By Peyton Gray, Staff Writer—
The Chattanooga Mocs football team traveled to Western Kentucky and suffered a heart-breaking 13-10 loss.
The two teams played in constant rain for the entirety of the game, coming to a controversial final two minutes.
WKU’s Tyrrell Pigrome completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Craig Burt Jr. on fourth-and-goal with 1:21 left in the game. This gave WKU their first lead– 13-10.
Following the late WKU touchdown, UTC’s Bryce Nunnelly, whose 146 career receptions during the game passed Terrell Owens (1992-95), returned the kick off 102 yards, putting the Mocs up 16-13. This return was called back after review due to UTC’s Tyrin Summers calling a fair catch.
Back at 10 points, the Mocs failed to drive down the field in such a short time and lost their only football game of the fall.
In his first collegiate start, senior quarterback Drayton Arnold engineered a 14-play opening drive that he ended with a 10-yard run for the Mocs’ lone touchdown, giving them s a 7-0 lead.
The Hilltoppers responded with a long drive of their own, moving the ball deep into Mocs territory. However, their efforts resulted in a field goal with under five minutes left in the first quarter.
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Wide receiver Bryce Nunnelly (19) runs a kickoff return into the end zone for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. After the play, referees deliberated and ruled that Nunnelly called fair catch on the kickoff and revoked the touchdown. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Wide receiver Bryce Nunnelly’s (19) teammates pile on him after he a kickoff return into the end zone for a touchdown. The refs deliberated after reviewing the play and ruled it as not a touchdown. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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The referees review the play of wide receiver Bryce Nunnelly (19) running into the end zone for a touchdown. After deliberation, it was ruled as not a touchdown. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs head football coach Rusty Wright shows his frustration after getting flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. The go-ahead touchdown on a kickoff return by wide receiver Bryce Nunnelly (19) was called back after the referees ruled Nunnelly called a fair catch in the end zone. (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs quarterback Drayton Arnold (3) scores the first and only Mocs touchdown of the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga Mocs tight end Chris James (17) fumbles an incomplete pass in front of the end zone as Hilltoppers defensive back Antwon Kincade (31) interferes. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Hilltoppers defensive back Antwon Kincade (31) tackles Chattanooga Mocs tight end Chris James (17) after James fumbled an incomplete pass in front of the end zone. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs tight end Chris James (17) takes a breath after fumbling an incomplete pass in front of the end zone. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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The Chattanooga Mocs run onto the field at Houchens-Smith Stadium before warming up for the game against the Hilltoppers. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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The Chattanooga Mocs stretch on the field at Houchens-Smith Stadium before the game against the Hilltoppers. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the jumbotron at Western Kentucky University’s Houchens-Smith Stadium displays reminders of social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs offensive lineman Harrison Moon (75) shakes hands with a game attendee at Western Kentucky University’s Houchens-Smith Stadium. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs linebacker Bo Spearman (31) smiles while warming up before the game against Western Kentucky University at Houchens-Smith Stadium. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs defensive back Jerrell Lawson (27) walks towards the field before the game against Western Kentucky University at Houchens-Smith Stadium. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs linebacker Jay Person (30) looks towards the field before the game against Western Kentucky University at Houchens-Smith Stadium. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs linebacker Rashun Freeman (3) smiles during a team stretch before the game against Western Kentucky University at Houchens-Smith Stadium. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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The Chattanooga Mocs lineup to run drills before the game against Western Kentucky University at Houchens-Smith Stadium. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs head football coach Rusty Wright watches a play rerun on the jumbotron. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs surround Hilltoppers wide receiver Xavier Lane (9) and tackle him. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs linebacker Ty Boeck (46) jumps into the sideline as his teammates cheer him on after his fumble recovery. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs quarterback Drayton Arnold (3) watches a play rerun on the jumbotron as he walks onto the field. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Chattanooga Mocs freshmen Ja’ny Alston (51), Justin Sanders (42), Tre’von Stanford (45) and Jelen Lee (37) pose for a photo before the game against Western Kentucky University at Houchens-Smith Stadium. This was UTC’s longest break between football seasons, landing at 366 days, with the exception of missing both seasons of 1943 and 1944 during World War II. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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Hilltoppers head football coach Tyson Helton walks along the sideline during the game against the Chattanooga Mocs. Chattanooga Mocs lost to the Hilltoppers (13-10) after leading the game after leading through four quarters. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Stephanie Swart)
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The Chattanooga Mocs gather for warmups before their first and only game of 2020, against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga Mocs huddle together in prayer before their first and only game of 2020, against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga Mocs linebacker Kayne Roberts (20) passes the ball to his teammate during pregame warmups before their only game of 2020, against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga Mocs linebacker Daniel Brent (34) catches a pass during pregame warmups before their only game of 2020, against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga Mocs running back Ailym Ford (32) is brought down by three Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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The Chattanooga Mocs defense swarm Western Kentucky running back Kevaris Thomas (8) for the tackle. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga linebacker Ty Boeck (46) and Western Kentucky running back Jakairi Moses (3) exchange words after Boeck tackled Moses. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Western Kentucky wide receiver Craig Burt, Jr. (11) celebrates his reception on 4th and 3 for the first down. Burt caught 7 passes for 22 yards and a touchdown that gave the Hilltoppers its 13-10 lead against the Mocs—the final score of the game. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga Mocs defensive back Jerrell Lawson (27) tackles Western Kentucky running back Jakairi Moses (3) at the 3 yard line, just short of the Chattanooga end zone. Western Kentucky would end this red zone drive with a successful field goal. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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The Chattanooga Mocs defense swarm Western Kentucky running back Kevaris Thomas (8) for the tackle. The Mocs lost 13-10 after leading the game into the fourth quarter. Saturday. October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
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Chattanooga Mocs celebrate in the end zone after wide receiver Bryce Nunnelly (19) returned a kickoff for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. After the play, referees deliberated and ruled that Nunnelly called fair catch on the kickoff and revoked the touchdown. Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Photo by Dewayne Bingham)
The second quarter was slow, with both teams going back and forth. Closing in on halftime, a Rashun Freeman tackle-for-loss, a forced fumble by Jay Person and a fumble recovery by Ty Boeck gave the Mocs the ball with 16 seconds left. The Mocs responded with a series of desperation passes that didn’t connect, stalling the game to a 7-3 score at the half. At halftime, the Mocs sent the signal that they were there to win.
“We’ll look back at it and know what we’re capable of. They’re FBS, we’re FCS. We knew we could come in and win this game, said Freeman. “Even before this game, we had the confidence in our players compared to who they have. That’s our mindset.”
UTC’s next score came in the third quarter. Jerrell Lawson recovered a WKU mishandled punt, giving the Mocs the ball at the WKU 8-yard line. Failing to get in the end zone, Victor Ulmo moved the score to 10-3 with a 22-yard field goal.
Minutes later, WKU responded with another field goal to put the score at 10-6.
Pigrome completed a 28-yard pass to Joshua Simon late in the fourth quarter, putting the Hilltoppers at the Mocs 13-yard line until a roughing the passer penalty brought them even closer; first-and-goal at the Mocs six. After two back-to-back 1-yard losses, the Pigrome-Burt connection was the last score of the game.
“Our kids battled. They played like how I thought they would. I didn’t do a very good job of being a head coach at the end to give them a good enough chance,” said Mocs head coach Rusty Wright. “There’s no reason we shouldn’t have won that game. I have to do a better job of getting us over the hump. I was pleased in the end of it, though.”
The Southern Conference has plans for an eight-game schedule this spring. The Mocs will take the field again Feb. 20, 2021 against VMI.