SCHEDULE |
TICKETS
CHATTANOOGA---Finally Friday. Words that rev the engine during most months thinking about the weekend and what's to come starting on Friday. However, in the world of college football, it means finally a day away from the good stuff.
So, what's ahead this weekend? That most cherished of college football days. This is the one that is special no matter where you lay your head. It's Homecoming Week in Chattanooga.
This week's opponent is VMI. That means it's another Southern Conference slobberknocker with the traditional Homecoming kickoff time of 4 p.m. Also a great Chattanooga traditional start time…parking lots open for tailgating at 8 a.m.
We went into this week's mailbag for three questions. One from actual mail. No seriously, it had a stamp and everything. Last time I saw one of those was in a museum. No faxed questions, not even sure the fax is still plugged in.
Is the wide receiver room as well "received" outside of Chattanooga as it is by the locals?
Love the word play. Also love this group. It's currently tied for 7th in all of DI – FBS & FCS – with Washington on PFF College. Their rating and scouting gives the group an 80.9. PFF is Pro Football Focus which began grading NFL film and added colleges a few years ago.
The Mocs have eight receivers all-time who have topped 2,000 career yards. There are three on the current roster about to do just that, maybe as soon as this weekend:
Sam Phillips: 137-1,914 (9 TD)
Javin Whatley: 119-1910 (16 TD)
Chris Domercant: 105-1877 (16 TD)
There seem to be a lot of new guys making impacts. Where did they all come from?
Good eye. Yep, the Mocs were fortunate with 14 starters back – 7 on both sides of the ball. But that meant somebody needed to step up. Notably at cornerback where transfers
D'Arco Perkins-McAllister (New Mexico) and
Taylor Smallwood (Lafayette) along with junior returnee
Jeremiah Batiste and true freshman
Beni Mwamba have all made starts and contributed. Another big spot has been offensive line where injuries wreaked havoc but provided opportunities to returning reserves
Tyrell Ragland and
Will Buchanan along with transfer
B.J. Ragland (Charlotte) and true freshman
Nick Paul. As things have gone, both the transfer portal and traditional recruiting have been good to the Mocs, yet again.
What can we expect for a Finley Saturday afternoon this week?
Welp, Terrell Owens is back in town so be ready. He's joined with UTC's Division of Access & Engagement to offer Hamilton County Schools students, teachers and their families tickets for the game Saturday. That's a total of 500 complimentary tickets available. More
information here.
The weather is expected to be near perfect with a high of 84 and mid-range humidity. The UV Index of "5 of 11" even furthers the expectation for a fabulous Finley fall day.
Week 9: VMI (0-7/0-3) at (19) Chattanooga (4-3/3-1)
Game Time: 4 p.m. | Finley Stadium (20,660) | Chattanooga, Tenn.
Series: 19-9-1 (
History) |
Media: ESPN+;
Mocs Sports Network;
Live Stats
Game Notes:
GoMocs.com |
Captains:
Chase Artopoeus,
Jay Gibson,
Reuben Lowery III,
Quay Wiggles,
Reid Williams
Homecoming – Theme
: Scrappy Ever After |
Student Affairs Schedule |
Alumni Schedule
Daily Stories –
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday
Notes
- Four interceptions in each of the last two games and 10 during 4-game win streak. 13 interceptions for the season are just seven shy of becoming just the sixth Mocs squad with 20 or more. Most recent? 23 in 1987. Thirteen are the most since 15 in 2021.
- Defense is allowing 8.8 points and 250.5 yards per game offense – 133.0 rushing & 117.5 passing – in SoCon play.
- Defense has allowed just 36 first downs over last two games - season-low 12 each at ETSU, at Furman & Wofford.
- Average time of possession in four wins: 35:08 In three losses? 26:57.3.
- A key to the clock control is an improved third down conversion rate. Over the first three games, just four of 37 opportunities (10.8%) were converted. Over the last four? 33 of 59 (55.9%) including a school-record 11 of 13 against Portland State.
- Saturday is Rusty Wright's 60th career game at the Mocs helm. He's already won more games (34) in his first 60 than any other Mocs ball coach as well as the best winning percentage:
Rusty Wright (2019-present): 34-25 (.569)
Joe Morrison (1973-79): 32-24-4 (.567)
Scrappy Moore (1931-67): 30-22-8 (.567)
Russ Huesman (2009-16): 33-27 (.550)
Buddy Nix (1984-92): 28-32 (.467)
Tickets on Sale
- 3-game mini-plans | Link
- Single Game | Link
- A voucher for tickets is at each of the five branches of the Chattanooga Public Library.
- There is also a skybox available for rental each game | Link
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