University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Russ Huesman spoke about the Mocs' homecoming game Saturday against No. 18 Georgia Southern during his weekly media luncheon Wednesday. Also on hand was senior right guard T.J. Hurless.
Here's some of what they had to say:
Russ Huesman
On Georgia Southern's triple-option offense ...
I think the biggest thing with Georgia Southern is just their team speed. They can run. All the way across the board they've got speed and it makes defending this offense a lot harder when you have kids that can get on the perimeter, or a fullback that can take it right up the middle and then, if you're not perfect, can go the distance.
We're going to have to be really good and pretty precise on defense.
On playing running back Keon Williams as a freshman ...
I think if [Bryan Fitzgerald] would have come back, then there might been a redshirt [Chris] Awuah, redshirt Keon type of thing. But as soon as Fitz didn't come back, we knew we were going to need them all. That's kind of how it's played out, we've needed them all.
On Georgia Southern's reputation ...
I think nationally everybody knows [Georgia Southern], not only in the Southern Conference, but nationally. I think the name Georgia Southern, people respect it, people think very highly of the program and what they've done.
They had a big win against Elon. They beat Elon pretty good and all the sudden as soon as that happens, not only in the Southern Conference, but around the country people said 'hey, that's Georgia Southern, they're back.'
Senior right guard T.J. Hurless
On his spiked mohawk haircut ...
It's just something I did my senior year in high school, so I thought I'd do it for my senior year in college, too.
It's kind of a little bit of a joke on the team. They all get a laugh out of it every now and then.
On UTC's big rushing game - 222 yards - against The Citadel last week ...
It's more fun that way. It's awesome being able to rush like that; a lot of fun. It's a lot better than just sitting there waiting for them come hit you in pass protection.
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