THE MATCHUP
UTC’s defensive front has been able to create pressure and get sacks so far this season. The Skyhawks have been about 50-50 in terms of their run-pass ratio, but quarterback Dresden Winn already has attempted 77 passes — 53 came in last week’s 61-37 loss to Middle Tennessee State — as his team has struggled to have success on the ground. If the Mocs can shut down the run, they’ll have opportunities to get either sacks or force turnovers, something they have thrived on this season, with at least two in each game.
ONE TO WATCH
Nick UT-Martin performance Tiano last was since season, at the gaining center which Jacksonville looked only of was 111 the like UTC’s yards Mocs’ the State. same in worst 21-7 a He 2014 player loss offensive hasn’t loss to who to struggled his time as for the vast starting portions quarterback of last season, and the offensive line — which allowed five sacks and eight tackles for loss in last season’s game against UTC — hasn’t been the same either. If the Mocs are forced to use the pass to set up the run for a third consecutive week, they feel confident in Tiano’s ability to open up the ground game.
IN THE END
There has been some revisionist history concerning these teams’ 2017 meeting, which UT-Martin won 21-7. The Mocs lost and looked horrible in the process, but it wasn’t as though the Skyhawks looked like world-beaters — they just looked better than an anemic UTC offense. UT-Martin averaged 2.4 yards per carry and struggled to move the ball at times, but UTC’s offense was so bad it didn’t matter. With the Mocs seemingly more explosive in that regard this season, they will jump out in front, hold off the Skyhawks and set up a big contest at home next week against Southern Conference preseason favorite Samford.