Mocs defense having to ‘Cover and Move’ again
When the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football Mocs run out to warm up before games, they do so wearing black tank tops that say “Cover and Move.”
It’s a mantra the team, especially the defense, has had to take quite literally due to injuries. The defense has not been at full strength since the second week of the season. This week is no different. Defensive tackle Derek Mahaffey will serve a onegame suspension mandated by the Southern Conference as a result of what was called a “strike” of a Virginia Military Institute player in UTC’s 34-27 win over the Keydets last Saturday. Mahaffey has 52 tackles, four for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup, but his loss as the Mocs (6-2, 4-2) prepare to visit Furman (3-4, 3-2) on Saturday is just the next one in a season full of them defensively.
His absence likely means that freshman Devonnsha Maxwell — freshly back from an injury — will move to defensive tackle, because tackle Telvin Jones already is out for the season. Maxwell typically plays on the end opposite Isaiah Mack, so it’s possible freshman defensive tackle Josh Walker and freshman defensive end Tavi McLean will play some against the Paladins with Mack and junior Khayyan Edwards the starting ends.
“It’s exactly what ‘Cover and Move’ is all about,” coach Tom Arth said early this week. “Guys have to step up, play better, play increased roles, play different roles. That’s what covering is: It’s taking care of your teammates, looking out, stepping up. Last week, the defense was struggling and giving up some points, but the offense was able to come back. Certainly we’ve been on the other side of that, where the offense has been struggling and the defense has been able to hold it down and give the offense a chance to figure it out.
“That’s the heart and soul of what ‘Cover and Move’ is — for our team to be able to handle adversity, come together and have it bring you together in a really positive way. That’s important, and I think for the most part we’ve done that this year.”
Jones, Maxwell and linebacker Tavon Lawson were lost against The Citadel on Sept. 8. Lawson and Maxwell are back, with Lawson returning last week against VMI. The linebackers have had to adjust with outside linebacker Michael Bean injured against Wofford, a game in which he had 17 tackles. Strong safety Jerrell Lawson has played linebacker.
More than 20 defensive players have logged time on the field for the Mocs this season, with 16 making at least one start.
“It’s the ‘next man up’ mentality,” said sophomore defensive back Jordan Jones, who had to step up last week after an injury to senior Kareem Orr. “We’ve had that mentality all season due to injuries and everything else that’s happened. It’s as simple as that.”
First-year defensive coordinator Matt Feeney and the defensive staff as a whole have been challenged to adjust to personnel losses on the fly in some cases, while having time to adjust on some others. Yet the Mocs rank second in the league in scoring defense and third in total defense and face a Paladins offense that has struggled at times this season with inconsistency at quarterback.
“It’s a credit to our staff and their ability to coach these guys and get them to play fundamental football and help their football knowledge grow, so we’re able to put them in different pieces to be successful,” Feeney said. “It’s not the ideal situation to have so much fluidity within our defense, and it’s really challenged me, but it’s made me better. I wouldn’t be in position without this staff for really putting in all the work they do for their position groups to help out the unit.”