2008 Woodie Awards
Mocs have trouble on offensive side of the ball
Robert Beckmann
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Sports
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Offensive production has been a major problem for the Tennessee-Chattanooga Mocs.
Through four games, the Mocs (1-3, 1-1 Southern) are averaging 275.5 offensive yards per game. Though no part of the offense has been particularly prolific, the Mocs' ability to hang with the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) will most likely rest on one man's shoulders: senior quarterback Antonio Miller.
Miller's stats are less than spectacular; in three games, he has thrown five touchdowns and three interceptions, accruing 505 passing yards. However, the entire offense runs smoother when Miller is in the backfield. Even the running game is better when Miller is handing off to the backs, said UTC head coach Rodney Allison.
"When Antonio is in there handing it off, he makes a significant difference to our running game," Allison said. "His presence is nearly as significant as blocking better or running better."
Against Jacksonville State, without Miller who was absent with a knee injury, sophomore tailback Errol Wynn took 29 carries for 89 yards. The following week against Georgia Southern, Wynn, taking his carries from Miller once again, had his best performance of the season with 27 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the Mocs' only win.
Chattanooga rarely runs any type of spread offense, and they often pass and run out of the same formations. The lack of an imaginative offense makes Miller's execution all the more important in keeping the field open.
"He is very seldom in the pocket," Allison said. "We throw the ball from there some but we move him around, and every time he hands it off, he [may be] faking."
The Mocs' use of their rushing game has been erratic. Last week, Wynn received only six carries for 36 yards, despite two previous weeks of solid performances. The only discernable pattern is that when Miller is at full health, Chattanooga is more likely to pass the ball as much as possible.
Through four games, the Mocs (1-3, 1-1 Southern) are averaging 275.5 offensive yards per game. Though no part of the offense has been particularly prolific, the Mocs' ability to hang with the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-2 Southeastern Conference) will most likely rest on one man's shoulders: senior quarterback Antonio Miller.
Miller's stats are less than spectacular; in three games, he has thrown five touchdowns and three interceptions, accruing 505 passing yards. However, the entire offense runs smoother when Miller is in the backfield. Even the running game is better when Miller is handing off to the backs, said UTC head coach Rodney Allison.
"When Antonio is in there handing it off, he makes a significant difference to our running game," Allison said. "His presence is nearly as significant as blocking better or running better."
Against Jacksonville State, without Miller who was absent with a knee injury, sophomore tailback Errol Wynn took 29 carries for 89 yards. The following week against Georgia Southern, Wynn, taking his carries from Miller once again, had his best performance of the season with 27 carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns in the Mocs' only win.
Chattanooga rarely runs any type of spread offense, and they often pass and run out of the same formations. The lack of an imaginative offense makes Miller's execution all the more important in keeping the field open.
"He is very seldom in the pocket," Allison said. "We throw the ball from there some but we move him around, and every time he hands it off, he [may be] faking."
The Mocs' use of their rushing game has been erratic. Last week, Wynn received only six carries for 36 yards, despite two previous weeks of solid performances. The only discernable pattern is that when Miller is at full health, Chattanooga is more likely to pass the ball as much as possible.
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