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Post by The Cats on Jun 10, 2014 20:34:21 GMT -5
Throughout the summer, in this space we'll take look at the teams on the Catamount football schedule. I hope you enjoy learning a little more about the teams we'll play.
First up - University of South Florida
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Post by The Cats on Jun 10, 2014 20:35:59 GMT -5
 Who: University of South Florida Bulls When: Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014 Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. Series history: First meeting between the two teams. Their conference: The American Athletic Conference (AAC) Their coach: Willie Taggart (2-10 at South Florida, 18-30 overall) Taggart is in his second season at USF. Taggart came to USF after spending three seasons as head coach at his alma mater Western Kentucky, where he led a dramatic turnaround for the Hilltoppers. Last year’s record: 2-10, 2-6 conference How they got there: South Florida started off the 2013 season with a 53-21 loss to a FCS team, McNeese State. The Bulls then beat both Cincinnati and Connecticut in back-to-back contests, but the rest of the season ended with 9 straight losses. Offensive starters Returning/Lost: 10 / 1 Defensive starters Returning/Lost: 4 / 7 Statistics: Rushing Offense: 88.7 (118th in nation, 9th in conference) Passing Offense: 166.8 (108, 10) Total Offense: 255.5 (121, 10) Scoring Offense: 13.8 (120, 10) Rushing Defense: 139.8 (28, 7) Pass Defense: 211.0 (26, 2) Total Defense: 350.8 (21, 3) Scoring Defense: 28.6 (73, 6) Turnover Margin: -0.3 (86, 5) Sacks: 1.92 (71, 8) Sacks Allowed: 2.75 (104, 8) Losses/Weaknesses: Key Losses - RB Marcus Shaw, LB DeDe Lattimore, DE Aaron Lynch, DE Ryne Giddins, S Mark Joyce In 2013, USF's four starting quarterbacks threw just seven touchdowns, as well as, 16 interceptions. This season, it will probably come down to junior Steven Bench and sophomore Mike White. Bench completed just 40.6 percent of his passes, while White was slightly more efficient. However, White threw nine interceptions. The Bulls do have some decent wide receivers, Andre Davis caught 49 passes for 735 yards, which is quite a bit considering the team as a whole only passed for 2,002 yards all season long. The concerns on offense are not limited to quarterback, since running back Marcus Shaw is gone after tallying 756 yards on the ground. Michael Pierre, rushed for 114 yards and Darius Tice, totaled 141 yards on the ground, are the likely replacements for Shaw. Strengths: Returning Leaders: Rushing: Darius Tice, RB, 141 yards Passing: Mike White, QB, 1,083 yards Receiving: Andre Davis, WR, 735 yards Sacks: Elkino Watson, DL, 1.5 Interceptions: Hassan Childs, DB, 3 |
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Post by The Cats on Jun 22, 2014 13:06:19 GMT -5
 Who: Brevard College Tornados When: Saturday, September 6, 2014 Where: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium The Series: The upcoming game will be only the second meeting between the Tornados and Catamounts on the football field . The first meeting between the two schools was played back in 1945, and won by Western Carolina. Their conference: The South Atlantic Conference (SAC) - The South Atlantic Conference is in its 38th year as a NCAA Division II conference. A forerunner of the South Atlantic Conference was the North State Atlantic Conference (NSIAC). The NSIAC was formed when the "Little Six", as it was called, broke from the North Carolina Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1930. These charter members included Lenoir-Rhyne College, Atlantic Christian, Catawba College, Guilford College, Elon College, and High Point College. Their coach: Paul Hamilton (67-111 overall). Head Coach Paul Hamilton enters his 31th year coaching collegiate football at both the Division I and Division II levels, with 16 years of experience as a head coach. Hamilton is in his eighth year at the helm of the Tornados. Last year’s record: 3-8 overall, and 2-5 in conference play How they got there: In 2013, Brevard played two Big South Conference teams, Presbyterian to kick off the season, and Liberty to close out the season. The Tornados lost both games, by a score of 21-59 in the former and 24-62 in the latter. Between those two losses, Brevard won three games ( Tusculum, Mars Hill, & College of Faith), then lost their last six ( Newberry, Catawba, Wingate, Lenior-Rhyne, North Greenville, and Carson-Newman). Brevard used a trio of quarterbacks last season, led by junior Tanner Wright and a pair of freshmen, Caleb Stephens & Kevin Herbst.
Statistics: Rushing Offense: 258.9 yards per game Passing Offense: 56.7 yards per game Total Offense: 315.6 yards per game Scoring Offense: 27.7 per game Fumbles-Lost: 18 - 9 Red-Zone Scores: (33-39) 85% Red-Zone Touchdowns: (30-39) 7 7% PAT-Attempts: (41-42) 98% Losses/Weaknesses - The Toronados lose 13 seniors to graduation. Key Losses - Kelvin Jeter - Jeter earned a spot on the All-SAC team as a running back after finishing second in the conference with 6.3 yards per carry. The redshirt junior rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns on 126 carries. Jeter ran for a season-high 148 yards against Liberty University. Strengths - Returning Leaders: Michael Gruber -Gruber was named All-SAC as a linebacker after setting a Brevard College single-season record with 124 total tackles in 2013. The junior recorded a season-high 16 tackles at Carson-Newman on September 28th, and grabbed two interceptions on the year. Jacob McCleery - McCleery earned a All-SAC honors as a defensive back after finishing third in the SAC in interceptions (four) and second for interception return yards (112). The sophomore intercepted passes in three consecutive conference games, including a 74-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the win over Mars Hill on October 12th Jordan Ollis - The junior fullback rushed for 786 yards on 183 carries. Ollis finished third in the South Atlantic Conference in rushing touchdowns (11) and also caught a pair of touchdown passes. Jacob McCleery - McCleery finished third in the SAC in interceptions (four) and second for interception return yards (112). The sophomore intercepted passes in three consecutive conference games, including a 74-yard interception returned for a touchdown in the win over Mars Hill on October 12th. |
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Post by wcatradio75 on Jun 24, 2014 8:25:42 GMT -5
I continue to believe - if we are to have a breakout season - USF COULD be a game we win. It appears defense is their strength, but it is for us as well. It might be a low scoring game, and if we have some breaks, we may be able to pull this one out. My concern is that their coach is reputed to be a turnaround expert (W. Kentucky success), but the talent level there does not seem to be much improved unless he pulled in some ringers on signing day.
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Post by The Cats on Jun 24, 2014 12:42:08 GMT -5
Looking at Game 3, Catawba CollegeWho: Catawba College Indians When: Saturday, September 13, 2014 Where: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium The Series: The Catamounts and Indians first met in 1933 after Western Carolina joined the newly formed North State Intercollegiate Conference, commonly known as the Old North State Conference. The Old North State later became the Carolina's Conference with the addition of the first school from the state of South Carolina, Newberry College in 1961 . WCU and Catawba played yearly conference games from 1933 until 1969. During that period, Catawba dominated WCU on the football field, with the Indians owning a 18-8-2 record over the Catamounts. Their conference: The South Atlantic Conference (SAC) - The South Atlantic Conference is in its 38th year as a NCAA Division II conference. A forerunner of the South Atlantic Conference was the North State Atlantic Conference (NSIAC). The NSIAC was formed when the "Little Six", as it was called, broke from the North Carolina Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1930. These charter members included Lenoir-Rhyne College, Atlantic Christian, Catawba College, Guilford College, Elon College, and High Point College. Their coach: Curtis Walker - Former defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at Western Carolina, Curtis Walker is in his second season as head coach at his alma mater. Prior to WCU, Walker spent 10 seasons as the DC at Coastal Carolina.
Last year’s record: 6-5 overall, 3-4 in the SACHow they got there: The Indians opened the season at home against West Liberty with a win, 10-9 to open the Curtis Walker era at Catawba. Catawba followed the season opening win with victory over North Greenville on the road, 20-17. In the third game of the young season, the Indians tasted their first defeat at the hands of Newberry, 27-0. Bouncing back the next week, Catawba won 25-22 over Carson-Newman on the road. Catawba then lost their next three games, losing to Tusculum, Wingate and UNC Pembroke. The Indians then picked up three straight wins over Brevard, Mars Hill and North Greenville, before dropping their season closing game to Lenoir-Rhyne. Statistics: Rushing Offense: 131.7 yards per game TDs Rushing: 16 Passing Offense: 258.9 yards per game TDs Passing: 17 Total Offense: 390.6 yards per game Scoring Offense: 23.8 points per game Fumbles-Lost: 12 - 6 Red-Zone Scores: 33 - 37 89% Red-Zone Touchdowns: 27 - 37 73% PAT-Attempts: 27 - 33 82% 3rd Down Conversions: 68 - 170 40% 4th Down Conversions: 11 - 19 58% Losses/Weaknesses - The Indians lost 5 startin seniors on offense, & 5 starting seniors on defense Strengths - The Indians signed 38 in their 2014 incoming class. |
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Post by The Cats on Jun 26, 2014 10:35:42 GMT -5
Looking at Game 4, Furman University Who: Furman University Paladins When: Saturday, September 27, 2014 at 3:00 pm Where: Paladin Stadium, Greenville, SC Series history: Western Carolina trails Furman 10-29-2 all-time in the series that dates back to 1971, when the Cats joined the Southern Conference. WCU has lost 15 of the last 16 meetings, having dropped eight straight in the series. Western Carolina’s last win over Furman came in 2005 when the Catamounts handed then second-ranked Furmana 41-21 defeat in Cullowhee. Their coach: Bruce Fowler - Fowler is entering his 4th season as head coach, Last year’s record: 8-6 overall, 6-2 SoCon - Tied for 1st place, was the SoCon auto qualifier to the NCAA FCS football tournament Final rankings - #21 (FCS Coaches); #22 (Sports Network) How they got there: The Paladins opened the 2013 season on the road against a couple of Big Southopponents. In Boiling Springs, NC Furman dropped their season opener against Gardner-Webb by a final score of 21-28. The following week, the Paladins traveled to Conway, SC and lost to Coastal Carolina 28-35. In week three, another Big South foe, this time in Greenville, SC as Presbyterian held strong against the Paladins, losing by a single point, 21-20 giving Furman their first win of the season. In their first SoCon game of the season, the Paladins next traveled to Charleston, SC and picked up their second win of the season. Furman then dropped their next two SoCon contests, one to Elon in Greenville, 35-28 then to Chattanoogaon the road, 9-31. Furman also split the next two games, picking up a win over ASU in Greenville and losing on the road at LSU (16-48). Furman then rolled out four wins to close out conference play, picking up wins over GSU (14-14); Samford (35-17); WCU (32-20); and Wofford (27-14). Furman won a playoff game against SC State, before losing to eventual FCS champion North Dakota State in the quarterfinals. Last season's game vs. Furman: The Paladins won, 32-20 in Cullowhee. Furman placekicker, Ray Early, kicked six field goals in the game, setting a Furman school record and matched the E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field record held by former Catamount Josh Jones who kicked six field goals against Samfordin 1999. The Cats produced one more first down in the game (19-18), as well as, total more yards in offense (434-412) than Furman. The Cats however fumbled 4 times, losing the ball twice. Lettermen Returning: 42 / Offense - 21; Defense - 21 Offensive starters Returning/Lost: 7 / 4 Defensive starters Returning/Lost: 8 / 3 Basic Offense: Multiple Basic Defense: Multiple Statistics: Rushing Offense: 147.0 yards per game Passing Offense: 170.4 yards per game Total Offense: 318.3 yards per game Scoring Offense: 22.7 per game Fumbles-Lost: 18 - 7 Penalties-Yards: 41.8 avg per game 3rd Down Conversions: 73 - 184 40% 4th Down Conversions: 8 - 16 50% Field Goals - Attempts: 30 - 25 Red-Zone Scores: 32 - 40 45% Red-Zone Touchdowns: 18 - 40 45% Losses/Weaknesses: 9 starters lost Key Losses - Starters on Offense: Ryan Culbreath (WR), Dakota Dozier (OT), Cameron Mason (TE), Eric Thoni (C) Starters on Defense: Jairus Hollman, Austin Williams (CB), Greg Worthy (SS) - Specialists: Ray Early (PK & P) Strengths: 44 Lettermen Returning Returning Leaders: Starters on Offense: Ernie Cain (FB), Charlet Emert (OT), Reese Hannon (QB), Hank McCloud (RB), Tank Philips (OG), Andrej Suttles (WR), Joe Turner (OG) - Starters on Defense: Jordan Hawkins (DT), John Mackey (NT), Cory Magwood (LB), Ira McCune (DE), Marcus McMorris (FS), Carl Rider (LB), Reggie Thomas (CB), Gary Wilkins (LB) |
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Post by The Cats on Jun 30, 2014 9:00:41 GMT -5
Looking at Game 5, Presbyterian Who: Presbyterian College Blue HoseWhen: October 4th, 2014 at 2:00 pm (EST) Where: Bailey Memorial Stadium, Clinton, SC
Series history: This game will mark the 18th all-time meeting between Western Carolina and PC. The Cats currently lead the series 9-8. Western Carolina is in the midst of a eight-game winning streak in the overall series. The Blue Hose have not defeated the Catamounts since 1969 when they downed the Cats 28-17 in Cullowhee. The series began in 1950 and the Blue Hose won eight of the first nine contests before WCU began its current eight-game winning streak in 1970. The two team last played in 2008 in Clinton, in the second game of a home and home series, both won by the Catamounts. Their coach: Harold Nichols - Nichols is entering his 5th season as PC's head coach. Last year’s record: 3-8 overall, 1-4 Big South How they got there: The Blue Hose opened the 2013 season in Winston-Salem, NC against Wake Forest, losing 31-7, then returned to Clinton to play Brevard, knocking off the Toronados 43-34. PC then traveled to Greenville to play Furman, only losing by one, 21-20. PC then returned home to meet the first season Charlotte team, losing 45-21 to the 49ers. Traveling to Spartanburg, SC to meet their second SoCon opponent of the season, the Terriers romped over the Blue Hose 55-14. In game six, PC entered Big South play and knocked off VMI with their best offensive performance of the season, beating the Keydets, 49-35. PC made it two wins in a row, knocking off Point, before losing their final four games of the season against CSU (16-27), Liberty (14-35), Coastal Carolina (13-46), and Gardner-Webb (13-20). The last game vs. Presbyterian: September 21, 2008 - Red-shirt sophomore Marquel Pittman hauled in an acrobatic four-yard scoring strike with just over three minutes showing on the Bailey Memorial Stadium clock Saturday afternoon. But it wasn't until Presbyterian's Cam Miller hooked a 23-yard field goal wide left that the Catamounts were able to celebrate their first road win since late October, 2005, downing the Blue Hose, 23-21. The victory snapped Western's 14-game road losing skid which dated back to '05 when the Cats defeated Chattanooga. It also was WCU's eighth-straight over Presbyterian dating back to 1970, and its first in Clinton since 1976, snapping PC's six-game home winning streak. Presbyterian is a young team that lost only 9 seniors from the 2013 team. The 2014 Blue Hose team has 38 either true or redshirt freshmen, 25 either true or redshirt sophomores, 23 juniors or redshirt juniors, & 12 seniors. Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 8 - 3Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 9 - 2Statistics:Scoring: 23.5 points per game Rushing Offense: 147.8 yards per game Passing Offense: 176,5 yards per game Total Offense: 324.3 yards per game Fumbles-Lost: 16 - 7 Penalties-Yards: 37.5 yards per game 3rd Down Conversions: 54 - 141 38% 4th Down Conversions: 11 - 18 61% Field Goals - Attempts: 1 - 5 Red-Zone Scores: 27 - 35, 77% Red-Zone Touchdowns: 26 - 35, 74% Losses/Weaknesses: Key Losses - RB Demarcus Rouse, RB LaQua Mayers, WR Jeremiah McKie, YR Tobi Antigha, Strengths: Tobi Antigha earned a spot on the 2014 CFPA Wide Receiver Watch List Returning Leaders: RB Blake Roberts, QB Heys McMath, QB Kaleb Griffin QBs - Heys McMath 85-149 1142 yards 10 TDs 5 INT Kaleb Griffin 71-100 635 Yards 2 TDs 4 INT McMath took over the starting QB job against VMI for the final final 6 games. Griffin will probably be the primary backup in 2014. |
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Post by The Cats on Jul 2, 2014 10:56:46 GMT -5
Looking at Game 6, WoffordWho: Wofford Terriers
When: October 11th, 2014 at 3:30 pm (EST)
Where: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium
Series history: Western Carolina trails Wofford 12-23 all-time in the series. The Cats have dropped eight straight to the Terriers, last winning in 2005 by a final score of 24-0, the only shut out in conference play of theTerriers since they joined the SoCon.Their coach: Mike Ayers - Ayers is now the dean of SoCon football coaches, e ntering his 27th season as the leader of the Wofford football program. In the past quarter century, Ayers has guided the Terriers from the NAIA and NCAA Division II ranks to Division I and the Southern Conference. Ayers is 176-121-1 at Wofford.
Last year’s record: 5-6 overall, 4-4 conference. The Terriers missed the post season for the first time since 2009
How they got there: The Terriers kicked off the 2013 season in Waco, Texas against Baylor, dropping their opener 3-69. Next up, the Terriers remained on the road against the Citadel, this time picking up a win 21-10 in Charleston. The following week, Wofford stayed in the win column beating Georgia Southern in Spartanburg. In week four, Wofford's streak ended at 2 with a 0-3 loss to Gardner-Webb at home. TheTerriers followed up with a win over Presbyterian at home, then continued the winning streak over Elon, also in Spartanburg. The following week, Wofford went on the road to Cullowhee, and squeaked out a tough fought win over the Cats, 21-17. The Terriers then dropped their final four games of the season, to Samford (27-34),Chattanooga (10-20), ASU 21-33) and Furman (14-27). The four straight losses gave the Terriers their first losing season in 11 years.
Last season's game vs. Wofford: Oct. 20, 2013 - The upset-minded Catamounts had two drives inside the game's final six minutes with a chance to knock-off No. 12 Wofford on Hall of Fame Day at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. However, for a second-straight week, the Terriers' defense stiffened in the closing seconds as back-up quarterback Eddie Sullivan's final two pass attempts from the five-yard line fell incomplete as Woffordsurvived WCU's upset bid, 21-17. The Terriers struggled with the loss of Eric Breitenstein, Wofford's all time leading rusher. Without Breitenstein, the Terriers never found rhythm offensively,ending the season ranked 8th out of the 9 SoCon teams in total offense.
Offensive Formation: Wingbone (Triple Option)
Defensive Formation: Multiple 50
Lettermen Returning/Lost: 35 / 25
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 6 / 5
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 7 / 4
Specialist Returning/Lost: 0 / 3
Statistics:Scoring: 21.2 points per game (avg)Rushing Offense: 269.9 yards per gameTDs rushing: 24Passing Offense: 85.4 yards per gameTDs passing: 5 Total Offense: 355.3 yards per gameFumbles-Lost: 22 - 14Penalties-Yards: 51 - 406 (36.9 per game)On-side kicks: 0 - 2 3rd Down Conversions: 69 - 168 (41%)4th Down Conversions: 18 - 35 (51%)Field Goals - Attempts: 6 - 10Red-Zone Scores: 26 - 36 (72%)Red-Zone Touchdowns: 21 - 36 (58%)
Losses/Weaknesses:Key Losses - James Lawson (QB); Alvin Scioneaux (LB), Jeff Ashley (WR); Kasey Redfern (kicker),Jared Singleton (OL)
Strengths: Returning Leaders: Junior HB Will Gay; Jr FB Jonny Martin; Jr. HB Ray Smith; So. QB Evan Jacks; Jr. QBMichael Welmer; Jr. WR Will Irwin' Jr WR Wade Francis
Evan Jacks and Michael Weimer appear to be in the running for the starting QB position. Wofford has a solid stable of running backs for 2014, Lorezo Long, Will Gay, Jonny Martin and Ray Smith.
On defense, new defensive coordinator Nathan Fuqua will have replace linebackers Mike McCrimmon andAlvin Scioneaux, but the strength of the defensive unit should be the defensive line, anchored by senior Tarek Odom who finished last season with 47 tackles.
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Post by backthecats on Jul 9, 2014 15:59:59 GMT -5
The information on the individual games for the upcoming season is very thorough. Thanks for taking the time.
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Post by The Cats on Jul 12, 2014 9:32:41 GMT -5
Looking at Game 7, Mercer Who: Mercer Bears
When: October 18th, 2014 at 4:00 pm (EST)
Where: Mercer University Stadium, Macon, Georgia
Series history: This is the first ever meeting betweenWestern Carolina and Mercer on the football field.
Their coach: Bobby Lamb - Lamb enters his second season as head coach of the Bears. Lamb joined the Mercercoaching staff after nine seasons as head coach at Furman University and a 29-year overall relationship with thePaladins’ football program as a player, assistant coach and head coach.
Last year’s record: After a long absence, football returned to Macon in 2013, and the Bears completed their inaugural season in the modern era with a 10 - 2 overall record. as a members of the Pioneer Football League. The Bears set a NCAA Division I record for wins as a start-up program claiming 10 victories in the University’s first season in 72 years.
How they got there: Mercer opened their return to football with a 40-37 victory over Reinhardt. The bears then went a perfect 8-0 at Mercer University Stadium. After being picked to finish 11th in the Pioneer Football League preseason poll, the Bears finished the year with a 6-2 conference record.
Offensive Formation: Pistol
Defensive Formation: 3-4Lettermen Returning/Lost: 71 / 15
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 11 / 0
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 11 / 0
Specialist Returning/Lost: 5 / 0
Statistics:Scoring: 38.2 points per gameRushing Offense: 277.9 yards per gameTDs rushing: 33Passing Offense: 171.7 yards per gameTDs passing: 23Total Offense: 449.6 yards per gameFumbles-Lost: 14 - 9Penalties-Yards: 62 - 538 On-side kicks: 0 - 03rd Down Conversions: 64 - 152 (42%)4th Down Conversions: 15 - 21 (71%)Field Goals - Attempts: 13 - 16Red-Zone Scores: 45 - 49 (92%)Red-Zone Touchdowns: 33 - 49 (67%)
Losses/Weaknesses: 8 starters on offense are sophomores, 10 starters on defense are sophomores with only one season of playing experience. Played their one and only season in a non-scholarship football league. -Key Losses - No key losses from the first season.
Strengths: The Bears have all 22 of last season's starters returning-Returning Leaders: The Bears had seven individuals recognized by the conference, headlined by Offensive Freshman of the Year, John Russ, and First Team All-PFL linebacker Tosin Aguebor. Tight end Robert Brown was named second team all-conference, while Alex Avant, JeTarii Donald, Kirby Southard and Tyler Zielenske garnered honorable mention accolades. Rushing leader - John Russ - 160 carries, 903 yards, 12 TDs, 75.2 yards per game Passing leader - John Russ - 121-233, 1,916 yards, 21 TDs Receiving leader - JT Palmer - 30 REC, 521 yards, 7 TDs, 47.4 yards per game Defensive leader - Tyler Ward - 101 TKL, 10.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks |
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