SCHEDULE | TICKETS

CHATTANOOGA---The 2023 football season is fast approaching. The Chattanooga Mocs kick it off on Sept. 2, at North Alabama. Get in the know with GoMocs.com's annual position-by-position preview for the campaign.
 
The is the eighth of nine positional installments with a bonus 10th we snuck in at the Southern Conference Media Day festivities. Each Tuesday and Thursday through August 24 provides an in-depth look at a position group.
 
We've weaved our way through the roster to the special teams area. That's six areas in a way with PAT and field goal units along with kickoff coverage and return groups and two more with punt coverage and returns.
 
The kicking units are almost all new from the boot side of things. Both are expected to be manned by transfers.
 
Placekicker Jude Kelley made his way north from Georgia Tech. He was part of a mix of kickers in his three years with the Yellow Jackets playing 15 games. He made a game-winning 32 yarder to topple Florida State in his collegiate debut in 2020.
 
Punter/kickoff specialist Clayton Crile is a grad transfer with one year of eligibility compared to Jude's two. Crile was an All-America in 2021 at DII Catawba. The duo looks to make a major impact on all three phases of the kicking game.
 
One familiar face returns. Long snapper Cody Olszewski continues his long tenure. He's joined by Jake Hall, Grant Reid and Brody Gann as the only position on the squad unchanged from 2022. Jon Estes is back after a redshirt year at kicker, while new freshmen at punter include Signal Mountain's Pete Sesterhenn and Dane Holley.
 
Kick returners are all back for the most part with the primary guys from 2022 coming from the wide receiver unit. Sam Phillips and Javin Whatley got the lion's share of kick return chances, while Jamoi Mayes served as the regular punt returner. There is plenty of competition for those opportunities on this roster.
 
The room breakdown…
 
Starters Returning (1): LS Cody Olszewski
 
Starters Lost (2): P Gabe Boring, PK Aaron Sears
 
Other Letter Winners Returning (1): Jake Hall
 
Newcomers (2): P/K Clayton Crile (Sr.-Catawba), PK Jon Estes (RS Fr.), P Dane Holley (Fr.), PK Jude Kelley (Jr.-Georgia Tech), P Pete Sesterhenn (Fr.)
 
Descriptive Word
Reliability: Ask any coach what they want from their special teams units and that's the word you'll likely hear. Oh, there will be some who will be cute and say dynamic or game-changers or some other PR fluff to make your eyes roll, but reliability is what they want. Crisp, sure snaps. Consistent catches and approaches. Sure hands. At the end of the day, the less drama…the better.
 
Class Breakdown
Seniors (3): Clayton Crile, Jake Hall, Cody Olszewski
Juniors (1): Jude Kelley
Sophomores (1): Grant Reid
Freshmen (4): Jon Estes (RS), Brody Gann (RS), Dane Holley, Pete Sesterhenn
 
Notes to Know…

• DYK…the first college play of Ailym Ford's illustrious career as a Mocs running back actually came on kick coverage in the 2019 home opener against Eastern Illinois.
• Olszewski has played every game of the Rusty Wright era. That's 39 in all with 12 in 2019, 11 each in 2021 and 2022 sandwiching the 5-game slate in 2020-21. He's 13 short of the school record of 52 set by former All-Americans Nakevion Leslie '16 and Corey Levin '16 from 2013-16 each. "Cody O" needs a playoff run to match or exceed them.
• Kelley went 5-5 on onside kick attempts in his Tech career. That included a pair – one with 1:16 remaining in the game and one with 20 seconds to go – that helped GT nearly erase a 21-point deficit in the final four minutes of a 48-40 defeat at Virginia in 2021.
• Crile was a 2-time All-South Atlantic Conference punter and 1-time All-SAC placekicker in his Catawba career. He hit a school record 53-yard field goal in 2022 and led NCAA DII in punting in 2021 with a 47.6-yard average.
• Hall gets a trip home in the regular season finale at Alabama. He transferred from the Crimson Tide prior to the 2022 season.

 
GoMocs.com Position-by-Position
July 25 – Offensive Line
July 27 – SoCon Media Day
August 1 – Defensive Line
August 3 – Defensive Backs
August 8 – Quarterbacks
August 10 – Wide Receivers
August 15 – Linebackers
August 17 – Tight Ends
August 22 – Special Teams
August 24 – Running Backs
 
Watch Lists
Walter Payton Award: Running Back Ailym Ford
Buck Buchanan Award: Kam Brown, Jay Person
Shrine Bowl 1000: Edge Jay Person and Offensive Lineman Griffin McDowell
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team: Defensive Back Reuben Lowery III
 
Preseason All-America Teams
Athlon – Jay Person
Bluebloods – Jay Person, Kam Brown
HERO Sports – Kam Brown
Phil Steele – Jay Person, Kam Brown (3rd), Ailym Ford (3rd)
Stats Perform – Jay Person, Kam Brown (2nd), Ailym Ford (2nd)
 
Season Tickets On Sale
The Mocs 2023 schedule is linked above. Five homes games are included with visits from Kennesaw State, The Citadel, Western Carolina, ETSU and Furman. Season tickets start at just $60 for general admission. Click the link above, go to the Go Mocs app or call (423) 266-MOCS (6627) to purchase.
 
Everything Is Cashless Now On Gamedays
No cash will change hands at Mocs athletics venues in 2023-24. That includes tickets, concessions, merchandising and even parking. Be prepared to pay by credit card when coming to enjoy the hard-working efforts of our student-athletes and coaches.
 
Concession Additions
Finley Stadium has added some new wrinkles along with old standbys in providing premier service to its visitors. One is the Fort Finley Grab+Go Market with snacks and beverages. The lineup just inside the St. Elmo Gates also includes Windy City Eatz, Chestnut Bakes, The Kettlecorn Man, Miller's Original Lemonade, The Max Grilleworks and Reggie's BBQ & Nachos. Go here for more information.
 
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