PREVIEW: Mocs Journey to Memphis for Season Opener

First Look
It’s the center of the primary recreation week of season No. 118 for the Chattanooga Mocs. Time to preview the weekend’s recreation with all the pieces you must know to prep for the sport whereas standing out on the water cooler.
 
The Mocs are opening the season for a second 12 months in a row towards an in-state FBS opponent. Memphis completed 2024 ranked No. 23 following a 42-37 win over West Virginia within the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl. This is the primary assembly of the 2 applications since 2006 and the 18th general.
 
Matchup
Chattanooga (0-0) at Memphis (0-0) – 4:30 p.m. (ET)
Saturday, August 30 | Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
 
Game Notes: Chattanooga | Memphis
 
Where to Watch/Listen
TV: ESPN+
Announcers: Chris Carlin (PxP), Jay Sonnhalter (Analysis)
 
Radio: Mocs Sports Network (WFLI Chattanooga – 96.1 FM, 100.3 FM & 1070 AM)
Announcers: Jim Reynolds (PxP), Todd Agne (Analysis), Will Poindexter (Sideline)
 
The recreation will also be listened to on GoMocs.com & the Varsity Network app.
 
Coaches
Chattanooga: Rusty Wright (UTC ’96) | UTC: 37-27 (seventh) | Career: Same | vs. Memphis: 0-0
Memphis: Ryan Silverfield (Hampden-Sydney ’03) | UM: 42-21 (seventh) | Career: Same | vs. UTC: 0-0
 
Series
Meeting: 18th
Record: 5-12
First Meeting: 44-19 Chattanooga win on Oct. 23, 1942 on Chamberlain Field
Last Meeting: 33-14 Memphis win on Sept. 9, 2006 in Memphis
 
About the Mocs

• Receiving votes within the preseason Stats Perform Top 25 & AFCA Coaches polls.
• Coming off three straight 7-win seasons. Fifth time for this system with three or extra in a row: 7 (1977-83), 4 (2013-16) & 3 (1927-29 & 1940-42).
• It actually is “football time in Tennessee”. The first three video games keep in state with journeys to Mem­phis (8/30) and Tennessee Tech (9/6) adopted by the house opener towards Stetson (9/13).
• 2-2 opening on Aug. 30. First was a then non-conference 28-14 win at Samford in 2001. Last time beginning on August 30? 34-10 win over subsequent week’s opponent Tennessee Tech (2018).
• The final time the Mocs began on the street in Memphis and Cookeville was 2006. That started with a 31-7 win at Tech earlier than dropping a 33-14 resolution at Memphis.

 
About the Tigers

• Receiving votes within the AP & FBS Coaches Poll.
• Back-to-back double-digit wins for the Tigers going 21-5. First time at school historical past with 10 or extra wins in successive seasons.
• Earned bowl bids in every of Silverfield’s first six seasons successful the final 4 performed.
• There is one Chattanoogan on the Tigers roster, Harvard grad switch Austin Gentle (McCallie). Former Mocs nook Beni Mwamba is within the Tigers secondary.
• Former Mocs head coach Tommy West additionally had a tenure main the Tigers (2001-09).

 
Quotable
Coach Rusty Wright: “We’re starting to work our way into being at what looks a football team, per se. We got a long way to go. A lot of new faces in a bunch of spots. But it’s a bunch of guys working the right way. The focus for us will be getting better week-in, week-out, day-to-day and figuring out who are going to be the guys who go make the plays. That’s going to be a big thing for us as we move forward and finding out who’s ready when the lights come on because you can practice and put them through situations, but until we turn the lights on and it’s real, you’re not really sure. I’m excited to go watch this bunch of play. I think they’ll be physical, and they’ll play their tails off.”
 
Senior OL Tyrell Ragland: “We have a good mix of old guys and younger players. We have old guys who. Have been doing it for a while. And then we have younger guys who bring a lot of energy because they’re excited to have the opportunity and go out and play ball.”
 
Junior LB Zion Rutledge: “We’re excited to get out there and play. Coach Wright says it all the time. The coaches jobs all week are to prepare us and the gameplan. On Saturdays, our only job is to go out, let loose and play fast. That’s what we’re excited about. We have guys that are ready to play fast on both sides of the ball.”
 
Home Tickets on Sale
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 marketing campaign. Season tickets present the most effective worth starting at $60. Mini-packs and single recreation can be found as nicely. Purchases might be made right here on GoMocs.com.
 
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