Wofford ranks second in the Football Championship Subdivision in rushing yards allowed per game.
For the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, that's a challenge accepted and its backfield will be fully intact for the opportunity this Saturday afternoon.
The Terriers allow 67.2 yards rushing per game, behind only Central Arkansas. Only two opponents - Southeastern Conference member Ole Miss and triple-option The Citadel - have topped the 100-yard rushing mark, and it took the Bulldogs 51 carries to reach 190 yards.
Meanwhile, UTC enters the game ranking third in the conference and 19th in the country in rushing, averaging 228.8 yards. Furman and The Citadel are the only two teams to hold the Mocs under 200 yards on the season, the latter coming in a game in which leading rusher Derrick Craine was lost due to an ankle injury.
"To get the win, we've got to win the line of scrimmage," UTC offensive lineman Corey Levin said. "They've got some really big boys up front, so it's going to be tough, but we've got to focus on the details, do what we do and we should be able to take care of business.
"We kind of look at this matchup as a good thing to see where we're at heading into this thing. They're number two against the run for a reason, so we're going to take the challenge and try to rush the ball like we have been."
Levin called Craine, a third-team preseason All-American, the "heart and soul" of the team.
"We hated having him sidelined for a few weeks," Levin said. "I think he's going to bring a spark and energy to our offense. (The Terriers) know he's back, so they're going to be game-planning to try to stop him, so it's going to be a big chance for us."
With time to prepare without Craine, UTC had its top two rushing performances of the season - 297 yards against Virginia Military Institute and 323 against Western Carolina - led by junior Richardre Bagley's 315 yards and five total touchdowns. With Bagley's budding confidence, a rested roster coming off a bye and a pretty healthy Craine who is expected to start, the matchup will be interesting to watch Saturday.
"They play at different speeds," UTC offensive coordinator Jeff Durden said of Bagley and Craine. "Derrick is patient, powerful and can be explosive, where Richardre is very much a home run hitter - a little faster, quicker, can put a foot in the ground but can't take a beating like Derrick can take between the tackles.
"I like the fact we're getting Derrick back. We have a policy here that you come back where you left off, and as long as he can do that, he'll be our guy, but I think it's going to take a total team effort to move the football."
Bagley, who is second on the team with 510 yards rushing to Craine's 715, said the one-two punch they can provide can be "deadly" moving forward.
"We're excited," Bagley said. "It's going to be a great game. With Derrick back, me and the rest of the offense clicking on all cylinders, it's a great time to be playing Mocs football."
Midstaters commit
Colton Dowell, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound receiver from Lebanon, and Jack Doherty, a 6-5, 280-pound offensive lineman from Nashville, recently committed to UTC.
"First and foremost, I'd like to thank God for the many opportunities he has provided me with," Dowell tweeted Tuesday. "Thanks to all my friends, family and many coaches that have supported me. I'd like to thank all of the colleges that have recruited me, I am very grateful for you!!
"After thinking for a long time with my family, I will be committing to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga!!! Go Mocs!!"
Dowell, a two-star prospect from Wilson Central High School, had 44 catches for 799 yards and five touchdowns for the 8-3 Wildcats. He had offers from Football Bowl Subdivision programs Army and Navy, along with Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Mercer, Morehead State, Navy, Southeast Missouri State, Western Illinois and Yale.
Doherty chose the Mocs over Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky and Southern Illinois.
"I am proud and truly blessed to say that I have committed to The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga!! #RepTheC #GoMocs #togodbetheglory," Doherty tweeted over the weekend.
The pair give the Mocs 10 commitments for the 2017 signing class.
Huesman gets tryout
Former Moc Jacob Huesman was one of 13 players who had tryouts Tuesday with the NFL's New York Giants. The 6-2, 225-pounder, who set numerous records as a quarterback at UTC, was invited to try out as a safety but was expected to work out at multiple positions while he was at the facility.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.