UTC head football coach Russ Huesman yells to players during the Mocs’ home football game against the Wofford Terriers at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.Because his father Stephen played for the University of Alabama, Lucas Webb heard a number of stories and visited Bryant-Denny Stadium countless times as a kid.
But he had not heard the infamous stories of the “Failure Room” prior to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s trip to face the Crimson Tide in 2013.
“That was new to me,” Webb said of the name of the visiting locker room.
He did hear stories, though. About great games played during the 1987-91 time frame. About his dad playing against the likes of Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre of Southern Mississippi.
Webb and the Mocs will play on the same Tuscaloosa field this Saturday night on ESPN2. The two-time first-team all-Southern Conference selection has registered 43 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four pass breakups this season for UTC.
“There’s definitely plenty of excitement,” Webb said Tuesday. “I’ve already stayed up a couple of nights thinking about it, but at the same time, you almost have to drown everything out and be focused on the game at first.
“After that I’ll be able to enjoy the things and be able to say that I played on the same field as my dad.”
The younger Webb already has something on his dad. He’s registered nine interceptions in his UTC career, tied with current head coach Russ Huesman for ninth all-time. His dad, a linebacker, had two – one each in the 1990 and 1991 seasons.
“I think this will be special for him,” Huesman said. “He’s a Tuscaloosa guy; his dad played there. This has got to be cool for him to do this. I hadn’t spoke to him about it, but for Lucas to have this opportunity is really a neat thing. Hopefully he does well and make some plays.
“Lucas is about as good a kid as there is. He’s a great individual, a hard worker. He’s just a special, special kid.”
Clear-bag policy
The University of Alabama has a clear-bag policy on game days. The only approved items to carry into the game for fans are clear tote bags, plastic storage bags or a small clutch or wallet that can be carried separately or within an approved plastic bag.
Exceptions will be made for necessary medical items after proper inspection at specified stadium gates.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.