WKU Football: Chattanooga Q&A with WRCB’s Ben Bobick
We’re three days away from WKU’s next game against FCS Chattanooga. WKU is reeling after a 1–4 start to the season and the Mocs are the…
We’re three days away from WKU’s next game against FCS Chattanooga. WKU is reeling after a 1–4 start to the season and the Mocs are the perfect opportunity to get the season back on track. With that in mind, we thought that we’d get a Chattnoooga perspective on the game. Luckily for us, we got Ben Bobick from Chattanooga TV station WRCB to give us his thoughts on the Chattanooga program, the game, and his predictions. Without further adieu, here is our conversation with Ben.
Chattanooga went 6–6 in 2019 after going 6–5 in 2018. How good of an FCS program are the Mocs?
The Mocs are without a doubt a program on the rise. They’ve found their coach for the long haul in Rusty Wright. Wright is a Chattanooga alum, he’s been a coach here before on two separate occasions, and now finally the head coach. During his second stint here under Russ Huesman he helped guide the Mocs to one of their most successful runs in program history that saw them win three straight Southern Conference titles. He’s a Chattanooga Moc through and through and the culture he’s building here is going to catch the eye of many around FCS football.
WKU is Chattanooga’s only game on its fall schedule. How are they approaching this opportunity? Do they see it as a springboard towards their spring season?
It’s been such a unique situation for many this summer/fall. Especially at the FCS level. Through conversations, I’ve had with folks, and personal observations, the Mocs would play anyone, any time this fall. That’s obviously a lot easier said than done. It’s definitely appearing more likely that FCS football will be played this spring and I have no doubt Chattanooga will be competing in SoCon play. So, I think they’re taking this opportunity against WKU to see what they have, take advantage of playing an FBS team, and getting back to work in hopes of playing conference football soon.
The Mocks are breaking in a new quarterback after the 2019 starter Nick Tiano graduated. Who do you see getting the start on Saturday and could we see multiple quarterbacks?
Senior Drayton Arnold is getting the start under center for the Mocs. Arnold was the back-up last season after transferring in from Old Dominion. I think the year he spent backing up Tiano in 2019 will only improve his play in 2020–21. Arnold is more of a dual-threat than Tiano. I think they’ll be able to use his legs more than they did Tiano’s which can only open up some more chances for the offense to succeed. I got a chance to talk with him during their first scrimmage a few weeks ago. He’s a very calm, poised young man. I think a lot of folks are excited to see what he can do as the full-time starter.
UTC returns 1100 yard rusher Ailym Ford in the backfield, what kind of player is he?
I honestly don’t know where to begin when talking about Ailym Ford. “Freak of nature,” doesn’t do this kid justice. The best explanation I can give you is two stories. 1. He had ACL surgery after last season and during quarantine (just months after surgery mind you) he was posting videos of him pulling a minivan in his driveway at home….and made it look quite easy. 2. Nick Tiano told us a story about Ford last year when he came in on his recruiting trip. They asked him what he wanted to do, and he asked them to take him to the weight room so he could work out. He’s the hardest worker in every room or field he steps on to. He’s an absolute bowling ball of a running back who can make you miss, shed off tacklers, and refuse to go down. He’s a site to see and you guys may find out what we mean come Saturday.
Does Chatanooga have any other offensive weapons that WKU should worry about on Saturday?
When it comes to offensive weapons on the outside you have to mention Bryce Nunnelly. He’s a two-time all-conference WR and second-team All-American. He’s the best deep threat the Mocs have and being a three-year starter now, he has to be accounted for on the field. Another is tight-end Chris James. James came in as a quarterback and they started to work him in last year as a tight-end. It’s worked out tremendously as James earned preseason All-American honors. He can block and he’ll get you those dirty yards you need. Not to mention he’s quite the goal line presence as well. James led the team in 2019 with seven receiving touchdowns. The offensive line is also vastly improving. They’re getting bigger and will be something to see in 1–2 years, if not earlier.
Defensively the Mocks game up 30 points per game last year. Does the coaching staff expect an improvement in 2020?
Having a defensive-minded coach like Wright, paired with a coaching veteran in defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward, we can expect to see a much-improved defense. If you look at experience alone they have guys like Brandon Dowdell and Jerrell Lawson that can hold down the secondary. Junior linebacker Ty Boeck had a fine sophomore season at linebacker that we can expect him to improve on. There’s no doubt they’ve used last year’s stats as motivation and we can expect a very physical Mocs defense this season.
How do you see this game playing out? What is your prediction?
It’s always difficult to predict what you can expect out of a team only playing one game this fall. They have definitely gotten plenty of practice in this last month, so I expect the Mocs to come prepared to play. They’ve played WKU well historically going 8–5 against the Hilltoppers. Grant it, that was back before they made the jump to the FBS level. I expect the Mocs to put up a fight on the road. I’m not sure they have enough to win, but if I were a betting man, Chattanooga +14.5 looks like a solid bet to me.
I want to thank Ben for taking the time to do this q&a with us. You can watch his work on WRCB and follow his twitter account @BenBobick for analysis and reaction to Saturday’s matchup.