The Mocs open SoCon action this Saturday against App State. Chattanooga has not enjoyed much success against the Mountaineers over the years. And this year, App State heads to Chattanooga after suffering a stinging loss.
When UTC head coach Russ Huesman heard App State was getting blown out by the Citadel last Saturday, he didn't believe it. "My daughter came out of her room and said, hey dad, it's 31-7, the Citadel is winning. And I said, you're nuts. I said where did you hear that? And she said it was tweeted." The Citadel won 52-28. But Huesman is not paying much attention to that score concerning App State. "They've got a talented football team. Anybody that doesn't believe that. You're nuts. I don't think anybody is saying well, 52-28, they're no good."
App State has won the last seven meetings against UTC. Said Mocs linebacker Shane Heatherly,"I'm from North Carolina, so every time I go home, I'm reminded that I have never beat them." Added Huesman,"We need to figure out a way to beat App. We haven't done it in seven years. Probably in the last 15 years. I don't know, maybe once. I don't really know. We've got to figure out a way to win a game."
Mocs are getting close to beating App. In 2010, the Mountaineers rallied to win 42-41. In 2011, the Mountaineers didn't get an offensive touchdown, but they still won by two points. Said Huesman,"You don't win three national championships without figure out ways to win the close ones. They've done that. We haven't done it. Some day, somehow, we're going to figure it out, and get it done."
For the Mocs to compete for a SoCon title, they likely need a home win against App State. Said tight end Faysal Shafaat,"We got the win over Glenville State, so we've kind of got some momentum going. And beating App State. We're getting into conference play, so it's real important."
