Box Score Nov. 1, 2014
Final Stats |
Quotes |
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Cullowhee, N.C. - No. 12/14 Chattanooga rolled up 512 yards of offense including a season-high 386 yards on the ground as it handed Western Carolina its first Southern Conference loss of the season in a 51-0 defeat Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
UTC tailback Keon Williams rushed for 194 yards and two touchdowns as eight different Mocs recorded carries. Running back Marquis Green and quarterback Jacob Huesman both added ground scores with the latter also tossing two touchdown passes for UTC. Placekicker Henrique Ribeiro added three field goals in the winning effort.
Western Carolina (6-3, 4-1 SoCon) struggled finding any rhythm offensively, held to three-and-out on its first three possessions of the game. It wasn't until early in the second quarter that the offensive unit earned its first, first down on a nine-yard pass from quarterback Troy Mitchell to wide receiver Terryon Robinson.
Adding to WCU's struggles were two second half turnovers coming on a fumble and a fourth quarter interception. The Catamounts were limited to just 42 offensive plays - 18 fewer than the 60 rushing attempts by UTC and 32 fewer than the Mocs' 74 offensive snaps.
Mitchell, who entered the game leading the SoCon in total offense per game (259.9 yds/gm), was held to just 77 total yards with five yards rushing after three sacks ate into his total and 72 yards through the air on 8-of-17 passing. WCU's big-play offense was held in check with just one big strike - a 40-yard pitch-and-catch to Karnorris Benson - but was unable to capitalize on the momentary spark.
Senior tailback Shaun Warren accounted for WCU's high in rushing yardage with just seven yards on three carries in the second half.
Western Carolina's defense stopped the UTC offence twice on the game's opening possession, a drive that was kept alive by a five-yard penalty on the first Mocs punt just five plays into the game. However, the Catamount offense was unable to muster a first down and WCU was forced to punt the ball back to the Mocs after just a minute and a half of clock time.
On the ensuing possession, Huesman and the Mocs marched just 49 yards for the score, a one-yard Williams plunge to give UTC all the points it would ultimately need.
After a second three-play series for the WCU offense, Williams broke free for a 39-yard rushing touchdown so stake the Mocs to a two-score advantage after the first quarter.
Chattanooga (6-3, 5-0 SoCon) tacked on three, second quarter touchdowns including two through the air from Huesman to Taharin Tyson (51 yards) and Tommy Hudson (21 yards) with Huesman rumbling in off the right side from one-yard out for his rushing score. Henrique Ribeiro split the uprights from 33 yards out to provide the halftime tally, 38-0.
The Catamounts only allowed one second half touchdown - a 36-yard scamper by Green late in the fourth quarter, otherwise limiting the Mocs to two Ribeiro field goals of 27 and 39 yards.
Senior linebacker Christon Gill led two Catamounts with double-figure tackles, posting a career-high 14 total hits including three solo stops. Junior Sertonuse Harris added 10 tackles including half a tackle for loss, with defensive backs Ace Clark and Fred Payne both finishing with nine tackles apiece. Linebacker Tyson Dickson did force one UTC fumble, but the ball carrier was able to corral the loose football preventing the takeaway.
Western Carolina travels to Samford (5-3, 3-2 SoCon) in conference play next Saturday. Kickoff from Seibert Stadium in Birmingham, Ala., is scheduled for 2:30 pm CT / 3:30 pm ET in a game that will be broadcast on the American Sports Network (check local listings).