UTC defensive coaches hope to learn more
There was only so much that defensive coordinator Adam Braithwaite and the other University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive coaches could assess from the lopsided season-opening win against Shorter University.
They hope to get a better gauge Saturday as to how good their Mocs are.
It took the Hawks until their 39th offensive play to reach positive yards, as UTC forced three turnovers, had three sacks and allowed a total of 16 yards on 43 offensive plays in the 66-0 domination.
The task will be more difficult this week, as the sixth-ranked Mocs host Big South Conference member Presbyterian (0-1) Saturday at 2 p.m. at Finley Stadium.
Braithwaite and defensive tackle Justin King said this week that the most important part of video study of the Shorter game was making sure all of the little things were done correctly.
“You really look for people being in the right place, right technique and right footwork,” King said. “Everybody was just clicking on all cylinders being in the right place. Communication is key because you can get beat running the ball, passing the ball and trick plays, so you have to be on your P’s and Q’s, ready to go looking for anything unusual.
“We were able to execute our play calls.”
Presbyterian running back Darrell Bridges from Ridgeland High School will be a focus for the Mocs. He had 87 yards rushing against UTC last season, which was nearly 10 yards under his season average, but the Blue Hose now run a lot more four-receiver sets, which could give quarterback Ben Cheek
some running lanes. He rushed 10 times as well as completing a career-high 10 passes in the 49-3 loss to Central Michigan last week, when the Blue Hose trailed 14-3 at halftime.
“Last week, we weren’t worried about the quarterback pulling the ball and running it,” Braithwaite said. “We have to be worried about designed quarterback runs, and him scrambling, improvising and making plays with his feet. That presents a problem, and you have to stop the run to have a chance to win.
“I think they’re putting an emphasis on putting the ball downfield a little bit. They’re going to try to be a balanced team when it’s all said and done.”
Injury report
UTC head coach Russ Huesman said after Thursday’s practice that sophomore running back Alex Trotter (shoulder) and receiver Wil Young (ankle) will be out against Presbyterian. Sophomore offensive tackle Kennington Cadwell and redshirt freshman linebacker Michael Bean will be game-time decisions.
Season tickets
People can still get prorated season tickets today for $75 for general admission seats and $115 for chairback seating for the Mocs’ five remaining home games: Saturday against Presbyterian, Sept. 24 against Samford, Oct. 8 against Mercer, Oct. 22 against Virginia Military Institute and Nov. 12 against Wofford.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.