The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team hosts No. 2 James Madison on Saturday for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff inside Finley Stadium. The game will be carried LIVE on ESPN+.

Below are excerpts from today's press conference with photos.  The full videos are attached to the story.  Today's press conference included remarks from head coach Rusty Wright, graduate transfer running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, and junior defensive back Rashun Freeman.

Rusty Wright, Head Coach
On last week's game at Tennessee.
"Disappointed with how we performed last week against Tennessee. We had some guys play well, but didn't play well as a group and that falls on me. I have to do a better job of preparing those guys for that atmosphere, how we do that I don't know, but we got back to work today to get ready for a great James Madison team. They'll probably be one of the best football teams to play in Finley in a really long time. They're great from top to bottom, both sides of the football, in the kick game, and we'll have our work cut out for us. We're looking forward to it after a couple good days of practice. Attitude and effort was 100 times better."

On getting over tough losses like last week & re-grouping.
"It takes me a little while to get over them. The biggest thing for me is when you play guys like that, we did some good things, but we didn't grow as a group. That was my biggest concern. I have a tough time compartmentalizing that, maybe some guys can but I can't. And I told the guys that in the team meeting, I laid it out straight-forward to them. I can't separate them, it's still a loss no matter who you're playing. You have to compete to the best of your abilities and we didn't do that Saturday."

On the offensive line not allowing a sack & it translating to points.
"It will. It's just a matter of it all coming together at one time. We'll get there. We could have had some points Saturday. We could have kicked a field goal, but I told the guys I didn't want to do that. It's coming, we're just playing some good folks and we have to make plays against guys like that. It'll come."
 

Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, Gr.-RB
On past experiences against JMU while playing at Albany in the CAA.
"Just basically being in the CAA in general and knowing the mentality there is. Everyone has an 'any given Saturday' mentality that anybody can be beat. Just having that type of experience I know how to get these guys ready for this type of game."

On last week's 100-yard performance at Tennessee.
"It felt good to be able to show my work to the team and to the organization and it is just something to build off each week."

On the last couple days of practice carrying a positive vibe.
"It has definitely been a stride in the right direction and we're coming together as good teammates as well. We understand things happen, but it's all on us to fix it and it starts with us. I think that's what we're finally catching on to."
 

Rashun Freeman, Jr.-DB
On last week's experience at Tennessee.
"It was a good experience. Obviously not the one I was hoping for, but it was nice playing in that stadium. It was just another game though, that's how I felt."

On preparing for No. 2 James Madison.
"We look at every opponent the same. We want to come in whether they are at the bottom of the number one team in the nation. No matter who it is though, we prepare the same way and work hard every week and treat everyone as the same team."

On academic importance & All-SoCon academic honors.
"My academics have always been important in my life. My parents have always held that standard in my household. I never look at it like that, I just do my work and try to get the best grades I possibly can."