UTC to face Wofford’s version of triple-option
Tom Kaufman has been handed the usual variety platter of Southern Conference offenses in his first year as a defensive coordinator and his first season at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
In just the most recent fourweek span, he’s been challenged by a wing-T type of offense (Furman); a balanced, pro-style offense (Mercer); a triple-option attack (The Citadel); and a spread, pass-heavy style (Samford).
This week’s challenge is Wofford, which runs a version of a spread, triple-option style offense.
“It’s a challenge to go back and forth. We have to get the guys in the right frame of mind again,” Kaufman said. “This is going to be a little more of a violent type of game; we have to get back to our option responsibilities. They are different from Furman and Citadel: (The Terriers) have their own little flavor, and they add some wrinkles the others don’t have.
“It’s a big challenge and we have to play great.”
The Mocs did a good job at times against The Citadel rushing attack in a 20-14 loss on Oct. 21. They were credited with eight tackles for loss but also gave up five plays of 25 yards or more, with four carries gaining 174 of the Bulldogs’ 409 rushing yards.
The following week, the Mocs put together one of their better performances of the season, with three interceptions and seven turnovers in the twopoint upset victory over Samford. Now it’s back to the option.
“It’s definitely an adjustment week to week,” defensive tackle Taylor Reynolds said. “Our coaches do a good job of putting us in great positions. They’ll have a great plan; it’s our job to go out and execute it. We have to have a great week of practice and get all these different formations and sets down and move on from a team that threw 55 times last week to now running the ball almost every play.
“It’s challenging, but at the same time it’s fun. I enjoy these games. … If we play well it starts with us (up front defensively) and puts us in position to win the game.”
Save the arm
One benefit of the Mocs’ improved rushing attack has been its positive effect on quarterback Cole Copeland.
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound freshman threw 81 passes in his first two starts, with the completions totaling 523 yards. While his numbers were down the past two games (58 throws, 299 yards), he admitted early this week the improved rushing (278 yards, 238 by Darrell Bridges) “took the pressure off” him, and coach Tom Arth agreed.
“Cole doesn’t complain about anything. A quarterback would never complain about dropping back and throwing 50 times,” Arth said. “It’s so nice when you know you can turn around and give it to the running back and feel confident we’re going to get some positive yardage.
“We’re not doing it all the time, but it’s certainly been an improvement for us. As we continue to emphasize it, continue to work at it, I think it will continue and ultimately become a strength of our team. And it’ll make Cole so much better, make the wide receivers so much better when we’re able to run the ball like we hope to.”
Injury report
Arth expects Bridges, the team’s leading rusher with 433 yards and six scores, to be ready to play Saturday against Wofford after suffering a hand injury last week against Samford.
“I don’t think it’s anything that would keep him out,” Arth said early in the week. “It’s just going to be how we treat it in practice.”
In his absence against Samford, junior Alex Trotter had the best game of his UTC career, rushing for 58 yards — including 35 on the winning drive, which featured a 17-yard run on fourth-and-1.