Although the Wofford football program's coaching staff has changed since last season, its offensive approach is mostly the same.
That means the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is again preparing to face the Terriers' triple-option-heavy offense - with Wofford's scheme including some spread concepts but still relying heavily on the run - in their Southern Conference matchup Saturday at Finley Stadium.
When Mike Ayers retired after last season, his 30th leading the Terriers, Josh Conklin took over and initially spoke of wanting to throw the ball more. That likely won't fully happen for a few years, after coaches have been able to recruit with that change in mind.
Starting quarterback Joe Newman is more of a runner, and backup Miller Mosley has shown as much of an ability to run as to throw. The lack of variance in how Newman and Mosley play suggests there won't be too much difference in how UTC defensive coaches prepare their players for each quarterback.
"Each year they've always played two different quarterbacks," Mocs defensive coordinator Matt Feeney said. "They do that to develop the younger quarterback, so when that guy steps in, there's no change. We're mainly game-planning for the main guy, but we'll be ready for what the secondary quarterback can do.
"It's mostly the same offense in all sorts of ways, so it's not so much of a game plan but more so being alert of who's in because of the different skill sets they have."
Newman has passed for 329 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 113 yards this season. Mosley has passed for 80 yards and run for 95, with both a 45-yard completion and a 26-yard run in a 59-14 win against Virginia Military Institute on Sept. 8.
"We've got to prepare for both," UTC defensive lineman Derek Mahaffey said. "They're both good players for that team and you know what you're going to get, but we've got to prepare for the second one as if he's the starter.
"It's a great opportunity for us to go out there and play against two different styles, but it kind of makes it easier for us because on second-and-8, you know what you're going to get - probably a pass - where Citadel will still try to run the ball. They do a little bit more passing than The Citadel."
The Terriers rely heavily on running backs Lennox McAfee and Andre Stoddard, with both in the top 10 in rushing in the SoCon this season. Wofford's rushing offense ranks first in the SoCon and second in the country in rushing yards per game with an average of 375.5, and the Terriers have run for at least 200 yards in every game in 2018.
Last season, UTC held the Terriers to an average of 3.7 rushing yards on 51 attempts and 233 yards of total offense. McAfee and Stoddard combined for 130 yards on the ground.
"I think you always have to be prepared for them to do something you haven't seen," UTC coach Tom Arth said this week. "They've been as successful as they've been because they believe in what they do and how they do it, and I don't foresee them changing against us. They won't look at thinking they have to do something different to beat us.
"They're going to do what they do, and we're going to do what we do, and the one who executes best will come out on top."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3.