Jude Kelley
Photo by: Ray Soldano
Kelley Earns SoCon Honor
10/12/2026 3:28:00 PM | Football
Jude Kelley led the Chattanooga Mocs to victory over Samford Saturday earning SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week.
Chattanooga Mocs kicker Jude Kelley is this week's Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week the league office announced on Monday. Kelley produced a season high for points while etching his name deeper in the record books.
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He collected 13 points on a career-high four field goals made along with one PAT. The field goals came from 46, 39, 38 and 45 yards on a day not conducive to kicking; however, he was perfect nonetheless. But it wasn't just the scoring that caught notice, he was also pivotal on kickoffs.
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"Those were difficult conditions to kick under," Coach Rusty Wright began. "But he was just the guy he's very capable of being. One thing I think a lot people didn't notice was (holder) Heath Jehu doing a phenomenal job catching snaps and putting them down in the right spot to make it a little easier on Jude. And then he showed he's a guy that steps up and makes big field goals for us.
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"Jude was huge for us all day. He had four field goals and I think four touchbacks on kickoffs. In a game like that, it was just huge all the way around in the kicking game."
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Kelley's second quarter field goal was his 231st career point for the Mocs. That passed RB Ailym Ford '23 (228) for fourth place on the Mocs all-time list behind K Henrique Ribeiro '16 (307), QB Jacob Huesman '15 (264) and K Matt Vick '00 (242). Kelley closed to within a safety of Vick reaching 240.
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He now has 260 career points including 20 at Georgia Tech. That first field goal passed the 250-point mark as he continues to climb the ladder.
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Kelley became the Mocs fourth kicker with 40 career FGs with his second effort in the second quarter. That 39-yarder, was No. 40 joining Ribeiro (48), Vick (44) & Dennis Waters ''88 (40). Kelley currently has 42 to date.Â
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It's the fifth such honor for Kelley in his career.
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Football Ticket Quick Links – Mini-Plans | Game
As always, for all Mocs and McKenzie Arena events, go to GoMocs.com/tickets. Football mini-plans and single-game tickets are available with season tickets on sale as well for men's and women's basketball along with wrestling. The Arena also has Leanne Morgan's "The Time of Our Lives" Tour available.
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GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Wear what the teams wear in our BSN Team Store or go to the bookstore's official True Spirit Stop. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook, X & Instagram accounts. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here & by checking out NIL possibilities here.
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He collected 13 points on a career-high four field goals made along with one PAT. The field goals came from 46, 39, 38 and 45 yards on a day not conducive to kicking; however, he was perfect nonetheless. But it wasn't just the scoring that caught notice, he was also pivotal on kickoffs.
Â
"Those were difficult conditions to kick under," Coach Rusty Wright began. "But he was just the guy he's very capable of being. One thing I think a lot people didn't notice was (holder) Heath Jehu doing a phenomenal job catching snaps and putting them down in the right spot to make it a little easier on Jude. And then he showed he's a guy that steps up and makes big field goals for us.
Â
"Jude was huge for us all day. He had four field goals and I think four touchbacks on kickoffs. In a game like that, it was just huge all the way around in the kicking game."
Â
Kelley's second quarter field goal was his 231st career point for the Mocs. That passed RB Ailym Ford '23 (228) for fourth place on the Mocs all-time list behind K Henrique Ribeiro '16 (307), QB Jacob Huesman '15 (264) and K Matt Vick '00 (242). Kelley closed to within a safety of Vick reaching 240.
Â
He now has 260 career points including 20 at Georgia Tech. That first field goal passed the 250-point mark as he continues to climb the ladder.
Â
Kelley became the Mocs fourth kicker with 40 career FGs with his second effort in the second quarter. That 39-yarder, was No. 40 joining Ribeiro (48), Vick (44) & Dennis Waters ''88 (40). Kelley currently has 42 to date.Â
Â
It's the fifth such honor for Kelley in his career.
Â
Football Ticket Quick Links – Mini-Plans | Game
As always, for all Mocs and McKenzie Arena events, go to GoMocs.com/tickets. Football mini-plans and single-game tickets are available with season tickets on sale as well for men's and women's basketball along with wrestling. The Arena also has Leanne Morgan's "The Time of Our Lives" Tour available.
Â
GoMocs.com is the official website of the Chattanooga Mocs. Wear what the teams wear in our BSN Team Store or go to the bookstore's official True Spirit Stop. The Mocs can also be followed on their official Facebook, X & Instagram accounts. Find out how to join the Mocs Club and support more than 300 student-athletes by clicking here & by checking out NIL possibilities here.
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