SCHEDULE | TICKETS

CHATTANOOGA---Gameday is approaching quickly for the Chattanooga Mocs. The squad opens their 2023 campaign against a North Alabama squad that got an early start last weekend in a narrow defeat to 20th-ranked Mercer.
 
It's the third straight year the Mocs and Lions square off against one another.
 
2021: 20-0 slugfest with the defense holding UNA to less than 100 yards (90) total offense.
2022: 41-14 homecoming triumph behind five TDs from Preston Hutchinson (3 pass/2 rush)
 
"You have one opportunity to start a season," Coach Rusty Wright began. "We're looking forward to it. I know these guys are excited for it. At the end of the day, I think we have an opportunity to have a good football team.
 
"We're heading to play a much-improved North Alabama team and will have to play well and execute."
 
Chattanooga (0-0) at North Alabama (0-1)
Sept. 2 | Braly Stadium; Florence, Ala. | 7 p.m. (ET)
 
MEDIA
TV: ESPN+ - Benjamin Ray (PxP) & Bryan Neece (Analysis)
Radio: 96.1 FM, 100.3 FM & 1070 AM - Jim Reynolds (PxP), Todd Agne (Analysis) & Will Poindexter (Sideline). Also available online at GoMocs.com.
App: Go Mocs & Varsity Network
 
COACHES
Chattanooga: Rusty Wright (Chattanooga '96) | UTC: 22-17 (5th) | Career: Same | vs. UNA: 2-0
North Alabama: Brent Dearmon (Bethel '08) | UNA: 0-1 (1st) | Career: 10-2 (2nd) | vs. UTC: 0-0
 
SERIES
Game: 4th | Record: 3-0 | Home: 2-0 | Away: 1-0 | SoCon: n/a | Last 5: 3-0 | Streak: W3 | History
 
OPENERS

• 63-51-1 (.552) all-time in season openers. 3-1 (.750) opening on Sept. 2.
• Rusty Wright is 2-2 (.500) in season openers.
• 15-30 (.333) when opening on the road. Last time starting the season in a true road game? 2014. The Mocs dropped a 20-16 final at Central Michigan to open their SoCon Championship campaign ending with a 10-4 mark, FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals appearance and a No. 8 final ranking.
• Last time opening the season at an FCS opponent? Aug. 31, 2006, a 31-7 win at Tennessee Tech.
• 8-0 opening away at FCS opponents since the move to DI in 1977.

 
NOTES TO KNOW

• The 116th edition of Mocs football sees the return of 16 starters with eight on offense, seven on defense and one on special teams. Three Mocs - DB Kam Brown, RB Ailym Ford & Edge Jay Person - earned preseason All-America and National Player of the Year mentions.
• It's a new-look Lions squad led by first-year headman Brent Dearmon. His staff brings back 14 starters - 6 offense/6 defense/2 specialists. They got their first look in a tightly contested 17-7 loss to No. 20 Mercer in Montgomery this past Saturday.
• It's the first of 10 straight weeks in action from Sept. 2-Nov. 4 before an off week prior to the No. 18 trip to Alabama.

 
LAST YEAR VS. NORTH ALABAMA
41-14 win in Finley Stadium. Chattanooga jumped out to a 20-0 lead before two second quarter scores cut it to 20-14. Preston Hutchinson and Jamoi Mayes connected to make it 27-14 just before halftime before Quay Wiggles blocked a punt and Ty Boeck returned it 12 yards to put the game out of reach. Stat leaders…
Rusher – UTC: Ailym Ford, 21-98 | UNA: ShunDerrick Powell, 10-33
Passer – UTC: Preston Hutchinson, 22-31-1, 303, 3TD | UNA: Noah Walters, 18-27-1, 250, 2TD
Receiver – UTC: Sam Phillips, 5-96 | UNA: Takair Kenebrew, 3-107, 1TD
Tackler – UTC: Ty Boeck, 7 (0.5 TFL) | Kyree Fields, 13
Miscellaneous…

• Reuben Lowery III – 5 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 1 PBU, Downed punt at 1
• Quay Wiggles/John Prince – punt blocks
• Jay Person – 2.0 TFL with 1.0 sacks & 1 QB hurry
• Ailym Ford – 2 rec-41 yds, 2TD (1st receiving scores of his career)

 
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
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team: Defensive Back Reuben Lowery III
Shrine Bowl 1000: Edge Jay Person and Offensive Lineman Griffin McDowell
Reese's Senior Bowl: Running Back Ailym Ford, Defensive Back Clay Fields 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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