2008 Woodie Awards
Mistakes spoil SoCon opener
Jeremy Acree
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Sports
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After the quarterback battle, the trips to big name schools, and all the time to work out the kinks, it was a 35-10 drubbing at the hands of Furman to open Southern Conference play for the UTC football team.
The trips to Florida State and Oklahoma didn't really prove anything, and a big homecoming loss was attributed to a star LSU transfer playing quarterback for Jacksonville State.
Southern Conference wins are the goal every year for UTC, and this was the Mocs' first opportunity to show the rest of their conference how good they would be.
After winning only two of eight conference games last year, it is not looking much better after the first impression.
The first Chattanooga possession was a three-and-out, and Furman's first play from scrimmage went 71 yards from quarterback Jordan Sorrells to tight end Chris Tuss. The play set up a 2 yard touchdown run, and the Paladins went up 7-0 after having the ball for only 41 seconds.
"We turned them loose in man coverage," said head coach Rodney Allison in a post-game press conference. "We can't afford to make those mistakes."
The defense settled in for the remainder of the first half, but the big plays didn't stop for Furman.
A blocked punt in the second quarter was returned by Marshan Austin 13 yards for a touchdown, making it 14-0 in favor of the home team.
A field goal from junior Craig Camay, Marietta, Ga., made it 14-3 heading into halftime.
Junior Jare Gault, Boiling Springs, Miss., got the start at quarterback after a four game battle for the position.
He threw for 103 yards on 9-19 passing and one interception, and added 43 yards on the ground.
