Up Next: Chattanooga Mocs

One of the most important games to be played in Cullowhee in many seasons takes place on Saturday, November 1st 2014.  

On that day, that the #14 nationally ranked Chattanooga Mocs cross the mountains into the great state of North Carolina, finally arriving in the Cullowhee valley - to face the Catamounts. Both teams are undefeated in Southern Conference play this season, with identical 4-0 records.  This game is for sole possession of first place in the Southern Conference standings, and firmly puts the winner in the driver's seat and able to control their own destiny on the road to a conference championship. The loser, while not out of the race, will be tied with Wofford at one conference loss each. Wofford is on a bye this week.    

The Mocs were the preseason poll favorites, while the improbable Catamounts were judged to finish the season about 5th place.  To the surprise of all but the Catamounts themselves, the Cats are off to a 4-0 Southern Conference start for the first time since 1978, and are perfect in games played in Cullowhee this season. At 6-2, the Cats have won the most games since seven victories in 2001.  

The Chattanooga Mocs reached the 4-0 conference record (for the first time in school history) with their narrow 38-31 win over newcomer and second season football team, Mercer. In that game, the Mocs had their second highest offensive output of of the season at 542 total yards  (359 passing and  183 rushing).  Moc quarterback Jacob Huesman is credited with 458 of those yards, which includes a career high 359 in the air on 14 of 25 attempts, with two touchdowns and one interception. 

When:  November 1, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Where: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

TV:  SoCon Digital Network

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

Series history:   Having first played in football in 1973 between the two teams, the Cats own a 16-24-0 record against the Mocs,  UTC currently owns a 5 game win streak against the Cats. and hold a 10-9 record in games played in Cullowhee. 

Their coach:  Russ Huesman  - The 2013 SoCon Football Coach of the Year is entering his sixth season as head coach. Since taking over in 2009, Chattanooga is 31-25 underHuesman. 

Last year’s record:  8-4 overall, 6-2 Southern Conference - The Mocs received a share of the 2013 Football Championship with a 6-2 conference record.  The Mocs shared the title with Furman and Samford. 

Last season's game vs. Chattanooga:   October, 5th 2013 -  Chattanooga quarterback Jacob Huesman tossed four touchdown passes and rushed for a fifth as the Mocs handed Western Carolina a 42-21 loss at Finley Stadium / Davenport Field. Huesman threw for 223 of UTC's 432 total yards of offense, adding 49 yards on the ground in the victory for the Mocs. Tailback Keon Williams rushed for 127 and a score in the winning effort.  Chattanooga converted three WCU first half interceptions into 14 points, while limiting theCats to just 63 total yards in the opening half to carry a 21-0 point lead into the locker room. 

Offensive Formation:   multiple

Defensive Formation:   multiple

Lettermen Returning:  39 / 19

Starters Returning/Loss:   15 - 9

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:   8 - 3

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  5 - 6

Specialist Returning/Lost:   3 - 1

2014 Chattanooga Statistics:
Scoring:   32 points per game
Rushing Offense:  184.4 yards per game
TDs rushing:   16
Passing Offense:  170.2 yards per game
TDs passing:   13
Total Offense:  354.6 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost:   11 - 6
Penalties-Yards:   46 - 407
On-side kicks:  0 - 1
3rd Down Conversions:  43 of 111  (39%)
4th Down Conversions:   5 of 8  (62%)
Field Goals - Attempts:   9 of 9  (100%)
Red-Zone Scores:  24 0f 27  (89%)
Red-Zone Touchdowns:  18 of 27  (67%)

Losses/Weaknesses: - The Moc defense took the biggest hit in losses, losing 6 starters, two linebackers, two safeties, and two cornerbacks.  The defense also lost 3 additional lettermen - a defensive tackle, a linebacker and a cornerback.

Strengths: - The offensive side of the ball returns 8 starters, and defensive end Davis Tull, tight end Faysal Shafaat and defensive tackle Derrick Lott are preseason All-Americans, helping the Mocs to a No. 10 national ranking in the Lindy’s preseason top-25, No. 12 in Athlon and No. 14 in The Sporting News poll.

Returning Leaders: Jacob Huesman - QB, Keon Williams - RB, Nick Pollard - P, Davis Tull - DE, Faysal Shafaat - TE, Derrick Lott - DE


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