Chattanooga beats Eastern Illinois 24-10 in Wright's debut
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. -- Bryce Nunnelly ran for 100 yards and caught a touchdown pass and Chattanooga coach Rusty Wright earned a win in his debut as the Mocs beat Eastern Illinois 24-10 in a season opener on Thursday night.
Nick Tiano accounted for two touchdowns and 17-of-27 passing for 256 yards but threw a pair of interceptions for the Mocs. Ailym Ford added 50 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Johnathan Brantley threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Nick Stricker late in the second quarter for the Panthers' only touchdown.
Tiano bulled into the end zone from the 1 in the first quarter and tossed a 59-yard touchdown pass to Nunnelly as the Mocs built a 17-10 halftime lead. Ford added a 1-yard scoring run early in the third quarter.
The Panthers punted twice, failed to convert on fourth down and committed two turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Wright, a former player and Chattanooga assistant coach, was hired to lead the Mocs on Dec. 19.
Game Information
2024 Big South-OVC Association Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Missouri State | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Tennessee Tech | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| UT Martin | 6-2 | 9-5 |
| Tennessee State | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Lindenwood | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| Western Illinois | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Gardner-Webb | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Eastern Illinois | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Charleston Southern | 0-8 | 1-11 |
2024 Southern Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer | 7-1 | 11-3 |
| Western Carolina | 6-2 | 7-5 |
| Chattanooga | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| East Tennessee State | 5-3 | 7-5 |
| Samford | 3-4 | 4-7 |
| The Citadel | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Wofford | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Furman | 2-5 | 3-8 |
| VMI | 1-7 | 1-11 |
NCAAF News
