CHATTANOOGA---The Chattanooga Mocs football team has a proud history. Even proud programs have special moments. They added one more to the list ranking No. 14 in the Stats Perform Top 25 and 17th in the AFCA Coaches Poll.
 
It's the 13th time in school history finishing as a ranked team. No. 14 rates as the seventh best number.
 
"It's special," Coach Rusty Wright stated. "I can promise you how much it means to our players and staff. It's not the end goal to be ranked when the season's done, but it's definitely a sign you're doing something right.
 
"We'll keep working toward the big goals but also appreciate moments like this."
 
Wright has been a part of six of the 13 final rankings. He was an assistant on Russ Huesman's staff for the 2013-16 seasons as well as the last two as head coach. This year's finish marks just the fourth time with back-to-back ranked endings.
 
The ranking is special. It goes along with the 13th 8-win campaign as well. Toss in a fifth FCS Playoff appearance, and it's clear that this group has taken progressive steps.
 
"It's a testament to our student-athletes and coaches," Vice Chancellor for Athletics Mark Wharton shared. "The countless hours this staff puts in to recruiting, developing and retaining talent is recognized in moments like this. It's no small feat. You're talking about less than 20 percent of schools finishing ranked.
 
"I'm very proud of their efforts and the way this team represents our University. We're setting the standard of being a top 20 program with a goal of competing for national championships."
 
YEAR-BY-YEAR FINAL RANKINGS
1958: (8) UPI
1961: (19) UPI
1964: (13) UPI
1966: (19) UPI
1968: (3) AP | (3) UPI
1982: (17) Division I-AA Football Committee
1984: (17) Division I-AA Football Committee
2013: (23) Sports Network | (25) Coaches Poll
2014: (8) Sports Network | (8) FCS Coaches
2015: (8) FCS Coaches | (9) STATS
2016: (10) FCS Coaches | (13) STATS
2022: (23) Stats Perform | (24) FCS Coaches
2023: (14) Stats Perform | (17) FCS Coaches
 
2023 SEASON AWARDS
 
CSC (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District | Story
Chase Artopoeus (QB), Clayton Crile (P/K), Jake Hall (LS), Jeremiah Katt (OL), Griffin McDowell (OL), Alex Mitchell (LB) & Reid Williams (OL)
 
FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team | Story
Reuben Lowery III (DB), Reid Williams (OL)
 
AFCA All-America | Story
First Team
DE – Jay Person
 
Stats Perform All-America | Story
First Team
DE – Jay Person
 
Third Team
DB – Kam Brown
 
AP All-America | Story
First Team
DE – Jay Person
 
Phil Steele All-America | Story
Second Team
DE – Jay Person
 
FCS Football Central All-America | Story
First Team
DB – Kam Brown
 
Second Team
DE – Jay Person
WR – Javin Whatley
 
Third Team
OL – Reid Williams
 
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