Editor’s Note: This story was included in The Athletic’s Best of 2019. See the full list.



CHATTANOOGA AND KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Rusty Wright stands in a darkened tunnel beneath Neyland Stadium. His hands are on his hips as he silently stares at the parade of Chattanooga players jogging into the locker room. The Mocs’ coach is disappointed.



All week, he knew he couldn’t mimic Tennessee’s speed. He warned his players of that. He knew the task ahead was difficult.



Before the game, he gathered his team in the same cramped visitors locker room with leaky, low ceilings and laid out the simplest version of the plan he and his coaching staff had spent the week putting together.



“It’s your memories today. Go make ’em. It’s not gonna be easy, but let’s have some fun,” Wright said as players kneeling around him nodded. “Stack one play on top of another play, and let’s see what...