First Look
The Chattanooga Mocs are starting the summer months with a new storyline for the football program. Out is the weekly preview series and in is a new version focused on a single word. Each position coach shares his outlook for his crew in a single word.
We start with quarterbacks and the word of the day is…
competitors. The word evokes thoughts of fierceness & effectiveness. In this setting, it's the idea to line up and earn every snap you get.
First Thought
"They need to be competitors. I think we saw that in the spring, but the urgency of competing for a job carries over into how you handle that job. It's a vital position in every offense." –
offensive coordinator Joe Pizzo
Breakdown
One Note on Each
- Schomburg is the only Mocs QB ever to start an FCS Playoffs road win.
- Orth (6-3, 230) brings reminders of Nick Tiano '19 in size and presence. He threw for nearly 2,700 yards and 20 TDs in his collegiate career to date.
- Clemmer has taken snaps in the playoffs at Furman and in the road win at The Citadel in 2025.
- Alberson had more the 7,700 yards of total offense in high school with a combined 80 touchdowns (67 pass/13 rush).
Expectations
- One important aspect of the offense is versatility. It's been something seen throughout the Rusty Wright/Joe Pizzo offenses. The ability to win via the ground or the air.
- The last three seasons have seen strong passing performance with two - 3,189 (2023) and 2,738 (2022) – ranking in the top 10 all-time while just missing that standard in 2024 (2,624).
- The 2023 total was the third best in school history behind the "air raid" performances of 2000 (3,730) and 1999 (3,591) behind the efforts of the ultimate gunslinger Chris Sanders '00.
- Back to versatility, the offense topped 200 yards rushing twice and 300 passing twice more. The more "traditional/balanced" 100/200 efforts on another three occasions in 2024.
- It's a pattern of taking what the defense gives you and it served Pizzo's group well in 2024. There were six games with 31 or more points for the offense which tied for fourth most in any campaign. There are just eight seasons with six or more with a record 11 in 2014.
Flexibility
This year's starter will be the fifth different opening day start under Wright:
- 2019: Nick Tiano vs. Eastern Illinois
- 2020-21: Drayton Arnold at Western Kentucky
- 2021: Drayton Arnold vs. Austin Peay
- 2022: Preston Hutchinson vs. Wofford
- 2023: Chase Artopoeus at North Alabama
- 2024: Chase Artopoeus at Tennessee
Hear from Schomburg
The annual "Meet the Mocs" cavalcade of stars kicks off today – Wednesday, June 11 – at Sport Talk on WGOW 102.3 FM. Schomburg is the first visitor as each week of this summer series online will feature a position group with one of its leaders tackling the tough questions that afternoon. Tune in at 4:35 p.m., for the interview either on your radio dial or
online here.
Final Thoughts
"One...be really good at getting the ball in the hands of the guys that can score touchdowns. That's the tallest truth. It's also being efficient and taking care of the ball. Those are really big factors to being a quarterback in any offense. But they're very valued qualities in ours for certain." –
Pizzo on most important aspects of the QB room
Tickets on Sale
The 2025 season kicks off August 30 at Memphis. It begins on the road in state with the Tigers followed by the short trip to Cookeville to matchup with Tennessee Tech. The home opener is Sept. 13 with a visit from Stetson.
Season tickets are on sale beginning at $60. Purchases can be made
here on GoMocs.com.
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