Chattanooga 2014 FCS Football Playoff Capsule

George Hammond


Chattanooga Mocs
SoCon

 

The Mocs made history when they went undefeated in league play for the first time, and it was the first time since 1984 they’ve won the Southern Conference title outright. This also is their first playoff appearance since 1984. Chattanooga’s margin of victory in SoCon play is the best since Marshall in 1996. It’s also only the third time since 1977, when they became a Division I school, that they’ve registered nine wins in a season. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact Chattanooga started the season 0-2 with losses to FBS Central Michigan and then an overtime loss to Ohio Valley Conference power Jacksonville State. Since then, the only other loss was a 45-10 drubbing at the hands of Tennessee in early October.

2014 Record: 9-3, 7-0
Coach: Russ Huesman

Big Wins: 11/1 at Western Carolina (51-0), 9/27 Samford (38-24)
Bad Losses: 8/28 at Central Michigan (16-20), 9/6 Jacksonville State (23-26)

Strengths:
In a nutshell, the Mocs have made a name for themselves through defense. They are a top ten team nationally in total D, top five in passing yards allowed, have an outstanding red zone defense, have a solid kicking game (punter Nick Pollard is top 20 nationally) and like to control the clock. Freshman Lucas Webb is among the leaders on defense as he had five interceptions on the year (good enough for eighth nationally), and senior defensive end Davis Tull is among the top 15 nationally in sacks. That doesn’t mean they don’t have standouts on offense. Junior quarterback Jacob Huesman, the coach’s son, leads the Mocs’ attack. He has the most touchdowns in school history (running and passing), and he has recorded the most wins as Mocs’ quarterback in school history. Huesman also is in the top ten nationally in completion percentage. Senior running back Keon Williams will likely become the Mocs’ all-time leader in rushing touchdowns before the season concludes. Meanwhile, Tommy Hudson has returned two punts for scores this year, a first by a Moc since UTC joined the SoCon in 1977.

Weaknesses:
The Mocs would prefer to avoid a shootout. They want to control the clock and feast on their opponents’ mistakes. Despite the quarterback Huesman’s talents, Chattanooga still is in the bottom 50 in total offense nationally and ranked 89th in passing offense.

Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Keon Williams, RB, 891 yards
Passing: Jacob Huesman, QB, 2,155 yards
Receiving: Tommy Hudson, WR, 503 yards
Tackles: Muhasibi Wakeel, LB, 98
Sacks: Davis Tull, DL, 10.5
Interceptions: Lucas Webb, DB, 5

2014 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 201.5 (31st in nation, 4th in conference)
Passing Offense: 179.3 (89, 6)
Total Offense: 380.7 (61, 5)
Scoring Offense: 34.2 (26, 3)
Rushing Defense: 133.3 (26, 2)
Pass Defense: 144.5 (4, 2)
Total Defense: 277.8 (7, 1)
Scoring Defense: 18.5 (12, 1)
Turnover Margin: 0.36 (34, 2)
Sacks: 2.64 (21, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.00 (11, 2)

Recent Playoff Appearances:
1984    First Round    Lost to Arkansas State

*all team stats through 11/15

 

Playoff Central