Chattanooga Football Postgame Quotes
Chattanooga at Sam Houston State
FCS Playoffs - Quarterfinals
Bowers Stadium – Huntsville, Texas.
Saturday – Dec. 3, 2016

Russ Huesman, Head Coach
Opening statement.
"A great football game. It came down to the end and they made a few more plays than we did. I thought both teams played really hard and it was a greatly played football game. It hurts, and I know our guys are hurting right now. I'm awful proud of our football team and our senior class. That group has done an unbelievable job for us and they have meant so much to our program. Just really proud of them."

On the comparison of QB play from both teams.
"I thought Alejandro (Bennifield) played excellent. I thought he was playing like a big-time player out there. Made plays with his feet and threw the ball well. Our defensive line, I think we sacked him probably seven times after he was sacked eight times in eleven games this year. We got after him pretty well on the defensive line and that's our big guys up front."

On the early 21-0 deficit.
"It was tough going down 21-0 after they made some big plays. We knew we weren't tackling well and needed to start tackling better. I think we settled down after getting some first downs on offense and then the pick-six really got us fired up. We knew it was going to be a game from there. At the end of the game they stepped up defensively and made some plays. They are a great football team, they are as good as anyone in the country. They're well-coached on both sides of the ball and know what they want to do. We lost the game and they won, they were the better team today and they're a great team."

On Isaiah Mack's presence.
"He can rush the passer like a big dog. He has excellent quickness and is strong. We have a bunch of them that can run and rush the passer too and that showed up tonight."

On the career of Keionta Davis.
"He's a fantastic person to start with, part of a tremendous family, and we are very lucky to have him at Chattanooga. He has a bright future and this isn't his last football game by any stretch of the mind. I'm awful proud of him."

Keointa Davis, senior, defensive lineman
Changing gears after 21-0 deficit.
"I think we just changed our mindset on the game. We weren't happy so ee got each other fired up and said let's get back to playing our game. Nakevion (Leslie) came through with a pick-six and I think that was the big momentum change."

On leaving behind legacy at Chattanooga.
"It's great to see the hometown going from not much to the talk of the town. It's been great to go through the process, the older guys, the younger guys, and teaching them the ways of winning football games and hopefully leaving a mark at Chattanooga. Next year they'll be in the playoffs again, it's a great group."

Alejandro Bennifield, junior, quarterback
Coming back from early hole.
"Early on we were shooting ourselves in the foot. From the time we got our first score we settled down and went from there. Once we started doing what we do best, getting guys in space, we were able to put some points on the board."