First Look
The Chattanooga Mocs opened the 2025 season last Saturday at Memphis. The loss was a product of a talented opponent, but also the need to tighten up on both sides of the ball. The Mocs turn their attention this week to No. 17 Tennessee Tech. Coach Rusty Wright discusses the Tigers matchup in our Monday morning quarterback feature after breaking down the game film.
 
For Wright and his staff, the quest for improvement isn't about grand gestures or sweeping changes; it's about consistency and doing the little things right. As the Mocs prepare for their upcoming game against Tennessee Tech, Wright is laser-focused on these fundamental aspects of the game.
 
Consistency & Execution
Wright emphasized the importance of consistency on both sides of the ball. The offense had some success on Saturday, but it was beaten by a lack of consistency.
 
"We did some good things, just not enough," Wright shared after practice mid-day Monday. "There was not enough consistency to get some stuff done. That was the biggest thing that hurt us as we weren't consistently good over basic things."
 
Turnovers were a frustration. Wright pointed to the two interceptions as things that can be fixed as the team continues to grow together as a unit.
 
"We had some guys show up and fight," he added. "Their defense was a large factor in us not playing well offensively, but we have to just be consistent. That's the biggest thing."
 
On the defensive side, Wright observed too many mental mistakes and breakdowns in execution. He stressed the importance of players understanding their assignments and executing them correctly.
 
"We didn't do some things we have to do defensively to be good," he continued. "We didn't execute the calls correctly. Again, they had something to do with that. But at the end of the day, if you're supposed to be in the 'b gap' and you're getting run over, then you're getting run over. If you're supposed to squeeze it down block to keep it off the backer, you got to squeeze it down and keep it off the backer. Those are things we didn't do consistently. That communication got better as the game went on."
 
Fixable Issues
The good news from the film session is that the issues are all fixable. The raw material is there for success on both sides of the ball as play shifts back to the FCS level.
 
"It's all things we're able to fix ourselves," he shared. "It's got to be fixed. It's got to be done correctly and done consistently, but it's all things that we can fix and give ourselves a chance to play better, that's all it comes down to."
 
A Look Ahead
The Golden Eagles are No. 17 in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. TTU is on a 6-game winning streak dating back to last October. It'll be a strong task ahead.
 
"It's football team got a lot of good players," he began. "The transfer quarterback from Eastern Washington played well last week. It'll be a tough game. They won the last six in a row. They're doing it and getting it done. It'll be a huge challenge for us."
 
Saturday's game is 1 p.m., Eastern time, in Cookeville.
 
Chat with the Mocs
The weekly Chat with the Mocs radio show starts every game week. Miller's Ale House Northgate is once again the host site. "Voice of the Mocs" Jim Reynolds talks with Coach Rusty Wright and a selected student-athlete. This week's special guest is senior cornerback and Chattanooga native Jeremiah Batiste.
 
Home Tickets on Sale
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 campaign. Season tickets provide the best value beginning at $60. Mini-packs and single game are available as well. Purchases can be made here on GoMocs.com.
 
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