CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football head coach Russ Huesman discussed the Mocs upcoming contest at Elon with the media on Tuesday afternoon at McKenzie Arena. Senior linebacker Ryan Consiglio (Franklin, Tenn.) and freshman quarterback Terrell Robinson (South Pittsburg,Tenn.) provided insight on last week's victory over Western Carolina and preparing for the Phoenix.
Chattanooga (3-4, 1-3
SoCon) travels this weekend to face Elon (4-3, 2-2 SoCon) with
the kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. (E.D.T.) in Elon, N.C. The game will
broadcast on the SoCon Sports Network and locally on WTCI-TV (PBS). Fans also can listen the contest online through MocVision with links located on the football schedule page.
Head Coach Russ Huesman
Opening Statement:
"It was a great win for us. We needed a win badly. I think
the one good thing about the game, and what we needed, was that we came out pretty
quick. Our offense taking the ball, moving it downfield and scoring was huge
for a lot of reasons, but for one, confidence. After you lose three in a row,
it is human nature that everyone thinks you are no good, and for our offense
to do that was huge. The defensive turnovers were big, too. Especially the
first one. I think that first one turned it into a 24-0 game, and that was big.
It was a great win in all three phases. We played good in all three phases, and
I was really pleased with it."
On the defense
creating and capitalizing on turnovers:
"We work hard on turnovers and creating turnovers, then
doing something with them once we get them. There were some people around Ryan
Consiglio when he picked the ball up, but we actually do a drill making them
pick the ball up and scoring. It pays off. If you practice things and make an
emphasis, then usually that happens. D.J.
Key's was just pure luck. He was just standing there and they threw it right in
his chest. He made other plays that were a lot better than that one, but
everybody was excited about that play. I was glad that happened. I think some
of the turnovers were really good turnovers. Keyon Reed stripping the ball from
behind, and then Consiglio scooping it up, you have to have players to do that.
Some people just go around the ankles, but he knew, you could see he knew, and
he went right after the ball. He took a swipe at it, and then Chaz Moore's
interception happened because of good coverage and break on the ball. I think
one of their fumbles they just kind of dropped, and Zach McCarter's in the
endzone was a really nice play."
Thoughts about
focusing on statistics:
"We like it. Coach [Adam] Fuller actually has a poster in the
linebacker meeting room listing where we are nationally in scoring defense,
total defense and turnovers. And we have a running total of who is leading the
Southern Conference, who's leading the country in total defense and takeaways,
and where we rank. I've done that everywhere I've been and I feel like that is
important for our guys to see. We look at it, and Sunday we get the stats, put
it up, and make sure our guys see it."
On the surprise of
Terrell Robinson's play:
"He's a winner. He comes from a winning program that he's
had to work in. They work hard at South Pittsburg and football is important. He
is a winner, and he has been well coached. We had him in our camp where I think
a lot of people didn't, and we knew he was a fine athlete. It doesn't surprise
me. Maybe the fact he hasn't made a lot of mistakes, he's made a couple, but
maybe that is what surprises me. But for him to rattle off a 35-yard run the
first play of the game didn't surprise me."
Senior Linebacker Ryan Consiglio
On the attitude of a defense in creating turnovers:
"It is more of a mindset. We really harp on getting the ball
out in every game. We go into each game with a goal of forcing at least three
turnovers. You always want to set up your offense with good field position and
good opportunities to score. Every now and again, the ball will bounce and land
in your hands when you have a good chance to get to the endzone and put
some points on the board."
On the focus the team has with four games left:
"It is a one-game season from here on out. We are going to
take it one game at a time and all that we care about right now is Elon. We can't
look ahead or in the past either. I feel
like having that killer, do-or-die instinct is what we are going to have
to hang our hat on if we want to win out because that is what we have to do if
we want to make the playoffs."
On treating each week as the only game that matters
beneficial:
"You can kind of look at it from both ends of the spectrum.
At one end, you can say that this is it and you have to win this game or really
just focus on that game, put all of your efforts into it. It really does keep
you from looking ahead to certain teams. It keeps you from looking in the past
as well. We are just doing what we need to do right now."
Freshman Quarterback Terrell Robinson
On your overall success the past two weeks:
"I never thought that I would win back-to-back awards [SoCon
Freshman of the Week]. I was just coming
in and thinking to just handle the job, get the job done. Success is just
happening, which complements my team also."
On last week's preparation with getting additional
repetitions in practice:
"Last week, I was more prepared. I went out and we played
well. As opposed to Georgia Southern, I wasn't really prepared and I was out
there just to get it done. Last week against Western Carolina, I prepared and
it really helped me out a lot. I was able to get all the calls right this week.
We went out there and had a lot of fun."
On throwing the ball more often moving forward:
"I am really excited about having the opportunity to throw
the ball this weekend. I know that I have to prepare again this week and show
everybody what I can do
