MOCS GAME IN BITS & PIECES
SATURDAY’S STAR
UTC senior quarterback Nick Tiano had his best game of the season, throwing for 190 yards and a pair of touchdowns and running for another. Working without injured leading receiver Bryce Nunnelly, Tiano overcame a 2-for-9 start that included three dropped passes to lead the rally. His 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter was the icing on top of a much-needed confidence-boosting day.
SATURDAY’S STAT
A week after giving up more than 400 yards on the ground to Western Carolina, the UTC defense bowed its back and held Mercer to a mere 29 rushing yards on 25 carries. The total was 130 fewer yards than the Bears’ per-game average this year. Kahyyan Edwards and Telvin Jones up front and Ty Boeck and Marshall Cooper in the middle were too much for Mercer, which played without starting running back Tyray Devezin and a pair of starting offensive linemen.
TURNING POINT
Mocs coach Rusty Wright has been critical of his players for drawing penalties at crucial times, but Saturday it was the opposition’s turn. UTC drove inside the Mercer 20 on its final drive of the first half with the score 14-all, but the Mocs stalled and settled for a field-goal attempt. Victor Ulmo’s kick was blocked, but the Bears were called for being offside. Later, given a second chance, Ulmo was true from 21 yards to give the Mocs a lead they would not relinquish.
HIGHLIGHT PLAY
For the second consecutive week, a defensive play may have saved the Mocs. Ahead 13 late in the third quarter, UTC was on its heels after Mercer put together a drive that got inside the 20. Facing third-and-10, Mercer quarterback and McCallie graduate Robert Riddle hit elusive running back Deondre Johnson in the flat with one defender to beat. That defender, Jerrell Lawson, made a sure tackle to force a field goal and keep it a two-possession game.
WHAT IT MEANS
The Mocs move to 2-0 in the Southern Conference. Saturday’s win changes expectations heading into a much-needed off week. Suddenly, UTC’s Thursday night home game against East Tennessee State on Oct. 17 has huge implications within the league.