Chattanooga Mocs' Terrell Robinson sharp at QB

photo UTC Quarterback Terrell Robinson runs with the ball during practice Wednesday morning.

Terrell Robinson didn't look much like a backup quarterback Wednesday morning at Scrappy Moore Field. Nor did he look much like a guy who had spent nearly all of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's preseason practice at wide receiver.

"It was pretty good to be in red today," said Robinson, referring to the no-contact jersey quarterbacks wear - something he hadn't donned since practice began July 31.

Wednesday was the No. 25 Mocs' first two-a-day as starting quarterback Jacob Huesman got the morning off from throwing. The Mocs' coaches were managing his passes - offensive coordinator Jeff Durden said he was approaching 300 so far in camp - so he doesn't wear his arm out before the season opener against UT-Martin.

"Those guys are like pitchers, man, you've got to take care of their arms," Durden said.

In the evening practice, held at Finley Stadium, Robinson was back in his white jersey at wideout.

As the No. 2 QB on the depth chart, while also UTC's top target with a team-high 40 receptions in 2012, Robinson's time running the first-team offense was a lot more QB work than the 2011 Southern Conference co-freshman of the year had done in the previous seven practices combined.

"I felt pretty good today, I can't lie about it," Robinson said, smiling. "I threw the ball around pretty good and made some plays."

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Mocs coach Russ Huesman didn't appear surprised at how well Robinson performed.

"He could probably line up and run the offense in his sleep, whether he gets in a quarterback meeting or not," Coach Huesman said. "He and Jacob are bright kids, they know the offense and [Robinson] did look pretty good out here today."

One of his best was a 42-yard touchdown pass to wideout Tommy Hudson, one of several connections with Hudson. Not every throw was as on the mark as that one, but many were. He also had a bounce in his step running the ball.

Durden liked most of what he saw from Robinson, who in two seasons has completed 57 of 87 passes for eight touchdowns, with three interceptions, and rushed for 649 yards and eight touchdowns on 142 carries. In nine games as a wideout last season, Robinson caught 40 passes for 489 yards and five touchdowns.

Robinson is the backup quarterback, Durden said, and primarily a receiver, but the league coaches' preseason second-team All-SoCon pick at wideout is going to get his snaps running the offense.

"There are some plays where he is the starter, where he's going to be the guy that's getting that series going," Durden said. "We've got great flexibility to have Jacob in the game and him at the same time."

Extra points

Left tackle Synjen Herren practiced Wednesday after getting his right foot stepped on Tuesday. Freshman receiver Xavier Borishade (hip) also practiced after missing two days. ... Receiver Bryant Belew (ankle) did not practice after going down Tuesday, while defensive tackle Chris Mayes (knee) and running back Kenny Huitt (shoulder) practiced in the morning but not the evening.

Contact John Frierson at jfrierson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6268. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/MocsBeat.

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