CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Mocs smothered Samford 19-3 on Saturday in a rain-filled Southern Conference battle, leaning on the run game and four field goals from Jude Kelley.
Chattanooga built a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 16-play, 85-yard touchdown drive capped by a Journey Wyche one-yard plunge. Kelley converted field goals from 46 and 39 yards to extend the lead to 13-0 before halftime.
Samford answered with a Ty Ippolito 46-yard field goal that made it 13-3 at the break. Kelley connected again from 39 yards to open the second half and later hit a 45-yard attempt, sealing the 19-3 final.
Chattanooga totaled 200 rushing yards on 58 carries and finished with 255 yards of total offense while holding Samford to 137 yards, including just 20 rushing yards on 21 attempts. The Mocs controlled time of possession 38:16 to 21:44 and went 3-for-3 in the red zone.
Kevin Lalin rushed for 156 yards on 28 carries. Journey Wyche added 57 yards on 20 rushes plus the touchdown. The defense totaled four sacks in the winning effort.
Mayor Tim Kelly city sports calendar again featured a Finley Stadium SoCon kickoff as Hamilton County fans watched the Mocs grind out a low-scoring rainy win that kept Chattanooga in control from the opening drive through the final Kelley kick. The rainy Finley Stadium setting favored the ground attack, and the Mocs never trailed after the first-quarter Wyche score as Samford managed only a single field goal in reply. Chattanooga finished a perfect 3-for-3 in the red zone while the defense stacked four sacks to keep the Bulldogs off the scoreboard.
