For the first time this season, the downs matched the ups for University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wide receivers.
But with the balance they've established, it didn't matter.
The group combined for 13 catches and 151 yards but also had four dropped passes in the Mocs' 37-7 win over East Tennessee State University on Saturday.
Depth at receiver has been a strength this season for the Mocs, who are ranked third in the Football Championship Subdvision. Xavier Borishade leads the team in receptions (18), receiving yards (403) and touchdown catches (five), but he dropped three passes against the Buccaneers, including one when he had created separation from the defense.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Durden believed Saturday was probably the first time there had been any drops all season by UTC receivers.
"Those were inexcusable, and we've got to get that fixed," he said. "That's what happens when you throw the football, and you've got to fight through it, work through it. This will be good for us, though, and we'll learn from it."
Quarterback Alejandro Bennifield, who had 16 completions to six players, said he doesn't worry when he sees a dropped pass.
"It never happened," he said. "Because that's how I act if I throw a pick or an incomplete pass and it's my fault. I act like the play never happened and go on to the next play, because you can throw a pick and have a big touchdown the next play or a big run, so you always have to move on to the next play. That's what I tell those guys every time."
Borishade had a team-high five catches Saturday but averaged only 7.4 yards as he was targeted by the ETSU defense. James Stovall had a team-high 63 receiving yards after making only one catch for 5 yards a week prior against Samford. His 47-yard catch and run early in Saturday's second quarter led to the Mocs' first touchdown.
C.J. Board and Alphonso Stewart had multi-catch performances Saturday to complete the quartet that, along with versatile running back Richardre Bagley, have been the top targets for Bennifield this season. That has kept defenses from being able to focus on one target.
Bennifield, who has completed 65 of his 100 passes, has 11 touchdown tosses to five receivers.
"We really like to spread the attack out so you can't key on one receiver," Stovall said. "The biggest thing is that whoever gets the ball, I like how we can make plays when we need it."
Bagley gets the ball
Bagley had a lot of touches Saturday, with seven of his 10 carries in the first half. His total carries were the most he has had in a game since last season against Western Carolina, and his 12 total offensive touches were almost his most since that game.
Durden said Bagley had a great week of practice, which led to the extra work against ETSU.
"When you practice well here, you get the chance to play," the offensive coordinator said. "We felt like he deserved the opportunity to play."
Bagley and starting running back Derrick Craine were sometimes on the field at the same time, which gave Bagley additional opportunities if the Bucs focused too much on Craine, who finished with 63 rushing yards and three scores.
"Are those touches Derrick could have used? I don't know," Durden said, "but I know when you get both going, we're pretty hard to defend."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.