Mocs Derrick Lott Gives "Unheard Of" Performance

There were high expectations for Derrick Lott when he transferred from Georgia to UTC, but Lott was still unsure of his ability. "I really didn't play at Georgia a whole lot. I was always like, I don't know if I'm going to do this right. I don't know if I'm going to take the right steps, and I'm going to play right."

Lott certainly came out of his shell against Georgia Southern, recording 17 tackles. Said head coach Russ Huesman,"Seventeen tackles for a defensive tackle is unheard of. Unheard of. Just doesn't happen."

Coach Huesman was a little surprise that Lott didn't win any awards for his performance against the Eagles. "Tackles in some ways aren't good. I guess. Tackles are just kind of a tackle. A tackle. If it's not a tackle for a loss! Or a fumble recovery. It's a tackle. 15 tackles from a defensive tackle. Unheard of. I'm proud of him."

But if Lott continues to produce a bunch of tackles, the awards will follow. Said Lott,"I hope at the end of this season that I will be in the top for All SoCon for defensive lineman. That would make me happy. That would motivate me more and more. I've never really had an achievement like that." Added Huesman,"He should never once get blocked. He's got that kind of ability. He's one of the best defensive tackles in the league. I don't think there's any question about that. And he should be. He's got a lot of physical gifts."