Martez Cooksey, Jr.
Photo by: Ian Wileman
GameDay Ready: Mocs Host Salute to Heroes
10/9/2026 10:24:00 AM | Football
Martez Cooksey, Jr., and the Chattanooga Mocs defense are among the nation’s best heading into Saturday’s matchup with the Samford Bulldogs.
The Chattanooga Mocs football team is in a strange place…at least as far as the 2026 schedule is concerned. The Mocs host Samford Saturday in Finley Stadium. It is the start of a stretch that sees the good guys at home three times in the next four contests.
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This is one of the special occasions on the schedule. It's the "Salute to Heroes" Game. All veteran and active military, first responders and medical personnel receive a complimentary ticket to the game with valid ID.
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It's also Hall of Fame Weekend. The athletics department honors six legendary performers along with four special award winners. Game time is slated for 1 p.m., on ESPN+ along with the Mocs Sports Network on WFLI Chattanooga, GoMocs.com and the Varsity Network.
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Resources – Preview | Game Notes | Series | Live Stats | Tickets
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Where to Watch
ESPN+ – Chris Goforth is on play-by-play, Chris Barnett with analysis and Mackenzie Johnson on the sidelines sharing the action. Click the link here for the broadcast.
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Where to Listen
Mocs Sports Network – WFLI Chattanooga (96.1/100.3 FM & 1070 AM) is the flagship for the Mocs broadcast which can be heard near and far with access on GoMocs.com and the Varsity Network app. "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds has the call. He's joined in the booth by Todd Agne (Analysis) & on the sidelines by Will Poindexter. Click the link here for the broadcast. The new GoMocs app is in production. Upon completion, it will be one more location to catch the game.
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Other Ways to Follow
Live stats for the contest are provided online by the Mocs statistical staff. Click the link here to follow the numbers. The Mocs communication staff is also on hand with timely posts on X and Instagram via @GoMocsFB.
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Notes Drop:
Total Defense
The Mocs defense leads the SoCon in all major categories and is among the nation's leaders.
Total Defense: 279.8 yards per game | 1st SoCon | 7th Nationally
Pass Defense: 144.5 yards per game | 1st SoCon | 5th Nationally
Rush Defense: 135.3 yards per game | 1st SoCon | 35th Nationally
Scoring Defense: 14.2 points per game | 1st SoCon | 6th Nationally
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In the Chattanooga Press
The Mocs are covered like a blanket in Chattanooga with the Times Free Press, TV affiliates from ABC, CBS & NBC, along with a myriad of online outlets, podcasts and social media. Here are a few stories available leading into this week's contest.
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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This is one of the special occasions on the schedule. It's the "Salute to Heroes" Game. All veteran and active military, first responders and medical personnel receive a complimentary ticket to the game with valid ID.
Â
It's also Hall of Fame Weekend. The athletics department honors six legendary performers along with four special award winners. Game time is slated for 1 p.m., on ESPN+ along with the Mocs Sports Network on WFLI Chattanooga, GoMocs.com and the Varsity Network.
Â
Resources – Preview | Game Notes | Series | Live Stats | Tickets
Â
Where to Watch
ESPN+ – Chris Goforth is on play-by-play, Chris Barnett with analysis and Mackenzie Johnson on the sidelines sharing the action. Click the link here for the broadcast.
Â
Where to Listen
Mocs Sports Network – WFLI Chattanooga (96.1/100.3 FM & 1070 AM) is the flagship for the Mocs broadcast which can be heard near and far with access on GoMocs.com and the Varsity Network app. "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds has the call. He's joined in the booth by Todd Agne (Analysis) & on the sidelines by Will Poindexter. Click the link here for the broadcast. The new GoMocs app is in production. Upon completion, it will be one more location to catch the game.
Â
Other Ways to Follow
Live stats for the contest are provided online by the Mocs statistical staff. Click the link here to follow the numbers. The Mocs communication staff is also on hand with timely posts on X and Instagram via @GoMocsFB.
Â
Notes Drop:
- Top 20 Nationally...
5th, Pass Defense (144.5) - SoCon Leader
6th, Scoring Defense (14.2) - SoCon Leader
7th, Total Defense (279.8) - SoCon Leader
7th, Davon Kiser, Punt Return TDs (1) - SoCon Leader
9th, Sacks (3.00) - SoCon Leader
10th, Davon Kiser, Punt Returns (14.4)
T10th, Fumbles Lost (1) - SoCon Leader w/Samford
12th, Kevin Lalin, Rushing Yards (534) - SoCon Leader
15th, Journey Wyche, Rush Yards/Carry (6.59)
15th, Kevin Lalin, Rush TDs (6)
17th, Davon Kiser, Kickoff Returns (27.3)
17th, Defensive TDs (1)
18th, Kevin Lalin, Rush Yards/Game (89.0)
18th, Jude Kelley, FG/Game (1.33)
20th, Fewest Penalties per Game (5.00)
20th, Turnovers Lost (4) - Lalin (18th-89.0) and Wyche (30th-76.4) are both in the top 30 nationally in rushing yards per game.
- Offensive front allowed one or fewer sacks 53 times in the 82 games of the Wright era.
- Of the Mocs 26 TFLs and 13 sacks over the last three weeks, 19.5 TFL & 11 sacks have come from the D-line: DE Ryan Bell (4.5 TFL/1.0 Sacks), DE Orlando Daniels (4.0/3.0), DT Isaiah Harvey (2.5/2.5), DT Ky Tayo (2.5/1.0), DE Jestin Gilmore (2.0/1.5), DT Montrell Henderson (2.0/1.0) & DE CJ Smith (2.0/1.0).
- LB Zion Rutledge leads the league and is 24th nationally in tackles per game (9.5).
- P Heath Jehu has 11 punts downed inside the 20 and nine of 50+ yards in 2026. Career highs are 12 inside the 20 (2025) and 14 50+ (2024, 2025).
Total Defense
The Mocs defense leads the SoCon in all major categories and is among the nation's leaders.
Total Defense: 279.8 yards per game | 1st SoCon | 7th Nationally
Pass Defense: 144.5 yards per game | 1st SoCon | 5th Nationally
Rush Defense: 135.3 yards per game | 1st SoCon | 35th Nationally
Scoring Defense: 14.2 points per game | 1st SoCon | 6th Nationally
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In the Chattanooga Press
The Mocs are covered like a blanket in Chattanooga with the Times Free Press, TV affiliates from ABC, CBS & NBC, along with a myriad of online outlets, podcasts and social media. Here are a few stories available leading into this week's contest.
- TFP beat writer Gene Henley shares how the lessons are paying off for sophomore DT Myles Mays: click on story link here.
- We shared important fan information ahead of tomorrow's game: click on story link here.
- Sophomore TE TJ Briggs embraces the "dirty work" aiding the running game according to Henley: click on story link here.
- WDEF 12's (CBS) Rick Nyman eyes the Mocs strong work on the defensive side of the ball: click on story link here.
- NewsChannel9's (ABC) Will Levenson also looks at a defense trying to turn good to great: click on story link here.
- Henley shares five things to know about Samford: click on story link here.
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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