Mocs Media Luncheon - Quotes, Video and Photos

Kickoff for Saturday’s game is at 1:30 p.m. (E.D.T.) in Spartanburg, S.C.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga senior defensive lineman Josh Freeman, head football coach Russ Huesman and senior quarterback Jacob Huesman met with local media on Tuesday, recapping last week's win over VMI and talking about the upcoming game at Wofford.

Select quotes from Tuesday's lunch can be found below. For the full interviews, check out the MocsVision video links included within the story.

Kickoff for Saturday's game is at 1:30 p.m. in Spartanburg, S.C. Fans can catch the game on the Mocs Sports Network on US 101 The Legend on 96.1 FM or online on the Southern Conference Digital Network. Links to live stats, video and audio are available on the football schedule page on GoMocs.com.

Josh Freeman, defensive lineman, senior
What is it like preparing for a triple-option team like Wofford?
"We never shy away from physicality, so we like to get in there and fight in the trenches. Also, you know it's going to be a long day. It's going to be physical. It hurts after a while, but you have to do what you have to do. You have to get it done."

When you were recruited did you think this team would be ranked No. 5?
"To be honest, when I met Jimmy Lindsey, the guy that recruited me from my high school, he told me, 'We're not a great right now, but I guarantee Chattanooga is up next.' Looking back now, I know he wasn't lying to me. It's been a blessing to be here and to be a part of this. It's been fun."

How has the perception of the program changed since you've been here?
"I feel like we've always had good support, but it's gotten even better over the years. Coach West once told us, 'Everybody loves a winner, so when you start winning more, you get more fans and more support.' If we do a great job on Saturday, we get a lot more of that on campus. I think people definitely notice."

Is there more intensity from other teams when you're on the road nowadays?
"Going from the hunter to being the hunted, you definitely feel that. You get everybody's best shot and you feel it out there. They want to be that team that knocks off Chattanooga."

Head coach Russ Huesman
Recap of VMI.
"It was a win on the road. We're happy to get it. You have to give VMI a lot of credit. They played hard. They played physical. They made plays. We made some plays too, but they made plays and it made it a tough day for us.

"Fortunately, we came out with the win and that's really all that matters. Five weeks from now no one will be talking about the score of that game, there's no question about that. We're happy to win. Anytime we win a league game we're excited, but we do understand that we have to continue to improve.

"We'll have to have a great week of practice in preparation for Wofford. When you talk about Wofford or The Citadel, you talk about triple option and the preparation for that. Also Wofford has played good defense for a long time. They're physical on both sides of the ball, so it will be a big test for our guys, especially our defensive guys not taking lightly with our offense against their defense. The triple option is hard to prepare for. It's hard to simulate in practice, so we have to have a great week of practice.

On how the perception of the program has changed since taking over as head coach.
"Going back seven years ago a lot of people thought you could win here at Chattanooga. The perception throughout the country was Chattanooga had a lot to offer and you should be able to win. Why are we not winning? I think we changed the culture based on bringing the right players in. We haven't been perfect by any stretch and no one is.

"In the last three years, this year included, our team chemistry is fantastic. That's one of the most important things with a football team is does your team like each other. If they don't like each other and they're not playing for each other, then you're going to have a hard time winning football games. The last few years we've had great team chemistry and we've got good players."

On Wofford.
"Wofford is good. They've had some injuries this year. I've said this forever and I'll continue to say it at this level you can't afford injuries. You can't afford multiple injuries. You may get away with one but you can't afford multiple injuries. And I know they've been dinged up pretty good, but if you're asking me if I think they're down, no.

"Watching them on film they are the same looking Wofford team. They've lost a couple of tough games. They've lost to Western Carolina who's a good football team. The Citadel is really good. They've barley lost to a FBS school. They haven't won a couple close games, but you watch them on film and it looks like Wofford. It looks like Wofford as usual."

How much different is it for the defensive ends when they're playing these triple option teams?
"Our defensive ends have to be athletic and have to run some things down. The safeties and the line backers are the ones who really have to be on top of it. Interior guys, it's just a mash of humanity and bodies flying and flaring and people all over the place. It's a toughness game there.

"Your line backers have to have the ability to dissect something really quick and put themselves in a position to make a play, whether it's the dive or the quarterback, chase it down. It's fun. It's challenging. It makes the week interesting. Whether it makes you better or not, I don't know but it makes for an interesting week of practice."

Jacob Huesman, quarterback, senior
What's more important to you, all the records you're breaking or being ranked No. 5?
"The top-five ranking. I couldn't tell you all the records I'm in line to breaking individually. The most important thing to me right now is that we're 3-0 in conference play. And the No. 5 ranking really is pretty cool. I guess it's the highest in UTC history. We wouldn't be there without the record we have and taking it week to week and making sure we stay on the right track."

Can you tell the perception of the program has changed?
"I think there has been a culture change. Now winning is the expectation. If you look back seven, eight, nine years ago, I don't know that was the expectation, as much as a fun thing that happened now and again. Now we expect to win, and I think that's a big part of any program and their culture.

"Coach Durden talks about it all the time. When you show up, you have to have that swagger that you're expecting to win the game. It can send a message to an opponent, and it boosts your confidence overall. It's part of the culture, and I think it's changed for the better here."

Before 2009, do you think it was a hard sell to get people to come to UTC?
"I don't think it'd be as hard as you would imagine, but at the same time, winning makes it so much easier. UTC is a nice place. I love it here. I can't imagine it would have been an impossible sell for a recruit. Our staff does a fantastic job recruiting."

On being a team that's hunted.
"I think every team is probably gunning for us. VMI certainly was. They gave us their best shot. They played a really good ball game Saturday. We expect week to week we're going to get everyone's best shot. We talk about it a lot, and we have to be prepared for it. We can't just survive it. We have to hit back with our best shot."

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Players Mentioned

#95 Josh Freeman: DL; 6' 0"; Senior

#14 Jacob Huesman: QB; 6' 2"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#95 Josh Freeman
: 6' 0"; Senior
: DL

#14 Jacob Huesman
: 6' 2"; Senior
: QB

Players Mentioned

#95 Josh Freeman

#14 Jacob Huesman

Players Mentioned

#95 Josh Freeman

#14 Jacob Huesman