Bennifield makes most of chances with Mocs
More and more often, Alejandro Bennifield is receiving opportunities to contribute for the eighth-ranked University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team.
And more and more often, he’s producing in those opportunities.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound backup quarterback had a 29-yard reception in the Mocs’ 21-0 victory at Presbyterian College on Saturday. The week before, he had three carries for 40 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown run, as UTC opened Southern Conference play with a 31-21 win at Samford.
Bennifield also serves as one of UTC’s options at punter, and he has a team-leading 43.4-yard average on five punts.
He has helped the Mocs to a 3-1 record for their best start since 1997, when they won six of their first seven games.
“I just try to do whatever it is to help the team win,” Bennifield said. “If it’s at receiver, I’ll go there. Running back, whatever, I’m just trying to help the team win.”
And he admittedly likes having the ability to make plays when he can. That would explain why he was disappointed when he was tackled on his catch against the Blue Hose.
“I was trying to score,” he said with a laugh. “I saw him. He came at a good angle. I had a guy behind me, so I couldn’t stop, and I wasn’t going to try to run him over, so I just tried to make a little move — but yeah, I was mad.”
UTC coach Russ Huesman said the coaching staff has made a concerted effort to get Bennifield involved in the offense because of his playmaking ability. As the backup quarterback, the sophomore will have the first crack to replace senior Jacob Huesman in 2016, and the head coach is excited about Bennifield’s future. As well as his present. “He’s a good player, man,” the coach said. “He’s going to be a fantastic quarterback here. That’s the thing, I don’t think people understand the type of quarterback he’s going to be in the future for this program. “He’s legit.”
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/genehenleytfp.