MOCS GAME IN BITS & PIECES

SATURDAY’S STAR

Even though it came in a losing effort, running back Darrell Bridges had his best game as a Moc, rushing for 149 yards and two scores. He had a season-long 61 yard touchdown run in the first quarter, while adding a 1-yard plunge in the second, and his effort was the most yards the Citadel defense had allowed to a single back all season.

SATURDAY’S STAT

The UTC defense gave up a season-high 405 yards on the ground to the tripleoption Bulldog attack, but those yards only translated to 20 points as the defense was able to keep the visitors out of the end zone.

TURNING POINT

The Mocs held a touchdown lead at the half, but the Bulldogs scored 13 points on their first three drives of the second half, gaining 204 yards — all rushing — while milking 12:28 of game time,

HIGHLIGHT PLAY

The Mocs drove the ball to the Citadel 11-yard line with inside of two minutes remaining, with four attempts to score what would have been the gamewinning touchdown. They responded with back-to-back throwaways by Copeland; an incomplete pass for Alphonso Stewart in the end zone; and an interception by Aron Spann III to seal the Bulldog win.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Mocs have spoke of progress a lot recently. Having their best rushing performance of the season against the Southern Conference’s best rushing defense and coming within a pass into the end zone of winning would suggest that they’re making strides, but the result was the same as the last three — a loss. And the road doesn’t get any easier, with consecutive games against ranked opponents coming up.