CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---The 2002 Chattanooga football schedule, highlighted by
six home games and a trip to West Virginia, is perhaps the most difficult
in recent UTC history.
The Mocs, 3-8 last season, host two NCAA Division I-AA playoff teams in
Georgia Southern and Appalachian State and eight-game winner Alabama State.
The season opens Aug. 31 at Big East Conference-member West Virginia.
"We have an extremely challenging schedule," UTC head coach Donnie
Kirkpatrick said. "Playing a 12-game schedule has afforded us the chance
to have six home dates. We have a great home schedule with some marquee
games."
UTC hosts Alabama State Sept. 7 in the Annual River City Classic. The
Hornets boasted an 8-4 record last season and faced Grambling in the Annual
Heritage Bowl at the end of the season. Division I-AA Independent
Gardner-Webb, 5-4 in 2001, visits Finley Stadium Sept. 21.
The Mocs open the Southern Conference slate Sept. 28 with a home game
against Georgia Southern. The Eagles, 12-2 and ranked No. 1 in the nation
most of the year, were national semifinalists and league co-champions.
The three remaining home opponents are VMI Oct. 19, Appalachian State Nov.
2 and East Tennessee State Nov. 16. The ASU game has been set as UTC's
Homecoming. The Mountaineers advanced to the I-AA quarterfinals last year.
The season opens Aug. 31 at West Virginia. It marks the first meeting
between UTC and the Mountaineers, who were 3-8 last season.
The Mocs also travel to Tennessee Tech Sept. 14, and conference foes
Wofford Oct. 5, Western Carolina Oct. 26, The Citadel Nov. 9 and national
runnerup Furman Nov. 23. UTC and intra-state rival Tennessee Tech will
square off for the first time since 1997.
"We are excited about restarting a good rivalry with Tennessee Tech,"
Kirkpatrick said. "They have won 15 games in the last two years and just
missed out on the playoffs last season. The West Virginia game is another
tough Division I test for us, and our conference continues to be the
strongest in I-AA."
Mocs' home games will be played at 1:30 p.m. at 7 p.m. Ticket prices this
season will be $5, $10 and $15.
2002 CHATTANOOGA FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Saturday, Aug. 31 at West Virginia Morgantown, W.Va. 1:00
Saturday, Sept. 7 ALABAMA STATE# Chattanooga, Tenn. 1:30
Saturday, Sept. 14 at Tennessee Tech Cookeville, Tenn. TBA
Saturday, Sept. 21 GARDNER-WEBB Chattanooga, Tenn. 7:00
Saturday, Sept. 28 GEORGIA SOUTHERN* Chattanooga, Tenn. 7:00
Saturday, Oct. 5 at Wofford* Spartanburg, S.C. TBA
Saturday, Oct. 19 VMI* Chattanooga, Tenn. 7:00
Saturday, Oct. 26 at Western Carolina* Cullowhee, N.C. TBA
Saturday, Nov. 2 APPALACHIAN ST.*(HC) Chattanooga, Tenn. 1:30
Saturday, Nov. 9 at The Citadel* Charleston, S.C. TBA
Saturday, Nov. 16 EAST TENNESSEE ST.* Chattanooga, Tenn. 1:30
Saturday, Nov. 23 at Furman* Greenville, S.C. 7:00
Saturday, Nov. 30 NCAA Playoffs- First Round campus sites
Saturday, Dec. 7 NCAA Playoffs- Quarterfinals campus sites
Saturday, Dec. 14 NCAA Playoffs - Semifinals campus sites
Friday, Dec. 20 NCAA Championship Game Chattanooga, Tenn.
Schedule and times are tentative and subject to change.
* Southern Conference game
# River City Classic