GRADING THE MOCS AFTER SEVEN GAMES
After a rough seven-game stretch to start the season, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program just had its bye week. The Mocs stand 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the Southern Conference heading into Saturday’s homecoming matchup against Virginia Military Institute. They still have four games remaining, with three wins likely securing the program’s fourth playoff berth in five seasons.
Today, the Times Free Press gives position grades for the team:
Quarterbacks B-plus
One could make a case that Nick Tiano has been the league’s best quarterback. He’s second in the league in touchdown-interception ratio (4:1), and in his 237 passes he’s thrown three picks, the fewest in the league. He also ranks third in yards per game and in touchdowns. When the rushing attack has gone stagnant, Tiano’s passing has kept the Mocs afloat. Running backs B-minus
The rushing attack has improved this season but still has been inconsistent. Tyrell Price has shown to be a valuable part of the offense, ranking sixth in the league in all-purpose yards and in the top 10 in rushing yards per game and touchdowns.
Receivers A-minus
After a hot start to the season, Bryce Nunnelly has been cooled off in recent weeks due to more attention being paid to him. Joseph Parker has been the team’s most consistent option, while Wil Young has shown flashes in his final season. The team has even started to get production out of the tight ends, with Jordan Giberti catching the game-winning two-point conversion against The Citadel and Jacob Webster hauling in a pair of passes against Western Carolina.
Offensive line C
The linemen largely have been effective in pass protection. Where they’ve struggled has been getting the ground game going. The Mocs have topped 100 yards rushing four times this season but failed to reach 50 in consecutive games, each a loss.
Defensive line A-minus
Seniors Isaiah Mack and Derek Mahaffey have been as good of a D-line duo as there has been in the league. The third spot has had multiple guys rotate in and out due to an injury to Devonnsha Maxwell early in the season, with Khayyan Edwards replacing Maxwell and both Tavi McLean and Tyler Cross seeing time.
Linebackers B
Even with the revolving door due to injuries, the Mocs have been a solid unit in the middle. Marshall Cooper, the team’s leading tackler with 64, is the only player to start every game, but Hawk Schrider is tied for the team lead in sacks. The possible return of senior Tavon Lawson, who has missed the past five games, could move Jerrell Lawson, the starting strong safety, back to his original position and strengthen both groups.
Secondary A
The Mocs lead the SoCon in interceptions per game (1.29) and in takeaway margin (plus-1.00). The only teams to have passing success against them were UT-Martin and Samford, and they totaled more than 100 passes to throw for less than 684 yards in a pair of UTC wins. Oh, and the Mocs picked off five passes against the two.
Special teams B-minus
Victor Ulmo has had a solid second season as the Mocs’ place-kicker, making all 20 of his extra-point attempts and 8 of 11 fieldgoal tries. Punting has been OK at best this season, although Colin Brewer has averaged over 41 yards the past two games. The Mocs haven’t done much in the return game, electing to return seven of 35 kickoffs due to the new fair-catch rule.
Coaching B-plus
If the Mocs had found a way to win against either East Tennessee State or Wofford given the team’s offensive inefficiencies in the two games, this would be an A. The only teams to move the ball on the defense couldn’t figure out a way to score consistently, and head coach Tom Arth’s decision to go for the two-point conversion (and the win) at The Citadel and offensive coordinator Justin Rascati’s play call showed the staff isn’t afraid to take risks.