“We will win a national championship in football,’’ said second year Chattanooga football coach Russ Huesman, while speaking at Monday’s Quarterback Club at Finley Stadium.

He paused and then added “Someday. Someday we will and win big. When that day is I don’t know.”

Huesman and his talented coaching staff are working towards a successful future, but are also planning for the present and one of the most important games in school history as the Mocs host No. 3 Appalachian State Saturday at Finley Stadium in a televised (SportSouth) 3 p.m. kickoff.

“I am not sure some of our guys know what it takes to win and we as coaches have to instill in them that belief that they can win.”

Huesman understands winning as he was the defensive coordinator on the 2008 national championship Richmond Spider team. He also played on state championship teams at Moeller High School (Cincinnati) and two SoCon title squads with the Mocs.

Two Priorities: The former four-year starter for the Mocs in the late 1970s/early 1980s listed success on the field and in the classroom.

“We are here to do two things; win championships and graduate football players,’’ Huesman stated. “Some people might get upset at this, but the social life on campus and girlfriends and other things are way down the list.”

Speed and Playmakers: “Last year’s team was more experienced, but this year’s team has more speed and more playmakers. And I’ll take speed and playmakers over experience any day.”

Mocs Defense: “Defensive coordinator Adam Fuller has done a great job for us as he inherited a defense that was last or second to last in every statistical category in the Southern Conference in 2008. In 2009, the Mocs were in the top 30 in the nation in some categories.”

The Mocs were 13th nationally in pass defense (159 yds/game) and sacks (30) and 28th in total defense (307.7 yds/game).

Secondary: “The defense starts with the secondary … Buster Skrine and Jordan Tippit have NFL potential and Kadeem Wise and Chris Lewis-Harris make a solid foursome.”

“We are inexperienced a little at linebacker … led by returning starter Ryan Consiglio along with Shane Heatherly and J.D. Dothard and have solid backups in Wes Dothard and Gunner Miller.”

Defensive Line: “The Defensive Line is solid, led by Joshua Williams (started as a true freshman) and transfers Nick Davison and Chris Donald will start.”

Offense: “B.J. (Coleman) brings so much excitement to the program. If we don’t have him last year we are probably 3-8 instead of 6-5.”

Offensive Line: “Most important people on the team, bar none.”

The veteran O-Line has senior starters Chris Harr, Justin Galyon and T.J. Hurless along with under classmen Omre Harris and Adam Miller.

Running Game: “We have to run the ball better this year, no doubt about it. We will run the football better this season, guaranteed.”

In 2009, the Mocs were seventh in the SoCon in rushing yards per game (85).

We have four good runners and all will be called upon to help (J.J. Jackson, Chris Awuah, Erroll Wynn, Keon Williams).

Receivers: “We are not as experienced as last year but we have talented guys in Chris Pitchford, Joel Bradford, Marlon Anthony and Brian Sutherland.”

Kicking Game: We are good with punter Mike Hammons (40.1 yds per kick/3rd in SoCon) and true freshman kicker Nick Pollard.

Special Teams: “Last year we made sure our opponents had to spend more time than normal in preparing for our onsides kicks, fake punts, fake field goals and other things.

“This takes away from them preparing for our offense and defense which is our objective.”

The Future: “All the pieces are in place for us to be successful as a football program. From the administrative and academic support folks, our great practice facility and fans and alums.

"Appy has won three national championhips in recent years (2005-06-07) and we want to be where Appy is.

“Chattanooga can be that type program someday.”

Huesman, his coaching staff and players will get a glimpse of how close that "someday” is by dinner time on Saturday.

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net