Chattanooga Football Postgame Quotes
Chattanooga at Samford
Seibert Stadium – Birmingham, Ala.
Saturday – Sept. 23, 2023

Rusty Wright, Head Coach
On his overall thoughts on the 47-24 victory over Samford.
"It was a lot of fun today because they were all having fun out there. I thought all week defensively in practice our guys were really locked in and tuned in to what we were trying to do. Our staff just did a great job at getting those kids prepared for what they were going to face. It's hard when you go from The Citadel huddling up and taking 28 seconds off the clock before they snap it, and then you go into today and it's 90-something degrees and smoking down there. We just did a tremendous job at getting these young guys ready to play this week."

On getting the early pick-six to jump ahead two scores early.
"They gave us a gift and we took advantage of it. That's what you're supposed to do. We just battled all day. We knew it was going to be hot as crap out there today, and it was the hottest day we've had, but we battled and made plays. It was fun down there with Sam making catches, hitting 49-yard field goals, making picks, our quarterback was making throws and we were making blocks. We looked like a football team, and that's when it's fun."

On the team's offensive success to be able to put up over 40 points today.
"Well we had a couple of turnovers which helps, but we were efficient and we executed. That group has a chance to be really good on offense, but that's only if they understand how important execution is. And we don't do a whole lot, we really don't, but if we execute we have an opportunity to be really good this year."

On Chase Artopoeus' performance today.
"He's just a good football player and he gives us a chance. He puts the ball where it's supposed to be most of the time and I just hope he continues to get better."

On holding off any potential Samford comeback.
"That's the thing, they're never out of a football game. I was sitting there doing the math in my head and trying to get it figured out, because the way that the play they are never out of a football game."

Chase Artopoeus, Jr., QB
On his first touchdown pass of the day setting the tone for the team.
"We wrok on scramble drill a lot where sometimes plays break down, and it seemed like that one kind of did. Huge kudos to Tyler Smith to be able to run that route where he had the wherewithal to turn up field when the defense wasn't looking and give us an easy touchdown. It was just a good connection."

On how much of an emphasis was put on keeping the football so the defense wouldn't have to be on the field for long.
"Obviously we knew they had a really good offense, but the only thing we can control is ourselves so our goal was just to score every possession that we possibly could. In the second half we were running it a little more, but in that first half our goal was to just score as much as we could while the second half was more of the idea of holding onto the ball more. Overall I was really proud of our offense."

On the team converting on third down and in the red zone.
"I thought we did really good in that area today. They're defensive line is a pretty solid group so huge props to our o-line to be able to block them. Our receivers found the right holes and Coach Pizzo just called a great game."

On putting themselves in a great position in the SoCon with that win.
"Samford's a great team and we knew the SoCon would probably have to go through them so we're excited with what we just did. Onto Wofford and I'm just excited to play against them."

Griffin McDowell, Sr., OL
On how the offensive line has been able to come together.
"Each week we've been fixing our mistakes as a group. We were four-for-four today in the red zone, and that was something we really wanted to do today which was bury them upfront. We have backs and receivers that can get us down the field, so we wanted to be able to do our part to get it in the end zone."

On how the team has improved in the run blocking department.
"That's been something we've been wanting to fix each week. We want to be able to run the ball and we have some backs that can go out there and make some plays. That's one big thing that I think today helped show how we made improvements so far this season."

Alex Mitchell, So., LB
On how the heat and physicality of the game wore on the defense.
"Their tempo was really tough in this heat. They do it every year where they try to gas us out, and they're just a fast team in general. We just came out ready and prepared for it."

On how they were able to make big stops.
"Yeah they were going to make big plays during the game, that's just a part of football, but we did our job on defense and stopped them when it mattered most."

Josh Battle, R-So., DB
On his mentality coming into the game.
"We were just focused on putting our eyes in the right places and then running to the ball."

On how the defense has gotten better as the season progresses.
"With practice and preparation, and then just watching film, yeah we've really been getting better at that each week."

On moving on to Wofford and what the team's mindset is now.
"We just set the standard today, so now we just have to keep going and keep getting better every game."