Defense dominates early, offense rallies in scrimmage

The 2009 UTC football team competed in their final scrimmage Sunday afternoon. It was the final preparation before the season opens against Glenville State Thursday Sept. 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Finley Stadium.Early on, it looked like the Defense would rule the day. The Mocs defense easily won the first quarter after Joel Bradford, a sophomore from Chattanooga, picked off a pass from sophomore B.J. Coleman, Chattanooga.

Nearing the end of the quarter, a rocket of a punt set the offense back on its own one-yard-line. Freshman J.J. Jackson, Marietta, Ga., tried to get the Mocs out of the hole, but he was corralled for a short gain.

It took nine possessions for UTC to get on the board after freshman Graham Nichols, Franklin, Tenn., took over under center. Nichols marched the team 65 yards on eight plays that resulted in a 27-yard touchdown to freshman Terrance Davis, Conyers, Ga.

Nichols also helped out when he converted a third-and-14 with freshman Marlon Anthony, Acworth, Ga., that netted 28 yards.

"I told [offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield] coming into this that I wanted the ball in [Davis's] hands and I wanted it in Brian Sutherland's hands," Huesman said. "Both of those guys bring the same type of thing where they can make people miss if you can get the ball on the perimeter to them. Sutherland finished the day with four catches for a team-high 86 yards."

Coleman was successful in completing 12 passes for 132 yards and is clearly the starting quarterback for the 2009 squad.

Coleman recently transferred from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and was a highly touted player at McCallie High School.

Last year's starter at quarterback Jare Gault, a senior from Boiling Springs, Miss., finished a productive day as well, going 10 for 14 on pass attempts for a total of 67 yards and one touchdown

Freshman Chris Awuah, Marietta, Ga., led the rushing attack with 12 carries for 72 yards.

Awuah also punched one into the endzone late in the scrimmage during two minute drills. Freshman Bo Dyer, Gatlinburg, Tenn., took nine rushes for 43 yards.

Senior Shaun Kermah, Los Angeles, Calif., was also solid in the running game. He had eight carries for 60 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore Courtland Ellzey, Jacksonville, Fla., also scored, punching in a one-yard run.

The defense was led by 10 tackles from senior Doug Faatiliga, San Francisco, Calif., and one fumble recovery. Senior Joseph Thornton, Stone Mountain, Ga., added six tackles.