WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsMocs Notes: Tuesday practice marks fresh start

Mocs return to work after Citadel loss
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- The two days immediately following Saturday's disappointing loss to The Citadel were tough for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football team.

But Tuesday marked the cut-off date for any lingering negativity.

"We come back today, get a work out in, and then we get to return to practice," said senior linebacker Ryan Consiglio. "That's always the best time to start getting the weekend out of your mind. Tuesday's are the best day for that."

The Mocs watched film of the loss on Sunday, then took Monday off.

Head coach Russ Huesman opened his weekly meeting with the media with a somber tone, but quickly perked up when talking about a chance to get back on the field.

"I've been asked, and I'm going to get asked again, the same questions for the last three days," he said Tuesday. "But no, we're not down. I can't wait to practice today. I'm looking forward to it."

UTC has a monster opportunity to get back on track with a road trip to No. 1 Georgia Southern this weekend, but the opponent hardly matters to Huesman.

"We need a win. We've got two losses in a row. I don't think it would make any difference (that GSU is No. 1)," Huesman said. "We just need a win. It doesn't make any difference who it is."

Huesman won't miss bandwagon fans
CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- Blue and gold clad fans emerged from all corners of Chattanooga when the Mocs started winning under coach Russ Huesman.

Now that UTC is finally hitting a rough patch, Huesman's about to find out how loyal some of those fans truly are.

Chattanooga blew a 27-point lead in a 28-27 home loss to The Citadel last week, the team's second-straight gut-wrenching setback. At 2-3 overall (0-2 in SoCon), there's not much room for error left the rest of the way if the Mocs are to make the playoffs.

Huesman said Tuesday his team is still fully confident in its ability, and its goals have not changed. He bristled at the idea of fans throwing in the towel with six games left to play, but added he wouldn't miss those who are actually doing it.

"To be honest with you, four or five people out there have jumped ship. Probably three have jumped, and they probably weren't great fans as it is," Huesman said sternly. "Do I think everyone is jumping ship? No. But those four or five people? Fine. Good riddance.

"What's public perception and what's reality are two different things, so I could be wrong. It could be twelve people. But it's not 3,500 season ticket holders."