Football
LEXINGTON, Va. – Coming off a closely-contested loss against The Citadel, the VMI Football Team will travel to Chattanooga for one of its two remaining road trips in the 2024 season. The Keydets and Mocs (19th FCS Stats Poll, 25th Coaches Poll) will kick off at 4:00 p.m. from Finley Stadium.
How to Follow
ESPN+ / Radio – 96.7 FM 3WZ / Live Stats / SoCon Notes
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VMI Keydets (0-7, 0-3 SoCon)
Roster / Schedule / Last Week – L, 10-13 vs. Citadel / Stats / Notes
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No. 19/ Chattanooga Mocs (4-3, 3-1 SoCon)
Roster / Schedule / Last Week – W, 35-7 @Wofford / Stats / Notes
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SERIES HISTORY
Chattanooga has the all-time edge in the series, going 19-9-1 (tie was in 1989). The series has been an even 2-2 in the last four matchups and all but one of the last five have been one-score games. Last year, the Keydets took No. 17 Chattanooga down to the wire, ultimately falling 24-23. Hunter Rice ran for a career-high 208 rushing yards and three scores in the loss as the Mocs were able to ice the clock and hold on.
LAST TIME OUT
Taking a lead into the fourth quarter for the first time all season, VMI could not hold on, falling short in its annual rivalry game 13-10 to The Citadel. VMI had the lead and the ball on the one-yard line, but could not cash in after four attempts, giving the momentum back to the Bulldogs who would take the lead with 10 minutes to play. VMI would use two quarterbacks as Brady Hammonds got knocked out (would later return) due to injury, with Chandler Wilson setting up a Hunter Rice touchdown in relief.
SCOUTING THE MOCS
After starting 0-3, Chattanooga has reeled off four-straight victories, including a 17-10 win at No. 23 ETSU. Two of the Mocs’ first three losses came at No. 15 Tennessee and to No. 23 Mercer. Chattanooga boasts a stout defense, ranking in the top-10 nationally in passes intercepted (2nd, 13) turnovers (7th, 15) and defensive touchdowns (8th, 2). Quarterback and former UCLA transfer Chase Artopoeus makes the Mocs’ offense go, as he ranks fourth nationally in passing yards per completion (15.05), 10th in yards per passing attempt (8.87) and 15th in passing yards per game (240.9). Javin Whatley is the number one target on offense, as the redshirt junior is averaging 68.9 yards receiving per game (38th, FCS) to go with four scores on the year. Reggie Davis is the main guy on the ground, totaling 529 yards and four touchdowns thus far.
