UTC win would force Allison head-shaving


Brad Shepard
Chattanooga Times Free Press
01 October 2004


The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team has made coach Rodney Allison want to yank out his hair at times during its 0-3 start.

After Saturday, Allison hopes he doesn't have any left to pull.

Following the self-shearing of his offensive linemen earlier in the week - some of whom had grown their hair past their shoulders - Allison told his team after Wednesday's practice that he will match their buzz cuts if the Mocs beat defending Southern Conference champion Wofford on Saturday.

"I'm going to let them do it, too," Allison said. "I promise. It's all in fun."

Allison joked that if the Mocs won, bald defensive coordinator Gwaine Mathews would have to grow hair. Mathews said Wednesday he'd look like a "California blond."

Senior center Josh Goodin had been growing his brown locks since last November, but he said he did not mind shaving them off. The offensive linemen certainly would have no reservations cutting Allison's closely cropped coif, either.

"He will shave it," said Josh Shinpaugh, who had just lost the ugliest-of-heads competition to Tripp Ward, as judged by Allison. "He said it in front of the whole team. I don't think anybody is going to let him not shave his head.

"Me and Goodin had a contest between all of us, and since we've had bad superstitions, we said we needed to change something. I like it better on me. It's cooler. My helmet doesn't fit anymore, though."


Shaking it up

The Mocs are still looking for some defensive continuity after three consecutive games of allowing 51 or more points.

With linebacker Steven Mills' and defensive end Renaldo Jackson's status uncertain, Allison is making more changes. Mills has practiced this week, but Jackson went from practicing to back on the exercise bike by Wednesday.

Transfer linebacker Jimi Mitchell is listed to start at a defensive end position in Jackson's place. He played there last week against Georgia Southern and led the team with 11 tackles.

"They needed someone a little quicker to get to the dive," Mitchell said. "I'm more like a linebacker playing a down lineman."

Also, William High likely will be rewarded with a start for his two-interception performance against GSU. Quentin Harris will be a backup, and Wilford Blowe is listed as a starter at outside linebacker over Chris Johnson.

"I feel like I'm more of a cover corner than my size shows," said High, who is 5-feet-8. "I'm glad I get to help my team from a starting position."


Abdus-Salaam cleared

Allison said freshman running back Muhammad Ahmad Abdus-Salaam did not play against the Eagles because he was "in the doghouse" for a violation of team rules. He would not elaborate. Abdus-Salaam will be able to play this week against Wofford.