Offensively, Weber State could pose a challenge that the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga isn't used to Saturday in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
But according to UTC linebacker Nakevion Leslie, it may not be too different from a style the Mocs have seen a time or two this season.
The 25th-ranked Wildcats operate out of a more traditional offensive set as opposed to the spread offenses and triple-option attacks the Mocs typically encounter in the Southern Conference. Quarterback Jadrian Clark has thrown for 2,823 yards and 22 touchdowns this season, with his main target being tight end and Big Sky newcomer of the year Andrew Vollert, who had 57 catches for 757 yards and six scores in the regular season.
The Wildcats haven't had a lot of success rushing the ball, but it's not from a lack of effort. They run the ball 49 percent of the time, yet 65 percent of the team's yards come through the air.
By comparison, the Mocs' yardage is nearly a straight 50-50 split (2,232 passing, 2,217 rushing).
"I think they're going to use an element of offense we haven't seen a whole lot of," defensive coordinator Adam Braithwaite said. "Everybody we play is out of the gun exclusively, and they have that element also, but I think we'll see some more traditional in terms of the run game. They use a lot of big personnel, big tight ends, and maybe in the Southeast we don't do it as much."
The Wildcats' leading wide receiver, Cam Livingston (49 catches, four touchdowns) is out for the season with an injury. That hasn't changed too much of their personnel, as they use a lot of different formations with multiple tight ends. UTC head coach Russ Huesman said the Mocs could see "three tight ends" in formation on some plays.
"It won't change us up too much," Leslie said. "We've seen a lot of different offenses - Furman kind of did the same thing. They have a similar style, and that's something we'll prepare for throughout the week."
Defensive end Keionta Davis said the line is going to have to "get after it" to do its part and give the UTC offense opportunities to score and potentially advance in the playoffs.
"They have a really good team," Davis said of the Wildcats. "They like to line up big, like to throw the ball and they have a quarterback that can make all the throws.
"It's going to be a challenge for us and we'll go out, accept it and have a good game."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.