First Look
It's the middle of the first game week of season No. 118 for the Chattanooga Mocs. Time to preview the weekend's game with everything you need to know to prep for the game while standing out at the water cooler.
 
The Mocs are opening the season for a second year in a row against an in-state FBS opponent. Memphis finished 2024 ranked No. 23 following a 42-37 win over West Virginia in the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl. This is the first meeting of the two programs since 2006 and the 18th overall.
 
Matchup
Chattanooga (0-0) at Memphis (0-0) – 4:30 p.m. (ET)
Saturday, August 30 | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
 
Game Notes: Chattanooga | Memphis
 
Where to Watch/Listen
TV: ESPN+
Announcers: Chris Carlin (PxP), Jay Sonnhalter (Analysis)
 
Radio: Mocs Sports Network (WFLI Chattanooga – 96.1 FM, 100.3 FM & 1070 AM)
Announcers: Jim Reynolds (PxP), Todd Agne (Analysis), Will Poindexter (Sideline)
 
The game can also be listened to on GoMocs.com & the Varsity Network app.
 
Coaches
Chattanooga: Rusty Wright (UTC '96) | UTC: 37-27 (7th) | Career: Same | vs. Memphis: 0-0
Memphis: Ryan Silverfield (Hampden-Sydney '03) | UM: 42-21 (7th) | Career: Same | vs. UTC: 0-0
 
Series
Meeting: 18th
Record: 5-12
First Meeting: 44-19 Chattanooga win on Oct. 23, 1942 on Chamberlain Field
Last Meeting: 33-14 Memphis win on Sept. 9, 2006 in Memphis
 
About the Mocs

• Receiving votes in the preseason Stats Perform Top 25 & AFCA Coaches polls.
• Coming off three straight 7-win seasons. Fifth time for the program with three or more in a row: 7 (1977-83), 4 (2013-16) & 3 (1927-29 & 1940-42).
• It truly is "football time in Tennessee". The first three games stay in state with trips to Mem­phis (8/30) and Tennessee Tech (9/6) followed by the home opener against Stetson (9/13).
• 2-2 opening on Aug. 30. First was a then non-conference 28-14 win at Samford in 2001. Last time starting on August 30? 34-10 win over next week's opponent Tennessee Tech (2018).
• The last time the Mocs started on the road in Memphis and Cookeville was 2006. That began with a 31-7 win at Tech before dropping a 33-14 decision at Memphis.

 
About the Tigers

• Receiving votes in the AP & FBS Coaches Poll.
• Back-to-back double-digit wins for the Tigers going 21-5. First time in school history with 10 or more wins in successive seasons.
• Earned bowl bids in each of Silverfield's first six seasons winning the last four played.
• There is one Chattanoogan on the Tigers roster, Harvard grad transfer Austin Gentle (McCallie). Former Mocs corner Beni Mwamba is in the Tigers secondary.
• Former Mocs head coach Tommy West also had a tenure leading the Tigers (2001-09).

 
Quotable
Coach Rusty Wright: "We're starting to work our way into being at what looks a football team, per se. We got a long way to go. A lot of new faces in a bunch of spots. But it's a bunch of guys working the right way. The focus for us will be getting better week-in, week-out, day-to-day and figuring out who are going to be the guys who go make the plays. That's going to be a big thing for us as we move forward and finding out who's ready when the lights come on because you can practice and put them through situations, but until we turn the lights on and it's real, you're not really sure. I'm excited to go watch this bunch of play. I think they'll be physical, and they'll play their tails off."
 
Senior OL Tyrell Ragland: "We have a good mix of old guys and younger players. We have old guys who. Have been doing it for a while. And then we have younger guys who bring a lot of energy because they're excited to have the opportunity and go out and play ball."
 
Junior LB Zion Rutledge: "We're excited to get out there and play. Coach Wright says it all the time. The coaches jobs all week are to prepare us and the gameplan. On Saturdays, our only job is to go out, let loose and play fast. That's what we're excited about. We have guys that are ready to play fast on both sides of the ball."
 
Home Tickets on Sale
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 campaign. Season tickets provide the best value beginning at $60. Mini-packs and single game are available as well. Purchases can be made here on GoMocs.com.
 
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