Mocs shock Wofford on Homecoming

The rain stopped and the skies parted just long enough last Saturday for the Mocs to get a convincing 38-9 win over the 17th ranked Wofford Terriers. It was UTC's first Southern Conference win since 2007.

In the stunning homecoming upset, the Mocs (3-1, 1-1) earned their third win of the Russ Huesman era and the first over a FCS ranked team since the 2006 win over No. 19 Georgia Southern.

"I told our guys in the locker room that I've coached for 30 years and this is the best victory I've ever had in my life - 30 years," an emotional Huesman said afterward. "I've been to bowl games, I've won a national championship. This is the best win I've ever been involved with."

Sophomore quarterback and Chattanooga native B.J. Coleman threw four touchdowns and completed over 76 percent of his throws, hitting 23 of 30 for 176 yards. The four touchdowns and 23 completions were both season highs for Coleman.

Both offenses exchanged punts to begin the game, but on the Terriers second possession the Mocs defense stuffed a fourth down attempt early in the first quarter and undoubtedly set the tone for the entire game.

Energized by the defensive stop, the Mocs offense, under Coleman's direction, moved quickly into Wofford territory with a 26-yard strike to senior captain Clint Woods, of Birmingham, Ala.

The 26-yard reception was Woods' longest of the season.

The offense converted three straight third downs on the 11-play workman-like drive to get the scoring started and ended with a 3-yard scoring strike from Coleman to senior receiver and Rome, Ga. native Blue Cooper. Cooper, who finished with five receptions for 20 yards and two touchdowns, called the win the highlight of his football career.

"Just the overall score, how bad we beat them, and how we came together as a team, it feels great," Cooper said happily.

The Mocs receivers were lead by junior Chris Pitchford, from Knoxville, who had a career best eight catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Woods grabbed five balls for 50 yards and score.

Following the Mocs opening score, the Terriers put together a scoring drive of their own, marching 80 yards on 10 plays to tie the game 7-7.

On the ensuing possession, the Mocs marched 59 yards on 10 plays, with the score coming on another throw from Coleman to Cooper from four yards out giving UTC a 14-7 lead.

Wofford's next possession was cut short, courtesy of an interception by sophomore defensive back Jordan Tippit, of Huntsville, Ala.

Tippit returned the errant pass 20 yards and set up the Mocs final score of the half, a 39-yard field goal from senior kicker Craig Camay, from Marietta, Ga., that put UTC ahead 17-7 as time expired.

Chattanooga received the ball to start the second half and picked up right where it left off.

UTC ground out 69 yards on 13 plays and widened their lead to 24-7 on a six-yard touchdown pass from Coleman to Pitchford.

"Coach [Marcus Satterfield] had a good game plan and everyone bought in," Pitchford said. "This gives us a lot of confidence for this three-game road trip we have coming up."

As if momentum wasn't already on their side, the Mocs defense flexed its muscle again on the Terrier's next possession, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Coleman and the Mocs offense weren't done though, and marched 78 yards on eight plays and scored on a beautifully thrown fade pass to Woods from nine yards out, increasing the lead to 31-7.

Chattanooga's offense made its first mistake of the game on the next possession with a snap over Coleman's head out of the shotgun that resulted in a safety, but the Mocs forced a fumble on the ensuing free kick.

Senior linebacker Tony Swafford, of Hixson, Tenn., forced the fumble and J.D. Dothard, of Carollton, Ga., returned it 51 yards for the game's final score, giving the Mocs a 29-point lead with 11:57 remaining.

UTC's defense notched another impressive performance, holding the Terriers to 226 yards of offense, nearly 100 below their average.

Chattanooga even outrushed Wofford (1-3, 0-1), gaining 170 yards to the Terriers' 151, a stat that left Huesman noticeably excited.

"The first thing I thought when I knew we were going to win this game was these guys deserved it. They've taken a beating for a long time," Huesman said. "To see how happy they were, made me even happier."

The Mocs have an open date this week and return to the field Oct. 10 at Samford for a 3 p.m. kickoff.