Reserve quarterback Jacob Huesman looks to pass while his father, head coach Russ Huesman watches at UTC football practice at Scrappy Moore Field on Sunday morning.Jacob Huesman has a lot on his mind right now.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman quarterback is learning the Mocs' offense, working on his throwing mechanics and trying to run every play correctly so offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield won't yell at him.
Then there's the situation with his father, Mocs coach Russ Huesman.
"It's a little weird because I don't know what to call him," Jacob said following Sunday's practice at Scrappy Moore Field.
"Should I call him Coach Huesman? Coach? Coach Dad? Dad? I don't really know. I'll probably just call him 'Dad.'"
Since the Mocs reported for preseason practice last Wednesday, the Huesmans haven't had much time for father-son chit chat. Jacob is always busy with Satterfield and the offense, while Russ spends most of his time with the defense.
During the Mocs' first four practices, the two have hardly exchanged a word. Russ said he needs to do a better job of treating Jacob like the rest of the freshmen, which includes occasionally checking on him during practice.
"I got home [Saturday] night and thought, I don't think I've gone up to Jacob and asked him how he feels, how's it going?" Russ said. "I just take it for granted that he's fine. And he is fine. Sometimes I take that for granted and I really shouldn't.
"I probably should pat him on the butt every once in a while and tell him 'good job.' And I will."
Jacob, Tennessee's Division II-AA Mr. Football back of the year at Baylor last fall, has looked his best when running the ball. No surprise since he rushed for 1,750 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior.
When it comes to his throws, it's more of a mixed bag. At one point Sunday he fired a perfect pass down the field to wide receiver Ron Moore. But on the next play he hesitated on a screen pass to running back Kendrix Huitt -- Moore and Huitt are also freshmen -- and a defender was there to break it up when he did make the throw.
"I make most of the right reads and I go through my progressions right, but sometimes I just don't make the throw so Satt gets mad at me," Jacob said.
With B.J. Coleman entering his senior season and Graham Nichols and Terrell Robinson available as backups, Jacob will most likely redshirt this season. Regardless, before practice began Russ told Satterfield not to take it easy on Jacob -- or anyone else.
"I told him to chew on him. I told him to get after him -- he has to," Russ said. "Satt will chew on anybody he needs to chew on, Jacob included."
Extra points
After a sloppy practice Saturday, the offense was sharper Sunday. "I saw some good things offensively," Russ said. ... Kicker Nick Pollard struggled at the end of practice, missing more kicks than he made from inside 40 yards. ... UTC will go in full pads for the first time today. Practice begins at 6:30 a.m.
Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mocsbeatCTFP.
Online: Audio of Russ Huesman.