2023 Chattanooga Mocs Football 
At North Alabama – Sept. 2 – Braly Stadium – Florence, Ala.
Postgame Notes
 
GENERAL
- The Chattanooga Mocs dropped a 41-27 decision at North Alabama in the season opener for the visitors…the Lions are now 1-1 after a 17-7 Week 0 loss to Mercer in Montgomery.
- Entered the game receiving votes in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and AFCA FCS Coaches Polls…UNA is unranked.
- 63-52-1 (.547) in season openers…15-31 (.326) when opening on the road.
- First true road game to start the season since the narrow 20-16 loss at FBS Central Michigan in 2014.
- 8-1 as an FCS program opening on the road at FCS competition.
- Last time opening the season at an FCS opponent? Aug. 31, 2006, a 31-7 win at Tennessee Tech.
- First matchup with the United Athletic Conference…league includes member of the Atlantic Sun and WAC conferences: Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Southern Utah, Stephen F. Austin, Tarleton State & Utah Tech.
- Game captains: RB Ailym Ford, DB Reuben Lowery III, Edge Jay Person & OL Reid Williams.
 
SERIES
All-Time Meetings: 4
Record: 3-1 | Home: 2-0 | Away: 1-1

• Third straight year matching up with the Lions…won the prior two 20-0 (2021 in Florence) and 41-14 (2022 in Chattanooga).
• Last 5: 3-1 | Last 10: 3-1 | Last 20: 3-1

 
COACH
Rusty Wright (Chattanooga '96)

• Record: 22-18 | Home: 12-6 | Away: 10-12
• vs. UNA: 2-1 | Home: 1-0 | Away: 1-1
• 2-3 in season openers…first time opening a full season on the road in the Wright era.

 
TEAM
- Trailed 21-0 in the first 16 minutes of the game...scored 27 unanswered over the next 29:02…UNA scored the final 20 points over the final 8:49.
- 488 yards total offense with 311 in the air and 177 on the ground.
- Most passing yards in an opener since 318 in the Aug. 30, 2018 win over Tennessee Tech.
- Most total yards in an opener since 492 on Sept. 4, 2010 in the 42-41 loss to Appalachian State.
- 517 yards of total offense allowed...most since James Madison recorded 532 in game 4 on Sept. 21, 2019...most allowed on the road since 602 at South Carolina on Nov. 17, 2018.
- Mocs defense held the Lions to 400 yards of total offense and 14 points in the recent two matchups combined.
- 246 allowed on the ground…most since Nov. 20, 2021 with The Citadel posting 330 on 73 carries…81 came on UNA's final offensive play with a minute to go.
- 271 passing yards given up…172 receiving yards by Takairee Kennebrew is most against the Mocs defense since R.J. Harris of New Hampshire on Dec. 12, 2014 in the FCS Playoffs Quarterfinals.
- 5 of 16 on third downs while allowing just 2 of 12 to the hosts…the Lions converted 2 of 4 fourth downs while the Mocs ended 0-1.
 
INDIVIDUAL
- Chase Artopoeus was 22 of 46 for 311 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his debut.
- Most yards passing in a Mocs debut since Cole Copeland's 317 on Oct. 7, 2017 against Furman...most in a season opening debut since Chris Sanders threw for 358 in the Sept. 2, 1999 win at Samford (29-27).
- Artopoeus' first career TD pass came from 11 yards on a fade route to Sam Phillips to the right side of the end zone.
- First career 100-yard receiving game for sophomore Javin Whatley…six catches for 106 yards with 52 yards coming after the catch…six receptions tie career high (at ETSU last year).
- Ailym Ford ran for 90 yards on 24 carries…snapped school-record streak of six consecutive 100-yard games…59 came in the second half.
- Sophomore Alex Mitchell posted a career-high 11 tackles in his first career start…included a forced fumble recovered by fellow linebacker Bo Spearman setting up Chris Houston's touchdown on the very next play.
- Houston scored on his first career reception with a 36-yard catch-and-run to open the second half scoring.
- Spearman added five tackles and two pass breakups to go with his fumble recovery.
- Senior edge Jay Person was credited with 3.0 tackles for loss…Mocs had seven as a team.
- Senior defensive end Ben Brewton added two TFLs and the lone sack of the game.
- Offensive line had four new starters but picked up where the last units left off allowing zero sacks and just three TFLs.
 
OPPONENT SCOREBOARD
At Furman 45, Tennessee Tech 10
At Samford 69, Shorter 14
At Pitt 45, Wofford 7
At Georgia Southern 34, The Citadel 0
At Ole Miss 73, Mercer 7
At Arkansas 56, Western Carolina 13
At VMI 12, Davidson 7
At Jacksonville State 49, ETSU 3