Fourth-ranked Mocs facing solid defense at Furman
An explosive offense. A stingy defense.
Something is going to have to give Saturday.
The 2-0 and fourth-ranked University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team, which moved up two spots in the Football Championship Subdivision coaches’ poll after its 34-0 win over Presbyterian Saturday, will get its Southern Conference slate started this Saturday at 0-2 Furman.
The Paladins’ defense has been solid in road losses to FBS 12th-ranked Michigan State (28-13) and FCS 15th-ranked The Citadel (19-14). Furman ranks second in the league in total defense to UTC, allowing 329.5 yards per game, including holding a Spartans team that advanced to last season’s College Football Playoff semifinals to 361 yards of offense.
“I just hope we continue to prepare,” UTC coach Russ Huesman said Saturday. “I saw Nakevion Leslie in the office five-six times last week, other times when it wasn’t meeting time, watching film. Same with Lucas Webb. I hope they continue.
“We get 20 hours a week (with the players). That’s just not enough, but it has to be enough. They work on their own, study on their own, communicate with each other, so I hope they continue this process, and I think they will.
“We’ll get tested against Furman. I think they’re a real good football team, so we’re going to have to prepare and do things the right way.”
The Mocs, who still are sixth in the STATS FCS poll, have won four straight in the series that dates back to 1928. This season’s UTC edition has been highlighted by the offensive explosion of 7.6 yards per play and 14 touchdowns, but the defense has been equally as impressive, allowing a total of 212 yards allowed through two games.
The Mocs lead the league with seven sacks — four by Vantrel McMillan, who leads the league individually — and have yet to allow a point.
“Everybody on the line is hungry right now, so we’re trying to do a lot of things and compete within the unit,” McMillan said. “It makes it funner, makes it able for us to really get after it, and that’s the best thing.”
The Mocs actually have been better historically at Furman (10-12 all-time) than when the two have played in Chattanooga, where the Paladins hold a 15-8 edge. With this being the road opener, the Mocs are prepared for a tough challenge.
“It’s definitely going to be a different atmosphere — a different stadium, a different crowd — but I feel like our team is road warriors,” quarterback Alejandro Bennifield said. “When we go on the road, we play great. I feel right now our offense is explosive and our defense is just as dominant, so we’re looking forward to a win.”
Bennifield was named the College Football Performance Awards national FCS performer of the week after going 11-for-15 for 279 passing yards and four touchdowns and running 13 times for 34 yards and another TD against Presbyterian. He also was SouthernPigskin.com’s SoCon X-factor of the week.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.