Preview: Chattanooga
This is the second of a series previewing LSU’s 12 opponents in the 2017 season.
LSU’s out-of-state FCS opponents in recent years have come from some of the better programs in the lower division of Division I football.
In the past five years, the Tigers have faced Towson, Furman, Sam Houston State and Jacksonville State – all of whom reached the FCS playoffs. That trend should continue this year when LSU plays host to Chattanooga in its home opener.
The Moccasins have participated in each of the last three FCS playoffs. Moreover, Chattanooga has won or shared three of the past four Southern Conference championships. The Moccasins will have a new head coach in 2017 – Tom Arth, who was the top man at Division III John Carroll.
Arth, who had a 40-8 record at John Carroll, is replacing Russ Huesman – the new head coach at Richmond. Arth knows the tradition of the Chattanooga football program. He received some extra motivation for his players when the Mocs were picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference.
“I don’t think it matters where you’re picked,” Arth said. “It is what it is, but I’m glad. I was happy we weren’t picked very high. Our players are going to see that and there might be something extra our guys will be reminded of every single time they step on the field. They picked a bunch of people ahead of us.”
Arth was correct in the assumption that his players will take notice of where Chattanooga has been selected to finish in the SoCon. The Moccasins have not finished as low as fourth in the conference in five years. Chattanooga tied for second place in the league in 2016.
“Last year helped us understand that winning the conference is not a given,” safety Lucas Webb said. We have to work for that with new coaches and a new scheme. (Getting picked fourth) is a good thing for what we’ve done the past couple of years. It will help us get the hunger back, the drive we need.”
Webb is one of five returning starters from a defense which allowed 20 points per game last season. Chattanooga is changing from a four-man front to a three-man line. Two of the Moccasins better defensive linemen – Isaiah Mack and Taylor Reynolds are shifting from 4-3 tackles to 3-4 ends.
Chattanooga also has just five returning starters on offense, but one is their versatile quarterback Alejandro Bennifield. Last season, Bennifield passed for more than 2,600 yards and ran for almost 400 yards. He accounted for 32 touchdowns. Under Arth, the Mocs will run more of a pro-style offense.
Chattanooga’s top returning receivers are Alphonso Stewart and James Stovall, who combined for 55 catches a year ago. The top running back will be Richardre Bagley, who gained nearly 600 yards on the ground last season. The running game will be helped by Presbyterian transfer Darrell Bridges.
The Moccasins were beaten 31-3 by Alabama in 2016. All three of their losses to FCS teams were by eight points or less. Bennifield is motivated by where the Moccasins finished in the conference standings last year and where they are picked to finish this season.
“The way I look at it is that last year wasn’t good enough,” Bennifield said. “It means that this year we have to be that much better to win the conference.”
LSU vs. Chattanooga
Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge
Saturday, Sept. 9
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Central; Television: SEC Network Alternate Channel
Chattanooga fast facts
Head coach: Tom Arth (first year)
2016 record: 9-4, 6-2 (tied for second in Southern Conference); beat Weber State, lost to Sam Houston State in the FCS playoffs
Returning starters: 11; 5 on offense, 5 on defense, 1 punter
Top players: WR James Stovall, Sr.; G Josh Cardiello, Sr.; OT Malcolm White, So.; QB Alejandro Bennifield, Sr.; RB Richarde Bagley, Sr.; DE Isaiah Mack, Jr.; DE Taylor Reynolds, Sr.; LB Dale Warren, Sr.; S Lucas Webb, Sr.; CB Trevor Wright, Sr.
Chattanooga returning statistical leaders
RB Richardre Bagley, Sr.: 107 carries, 593 yards, 5 touchdowns
QB Alejandro Bennifield, Sr.: 331 attempts, 213 completions, 2,622 yards, 26 touchdowns, 7 interceptions
WR Alphonso Stewart, Jr.: 30 catches, 297 yards, 2 touchdowns
LB Dale Warren, Sr.: 91 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss
DE Isaiah Mack, Jr.: 7½ sacks
S Lucas Webb, Sr.: 8 pass breakups
CB Trevor Wright, Sr.: 3 interceptions
Next: Mississippi State