The Chattanooga Mocs travel to Cullowhee on Saturday, October 26 to face the Catamounts during Homecoming Weekend for the Cats. Western is 21-30 overall versus the Mocs, and are 12-14 in games against Chattanooga played in Cullowhee. However, the Cats are currently riding a 4 game win streak over the Mocs.
Chattanooga, under head coach Rusty Wright (in his 8th season), enters the 2026 season coming off a 5-7 (4-4 SoCon) campaign in 2025. Wright addressed significant roster turnover through the transfer portal and high school recruiting, UTC added nearly 40 new players (22 four-year transfers + high school signees) while returning 65. This creates a more experienced and deeper squad heading into fall camp.
Key Players Lost from 2025
The 2025 team saw departures that impacted skill positions, particularly at wide receiver and in the backfield:
Key Players Lost from 2025
The 2025 team saw departures that impacted skill positions, particularly at wide receiver and in the backfield:
-RB Justus Durant (graduated; strong contributor with ~749 total yards and 4 TDs) and others like Ryan Ingram left production gaps in the run game.
-Multiple top wide receivers departed (some to FBS), thinning the receiving corps and elevating returners like John McIntyre and others.
-Other graduations and portal exits created needs on the lines and in the secondary, which the staff targeted aggressively in the offseason.
-Multiple top wide receivers departed (some to FBS), thinning the receiving corps and elevating returners like John McIntyre and others.
-Other graduations and portal exits created needs on the lines and in the secondary, which the staff targeted aggressively in the offseason.
New Additions:
Transfer Portal and Standout Freshmen
UTC heavily utilized the portal (22 four-year transfers) and signed a solid high school class (17 total, with early enrollees).
Key newcomers include:
-QB Parker Awad (Jr., transfer from New Mexico State/Edison) — Brings experience and competition to the quarterback room alongside returners like Matthew Clemmer. RB Harrison Bey-Buie (Sr., Northern Iowa) and Kevin Lalin (Sr., Catawba)
-QB Parker Awad (Jr., transfer from New Mexico State/Edison) — Brings experience and competition to the quarterback room alongside returners like Matthew Clemmer. RB Harrison Bey-Buie (Sr., Northern Iowa) and Kevin Lalin (Sr., Catawba)
- Veteran additions to bolster the backfield alongside early enrollee Kelby Glaze (Fr., standout from Lincoln County HS).
WR Ashton Schumann (Jr., transfer) and Boobie Leavell (Fr.)
-Help replenish the receiving group: TEs like Will Jackson-Linkhart (Sr., transfer), Tate O'Bryan (Sr.), and Hayne Tobias (Fr., early enrollee).
-OL reinforcements: Multiple transfers (e.g., Royce Baucom, Jaden Taylor, Jacob Ziegler, Austin Rudd) and freshmen (Jared Bafford, Hamilton Black, Simeon Alphonse) add depth and length.
-DL/LB/DB: Transfers like Terry Mikell (DL), Bryce Washington (LB), and several DBs (Jaylen Mosby, TJ Fields, etc.), plus freshmen DLs (Dacian Davis, Cruz Lee, Daniel Oduola).
Specialists: K Owen Maddox (Fr.) and LS Will Davidson (Jr., transfer).
These additions emphasize experienced players who have "played football somewhere," aiming for more speed, size on the lines, and competition across the board.
Offensive Outlook:
The offense returns pieces like QB Matthew Clemmer (R-Jr.), TE John McIntyre a top returning pass-catcher), and RB depth. New transfers at QB, RB, WR, TE, and especially OL should improve continuity and physicality. Expect a balanced attack relying on the run game (bolstered by Bey-Buie, Lalin, Glaze, and Wyche) and play-action with improved protection. The addition of length and experience on the O-line is a major positive for sustaining drives. Potential for growth if the new skill players gel quickly.
Defensive Outlook:
Defensive Outlook:
The defense should be a strength with returners like LB Zion Rutledge and others in the 2-deep (13 starters or key contributors noted as returning overall). New DL and DB additions provide depth and competition. Look for improvements in the front (more length) and secondary. The staff's focus on portal veterans who played extensively should help against SoCon's varied offenses.
Special Teams Outlook:
Special Teams Outlook:
Solid potential with returners and newcomers like K, Owen Maddox and LS, Will Davidson. Special teams were functional in 2025 and could be a reliable phase with continuity and fresh legs.
2026 Season Outlook and Prediction:
Preseason coaches' poll has the Mocs slotted around 5th (after Mercer, Tennessee Tech, ETSU, and Western Carolina). UTC received votes and placed 7 players on the preseason all-conference team, signaling respect for their returning core and portal haul.
Strengths: Roster depth (over 100 players), experienced transfers, improved lines, and coaching stability. Spring reports were positive, with the team outpacing prior years in development.
Challenges: Integrating so many new pieces (nearly 40 newcomers), quarterback competition/decision, and replacing lost skill-position production. Early non-conference games and the SoCon slate will test them.
Preseason coaches' poll has the Mocs slotted around 5th (after Mercer, Tennessee Tech, ETSU, and Western Carolina). UTC received votes and placed 7 players on the preseason all-conference team, signaling respect for their returning core and portal haul.
Strengths: Roster depth (over 100 players), experienced transfers, improved lines, and coaching stability. Spring reports were positive, with the team outpacing prior years in development.
Challenges: Integrating so many new pieces (nearly 40 newcomers), quarterback competition/decision, and replacing lost skill-position production. Early non-conference games and the SoCon slate will test them.
Prediction: 7-5 overall (5-3 SoCon), contending for a top-4 conference finish and potential FCS playoff consideration if they win the close ones. Optimistic scenarios could push 8+ wins with strong integration; a rebuilding year floor around 6 wins. The "construction period is complete," per Wright, so expect a more competitive, physical Mocs team in 2026
No comments:
Post a Comment