The last time the Western football team walked out of Finely Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn., they walked out as national champions.

It was Dec. 20, 2002, and the Toppers had defeated McNeese State 34-14 in the NCAA Division I-AA title game.

“That was such a great experience,” coach David Elson said. “And it seems like such a long time ago.”

Elson, an assistant coach on that team, said victory is a big part of the reason Western’s football program is going in the direction it is today.

Aside from Elson, assistant head coach T.J. Weist is the only other current member on staff from that 2002 title team.

The Toppers (5-3) return to Chattanooga on Saturday, not for a title game, but for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the team that calls Finely Stadium home, the Chattanooga Mocs (2-6).

Western defeated Chattanooga 28-21 last year in Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Chattanooga leads the overall series 8-4, with a 4-2 mark at home.

Elson said the Mocs have not changed too much from last year.

Chattanooga returns a veteran offensive line and senior quarterback Antonio Miller who ran for three touchdowns in last year’s contest.

This season, Miller has passed for 1,115 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions.

Redshirt freshman quarterback K.J. Black said the team cannot underestimate the Mocs.

“I know they’re better than their record shows,” Black said. “I can tell you that they’re going to come out and give us their best shot like everybody else has.”

The Toppers come off two straight victories, scoring 50 or more points in both games.

“You’ve got to give a good amount of credit to the running backs,” Elson said. “I think you see them beginning to get a feel for the zone play. They’re getting a feel for where those cuts are going to take place and finding those creases and making people miss.”

Sophomore running back Tyrell Hayden leads the team, rushing for 671 yards and eight touchdowns.

Western rushed for 373 yards against North Carolina Central last Saturday.

Senior quarterback David Wolke said the offense has really come a long way since preseason camp.

“I believe the reason for that is the O-line, tailbacks and receivers playing really well,” he said. “We run the ball a lot. That opens the passing game and makes it a little easier on us to throw down the field.”

Black said whenever the team can run for 300 yards in game, it really loosens up the quarterback position.

This season, Wolke and Black have combined for 1,229 yards and seven touchdowns through the air. On the ground, they have rushed for 560 total yards with five touchdowns.

Elson said the team has to guard against feeling too good about themselves and stay focused.

“We saw that we have to tackle better defensively,” he said. “This week is going to present that challenge because they like to run the football. They like to run the Power and run the Zone and they have an athletic quarterback.”

Reach Will Perkins at sports@chherald.com.