CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football head coach Russ Huesman discussed his team's match up at No. 3 Appalachian State during Tuesday's weekly media luncheon at McKenzie Arena. Senior wide reciever Sloan Allison (Ooltewah, Tenn.) and sophomore linebacker Gunner Miller (Chattanooga, Tenn.) provided insight into the team's preparations for this week's game.

No. 13 Chattanooga travels to Boone, N.C., for a tilt at No. 3 Appalachian State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Links to live stats, subscription video and free audio through MocsVision can be found on the football schedule page at GoMocs.com.

Head Coach Russ Huesman
Opening Statement:
"I don't know if people realize it, but Eastern Kentucky has a good football team. I think it's going to show up as the year goes on. If they stay healthy, they have a chance to win the OVC. To go on the road and beat a team like Eastern [Kentucky], I thought, was pretty good for our football team. We played really well defensively. I thought offensively, a little shaky, not great, but Eastern Kentucky had a lot to do with that because their defense is really good. I thought special teams played way better than we had all year. We covered kicks and punts better. We kicked and punted the ball better and protected better. Actually in our kick-off return, we popped off two really nice ones there. I was pleased with that aspect of the game.

"It was a hard one to win. Credit our football team, they played well and made plays when they had to. We got to 2-1 our goal. I think now starting the conference schedule with a team like App. We're going to have to prepare as good as we've prepared all year to have any kind of chance. They are a really good football team and the environment there is probably going to be pretty hostile. Hopefully, we have a good week of practice and get ourselves ready.

On the tough schedule preparing the team for this week:
"It might. But you know App is going to be ready to play. No matter who they played leading into the game. They have a good football team and are well coached. I am not sure if it is that big of a deal who they played or who we played because I think they're going to be ready and I think we're going to be ready, too."

On the difference between the Appalachian State team played last year and this year:
"They lost a lot of great football players off of last year's team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think they had three guys in NFL camps and a couple drafted. They lost some quality people on defense, but with App sometimes they just reload and put somebody else back in there.

"That was a great game last year. Anybody that didn't think that was a great game is nuts. [Appalachian State Head Coach] Jerry Moore came up and said to me that it was one of the best football games he had ever been involved in. It was a great game. They beat us and came back, but that's what they do. They know how to win. I think we are learning how to win. We are starting to get used to winning. I think our guys like winning. But I think any FCS program would say that's where they want to get to. I said that when I got here three years ago. That's what you aspire to be."

On what a victory this week could mean to the program:
"Anytime anybody beats App, it's a big deal. Not just us, but anybody. If you beat them, it doesn't make any difference who you are or what you've done or how good your football team is. You have done something. I'm not just saying that for us, it is for anybody who plays them. They have a bulls-eye on their chest week in and week out. You have to give them credit, for them to win seven conference championships in a row and to win like they do is unbelievable. Everybody goes in there saying this is one we have got to have. Every week, they have to come ready to play because they're getting everyone's best shot."

Sophomore Linebacker Gunner Miller
On second half adjustments:
"I think we realize what we have to do. If the first half didn't go the way we wanted it to go, then we're going to come out the second half and try to adjust ourselves. Coach [Adam] Fuller and Coach [Russ] Huesman do a good job of getting us prepared to go into the game, so we shouldn't have to make any halftime adjustments."

On if last year's game is on the team's mind:
"It is App week and you have to think about last year. We had the lead the whole time and they came back and beat us in the fourth quarter. It is just another game. We have to head up there and play as hard as we can and take one game at a time."

On playing a shifty quarterback in DeAndre Pressley:
"We don't like them but it is something we have to deal with. Sometimes, if they go east and west, it's better than them going north and south."

Senior Wide Receiver Sloan Allison
On the change in attitude between last year and this year:
"It really is a lot more businesslike this year. I think that comes from last year. We knew we were good last year and we let a few get away from us; App, Jacksonville State and Elon were the main three. We really do take it one week at a time. Last week, preparing for Eastern Kentucky with App looming was tough.  You could tell in the first half, we were a little sluggish, but we came out in the second half and played the way we are capable of playing. I think we are a real dangerous football team."

On team leadership on defense:
"Both of Eastern Kentucky's touchdowns came on weird plays. Chris Lewis-Harris made a play on the first one, but it went through his hands, and the second one was right before halftime. I think the defense handles adversity very well, because they have Lewis-Harris, Jordan Tippit and Ryan Consiglio to lead them. Our defense is insane on third down. That puts us in great situations, and being able to get the other team's offense off the field on third down is huge."

On the Mocs' winning attitude:
"We get out there and everyone is just having a blast. Obviously, that is easy to do when you are playing well, but I think it also comes from preparation throughout the week. We have had two really good weeks of practice and we just have to carry that over into this week. And we are so competitive with each other and you see it a lot in the secondary with Chaz Moore. He's kind of the third corner, but he is so good. When someone is in there playing well and a guy gets the opportunity to step up and make plays, it can only make us better."