Coming into this weekend’s Southern Conference showdown between Chattanooga and Mercer the big story was that the Bears were a team that forced a lot of turnovers and the big question was, would the Mocs be able to take care of the football? UTC answered that question emphatically winning the turnover battle 6-0 including four interceptions and two fumble recoveries en route to a convincing 41-21 win to take hold of the Southern Conference.
The turnovers began right from the opening kick when Chattanooga recovered a fumble by Mercer to steal an early possession and they were able to turn it into three points.
From there it was another Bears turnover and a pick-six by Kam Brown to increase the Chattanooga lead to 10-0 and they never looked back from there.
The offense was efficient moving the football all day long as Preston Hutchinson played one of his best games in a Moc uniform throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns and Ailym Ford ran 22 times for 123 yards with a touchdown. Ford also amassed 3,000 yards for his career, moving into 5th all-time in Chattanooga football history.
The young Moc receivers also stepped up big in this game as well with Jamoi Mayes leading the way catching eight balls for 121 yards and a touchdown. Sam Phillips also contributed four catches for 83 yards and a score.
Defensively the Mocs didn’t record a sack but as mentioned they flipped the script on the normally ball-hawking secondary of the Bears by creating the six turnovers. Kam Brown came away with two, Jordan Walker had one in the first quarter, and Shamar Jones finished things off with a pick late in the fourth quarter.
Here are some of the highlights from the game…
Chattanooga leads 10-0 over Mercer with just over 9 mins to go in the first Q @GoMocsFB pic.twitter.com/ieEgpfquSt
— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) October 22, 2022
Coming into this game Mercer was the team with the ball hawking secondary but today it’s been the Mocs w/TWO INTs already in the first quarter. The first a pick 6 by Kam Brown and then just a min ago Jordan Walker! @GoMocsFB turn it into 6 as @PrestonHutch15 hits Mayes!! 17-0 pic.twitter.com/kHqksudWah
— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) October 22, 2022
Big stop by @GoMocsFB secondary to break up this deep Bears pass pic.twitter.com/GQVRgJeWZ8
— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) October 22, 2022
Great catch by @GinoType_ pic.twitter.com/XvouLIPPsA
— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) October 22, 2022
Told ya @limfordisabeast was ready…
@GoMocsFB
Mercer: 0
UTC: 24
12:25 l 2Q pic.twitter.com/KSqZFfJ191— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) October 22, 2022
The Mocs answer the bell out of the half with a Sam Phillips TD catch and run from @PrestonHutch15 @GoMocsFB
Mercer: 14
UTC: 34
12:12 l 3Q pic.twitter.com/LeNQ44OosS— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) October 22, 2022
Mocs back on the board here in the 4th adding to their lead with a @jaygibson_ TD grab from @PrestonHutch15
Mercer: 21@GoMocsFB 41
11:58 l 4Q pic.twitter.com/1moFzFDJlb— ESPN Chattanooga (@ESPNChattanooga) October 22, 2022