by Pat Turner, goUTSA.com contributing writer
SAN ANTONIO — Cole Hubble had a clever way of breaking the ice when he first came into contact with Scott Inskeep at UTSA’s freshman orientation.
The instant Hubble spotted the bearded Inskeep, he blurted out, “Hey, Sulley!” referring to Inskeep’s resemblance to the character in the film Monsters, Inc.
Inskeep, who can look intimidating with both his facial hair and stature, didn’t retaliate. Instead, he cracked a smile and countered with a hello.
The two struck up a conversation and found out they were teammates on UTSA’s first football team. Not only that, they were going to be roommates. A friendship immediately was born.
Five years later, that camaraderie has grown even more.
They have become major contributors to UTSA’s offensive line with Hubble stationed at tight end and Inskeep working at left guard. Academically, they have the same major. Still roommates, they also hunt and fish together.
“We became instant friends after I called him Sulley,” Hubble said. “I didn’t even know him. I just thought he looked like Sulley. You don’t find special friends like Scott these days. He is always there when I need him. Our personalities are different, but that’s good. I am high-octane and Scott is laid-back. It’s a perfect fit.”
Inskeep laughs when he thinks about the Sulley remark and has a good comeback of his own, which always draws a laugh from Hubble.
“I let it go,” Inskeep said. “I was thinking he might be my quarterback, so I couldn’t go after him too hard, but we just clicked. We can talk to each other about anything and get along great. We just really mesh well together.”
The roommate situation is nothing like that of the famed Odd Couple duo Felix, the neat freak, and Oscar, the messy one, because the pair is unfamiliar with the Neal Simon classic.
Once they learned about the characters, though, both agreed it was more of an Oscar-Oscar situation.
“I hate to say this, but we’re absolutely not neat freaks,” Hubble said. “The fact I am the neatest one is shocking because I am no way like that.”
Laughter never is lacking. Both are one another’s straight men in this comedy act. They can deliver one-liners at a rapid pace. On many occasions, it’s something about the other. Whatever the case, it is good-natured ribbing. In addition, the two have known each other long enough where they now have their own special way of communicating.
“We can communicate without talking,” Hubble said. “We can do that with the raise of the eyebrows or certain looks. We give each other signals and we know what we’re doing.”
What has made the friendship more gratifying is the opportunity to share their college football experience.
Although Hubble and Inskeep are from different parts of the state, they came to UTSA with the goal of getting a new program off the ground. No doubt the experience has been an adventure, especially the redshirt season back in 2010.
That first year of the program’s existence was a true test. There were no games or uniforms to call their own. Practices were held at nearby Dub Farris Stadium. The Roadrunners had scrimmages, but most of them occurred early in the morning so attendance was sparse.
“It was hard not playing that first year,” Inskeep said. “We had people asking us if we still had a team. We said, ‘show up at six in the morning for our scrimmage and you’ll see the team.’ We put one foot forward and kept going. We all wanted to be here and knew we had a chance to do something new and start our own tradition. We wanted to put our footprint on the program.”
Everything has fallen into place.
UTSA now has an on-campus practice facility and respect for the program has grown rapidly as talk of bowl berths has become a reality. After the first season as a Football Championship Subdivision independent, the Roadrunners spent a year in the Western Atlantic Conference in 2012 before moving to Conference USA last season.
The Roadrunners contended for the West Division title until the final week of the regular season a year ago and they currently are looking to be in the hunt again this fall.
Looking back, the first-year grind had its advantages.
“It brought us closer, especially in the locker room,” Hubble said. “It was grueling, but it molded us into a team.”
Inskeep, who moved from tackle to guard, knew he would play somewhere along the line.
However, Hubble was a quarterback at nearby Bandera High School. As one of the Roadrunners’ first signees, coaches were looking at him at the position in the beginning, but, once practice began, he moved to wide receiver and linebacker before ending up at tight end.
That was a totally new experience, but Hubble learned the ropes and found his niche.
“It was awesome getting a chance to sign here and it has been a great experience,” Hubble said. “I wasn’t expecting to move to tight end, so it was a big change. I really wasn’t worried about running and catching, but I had never blocked in my life, so learning that was a big thing. I knew I had to get it done and the coaches really helped me out. I had to bulk up and gain some weight, but it has worked out.”
UTSA coach Larry Coker has been pleased with their effort.
“Both Cole and Scott have made an impact for us,” Coker said. “They’re tough and are competitors and they have been a big part of our success the last four years.”
As seniors, Hubble and Inskeep are more experienced and they know how to handle just about every situation that comes their way. They support one another to the fullest and, if one of them ever feels frustrated, they know how to lift the other up. That is another plus about being roommates.
“We talk to each other all the time,” Hubble said. “Sometimes, you need to vent to someone and I can’t imagine not living with someone who wasn’t in football. We know what each other is going through. There’s a lot to carry on your plate and it helps to have someone to talk about it.”
Because they have worked together so long, the two are so familiar with one another that they know what makes the other tick. They also can give thorough scouting reports on their friend.
“Scott has great football smarts,” Hubble said. “He has rare athleticism for a big guy. I really don’t think he has any weaknesses.”
Inskeep has glowing reviews for Hubble, as well.
“I am so happy every time we call a pass play to Cole because I know he is going to catch it,” he said. “No matter where that ball is, Cole is going to find it. He is going to do everything to get the ball. He even knows how to block now.”
The two realize their college football careers are about to come to an end. During the next few weeks, they’ll be looking for a strong finish. Whatever occurs, they still will have fond memories of UTSA, along with a lasting friendship.