Photo by Mark Gilliland/Chattanooga Times Free Press
UTC football coach Russ HuesmanThe University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team needs a win, "any win," Mocs coach Russ Huesman said today during his weekly media luncheon at McKenzie Arena.
About UTC's 28-27 loss to The Citadel, in which the Mocs blew a 27-0 third-quarter lead, Huesman said his team "didn't make anything happen in the second half" and "several long runs should have been stopped at the line of scrimmage."
Huesman began the news conference looking a little down, a little flustered. When asked about it, he said he'd been answering the same questions - about the lack of running game and pass protection problems - for the past three days.
He wasn't down, just ready to get back to work as the No. 23 Mocs (2-3, 0-2 Southern Conference) prepare to face top-ranked Georgia Southern (4-0, 3-0) on Saturday.
"I can't wait to practice today," he said. "I'm looking forward to it."
About the Eagles, who have been ranked No. 1 since the second week of the season, Huesman said their triple-option attack has evolved and is now often being run out of the shotgun. He also said that Georgia Southern's speed will be a problem.
"The team speed is phenomenal on both sides of the ball," he said.
Like Huesman, senior linebacker Ryan Consiglio said UTC needed a win Saturday, not just a win over Georgia Southern. Of course, beating the No. 1 team would be good, too.
"There's no better way to get back on track," said Consiglio, who leads the SoCon with 46 tackles.
For more Mocs coverage, see tomorrow's Times Free Press. You can also follow beat writer John Frierson on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.