The first day of the football team's preseason practice was delayed one and one half hours Thursday by severe thunderstorms in the Chattanooga area.

Scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m., Head Coach Rodney Allison and team officials moved the practice to 6 p.m. at Finley Stadium.  The stadium's artificial turf drains better than the natural grass at Scrappy Moore Field, and the squad was able to complete the scheduled 18 periods before more rain fell in the area in the evening.

“I thought it was good as far as first practices go,” Allison said.  “I started watching the weather radar at 3:15.  It doesn't bother me any more because we have this nice surface (at Finley).  Now we have a nice locker room.  While they were waiting out the storm, they were in the locker room, and now they have a great place to lounge around.  You don't realize how big that is to these guys.”

Two returning seniors, running back Bryan Fitzgerald and center Brian Heflin, were on the field but unable to practice because of injuries.  Two newcomers are still awaiting school transcript issues.  Running back Shaun Kermah and receiver Christopher Marshall are both junior transfers from Glendale Community College in California.

Kermah was in attendance Thursday, while Marshall has yet to arrive in Chattanooga.  Allison believes Kermah's situation will be cleared soon if not by Friday while Marshall's may take longer to resolve.

The team returns to practice Friday at 4:30 p.m. at Scrappy Moore Field.

The Mocs open the season Aug. 30 at No. 3 Oklahoma in Norman, Okla.  Season tickets are still available by visiting UTC's official athletics website, GoMocs.com or by calling the box office at 423-266-6627.