"Stupid" Mistakes Led to 66-10 Drubbing, Chattanooga Head Coach Rusty Wright Says

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Even when you're outmatched from the get-go, sometimes a lackluster performance transcends the boundary of David vs. Goliath on the field.

For the Chattanooga Mocs, a spot in the FCS playoffs was on the line coming into Saturday — sitting at 7-3 overall and 6-2 in the Southern Conference.

While a brutal 66-10 loss to No. 8 Alabama won't change their shaky playoff projection, Mocs head coach Rusty Wright knows his coaching staff has to be better as they sit squarely on the FCS bubble.

"We did a poor job as coaches," Wright said. "There's no question. Alabama had a lot to do with that. [Nick] 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."

As for the Crimson Tide, Wright was quick to praise Saban and the team as a whole — citing Alabama's overall confidence.

"It's good football team out there," Wright said. "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."

While Wright was critical of his coaching staff, the fifth year head coach was pleased with his player's effort.

"I mean, that group played," Wright said. "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."

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