Mocs hope to rediscover early success
Jeremy Acree
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports
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"We've gotten complacent," Head Coach Russ Huesman said after the Elon game. "[The players] think they've arrived. As coaches we think we've arrived. And it's ridiculous.
"We haven't. We're not even close."
After giving up just 29 points defensively, the Mocs have surrendered 75 in the last two games combined.
The Phoenix have two of the most talented players in the FCS in quarterback Scott Riddle and wide receiver Terrell Hudgins, but there were no excuses to be found after the game in Elon.
"I just don't think we came together as a whole," senior receiver Blue Cooper, from Rome, Ga., said. "Same as last week. I think that reflects on practice and it reflects on leadership. We [as seniors] need to take responsibility for that."
The game started well for Chattanooga Saturday. Riddle's first pass was intercepted by Joel Bradford, a sophomore defensive back from Chattanooga, but the Mocs were only able to turn the great field position into a field goal.
The second possession for Elon was nearly as bad, as Chattanooga forced a three-and-out. But the ensuing drive led to no points, a quick punt, and from there Riddle and Hudgins took off.
The ensuing drive led to the first touchdown connection for the duo on the day, and there would be two more.
Riddle finished 13-18, for 196 yards through the air and three touchdowns.
Hudgins caught six passes for 74 yards and all three of the touchdown passes from Riddle.
The Mocs' offense has struggled to run the ball since running back Bryan Fitzgerald went down for the year with a sprained foot in the first quarter against Samford.
