UTC 2-7, 2-4 SOCON) AT NO. 8 WOFFORD (7-1, 4-1)
1:30 p.m. › Gibbs Stadium in Spartanburg, S.C. ESPN3 (online) & 96.1 FM
THE MATCHUP
In the past two games, the UTC offensive line has started to control the line of scrimmage, which has led to a combined 278 rushing yards — a number the Mocs had not totaled in their five prior games (254). UTC was able to carve out holes for Darrell Bridges to gain 6.5 yards per carry against The Citadel — the top-ranked defense against the run in the Southern Conference. Wofford ranks second in the league in that category, so another challenge of winning at the point of attack will be important as the Mocs continue to establish the running game as a big part of their identity.
ONE TO WATCH
The emergence of a rushing attack has taken some of the load off freshman quarterback Cole Copeland, who in the past two games threw 58 passes after a total of 83 in his first two starts. Wofford has shown susceptibility against the pass, giving up 684 yards in its past two games. Wofford likely will try to take the rushing attack away from the Mocs and force Copeland to beat them. If Copeland can take care of the ball, something he has struggled at (10 interceptions in four games), he could have that chance.
IN THE END
The teams have split the last eight meetings, with each program going 3-1 in its home stadium. The Mocs won the last meeting in Spartanburg on a last-second field goal by Henrique Ribeiro, but the Terriers got their revenge with a 36-28 win last year in Chattanooga. Both teams qualified for the playoffs in 2016, with the Terriers advancing to the final eight. They’re in position for a seed this season while the Mocs are playing out the string, but UTC gained some momentum with a win last week at Samford, which was ranked eighth then. Wofford has been playing with fire all season with seven of its eight games decided by a touchdown-or-less margin. The Terriers are 6-1 in those games, but with 22 seniors being honored before the game, there’s going to be a lot of emotions, which means they could try to blow the game wide open early. If the Mocs can withstand the initial punch and with Wofford’s inability to put teams away, UTC has a chance to be in the game late.