UTC Coach Russ Huesman and the Mocs open the football season Saturday against Jacksonville (Ala.) State at Finley Stadium
photo by M.A. Locke
Saturday at Finley Stadium at 6 p.m. it’s No.8 Chattanooga vs. No.7 Jacksonville (Ala.) State in arguably the most anticipated and talked about game in Chattanooga football history.
An important region rivalry as a pair of top 10 FCS schools meet for the 39th time in the season opener for both schools.
“This should be a great game between two of the best teams in FCS football and we expect a big crowd at Finley Stadium to cheer on the Mocs,” said UTC coach Russ Huesman.
“We don’t like them and they don’t like us and that adds to the great rivalry.”
UTC holds an overall 26-12 series lead, but the Gamecocks have won seven of the last nine games, including a 26-23 overtime victory last year in Chattanooga.
UTC Returning Starters: The Mocs have 16 starters back from 2014 season, including All-Americans Jacob Huesman (quarterback) and offensive tackle Corey Levin.
Old Rivals: The series dates back to 1904 – first season of collegiate football for both schools – with Chattanooga winning 5-0 Nov. 5 in Chattanooga.
If You Are Going:
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets for the game are available now at the UTC Ticket Office by calling (423) 266-MOCS (6627) or online on GoMocs.com. In addition to the regular business hours of the UTC Ticket Office (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at McKenzie Arena, the First Tennessee Pavilion ticket window at Finley Stadium is open on Friday, Sept. 4, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. (E.D.T.) and opens at Noon (E.D.T.) on gameday.
Wear Blue: Saturday's game is a CODE BLUE with all fans encouraged to wear their blue Mocs gear. The first 2,000 through the gate receive FREE Code Blue T-shirts. Erlanger Health System has partnered with Mocs Sports Properties to serve as the game sponsor.
Radio Broadcast: 96.1 FM the Legend in Chattanooga …
The Mocs Sports Network broadcasts the game on 96.1 The Legend in Chattanooga. Jim Reynolds has the play-by-play with Todd Agne giving the color commentary and Will Poindexter on the sideline. A link for a free audio broadcast is available on the football schedule page on GoMocs.com. Fans can also listen to the game on the iHeart Radio app by searching for US 101 The Legend at 96.1 on their mobile device.
ALL-TIME OPENERS
Chattanooga Home Openers: Mocs are 72-32-3 (68.7%)
All-time Season Openers: Mocs are 59-47-1 (55.6%)
The Chattanooga Mocs are 72-32-3 (.687) in home openers all-time. UTC has posted a 10-7 (.588) mark in the 17 openers at Finley Stadium. It was 62-21-3 (.738) in home openers in the 86 seasons played on Chamberlain Field. The Mocs are 3-3 in the six home openers during the Russ Huesman era. Chattanooga is 59-47-1 (.556) in all-time season openers. The Mocs have lost five straight openers, but three of those were to FBS teams.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net