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Tennessee football vs. Chattanooga: Five Mocs to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Nick Tiano #7 of the Chattanooga Mocs throws the ball during the first half of a game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Tiger Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Nick Tiano #7 of the Chattanooga Mocs throws the ball during the first half of a game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Tiger Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images /

5. Nick Tiano

Quarterback; Senior

6’5″ 240 lbs

Once a Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback, Nick Tiano could be the best quarterback on the field Saturday. He is considered a dark-horse NFL Draft prospect out of the FCS level, and his size shows why. Anybody would love a quarterback the size of a tight end, and that’s exactly what Tiano is for the Chattanooga Mocs.

Last year, Tiano completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,674 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran it 85 times for 239 yards and a touchdown, and given his size, he doesn’t take as much punishment while running the ball as other mobile quarterbacks may take, which makes him so scary.

This year, he has had a bit of a drop-off to start the season. Tiano has only completed 31-of-55 passes for 403 yards and just one touchdown while he has thrown two interceptions. However, he does have nine carries for 26 yards and two touchdowns. And he’s likely going to get back into his rhythm very soon.

Make no mistake, Tiano could torch Tennessee football on Saturday. He’s not going to be scared of any pressure he get, and he’s got the arm to do it, and he will be the reason that Rusty Wright has a smooth transition in his first year as head coach if he ends up working out. Very few players have Tiano’s build to play the position. And he will not back down just because he’s facing an SEC team.

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