Zion Rutledge
Photo by: Tommy Quarles
GameDay Ready: Mocs Open SoCon Play in Finley
9/18/2026 9:29:00 AM | Football
Zion Rutledge and the Chattanooga Mocs are home for the their first Southern Conference test of 2026 Saturday evening against Wofford at Finley Stadium.
The Chattanooga Mocs football team is home again Saturday evening. It's a 6 p.m., kickoff, for the Mocs and Wofford Terriers on ESPN+ at Finley Stadium. It's just the third time the Terriers have served as the opening SoCon contest for the Mocs. Get GameDay ready for the contest here…
Resources – Preview | Game Notes | Series | Live Stats | Roster | Tickets
Where to Watch
ESPN+/Nexstar – SoCon broadcast team of Pete Yanity, Jay Sonnhalter and Dave Friedman call the action. Click the link here for the broadcast.
Where to Listen
Mocs Sports Network – WFLI Chattanooga (96.1/100.3 FM & 1070 AM) is the flagship for the Mocs broadcast which can be heard near and far with access on GoMocs.com and the Varsity Network app. "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds has the call. He's joined in the booth by Todd Agne (Analysis) & on the sidelines by Will Poindexter. Click the link here for the broadcast. The new GoMocs app is in production. Upon completion, it will be one more location to catch the game.
Other Ways to Follow
Live stats for the contest are provided online by the Mocs statistical staff. Click the link here to follow the numbers. The Mocs communication staff is also on hand with timely posts on X and Instagram via @GoMocsFB.
Notes Drop:
In the Chattanooga Press
The Mocs are covered like a blanket in Chattanooga with the Times Free Press, TV affiliates from ABC, CBS & NBC, along with a myriad of online outlets, podcasts and social media. Here are a few stories available leading into this week's contest.
Football Ticket Quick Links – Season Tickets | Mini-Plans | Game
As always, for all Mocs and McKenzie Arena events, go to GoMocs.com/tickets. Football mini-plans and single-game tickets are available with season tickets on sale as well for men's and women's basketball along with wrestling. The Arena also has Leanne Morgan's "The Time of Our Lives" Tour available.
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Wear what the teams wear in our BSN Team Store or go to the bookstore's official True Spirit Stop. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook, X & Instagram accounts. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here & by checking out NIL possibilities here.
Resources – Preview | Game Notes | Series | Live Stats | Roster | Tickets
Where to Watch
ESPN+/Nexstar – SoCon broadcast team of Pete Yanity, Jay Sonnhalter and Dave Friedman call the action. Click the link here for the broadcast.
Where to Listen
Mocs Sports Network – WFLI Chattanooga (96.1/100.3 FM & 1070 AM) is the flagship for the Mocs broadcast which can be heard near and far with access on GoMocs.com and the Varsity Network app. "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds has the call. He's joined in the booth by Todd Agne (Analysis) & on the sidelines by Will Poindexter. Click the link here for the broadcast. The new GoMocs app is in production. Upon completion, it will be one more location to catch the game.
Other Ways to Follow
Live stats for the contest are provided online by the Mocs statistical staff. Click the link here to follow the numbers. The Mocs communication staff is also on hand with timely posts on X and Instagram via @GoMocsFB.
Notes Drop:
- Top 20 Nationally...
Passes Defended: 4th, 1.67, Keyshawn Jackson (1st SoCon)
Interceptions/Game: 6th, 0.67, DJ Adams (1st SoCon)
Total Defense: 8th, 283.3 (2nd SoCon)
Rush Yards: 9th, 290 (96.7), Kevin Lalin (1st SoCon)
Pass Yards Allowed: 11th, 154.0 (1st SoCon)
FG/Game: 11th, 1.67, Jude Kelley (2nd SoCon)
First Downs Allowed: 16th, 47 (1st SoCon)
Forced Fumbles: 19th, 0.33, Orlando Daniels (T1st SoCon)
Scoring Defense: 20th, 18.7 (3rd SoCon)
Pass Efficiency Defense: 20th, 110.13 (3rd SoCon) - 11 have made their first career UTC starts this season: TE TJ Briggs, WR Erik Bussmann, WR Jaden George, OL Tracy Jackson, RB Kevin Lalin, WR Ashton Schumann & OL Jacob Ziegler on offense. DE Ryan Bell, DB Keyshawn Jackson, DB Jaden Nelson & LB Bryce Washington on defense.
- Lalin is 9th in the nation and first in the SoCon in rush yards (290). His 30-carry, 128-yard effort at West Georgia was the first 100-yard debut since March 2021 (Lance Jackson, 19-135).
- CB Keyshawn Jackson is tied for league lead and is fourth nationally with five PBUs. Team has 15.
- Bookend CB DJ Adams' two pick game at Eastern Kentucky was the first by a Moc since 2022.
- K Jude Kelley is 11th in the country in FG/game (1.7).
In the Chattanooga Press
The Mocs are covered like a blanket in Chattanooga with the Times Free Press, TV affiliates from ABC, CBS & NBC, along with a myriad of online outlets, podcasts and social media. Here are a few stories available leading into this week's contest.
- Kevin Lalin and Ashton Schumann are impact transfers offensively from TFP beat writer Gene Henley: click on story link here.
- LaRawn Robinson's journey to Chattanooga from Henley: click on story link here.
- Sophomore TE Landon Strickland is already filling a "veterans role" according to Henley: click on story link here.
- WDEF 12's (CBS) Rick Nyman takes a look at offense: click on story link here.
- Henley shares five things to know about Wofford: click on story link here.
Football Ticket Quick Links – Season Tickets | Mini-Plans | Game
As always, for all Mocs and McKenzie Arena events, go to GoMocs.com/tickets. Football mini-plans and single-game tickets are available with season tickets on sale as well for men's and women's basketball along with wrestling. The Arena also has Leanne Morgan's "The Time of Our Lives" Tour available.
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Wear what the teams wear in our BSN Team Store or go to the bookstore's official True Spirit Stop. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook, X & Instagram accounts. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here & by checking out NIL possibilities here.
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