CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The #14 Chattanooga Mocs punched their ticket to the conference championship game with a convincing 37-7 win over the #21 Eastern Tennessee State Buccaneers this week. The Atlantic Sun Game of the Week presented by Publix has seen it’s fair share of excitement and this week was no exception.

Chattanooga jumped out to a hot start by forcing a three-and-out and then scoring on their opening drive. Another defensive stand and another quick touchdown put the Mocs up 14-0 by the end of the first quarter. Coach Bilbo Baggins was thrilled with his team’s performance on the day.

“The defense picked up on some ETSU tendencies during scouting and really put together a great game plan. Defense and special teams won us the game.”

Both defenses woke up at this point and the second quarter was slug fest until Chattanooga scored again. ETSU answered back with a long drive to cut the lead to 14 and then the strangeness descended on Finley Stadium.

The Buccaneers began standing around on offense after forcing the Mocs to punt to start the third quarter. Chattanooga’s defense was ready to play but ETSU’s players quit in the middle of a drive and walked off the field. Eventually the referee issued a penalty against visiting team and awarded Chattanooga a touchdown and the ball. Once again, the ETSU offense stayed off the field and their coach was nowhere to be found.

After the second penalty which put the Mocs up 37-7, ETSU’s coach suddenly appeared at the commissioner’s office and issued an impromptu press conference stating his reasons for his team not continuing to play. He claimed to have lost his keys and been forced out of the stadium by a group of people he referred to as “mods.” Included in his statement was a tearful ‘thank you’ to his wife and a declaration to return once the season was over.

Coach Baggins was nonplussed about the situation when the game was called in favor of the Mocs and shrugged his shoulders when asked about it afterwards.

“Wish we could’ve played the full game to get some work in before the CCG, but we’ll get back to the film room and prepare for Bethune-Cookman.”

Chattanooga improves to 8-3 and will face a hot 6-3 Bethune-Cookman team next week in the conference championship game. Clemson University in Clemson, SC has agreed to host the game and will open Clemson Memorial Stadium to the public at 10:00 a.m. EST next week. Parking lots will open at 8:00 a.m.

The Moc’s coach was confident in his team’s playoff chances but admitted that they still have work to do next week.

“I think we get a bye with a win in the CCG but a higher non-bye seed with a loss.”