The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team travels to Birmingham, Ala., for a 3:00 p.m. ET matchup against Samford inside Seibert Stadium. The game is carried LIVE on the Mocs Sports Network (WFLI 1070 AM / 97.7 AM) and ESPN3.

Below are excerpts from today's press conference with photos. Today's press conference included remarks from head coach Rusty Wright and senior quarterback Nick Tiano.

Nick Tiano, Sr.-QB
On facing a tough Samford team.
"They're a good team and a good program. Every year, they find a way to put up a lot of yards and a lot of points. They're doing it a little different this year, little more on the run game than they have in the past. It's the same challenge for us every week. We have to execute, put points on the board, and be ready to play for four quarters."

On the team's response after a tough last two weeks. 
"I've been really proud. Guys came back in Sunday to watch some tape and came in Monday morning ready to work. We had a great morning yesterday, got a little head start to the week. This morning was physical, intense, guys going after it and competing. You can't beat that. The guys showing up after two tough losses like that ready to go and get better says a lot about the guys we have."

On the final push as senior season comes to a close.
"It's going by fast. I feel like every year week nine, week 10 comes around so fast. We're trying to enjoy it all, win them all, soak it all in and make the most of it. You want to win them all. You don't work that hard to not try and win them. These last two were really tough on us. We just have to capitalize on opportunities and limit our mistakes. I think when we line up and play our best we're a tough team to beat."



Rusty Wright, Head Coach
Following loss to No. 13 Furman last Saturday.
"Tough ball game Saturday against a good Furman team. We played well at times and then there was about a three-four minute stretch that got away from us and we didn't handle some things well. The guys played hard and did some good things. That was a good football team we played and our hands were full the whole time. We missed a couple opportunities offensively in the second half, but they played hard. We have to figure out a way to finish, make crucial stops, and make some first downs when things aren't going your way. It was a tough, hard-fought game."
 
On hitting the road to play Samford.
"We're getting ready to go down to Birmingham and play a good Samford team for I think their Homecoming. It'll be a rowdy crowd there. They're throwing the ball a little bit, running the ball a little bit better than they have in the past. Looks like a little more balanced attack that what we're used to against those guys. They're long, they're big up front. We'll have our hands full and we'll have to play well. We have to able to play well."
 
On the play of Ailym Ford.
"He plays like he gets plenty of rest. That's the standard, that's where he sets his standard and it moves higher every day. He's the kind of guy where someone asks me if you can build a program around him. I say what he does more as an individual, you know what he is as a football player, you don't get to see him as a young man every day. Going to class, study hall, how he practices and how he lives his life. Those are the kind of people you build a program around."

On the team moving forward and the type of senior leadership.
"I thought today was a decent practice for us, especially for a Tuesday. It's been getting better. We started going hard again and doing different things. I was impressed with how we went and attacked it today, and thought there was enough of them out there trying to get better. They [senior class] set the standard. They're the first group I'm with. It can go one or two ways real quick and I don't think it'll be like that with this group. They're great young men and will give themselves opportunities to finish the right way."