Alabama-UT Chattanooga: Fun Facts before the Mockingbirds Squawk

I've had writers block thinking of what to do for this game so I have searched the webbernet for data on UT Chattanooga, most of it actually comes from one source: their own football site.

It was full of fun facts.

UTC is a small school with a student population of 10,526.

Despite their long history, The Mockingbirds actually do have a little to offer the Tide in the way of competition on the gridiron. Having said this, they are only an average team in the FCS Southern Conference.

The Southern Conference (SoCon) includes Appalachian State, Furman, UT Chattanooga, Citadel, Wofford, Samford, Georgia Southern, Elon, and Western Carolina. In 2009, the Mocs are 6-4, 4-4.

They do however, have an error on the page that I can't resolve. They say that the Mocs are 0-10 against the Tide, but in the next paragraph state that Alabama and UT Chattanooga are meeting for the first time since 1994 and the eighth time in school history. Err, uh, "the math don't add up!"

O.K. point of clarification: 8 games have been played at Bryant-Denny, two games at Legion Field. Now that makes sense, thanks to the comment and update of loyal Mocs fan, Bob Mulkey.

Either way, they have never beaten the Crimson Tide.

From a 1-10 record in 2008 to the 6-4 record in 2009, the Mocs have had the greatest winning turnaround in school history. First year head coach Russ Huesman is a UTC alumnus.

Huesman was recruited by head coach Joe Morrison, played defensive back for the Mocs from '78-'81. He ended his playing career with the UTC under head coach Bill Oliver.

While head coach at William and Mary, Huesman coached Mike Tomlin, the current Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. Tomlin was a three-year starter at wide receiver.

Local boy, sophomore QB B.J. Coleman has thrown for over 2,300 yards this season. Initially a Tennessee signee, Coleman transferred back to his hometown of Chattanooga to play for the Mocs.

The 6'4" 200 lb. offensive leader is third in total offense (223.3 yards/game) and passing (231.2 yards/game) in the southern conference. The UTC offense averages 323.6 yards per game.

Coleman ranks No. 4 on the all-time single season list for the 102-year-old UT Chattanooga football program. The Mocs have allowed only nine sacks this season, ranking second in the SoCon and fourth in the nation. His 17 TD passes ties him for seventh all-time in a single season for the Mocs, three scores from third place.

WR Blue Cooper is the favorite target for Coleman. Cooper has 82 receptions on the year, second in the SoCon and fourth in the nation (8.2/game). He has 150 career receptions, surpassing alumnus Terrell Owens (1992-'95), and is fourth all time for the Mocs.

Chris Pitchford, a 6'0' 180 lb. junior, has 42 catches for 512 yards and senior WR Clint Woods has 29 catches for 250 yards on the year. The Mocs have eight players with catches of 20 yards or more and six players with 15 or more catches.

In the rushing phase of the game, RB Chris Awuah leads the backfield with 147 carries for 454 yards. In four games, senior running back Bryan Fitzgerald has 65 carries for 342 yards.

Fitzgerald suffered a sprained foot in the first quarter of the Samford game (Game Five) and has yet to return to the field. The loss of Fitzgerald has had an negative impact on run production, but the running game is still alive and well.

Freshman RB Bo Dyer, the current back up, has played in all 10 games, and has 32 carries for 92 yards. Awuah and Dyer have been effective as receivers out of the backfield, Awuah with 16 catches for 126 yards (7.8 yd avg) and Dyer has four catches for 27 yards (6.8 yd avg).

On defense, senior Josh Beard and freshman Josh Williams have pressured opposition quarterbacks and together have logged 19 sacks on the year. The Mocs collectively have 28 sacks in the 2009 season. 

In the secondary, sophomore Jordan Tippit (Huntsville, Al) leads the Mocs with five interceptions in the 10 games played. Buster Skrine and Joel Bradford are tied with two interceptions; the team has a total of 11 aerial takeaways on the year.

Defensively, LB Joseph Thornton leads the team with 45 solo tackles and 41 assists for a total of 86 tackles on the year. LB Ryan Consiglio has 48 solo tackles and 32 assists for 80 in 2009. Third in line is senior LB Steven Smigelsky with 40 solo and 26 assists.

Defensive backs Tippit and Skrine have made their share of stops on the year. Tippit has 32 solo stops and 19 assists. Skrine has made 28 solo tackles and 15 assists. Skrine is also a kick return specialist, with over 500 yards on the year ( 51 yd/game).

Place kicker Craig Camay is 16-19 Field goals and 22-24 PAT for the year. He leads the Mocs in scoring with 70 points.

For the Southern Conference of the football championship subdivision, the Mocs are a competitive team. Against the elite of the conference, they have folded. Losses to Furman, Elon, Georgia Southern, and Appalachian State have been by 15 points or more. The worst loss suffered on the road at Elon, N.C. by 35 points.

The Alabama Crimson Tide should have no trouble disposing the Mockingbirds. The Alabama senior class has made a commitment to leave Bryant-Denny with a win. The win will be by a convincing margin, as the Men in Crimson have not overlooked the Mocs.

The Game plan is set. The Tide will execute to near perfection.

Expect the Pachyderms to roll up and down the field like the war elephants of old. A score of 45-3 will send a message to the men down on the plains that a Crimson Tsunami is headed their way for which there will be no defense.

The Tide seniors have an appreciation for the fans that goes beyond school pride. This is their final game on the hallowed grounds of the home field. In their final hour, this class wants to show their appreciation for the support they have had during their stay at the Capstone.

It should be a special moment for everyone in the stadium; players, coaches, and fans. If you are in the stands, do your part to show these young men how much their commitment to Alabama football has meant to you.

This class is responsible for the return of glory to the Pride of Alabama. The return of the Alabama football empire to its traditional position in the SEC.

They will finish the task and it's going to be fun to watch. Roll Tide, Roll.