12, 2022: No. 9 Samford 35, No. 11 UTC 24
 
What We're Hearing
"They're a good football team in all three phases of the game. The QB is a good football player. The running back is a really good football player. They're really strong up front on both sides of the ball. It's just a good football team, and we'll have our hands full Saturday." - Coach Rusty Wright on Furman
 
"It's tough to do. This is actually the first time I realized it. You work so hard to focus on things one game at a time." Coach Rusty Wright on the 1st 4-0 SoCon road record in school history
 
"They have a will to execute. Every play." - DE Ben Brewton on the challenge of facing the Furman offense
 
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