Via Go Mocs Athletics: Person, Ford Earn Player of the Week Honors

*This article is via Go Mocs Athletic Department*

CHATTANOOGA—The 9th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs are riding high after a superlative comeback effort at ETSU in Saturday’s 24-16 Rail Rivalry triumph. The Mocs trailed 13-0 at the half and 13-3 in the fourth quarter before scoring three times in the final segment.

Two big notes coming out of the game.

1. The 21 points scored in the fourth quarter at ETSU are the most since 21 in the second quarter at Wofford last November. The last time 21 or more were scored in the fourth quarter? 22 in the 34-33 comeback win over The Citadel at home on Nov. 16, 2019. The Mocs trailed 26-12 entering the fourth quarter before rushing TDs from Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks TDs (45, 11) and Nick Tiano’s (12) with 28 seconds remaining to seal the win. Last time on the road in the fourth? At Appalachian State on Nov. 2, 2013 capping a 35-28 triumph after trailing 21-14 through three.
2. The defense held ETSU without a first down for 19 straight plays from the second quarter into the fourth. Longest stretch since 20 in a row against Shorter on Sept. 1, 2016. Most against a DI opponent since Sept. 26, 2015 at Presbyterian with 19 consecutive as well. That came on a pass interference call. It was the only Blue Hose first down in the final 36+ minutes.

The first one was led TSWA Tennessee Offensive Player of the Week Ailym Ford. The industrious back ran a season-high 28 times for 105 hard-fought yards and two TDs. It was the fifth time in his last six games scoring multiple touchdowns. He’s scored 19 times (17 rush/2 receiving) in the last 16 games.

The latter came behind a monumental performance from edge Jay Person. The Cleveland, Tenn., native had 10 tackles with career highs of four tackles for loss and three sacks. He menaced the ETSU offense throughout the contest setting up the offensive heroics in the final frame.

3 NOTES TO KNOW

• It’s an off week for the Mocs. Oct. 8 is the latest off date since Oct. 12, 2019. The squad came off that rest with a 16-13 home win over ETSU.
• Fifth straight week as a top 10 program. Longest since a 27-week stretch from Nov. 15, 2014 to Nov. 19, 2016.
• Fourth time in five weeks boasting the TSWA Offensive Player of the Week with both Ford (Weeks 1 & 5) and QB Preston Hutchinson (Weeks 2 & 3) winning twice. Person is the third different Moc to claim the defensive honor joining Reuben Lowery III (Week 1) and Ty Boeck (Week 3).