SCHEDULE | TICKETS
 
CHATTANOOGA---The 8th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs opens the 2024 season Saturday at Tennessee. It's the first time the two teams meet to open a season since 1969 and just the third matchup since that opening day.
 
Saturday is the first of two FBS road games to open this campaign. The Mocs have another short trip going to Atlanta next weekend at Georgia State. But first, it's the 15th-ranked Vols.
 
This is the first time opening the season against a Power 4 opponent since 2011. That opening came in Lincoln, Neb., a 40-7 loss at No. 10 Nebraska. It was the last of just six times starting the year on college football's biggest stages since the move to Division I in 1977: 1985 (Vanderbilt), 1986 (No. 14 Auburn), 1994 (No. 11 Alabama), 2002 (West Virginia) and 2008 (No. 4 Oklahoma).
 
Week 1: (8) Chattanooga (0-0) at (15) Tennessee (0-0)
Game Time: 12:45 p.m. | Neyland Stadium (101,915); Knoxville, Tenn.
Series: 2-37-2 (History) | Media: SEC; Mocs Sports Network; Live Stats
Game Notes: GoMocs.com
 
ICYMI (This week's stories): Monday | Tuesday
 
Coaches
Chattanooga: Rusty Wright (UTC '96) | UTC: 30-22 (6th) | Career: Same | vs. Tennessee: 0-1
Tennessee: Josh Heupel (Oklahoma '00) | UT: 27-12 (4th) | Career: 55-20 (6th) | vs. UTC: 0-0
 
Media
TV: SEC - Taylor Zarzour (PxP), Matt Stinchcomb (Analysis) & Alyssa Lang (Sideline)
 
Radio: WFLI Chattanooga (96.1 FM, 100.3 FM & 1070 AM) & 99.1 FM Cleveland - Jim Reynolds (PxP), Todd Agne (Analysis) & Will Poindexter (Sideline). Also available online at GoMocs.com.
 
App: Go Mocs & Varsity Network
 
What We're Hearing
"Looking forward to a huge challenge, a great opportunity to start the season up in Knoxville. I know our guys are excited about and just ready to get going. We've had a good fall camp. Now it's time to see how our guys compete in a great environment and see what happens." – Coach Rusty Wright
 
"I try to see every game as the same. But this one, I mean, who doesn't look forward to playing against a P4 school? It gives me a chance to show my skills. But I'm going to try my best no matter who the opponent is." – Senior DT Marlon Taylor on if there's a difference playing a Power 4 schools
 
"I think really eager to get back on the field. I think the biggest thing is just being back out there regardless of where it's at. Every day I go out there and practice; it's just awesome to be back. You know, you kind of take it for granted and all of the sudden it gets taken from you. So, whether it's at Neyland or in a parking or wherever, I'm just excited to be back out there with my teammates." – Senior QB Chase Artopoeus on coming back from injury that ended 2023 season after 10 games
 
vs. Tennessee
- 42nd meeting all-time, the third since the Mocs move to DI in 1977. All three came in the last 11 years (2014, 2019, 2024). Prior to that, the programs played 22 times from 1945-1969.
- Last Mocs win? 1958, 14-6 in Knoxville.
- Opening the season in Knoxville for the first time since Sept. 20, 1969. The Mocs lost 31-0 at No. 15 Tennessee.
- Third time the Mocs & Vols face each other as ranked teams, albeit in different divisions:
1960: @#12 Tennessee 35, #4 Chattanooga 0
1966: @#10 Tennessee 28, #15 Chattanooga 10
 
Openers
- 63-52-1 (.547) all-time in season openers. 3-2 opening on Aug. 31. 3-0 vs FCS competition (UT Martin, Samford, Tennessee Tech) and 0-2 against FBS (Colorado State, West Virginia).
- Wright is 2-3 in season openers.
- 15-31 (.326) when opening on the road. Last time starting at FBS opponent? 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.
- Chattanooga is 8th in the AFCA Coaches Poll and 9th per Stats Perform. Tennessee is 15th in both the AP and Coaches Poll.
- The Mocs return seven starters on both sides of the ball.
- TE Jay Gibson, DT Marlon Taylor & RB Lance Jackson are the last three student-athletes to be on each roster of the Rusty Wright Era (2019-24).
- 2023 offense was one of the most prolific in school history. The 3,189 passing yards ranked third all-time. Total offense tied for 4th (4,998 yds) & 4th in total plays (861).
- The combined distance to our seven road opponents (round trip, stadium to stadium) is 2,947 miles. Portland State's Week 5 voyage to the Scenic City is 5,034 miles roundtrip per google maps. There are possible toll roads on the route so if it includes the LePetomane Thruway, they're going to need a LOT of dimes.
 
2024 Preview Series
June 5: QB – Y2Chase | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
June 12: RB – Uncertain Certainty | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
June 19: WR – All Growns Up
June 26: TE – One More Year | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 3: OL – Who's Next | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 10: DB – Let's Stay Together | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 17: LB – Stocked Up | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 24: DL – Emerging | Meet The Mocs Radio Interview
July 31: ST – Reset | Meet the Mocs Radio Interview
 
Tickets on Sale
Season Tickets are the best option for Mocs fans. Prices start at $60 for general admission. Mocs Club members have the option for reserved seats beginning at the $250 donation level which includes a season parking pass to go with the season ticket. Other choices:

• 3-game mini-plans | Link
• Single Game | Link
• A voucher for tickets is at each of the five branches of the Chattanooga Public Library.

 
SoCon Favorites
The Mocs claimed five first-place votes for a total of 61 points in a preseason poll of Southern Conference head coaches. A maximum of 80 was available as the Mocs were either one or two on every ballot. Furman was second including three top votes with Western Carolina in third with the other. Mercer was next followed by Samford, ETSU, VMI, Wofford and The Citadel. Ten student-athletes made the preseason all-league squad with four on the first team: DT Marlon Taylor (Preseason DPOTY), OL Reid Williams, DB Jordan Walker and WR Javin Whatley.
 
Preseason All-America Teams
Stats Perform: DT Marlon Taylor (2nd), WR Javin Whatley (2nd)
FCS Football Central: DT Marlon Taylor (1st), WR Javin Whatley (1st), OL Reid Williams (2nd)
Phil Steele: DT Marlon Taylor (1st), WR Javin Whatley (2nd), OL Reid Williams (2nd)
 
Watch Lists
Walter Payton Award: QB Chase Artopoeus, WR Javin Whatley
Senior Bowl: DT Marlon Taylor, DB Reuben Lowery III
Shrine Bowl 1000: DT Marlon Taylor, WR Javin Whatley
 
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