Everything Rusty Wright Said After Chattanooga's 66-10 loss to No. 8 Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — After a crushing 66-10 loss to No. 8 Alabama, Chattanooga head coach Rusty Wright was candid with his thoughts.

Opening statement:

"It's good football team out there. That's probably the hottest football team in the country right now. No question about it. They're playing with a lot of confidence. Quarterback is playing at a high level. Give them credit. That's a good football team. I knew it was gonna be a challenge, but we can't throw interceptions. We can't let them return punts. We can't do things we can control that can make life easier. It would've never changed the outcome of that game. It would've never changed the outcome of that game, but we could have done things better. And that's that was the goal today."

So, freshman quarterback. First career start today. How do you feel he did today?

"Chattanooga got better today because of him. That young man can go out there and play against that? He wasn't perfect, and didn't get a whole lot of help. But he's gonna go out there and play like that, against that group? Chattanooga football got a little bit better."

Big day for [Gino] Appleberry. He was the first FCS rusher to have over 100 yards versus Alabama in over 20 years. Talk about his performance today?

"I mean, good young man. Runs it like you're supposed to run it. Did a pretty decent job of up front at times, put pads on pads and he ran hard, right? That's what he does. That's what he does. He's a good football player. I'm happy for him. Happy he had that opportunity. Doesn't surprise me. Not really. Wouldn't have expect anything less, honestly."

What do you think today's biggest strengths were for the team?

"For us? I mean, you know, we kept playing. We did a poor job as coaches. There's no question. Alabama had a lot to do with that. Saban, you've got to give those guys credit. That's really good football team. We could have been a little smarter as coaches at times, in some situations, and some things, and we weren't. We were stupid. And it's plain and simple. We were about as stupid as you can be in some situations. But those guys, all 62 guys, came down here and battled their tail off. I got no qualms or issues with that group in that locker room."

Is there anything you've learned about the team today that you hadn't necessarily seen previously?

"Nah, I don't know. I mean, that group played. They showed up all year. Not always been perfect. Not always been pretty, but that comes back on us as coaches. But that group played their tails off. They'll fight. I hope they get an opportunity to fight one more time. All right. Thanks, guys."

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