A few hundred fans came out to see the Mocs go through a full quarter of live play and a number of situational drills. Head coach Russ Huesman echoed the sentiments of all Mocs fans when he addressed the media following the scrimmage.
"The best thing that happened today is Steven Fox is the U.S. Amateur Champion," stated Huesman. "Unbelievable. And I am getting that in. We are so proud of him. What an accomplishment. Our golf program is phenomenal."
"Out here, we got a lot done, organizationally. We had to do these things. We can't wait until the first game. Substitutions, special teams, being where they are supposed to be - I thought we got a lot out of it. The wide receivers really made some nice plays and some nice catches. They are blocking really well and Tommy Hudson is making people miss. I thought our running backs played really hard."
Sophomore Terrell Robinson (South Pittsburg, Tenn.) led the Mocs on a seven-play, 65-yard drive to open the afternoon. It was capped by a 20-yard TD pass from Robinson to sophomore Bryant Belew (Columbia, Tenn.). The drive also included a 35-yard hookup between Robinson and senior J.J. Jackson (Marietta, Ga.).
Freshman Jacob Huesman (Chattanooga, Tenn.) led a four-play, 77-yard drive of his own two possessions later. He was 3/4 passing, including a diving catch by Belew that resulted in a 44-yard completion. Sophomore Tommy Hudson (Moultrie, Ga.) made up the other 33 yards with two catches, including a 21-yard haul for the score.
Belew had an outstanding afternoon, making eight catches for 144 yards and the score. Hudson made six catches for 59 yards and his score. Freshman Al Thompson (Nashville, Tenn.) had 64 yards on four grabs.
The defense settled down and ended the next three drives with a turnover. Junior Chaz Moore (Memphis, Tenn.) picked off junior Graham Nichols (Franklin, Tenn.), sophomore Keith Mayes (Chattanooga, Tenn.) intercepted Robinson and Moore forced a fumble by freshman Marquis Green (Palmetto, Fla.).
Robinson finished the day 13/18 passing for 121 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Huesman was 21/32 passing for 254 yards, a TD and a pick. On the ground, Robinson had 13 carries for 62 yards and a score while Huesman totaled 19 yards and a TD on 10 carries.
"They are both doing a great job," stated Coach Huesman when asked about the quarterbacks. "Terrell, when he gets out there he can make you miss. They both have great qualities. I think they are both leading our offense really well. I like both of them and I am awfully proud of the progress they have made in camp. They look like they own the offense. They both are going to help us win games."
Jackson finished with five carries for 22 yards and two TDs. Freshman Kendrix Huitt had 50 yards on seven attempts and sophomore Keon Williams (Chattanooga, Tenn.) finished with 36 yards and a score on eight carries. The running backs finished with 120 yards on the ground with six different Mocs getting a touch.
"Our backs have been doing a really good job this year," said Coach Huesman. "Half of the time I don't know who is in there. They are all different, but when they are in there they all look like they are doing about the same stuff. Our backs are going to need to rush for 175 yards. Whether it is two guys getting it, three guys getting it or one guy getting it, we have to have it. I thought they did a nice job."
The Mocs also looked sharp in the kicking game. Sophomore Nick Pollard (Smryna, Tenn.) has taken over the punting duties. He will continue the rugby-style that Joel Bradford perfected last season. Pollard had a 49-yarder in today's scrimmage.
Freshman Henrique Ribeiro (Chattanooga, Tenn.) made a pair of field goals from 52 and 43 yards. His 52-yarder split the uprights with plenty of distance and would have been one yard shy of the school record in a regulation game.
The Mocs are less than two weeks away from the season opener at South Florida on Sept. 1. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) and the contest will broadcast on ESPN3. UTC opens its five game home slate on Thursday, Sept. 13, against Glenville State at 7:00 p.m. Season tickets are on sale now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at (423) 266-MOCS (6627).
Aug. 19 - Scrimmage Stats
118 Total Plays
Passin
Jacob Huesman - 21/32 - 254 yards - TD - IN
Terrell Robinson - 13/18 - 121 yards - TD - IN
Graham Nichols - 3/4 - 35 yards - INT
Rushing (Carries-Yards
Terrell Robinson - 13-62 T
Kendrix Huitt - 7-5
Keon Williams - 8-36
J.J. Jackson - 5-27 2TD
Jacob Huesman - 10-19 T
Tolerance Shepherd - 1-
Marquis Green - 7-
Taharin Tyson - 1-1
Receivin
Bryant Belew - 8-144 T
Al Thompson - 4-6
Tommy Hudson - 6-59
Michael Trundle - 4-4
J.J. Jackson - 1-3
Tray James - 2-1
Faysal Shafaat - 2-1
C.J. Board - 2-
Jarrett Burns - 1-
Eric Foster - 1-
Kendrix Huitt - 1-
Marquis Green - 2-
Keon Williams - 2-
Taharin Tyson - 1-3
Defense
Sacks - Josh Freeman, Derrick Lott, Chris Mayes, Keyon Reed, Davis Tull, Josh Williams.
Interceptions - Chaz Moore, Keith Mayes, Cedric Nettles (Pick 6)
TFL - Vantrell McMillan, Zack Rayl, Keyon Reed, Muhasibi Wakeel.
PBU - Will Johnson (2), Zack Rayl.
Forced Fumble - Chaz Moore
Kickin
Nick Pollard - Missed from 33 yards - Made from 40 yards
Henrique Ribeiro - Made from 52 and 43 yards.
