2023 Chattanooga Mocs Football
at VMI – Oct. 28
Alumni Field – Lexington, Va.
Postgame Quotes

Rusty Wright, Head Coach
On today's win.
"That was a Southern Conference football game. We were on the road, eight hour bus trip, tire goes flat and had to move everybody over to two buses. Kids figured it out and we went and made a couple plays down the stretch. Got the ball back with three minutes and didn't give it back."

On how big Gino Appleberry came through for the team today.
"Gino's a good, hard-nosed football player. Playing well is important to him. I thought he ran the ball hard, thought Reggie (Davis) ran the ball hard. That five-yard run he makes before we kick that field goal is huge. He doesn't make that run I'm not sure we kick it. He did a lot of good things out there today so I'm proud of him. Proud of everyone for handling the things that were thrown at them out there today."

On how the defense persevered.
"It's what we talk about all the time with defense, just keep making people make plays. You have to force people to do those things against you. I don't think we tackled particularly well today across the board, but you know what? We hung in there and kept battling and we figured it out."

Gino Appleberry, RB, Sr.
On setting the tone on the ground.
"It was always going to be a physical game. Anytime we play VMI we know we're going to get their best shot. Offensive line did a great job at opening up running lanes for us."

On overcoming the adversity that has been thrown at this team this year.
"Coach has been preparing us for stuff like this since the spring. This didn't just start for us in the fall or fall camp, this goes all the way back to the spring."

On having the chance to play for the title against Furman.
"This is what we train for. We put in hard hours, long hours; this is what we share blood, sweat and tears for. Just for a shot."

Chase Artopoeus, QB, Jr.
On the offense's performance today.
"I don't think we played our best brand of ball. I think we started off strong, but in that second quarter we kind of calmed down a bit. I think we played hard, I don't think that was the problem, it was just the execution. I don't think we executed to the highest level that we could, so I think a lot of the stuff is things we can fix. I'm excited to get in the film room and on the practice field to fix it before Furman next week."

On the game-sealing drive.
"It was just resiliency by the guys. I don't think anybody batted an eye. We all believe in ourselves, even when we weren't all playing great, especially myself. I think we all stayed calm in that situation, that third down was big with Gino getting a nice catch on a good route. Overall, we got the win, so that's all that matters.  

On the team's mindset.
"These guys won't quit. We've been down in games before; we've been up in games. I think we've seen what can happen if we do let our foot off the pedal, and it's something we can't do. Luckily, we were able to keep it at bay today. We were able to keep playing our hardest throughout the game, and I'm really proud of these guys.

Kobe Joseph, LB, Jr.
On hanging in to get the win.
"The time of possession, if you look at it, was like 40 [to] 20. It was certainly tough, but it's nothing we haven't prepared for. Fall camp, we're out there practicing in the heat every day. We've been staying in shape, getting better every day this season. I've mentioned before that we have great depth on the team, so we're rotating guys in and out. People are able to take breaks because you know the next guy is going to step up and get it done.

On VMI's offensive success.
"They were really good, and we took a while to get used to it. We were able to slow them down later in the game, but it was tough. We weren't super prepared for that Wildcat; the extra blockers are hard to fit up, and they were creasing us vertically, but they did a great job scheming, they battled their butts off. They're a tough team to play, especially here.

On the team's road success in the conference.
"A road game is just a game. I personally love road games way [more]. You're with the team, you're on the bus, in the hotel; you do everything together. You're more relaxed and more focused, so I think it's better in road games. Everyone's done a great job staying focused and not worrying about the environment, the crowds, or travel. Everyone's so focused and everyone just comes to work. I love this team and I'm proud of them."