By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Playing Kentucky down to the wire should serve as a positive springboard for the Mocs entering Southern Conference play.

Chattanooga had an impressive performance in a 28-23 loss at undefeated Kentucky on Saturday. The Mocs held a fourth quarter lead in Lexington, up 16-14 on a third field goal from Aaron Sears, in the fourth quarter. After two touchdowns from the Wildcats, Chattanooga brought the margin back to five points with a late touchdown run from Cole Copeland. The Mocs had an onsides kick attempt with just over a minute remaining. Throughout the afternoon, Chattanooga was right with one of the SECs’ better teams.

After last Saturday’s shutout win over North Alabama, playing Kentucky down to the wire should serve as a positive springboard for the Mocs entering Southern Conference play.

It was yet another statement effort from coordinator Lorenzo Ward, a former interim head coach at UK, and the Chattanooga defense. The Mocs held the Wildcats, who had scored 80 total points through their first two games, to just 356 total yards. In addition to forcing three turnovers, Chattanooga was able to both limit the big downfield throws of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis and slow down running back Chris Rodriguez, Jr., who has been one of college football’s best players. Ty Boeck had 13 total tackles and a sack and Rashun Freeman and CaMiron Smith had interceptions.00

The 28 points for the Wildcats, only 21 of which came from the offense, are their fewest in a home game since playing Georgia last season.

Running back Ailym Ford had another showcase effort. He ran 21 times for 128 yards, also catching three passes. Ford had rushing yards and a touchdown last week. The Mocs made a statement up front againt Kentucky, averaging over six yards per rush for the game. Receiver Reginald Henderson caught nine passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. Copeland scored both passing and rushing.

Sears starred on three-of-three field goal conversions.

Up next for Chattanooga is the SoCon opener versus Western Carolina. Then a game at spring champion VMI and a home contest with East Tennessee State, which beat Vanderbilt back in week one. Even at 1-2, head coach Rusty Wright and the Mocs should enter conference play confidence and optimistic.

Chattanooga is one of the teams to watch in the SoCon this fall. The Mocs had the SEC’s full attention on Saturday.