Nov, 9, 2002

Charleston, SC - Senior quarterback Ryan McCann completed 18-of-23 passes for 222 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to help Chattanooga to its first win of the 2002 season over The Citadel, 34-31, in Southern Conference football action Saturday afternoon in Johnson Hagood Stadium.

"I told the guys that we had been playing well enough to beat anyone in this league all season. We have just been one or two plays away in several of the games," Chattanooga coach Donnie Kirkpatrick stated. "Today a lot of leadership was shown and it was good for our players. They have worked hard all year and really deserved this win."

Chattanooga (1-9, 1-4 SoCon) jumped out to an early first quarter lead as McCann connected with wide receiver Jason Jones on a 12-yard scoring strike. That play concluded a seven-play drive that covered 82 yards and lasted 2:46. A 54-yard scamper by Jason Ball on the first play from scrimmage highlighted the drive.

The Citadel (2-8, 1-6 SoCon) countered on the next drive as quarterback Jeff Klein connected with wide out Matt Healy on a four-yard reception to tie the score at 7-7. The drive consisted of 13 plays, covered 75 yards and lasted 6:08.

The Mocs fired the next shots of the battle as McCann tossed his second touchdown pass to wide receiver Cortez Rankin for a 14-yard scoring reception. The drive took 11 plays, covered 83 yards and lasted 4:42.

The Bulldogs struck next as Klein connected with tight end Chris Franklin at the 12:39 mark of the second quarter on a nine-yard play for the touchdown. The catch by Franklin was his first career score and capped off a nine-play drive that took 3:36 off the clock. The Citadel defense held Chattanooga to a three-and-out on the next possession and the offense capitalized. The Bulldogs only needed one play on the next drive as Klein connected with wide out Scooter Johnson on a 42-yard bomb for the score.

Not to be out done with a big play Chattanooga fired back with a 67-yard connection as McCann tossed his third touchdown of the game and second to Jones. The drive covered three plays, spanned 78 yards and only lasted 1:01. The extra point by Chattanooga hit the post and was unsuccessful. The Mocs took the lead on the Bulldogs' next possession as Jones blocked a punt attempt by punter Travis Zobel and linebacker Marcus Pendergrass snatched up the loose ball and carried it into the end zone. The blocked punt returned for a touchdown was the first against The Citadel since 1983 when Western Carolina did it.

The Citadel countered with a block of their own as cornerback Kevin Roach blocked a punt attempt by punter Travis Grubb and the Bulldogs recovered on UTC's 24-yard line. Sophomore tailback Nehemiah Broughton finished off the 24-yard drive by plowing three yards for the score. The touchdown gave The Citadel a 28-27 lead with 7:02 to go in the third quarter. The Bulldogs added to their total early in the fourth quarter as Zobel booted a 30-yard field goal to make the score 31-27.

Unfazed McCann and the Chattanooga offense proceed to pop out a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive that lasted 3:06. The drive ended like every other Moc scoring drive with McCann throwing a touchdown pass. He connected on a five-yard strike to tight end Barrett Brightwell to give UTC the lead for good at 34-31.

The Citadel mounted two more drives in the fourth quarter but were unsuccessful as Chattanooga's defense came up big with an interception in the end zone and fumble recovery on their 29-yard line.

"Chattanooga played a good enough to beat us today," Citadel coach Ellis Johnson stated. "The loss was frustrating but instead of progressing, we digressed. Losing is losing, but it hurts a little more when you know you did not play well."

Jones led the way offensively for the Mocs as he posted his third 100-yard receiving performance of the season. The Columbia, SC native hauled in five passes for 122 yards and two scores. Defensively, All-American linebacker Josh Cain racked up 10 tackles marking his 11th straight game of double-digit tackle performances.

Klein led the way for the Bulldogs as he completed 24-of-32 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson posted his fourth 100-yard receiving performance of the season as he brought down eight receptions for 128 yards and a score. The eight receptions move Johnson into second place all-time on the single season chart and he stands only three receptions away from tying the school record held by Brian Baima. Healy added career-high eight receptions for 81 yards and a score.

The Citadel takes to the road next week as they travel to Charlotte, NC to take on archrival VMI in the "Military Classic of the South". A 1:30 kickoff is scheduled. Chattanooga returns home to take on in-state Southern Conference foe ETSU at 1:30 pm in Chattanooga, TN.