UTC defensive back Lucas Webb, left, intercepts a pass intended for Samford wide receiver Gavin Sinclair during the Mocs' football game against the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga.The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga secondary had another impressive evening at home.
The Mocs intercepted two passes in the first half and another in the fourth quarter of their 38-24 Southern Conference win over Samford.
Each of the interceptions set up a UTC touchdown -- a slight change from the two interceptions made against Jacksonville State that were returned for touchdowns.
Freshman Lucas Webb recorded his second collegiate pickoff in the first quarter when he slid underneath a sideline route and plucked the pass at the height of his jump.
Later, junior Sema'je Kendall dived for a ball falling in his direction. The pass bounced off the hands of Samford receiver Javian Ramson and high into the air, allowing Kendall to grab the first interception of his UTC career.
Webb snatched his second interception of the game early in the fourth quarter when he jumped in front of a pass intended for Karel Hamilton along the right sideline.
Hudson returns again
Coach Russ Huesman has known Tommy Hudson has talent. The senior receiver has displayed it on special teams in each of UTC's last three games. Saturday, he returned a punt 66 yards late in the first quarter that gave UTC a two-touchdown lead.
In UTC's previous game he returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown in the victory at Austin Peay, and in the Mocs' home opener he had a punt-return touchdown called back due to penalty late in the fourth quarter.
His offensive contributions against the Bulldogs were mostly receiver screens that resulted in four catches for 2 yards.
Bagley adding more
Running back Richarde Bagley is playing a little more in each game as the true freshman adapts to playing college football.
He entered with four receptions for 13 yards and six rushes for 14 yards. Bagley, who played at Hillgrove in Powder Springs, Ga., last season, made a clutch 25-yard catch in the second quarter Saturday night, setting up UTC's third touchdown.
He finished with three rushes for 26 yards and two catches for 39 yards.
Ex-Lions reunite
Samford receiver Kelvin Clay, who prepped at Red Bank High School, returned to Finley Stadium and the same field where he played Saturday against former teammates Keionta Davis and Keon Williams.
Davis batted down a third-and-goal pass that could have given Samford a 7-0 lead. Instead, the Bulldogs settled for a field goal. Davis also recorded an 11-yard sack and an 8-yard sack and forced a fumble on Samford's final drive.
Clay caught a 25-yard pass over the middle on third down in the second quarter. He totaled three catches for 43 yards.
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.