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CHATTANOOGA---The 16th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs face No. 12 Austin Peay Saturday in Clarksville, Tenn. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m., Eastern time, on ESPN+.
 
It's the fifth playoffs appearance for the program: 1984, 2014, 2015 & 2016. It will be the first postseason matchup between the in-state schools that have met just seven times in their history.
 
It's a fantastic first round matchup for college football fans. It's one of two – No. 10 Sacramento State at No. 17 North Dakota – Top 20 matchups in the first round.
 
"Really excited for our players, coaches and fans," Wright began. "I think it's a testament to our young men and assistant coaches for sticking with it and getting through a grueling 10 straight weeks (to start the season) and giving ourselves an opportunity to be here.
 
"We have an opportunity to go play a great Austin Peay team. They're playing as well as anybody in FCS football right now and will be a huge challenge for us."
 
The playoffs are especially special for this Mocs edition. It includes 20 student-athletes that have four or more years in the program including long snapper Cody Olszewski who is the only one to play all 50 games of the Rusty Wright Era.
 
It's that dedicated core group that Wright mentioned after the announcement.
 
"It's always huge when you can put yourself in a position to be one of 24 out of 133 (FCS programs)," Wright added. "It says a lot about the people we have in the building, you know, the guys we have in this program.
 
"There were guys before them that probably deserved an opportunity as well. It's for them too. You know, but these guys stuck with it and kept playing and doing the things we've done this year. It's a big deal. It is.
 
"It's a really big deal for this program."
 
A limited number of tickets in the "Mocs Block" are expected to go on sale on Monday at Noon. Seats will be allocated based on the Mocs Club priority point system. The deadline to purchase is 3 p.m., Wednesday. For questions, please call the UTC Ticket Office at 423-266-MOCS (6627). 
 
PLAYOFF HISTORY
Record: 3-4 | Years Seeded: 2014 (8)
 
Year-by-Year Results
Date: Round | (Opp Rank) Opponent (UTC Rank) | Result
11/24/1984: 1st | (10) @Arkansas State (17) | L, 10-37
12/6/2014: 2nd | (21) Indiana State (8) | W, 35-14
12/11/2014: Quarters | (1) @New Hampshire (8) | L, 30-35
11/28/2015: 1st | (14) Fordham (7) | W, 50-20
12/5/2015: 2nd | (1) @Jacksonville State (7) | L, 35-41 (ot)
11/26/2016: 1st | (23) Weber State (9) | W, 45-14
12/3/2016: 2nd | (1) @Sam Houston (9) | L, 36-41
 
Week 13: #16 Chattanooga (7-4) at #12 Austin Peay (9-2)
Game Time: 3 p.m. (ET) | Location: Fortera Stadium; Clarksville, Tenn.
Series: 6-1 (History) | Media: ESPN+ | Mocs Sports Network | Live Stats
Game Notes (when available): UTC Media Center 
 
Notes to Know…

• The Mocs are 6-1 all-time against the Govs, 2-0 in Clarksville.
• The winner travels to Furman, the 7th overall seed.
• First Head Coaching appearance in the FCS Playoffs for Rusty Wright. He was an assistant for six of the previous seven playoff games. He joins Buddy Nix (1984) and Russ Huesman (2014, 2015, 2016) as the Mocs ball coaches to carry a team to the playoffs.
• The Mocs are 2-1 all-time in first round playoff games, 0-1 on the road (1984).
• A win marks the 10th time the Mocs would play a December game: 1904, 1905, 1926, 1928, 1931, 2014 (2), 2015 & 2016. Just four of the prior games (2014, 2015, 2016) were in postseason play.
• Reserve wide receiver and special teams contributor Brody Swafford and offensive linemen JD Broussard started their careers at Austin Peay.
• Retired NFL receiver C.J. Board is a Clarksville native who played 2013-16 at Chattanooga contributing in the last six playoff games. Board is the UTC playoff leader in receptions (18) and yards (380) owning the longest playoff reception of 57 yards at Sam Houston State in 2016.

 
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