CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga head football coach Russ Huesman and juniors Derrick Lott and Kevin Revis sat down with the media Tuesday to discuss last week's game against Appalachian State and Saturday's road game against The Citadel.
The Mocs look to take down a 3-1 Bulldogs team at 6 p.m. in Charleston, S.C. Live audio streaming for this weekend's game is provided by MocsVision on GoMocs.com and is also available on Chattanooga's flagship station ESPN Radio 105.1 FM.
Head Coach Russ Huesman
Thoughts on the game against Appalachian State
It was a pretty frustrating game the way it played out. It was 10-10 going in to the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter we actually had the wind. We made some mistakes. We didn't make some plays and they made some plays. It turned into what it turned into and that can't happen. We have to do a better job of coaching. We can't let it snowball on us like that. It's on the whole group, coaches and players. We all made mistakes in that game. We've got to regroup and get ready for a good Citadel team. I think we will. I think we've put it behind us and we've still got a chance to have a really good year.
On if he feels good about his defense defending the Citadel option
I feel as good as you can feel going into an option game. We've had our thoughts on how we want to defend it for a long time. From our days at Richmond when we were playing Wofford and now here playing three triple option teams a year, we've got our thoughts. I think the thing that is an advantage for us is that our guys have a good feel. The toughest part about playing the triple option is getting the scout team to simulate it. It's hard because the speed is never close to what you're going to see. It's hard to simulate it. We've made a decision that we're going to put better players on the scout team. Chris Awuah is going to be the quarterback. I think he'll be able to simulate the speed. "
On how Citadel's defense compares to Appalachian State
I'd say they are pretty similar. I think the thing about Citadel is that they are very well coached on the defensive side of the ball. I noticed that I was watching Apps offense last week. Citadel is well coached. They are where they are supposed to be and they are gap sound. Their scheme is good. We're going to have to do things offensively better than we've done. They're good and their talented. We're going to have to execute well on offense.
On if the run is necessary to open the passing game in the spread offense
We have to run the ball better. I wasn't really thrilled with how our backs ran. I was extremely disappointed with a lot of the runs that happened. We have to run the ball better with our running backs. We have to protect better. We missed a lot of protections. The first interception we threw was because of a missed pick up. That should have been picked up. That's coaching. That's putting our guys in a situation that's not necessarily the best for them.
On if Terrell Robinson and Jacob Huesman are getting enough rushes in the offense
They have got to get touches. They are the two best players on our team with the ball in their hands. Whether it's Terrell at quarterback and Jacob somewhere else, or Jacob at quarterback and Terrell somewhere else, they have to touch the ball. Even if they aren't carrying it, they have to be a threat to touch the ball. We have to get 25 touches from the quarterback .We had two quarterback runs called Saturday and we checked out of it. That's unacceptable.
Kevin Revis, junior, offensive lineman
Thoughts offensively on Appalachian State
"It was pretty frustrating because we weren't finishing. We had a lot of opportunities and missed blocks. It's frustrating because we were blocking pretty well. We just weren't finishing and that's the biggest thing for us. We have to finish every play."
Thoughts on finding a rhythm
"We're at a position to make plays and make blocks. We are going to have to execute our plays and make all our blocks every play. Our coaches have us in a good position but we have to finish plays to get in the rhythm."
Thoughts on mentality going into practice and moving forward
"Just like the cliché, I'm just focusing from game to game. I know we have to play The Citadel this week and if you look any far past it, that's not the way to do it. Citadel is a good team and we are going to have to play a good game to beat them. Right now, we're not even looking at the game. We're looking at Tuesday's practice. What do we have to do today to get ready for the game on Saturday? I don't think anybody on the field is looking past the game on Saturday."
Thoughts on preparing for The Citadel
"If the Citadel is 1-3 or 3-1, we know they are a good team. We've watched them on film. We always want to leave the lost. After we've watched the film on Sunday, seen our mistakes and correct what we need to correct; it's on to the next team. We can't dwell on what we did against App but we need to fix what we did. Them being successful doesn't really affect because we know when Socon play, if you don't play good a week, no matter what their record is or how good of a team it is, your going to get beat. Socon is a great league and everybody has pretty decent teams. We just know we have to be ready every week."
Derrick Lott, junior, defensive lineman
Thoughts on his transfer and time spent at UTC
"Being at UTC has been what I've expected, so far. Like most transfer guys, you don't expect as much as you got from your other school. The guys are nice. I've talked to guys who transferred here and they liked it and it's pretty much how I expected it to be."
Thoughts on knowing he will play every week
"I been thinking that I have to get my body more rest because I'm actually playing every game versus being at Georgia and not really playing so much. It's different. I like the change and it's just something that I'm going to have to get used to."
On expectaions as a Division I transfer
"I expect to go out there and be one of the dominate defensive linemen. I know some of the fans behind me were saying, 'You're a transfer and D1. You should be out there making every play.' It's not always that easy but that's the mindset that I have."
Thoughts on the Mocs' defense
"Being recruited and leaving Georgia to come to here, one of my main focuses was to see how the defense was. I was looking to see how the defensive line was and how everyone came together. I thought they had a pretty good defense and that's really one of the main reasons why I came here."
On the toughest adjustment from Georgia to Chattanooga
"Leaving from the 3-4 to the 4-3 is probably the toughest adjustment. Having to learn how to play nose. I haven't really played nose before. Learning those and the different techniques that one defensive line coach may teach from another."
Thoughts on defending the triple option
"Yesterday, I came in the morning to meet with my position coach about the triple option. We've practiced it at Georgia but I never played in a team against a triple action team. This will be my first game playing against it and I think if I get it down pat against the first triple option team, then I will be prepared for the next two."
On the comfort level going into games
"I actually felt more comfortable at the game on Saturday.. I actually feel comfortable now, and I feel that I can be an asset to the defensive line and the defense."
