Football Southern Conference

Offense Impresses Allison At Sunday Scrimmage

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.---It is common in spring and preseason football scrimmages for the defensive unit to be ahead of the offensive unit. That has been the case more than not for the Chattanooga football team this spring. Until Sunday.

The Mocs offense got the best of the defense for most of the controlled scrimmage at Finley Stadium. Five of the six offensive touchdowns scored in regular situations came on the ground, something that pleased Head Coach Rodney Allison.

For the first time since Ive been here, we showed a genuine enthusiasm on offense,he said. Our running game, like most teams, sets up this offense. We have to be successful running the ball if we are going to win. This was the first time that I saw confidence on offense. They seemed to know that they could get first downs or score. It was a definite improvement today. I am glad to see that.

UTC had touchdown runs by Kyle Oden (nine yards), Tyrone Baisden (three) and quarterback Chris Crumpton (19). Kentrell Harris scored two times when the offense was working from 20 yards and in, and two more times when starting inside the five-yard line.

While the yardage totals are not eye-popping, most of the running backs ran with authority, mostly in between the tackles. Harris gained 27 yards on seven carries, Oden had 20 yards on six rushes and Baisden went for nine yards on three totes.

The running game opened up the passing game. Quarterback Vinnie Miroth completed 8-of-10 passes for 111 yards and a two-yard touchdown toss to tight end Brian Arnold. Matthew Lopez was 5-for-7 passing for 47 yards and one interception. Crumpton went 4-for-7 through the air for 32 yards.

Receiver Alonzo Nix was the leading pass catcher with four for 48 yards. Baisden caught two balls for 62 yards including a 50-yard catch-and-run.

Defensively, linebacker Blake Morris returned an interception 50 yards for a score. Defensive back Greg McConico recovered a fumble, outside linebacker Quentin Harris caused a pass incompletion with a big hit and linebacker Nick Rivers and lineman Tim Powers both made stops behind the line.

The Mocs have two regular practice days remaining. Wednesdays practice time has been changed to Tuesday at 9 a.m. Fridays 3:30 p.m. time is tentative. The team will cap the spring session with the Blue-Gold Spring scrimmage, April 24 at 6 p.m. in Cleveland, Tenn. For ticket information, call 423-425-4048.