CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---A huge crowd gathered in Miller Plaza Friday afternoon for a city-wide pep rally in support of the Chattanooga Mocs leading into Saturday's 3 p.m., start time against Southern Conference rival Appalachian State.? The crowd, decked out in blue and gold, appears ready for kickoff.

The Chattanooga Marching Mocs were out in force regaling the throng with the UTC Fight Song, "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "I've Been Workin' on the Railroad" along with many other songs to the delight of the crowd.? The Mocs' spirit squads were in attendance as the Cheerleaders, Sugar Mocs and Elite Dance Squad all performed for the crowd.

Athletics Director Rick Hart and Dr. Carolyn Thompson, wife of Chancellor Roger Brown, opened the event welcoming the crowd.? Representatives of the mayor's offices of the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County read a proclamation declaring Friday's during football season as "Blue & Gold Friday".? The proclamation encourages all citizens to "wear their Blue & Gold every Friday" in support of the Mocs.

Head Coach Russ Huesman and senior center Justin Galyon addressed the gathering thanking them for their support.? Galyon also expressed how their support in the stands on gameday is a key to the success the team earns on the field.

Members of the spirit squads and the Mocs' marketing department disbursed t-shirts, footballs and other spirit paraphernalia.? The game has been declared a "Whiteout" with fans encouraged to wear white in support of the team which will be in all white on the field.

Fans looking to purchase tickets during the week can do so in three ways:

• Order online on GoMocs.com.
• Call the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627).????
• Visit the UTC Ticket Office in McKenzie Arena.? The ticket office is located next to Gate 1 on the concourse level in McKenzie Arena (720 E 4^th Street in Chattanooga) and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 ?p.m. today.? The St. Elmo Ticket window on the south side (press box/suites) of Finley Stadium will also be open on Friday, Sept. 3, between noon and 6 p.m.

For fans who decide to purchase tickets on gameday, the ticket booth at the First Tennessee Pavilion opens at 10 a.m.? All other ticket windows open at noon on Saturday.?