2012 Mocs Football
2012 outlook
season Outlook Excitement continues to grow
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team is gearing up for another exciting season this fall. The Mocs are anxious to get back on the field after a tough campaign in 2011. UTC went 5-6 overall, with five of its losses coming by a combined 12 points. After going 6-5 in each of head coach Russ Huesman’s first two seasons, UTC came into 2011 with high expectations and a national ranking. However, the Mocs missed out on their first playoff appearance since 1984 thanks to three 28-27 defeats. UTC was competitive in every game, but could not get the game-clinching score or all-important first down late in the game. The 2012 team will also have high hopes and a preseason ranking when action begins in September. Despite last year’s struggles, UTC was picked Junior linebacker Wes Dothard was a First Team All-American selection by The Sports Network to finish fourth in the SoCon by both the in 2011. He is a preseason All-American heading into 2012 and leads one of the top defenses league’s media and coaches in 2012. It in the nation. is the first time Chattanooga has been nation in pass defense (140.6) in 2011. Chattanooga returns four of five startpicked that high in both polls since the ers on the offensive line, including 1991 season. Gone from the offense is quarterback preseason All-SoCon pick and senior B.J. Coleman, who was taken in the captain Adam Miller. Sophomore FayThe excitement is centered around the seventh round of the NFL Draft by the sal Shafaat is also garnering attention, fact that the Mocs return eight starters to Green Bay Packers in April. Despite earning a spot on the preseason All-Sowhat was the top defense in the South- losing an NFL signal caller, the Mocs Con second team as a tight end. ern Conference last season. UTC is led are very excited about their returners by a pair of preseason All-Americans in and newcomers under center. Chattanooga opens the season with a senior defensive end Josh Williams and Sept. 1 trip to Tampa, Fla., to face South junior linebacker Wes Dothard. Terrell Robinson stepped in for an in- Florida, a member of the Big East conjured Coleman midway through the ference. The Mocs stay on the road Williams is the all-time sack leader at year and had an excellent season. He in week two, traveling to Jacksonville UTC with 21.5 in his career, while Do- was named the SoCon Freshman of the State on Sept. 8. The home-opener is thard was a first team All-American in Year and is fighting for the starting job set for Thursday, Sept. 13 when UTC 2011. Junior defensive back D.J. Key in 2012. He will be pushed by junior hosts Glenville State at 7:00 p.m. to returns and is a preseason first team All- Graham Nichols and freshman Jacob close out non-conference action. SoCon selection. Junior defensive back Huesman. Kadeem Wise and sophomore defenThe Mocs host Appalachian State, sive end Davis Tull made the preseason Also gone from last year is All-American Samford, Georgia Southern and Elon All-SoCon second team. receiver Joel Bradford. Bradford started in SoCon action. UTC is on the road every game over the last two seasons against Western Carolina, The Citadel, The Mocs finished the year leading the and has some big numbers to fill. Ju- Furman and Wofford in league play. SoCon in total defense (305.3), scoring nior Marlon Anthony is ready to step out defense (19.7 ppg) and turnover margin of Bradford’s shadow and carry the load (+9). Chattanooga was also No. 2 in the among the receivers.
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