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Post by The Cats on Jul 8, 2023 9:32:39 GMT -5
For the 2023 season's first game, the Catamounts travel to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas to face the Arkansas Razorbacks of the Southeast Conference (SEC). The Razorbacks do not open the season at their home field in Fayetteville, but rather in Little Rock, Ark. The Razorbacks finished the 2022 season in fifth place in the West Division of the SEC with a 7-6 overall record.  Game #1 - Arkansas Razorbacks
When: Saturday, September 2, 2023 Time: 3:00 pm Where: War Memorial Stadium (54,120), Little Rock, Ark. Radio: Catamount Sports Network -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers TV/video: SECN+ / ESPN+ -Play-by-Play - Dave O’Brien (play-by-play), Dan Mullen (analyst) Conference: Southeastern Conference (SEC) Enrollment: 29,608 Arkansas Message Board: HogvilleThe Series: This will be the first meeting between the two trams on the gridiron. Head Coach: Sam Pittman - Sam Pittman, was named the 34th head coach in Razorback history prior to the 2020 season and has led one of the most remarkable program turnarounds in college football over the last three years. Pittman's Record at Arkansas: 19-17 overall (3 seasons), and 10-16 SEC Pittman's record vs. Western Carolina: 0-0 Kerwin Bell's record vs. Arkansan: 0-0 Last Season's Record - (2022): 7-6 overall, 4-3 home, 2-2 away, 1-1 neutral, 3-5 SEC After three years with former offensive coordinator Kendal Briles running the offense, head coach Sam Pittman has a new face calling plays for 2023. Dan Enos was hired by Arkansas and this is the second time he's filled the shoes of offensive coordinator for the Razorbacks. Enos came to Arkansas after spending the two previous years as Maryland's OC, and he was the Razorbacks' OC from 2015-17. QB KJ Jefferson and RB Raheim Sanders are still around, Sanders ran for 1,443 yards and ten touchdowns last season, and Jefferson is one of the toughest running quarterbacks in the SEC. He was injured and missed a few games, but he still hit 68% of his throws for close to 2,700 yards and 24 touchdowns, and five picks, and he also ran for 640 yards and nine scores. On Defense, and considering the Razorback defense performed poorly last season, leading them to dead last in the SEC in yards allowed. They gave up over 30 points per game and losing linebackers Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool hurts, but there’s a good group of sophomores - particularly Chris Paul Jr. - ready to fill in the gaps. Up front, tackle Taurean Carter returns from injury to pair with Cameron Ball and combo man Eric Gregory, along with ends Jashaud Stewart and Zach Williams. They’re joined by transfers Trajan Jeffcoat, Anthony Booker and John Morgan III. 2022 Arkansas Statistics (13 games)
Rushing Offense: 2961 yards Yards per game: 227.8 Yards per rush: 5 yards Rushing 1st downs: 162 TDs rushing: 1726 Passing Offense: 2781 yards or 213.9 yards per game Passing 1st downs: 104 Passing Att-Comp-Int: 205-314-5 TDs Passing: 22 Total Offense: 5742 yards or 441.7 yards per game Fumbles - Lost: 22 - 6 3d Down Conversions: 64 of 174 (37%) 4th Down Conversions: 123 of 29 (63%) Field goal attempts: 20 - 24 PAT-Attempts: 46 of 46 Red Zone Scores: 46 of 52 (88%) Red Zone Touchdowns: 33 of 52 (63%) On-Side Kicks: 0 - 0 Penalties-Yards: 104 - 819 |
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Post by The Cats on Jul 15, 2023 11:18:49 GMT -5
In Western Carolina's 2023 second game and the Catamount's Southern Conference opener, the Cats host the Samford Bulldogs, in a " White Out Whitmire" game. The Bulldogs finished the 2022 season with an 11-2 overall record and an outright SoCon Championship. Game #2 Samford Bulldogs
 When: Saturday, September 9, 2023 Time: 2:30 pm (ET) Where: Bob Water Field, Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC Radio: Catamount Sports Network -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Color Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson TV / video: ESPN+ -Play-by-Play: Live Stats: WCU Live StatsGame Notes: Western Carolina - Samford - SoCon Notes Bulldog Message Board: The Dog Pound The Series: The Cats are 3-17 overall against the Bulldogs since winning the first outing back in 1969. Samford owned an eleven-game winning streak against Western until 2015 when the Cats broke that streak in Cullowhee with a 56-36 win over the Dogs. However, the Cats have lost the last 5 games to the Bulldogs, three away and two in Cullowhee. The Cats are 2-7 overall against Samford in games played in Cullowhee. Last game played vs. Samford: Sep. 24, 2022 - McCollum Connects on Four Field Goals in 35-12 Setback at #21/22 Samford - Western Carolina amassed 456 yards of total offense including 310 yards through the air and 156 rushing yards on Saturday but were held out of the endzone in settling for a career-best four Richard McCollum field goals as No. 21/22 Samford handed the Catamounts a league-opening 35-12 setback at Seibert Stadium. Chris Hatcher's record vs. Western Carolina: 9-2 Kerwin Bell's record vs. Samford: 0-2 Head Coach: Chris Hatcher. Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014. Entering his eighth season at Samford in 2022, Hatcher boasts a career record of 161-93 in 22 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern, and Valdosta State. Hatcher's Record at Samford (Years): 40-36 (8th season) Career Record (Years): 161-93 (23rd season) Last Season's Record - 2021-22 (Samford): 11-2 overall, 6-0 home, 5-2 away, 8-0 SoCon Offensive Formation: Multiple Defensive Formation: 4-3 Ranked as high as #8 in one of the preseason polls, the Bulldogs are looking to return as the SoCon Champion in 2023. The Bulldogs return 4 first-team all-conference players, QB Michael Hiers, WR Chandler Smith, LB Garrett Morris (2022 All-Ivy at Penn), and CB Kamron Smith (2022 All-Big South at Charleston Southern). Hero Sports ranked QB Michael Hiers as the best-returning quarterback in the FCS. Hiers was an instant success for the Bulldogs last season, completing 77% of his passes (353/461) for 3,544 yards, 36 touchdowns, and four interceptions while adding three rushing TDs. Hiers threw for more than 300 yards twice and more than 400 yards two more times in the final five regular-season games as Samford completed an undefeated regular season vs. FCS opponents. The transfer portal was good to Samford last season, they brought in about 15 D1 transfers, 10 from the FBS. However, their best transfer came from a lower division, starting QB Michael Hiers (Northwest Mississippi Community College). The Bulldogs again picked up several portal transfers again for this season. Nine transfers consisting of 3 FBS transfers, and 6 FCS transfers. Wide receiver RJ Starkey and LB Garrett Morris are from Penn, RB Damonta Witherspoon was an All-OVC player at Murray State, and CB Kamron Smith was a 2022 Sophomore All-American and a First Team All-Big South selection at Charleston Southern. If there is a weakness in the 2023 edition of the Bulldogs, its their defense. In 2022, Samford finished 45th in FCS scoring defense (25.5 PPG), 80th in rushing defense (173.7 YPG), and 111th in passing defense (261.5 YPG). The Bulldogs return only four starters on that unit — DL Joseph Mera, LB Noah Martin, LB Thomas Neville, and DB Fred Flavors. Martin led Samford last season with 92 tackles and 7.5 TFLs. 2022 Samford Statistics (13 games)
Rushing Offense: 1694 yards Yards per game: 130.3 Yards per rush: 3.7 yards Rushing 1st downs: 132 TDs rushing: 17 Passing Offense: 3957 yards or 304.4 yards per game Passing 1st downs: 164 Passing Att-Comp-Int: 391-524-4 TDs Passing: 40 Total Offense: 5651 yards or 434.7 yards per game Fumbles - Lost:12 - 8 3d Down Conversions: 99 of 204 (49%) 4th Down Conversions: 13 of 21 (62%) Field goal attempts: 9 - 13 PAT-Attempts: 51 of 53 Red Zone Scores: 40 of 47 (85%) Red Zone Touchdowns: 32 of 47 (68%) On-Side Kicks: 0 - 1 Penalties-Yards: 76 - 690  |
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Post by The Cats on Jul 18, 2023 11:31:28 GMT -5
Throughout this preseason, we will preview all of Western Carolina's 2023 football opponents. In Western's third game of the 2023 season, the Catamounts will travel to Richmond, Kentucky to face the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky. Western faces the Colonels for just the eighth time overall, the two teams last played in Cullowhee in 2021 Game #3 - Eastern Kentucky Colonels
 When: Saturday, September 16 Time: TBA Where: Roy Kidd Stadium, Richmond, KY Radio: Catamount Sports NetworkTV / video: ESPN+ Live Stats: EKU Live StatsEKU Conference: United Athletic Conference Nickname: Colonels Colors: Maroon and White Enrollment: 14,980 Message Board: Maroon NationThe Series: In only the 8th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 2-5 record overall against the Colonels. Western is 1-3 against the Colonels in games played in Richmond. Last Game vs. EKU (September 4, 2021) - Catamounts Battle in Season-Opening 31-28 Loss to EKU - Trailing by three in the waning moments of Saturday's 2021 season-opener, Western Carolina moved into field goal range on a pair of Rogan Wells completions to Raphael Williams to set-up second-year freshman placekicker Paxton Robertson for a game-tying field goal. However, his career-long attempt of 56 yards fell just short of the crossbar as Eastern Kentucky held on for the 31-28 victory at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. Head Coach: Walt Wells - 2d Season. Wells was hired as the 15th head coach in program history on Dec. 9, 2019. Wells most recently served as a quality control assistant at the University of Kentucky during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The 2018 Wildcat team beat Florida for the first time in 32 years, posted the program’s best Southeastern Conference (SEC) record in 41 years and beat No. 12-ranked Penn State in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. All totaled, the 10-3 record was Kentucky's best season in 41 years and only the third 10-win season in school history. Wells record at EKU (Years) / Career : 17-15 (3 years) / same Wells record vs. WCU: 2-0 Kerwin Bell's record vs. EKU: 0-1 Last Season's Record (2022 - EKU): 7-5 overall, 5-2 home, 2-3 away, 3-2 OVC EKU Offensive Formation: Multiple Spread EKU Defensive Formation: 4-3 The Colonels are ranked #21 in the FCS preseason polls, finished 7-5 overall last year, losing 52-41 to Gardner-Webb in the first round of the FCS playoffs. EKU returns two players off the ASUN all-conference team, QB Parker McKinney & OL Payton Collins were 1st team, and TE Lucas Raber was 3d team on the All-Pioneer at Davidson. Eastern Kentucky opens the season on the road, playing two FBS team prior to returning home to face the Catamounts in Richmond. The Colonels lost 4 players' to the portal after last season, but picked up a total of 12 from the portal, five from FBS teams and seven from FCS teams. Offensively, EKU ranked No. 11 in scoring last season, averaging 36.2 points per game. The passing attack averaged 329.7 yards per game, which was No. 3 in the subdivision. Returning are their star quarterback, the No. 1 wide receiver, the No. 1 running back, and five offensive line starters from that team. Last year, Parker McKinney went 315/459 (69%) passing for 3,956 yards, 33 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while rushing for 354 yards and eight TDs. Defensively, EKU allowed 35.2 points per game (No. 101 in the FCS), 240.2 rushing yards per game (No. 120), and 208.8 passing yards per game (No. 44). To help shore up the defense, Wells brought in transfers in Duke DB Tony Davis and Ohio LB Kyle Kelly along with FCS transfers in Elon DL Marvion Field, ETSU's DL Rodney Wright, and Illinois State DB Franky West (DB). From last year’s squad, the Colonels lose their top three tacklers and only return four of their top 11 tacklers. EKU's defense will be severely tested in their opening two games, as they face two FBS opponents to open the season on the road, as they face Cincinnati (Big 12) and Kentucky (SEC). 2022 Eastern Kentucky Statistics (12 games):
Rushing Offense: 1474 yards Yards per game: 122.8 Yards per rush: 4.1 yards Rushing 1st downs: 71 TDs rushing: 20 Passing Offense: 3956 yards or 329.7 yards per game Avg. per pass: 8.6 yards Passing 1st downs: 181 Passing Comp-Att-Int: 315-459-8 TDs Passing: 33 Total Offense: 5430 yards or 452.5 yards per game Fumbles-Lost: 8-6 3d Down Conversions: 82 of 158 (52%) 4th Down Conversions: 3 of 7 (43%) Field goal attempts: 14 - 21 On-side kicks: 0-0 Red Zone Scores: 51 of 58 (88%) Red Zone Touchdowns: 40 of 578 (69%) PAT-attempts: 48 of 50 |
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Post by The Cats on Jul 21, 2023 15:50:06 GMT -5
Throughout this preseason, we will preview all of Western's 2023 football opponents. For the season's fourth game, the Catamounts return to Cullowhee to face the Big South's Charleston Southern Buccaneers in the second game of a two game series between the two teams, on the gridiron. The Bucs completed the 2022 season tied for third place in the Big South Conference standings, tied with Campbell and Bryant, with a 2-3 conference record. Game #4 - Charleston Southern Buccaneers
When: Saturday, September 23, 2023 Time: 2:30 pm Where: Bob Water Field, Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC Radio: Catamount Sports Network -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Producer: Jeff Bryson TV/video: ESPN+ -Play-by-Play: Daniel Hooker Live Stats: WCU Live StatsConference: Big South/OVC Alliance The Series: This is the second meeting between the two teams on the football field, and is the second and final game in the home and home series between the two schools. Last Game vs. CSU: September 3, 2022 - Davis Throws for 400 Yards, 6 TDs in Season-Opening Road Win - Charleston, S.C. – Carlos Davis threw for a career-high 433 yards and a school-record six touchdown passes going to six different receivers as Western Carolina won its 2022 season opener on Saturday afternoon, 52-38, over Charleston Southern at Buccaneer Field. Head Coach: Gabe Giardina became the sixth Charleston Southern head football coach in program history in November of 2022. He comes to the Buccaneers after coaching stops at the University of Alabama, Charleston Southern, Delta State and Albany State. Gabe Giardina's Record: 37-17 overall / 0-0 at CSU (1st season) Gabe Giardina's record vs. Western Carolina: 0-0 Kerwin Bell's record vs. Charleston Southern: 1-0 Last Season's Record - (CSU 2022): 2-8 overall, 1-3 home, 1-5 away, 2-3 Big South Offensive Formation: Has transitioned from a run-oriented triple-option approach to a spread attack Defensive Formation: base 4-3 defense The Bucs struggled to a 2-8 record in 2022 that resulted in the dismissal of head coach Autry Denson. Denson's four-year run as head coach resulted in an overall record of 14-22. However, even at 2-8 the Bucs were competitive in most of their games. The Bucs only lost to Furman by 5 points, and lost to Campbell by 6 points. Division II's Albany State head coach Gabe Giardina gets his opportunity to lead the Bucaneers after a great run with the Golden Rams. With the movement to an RPO type offense, there is speculation that Ross Malmgren, who was injured in Game 4 last season, may depart the team, but I can't find any indication he as entered the portal at this time. If Malmgren does depart, that leaves, the Bucs with at least 4 QBs on the roster to choose from, speculation is that Tony Bartalo may have the inside track to the job. The Bucs lost at least 8 players to the transfer portal, 3 on offense, 4 on defense and 1 on special teams: Darius Meeks (OL), Seth Anderson (WR), Vinson Davis III (WR), Boogsie Silvera (DB), Jeremiah McClendon (DB), Jerome Rice III (LB), Kamron Smith (DB), & Franklin Rogers (K) - most of which were on the two deep roster for the Bucs. 2021 Charleston Southern Statistics (10 games)
Rushing Offense: 1049 yards Yards per game: 194.9 Yards per rush: 3.3 yards Rushing 1st downs: 57 TDs rushing: 10 Passing Offense: 2118 yards or 211.8 yards per game Passing 1st downs: 93 Passing Att-Comp-Int: 377-204-15 TDs Passing: 10 Total Offense: 3167 yards or 316.7 yards per game Fumbles-Lost: 13 - 6 3d Down Conversions: 44 of 153 (38.8%) 4th Down Conversions: 6 of 19 (31.8%) Field goal-attempts: 8 of 12 PAT-Attempts: 25 of 25 Red Zone Scores: 15 of 17 Red Zone Touchdowns: 11 of 17 On-Side Kicks: 0 - 2 Penalties-Yards: 51 - 484 - Avg. per gm 48 Punts-Yards: 67 - 2993 - Avg. per gm 38 Sacks: 18 for 102 yards  |
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Post by The Cats on Jul 25, 2023 7:36:06 GMT -5
For the fifth game of the season, the Catamounts travel to Charleston, SC to face The Citadel Bulldogs in Johnson Hagood Stadium. The last time the Cats traveled to Charleston, they picked up a 34-21 road victory in the low country of South Carolina. The Bulldogs are coming off a 4-7 season that resulted in a head coaching change, as well as, a new offensive scheme, and may the "triple-option" as run by the Dogs in the past - rest in peace. This will be the first season since the Cats joined the Southern Conference that they will not face a triple option team. Game #5 The Citadel
 When: Saturday, September 30, 2022 Time: 2:00 pm Where: Johnson Hagood Stadium, Charleston SC Radio: Catamount Sports Network -announcers: Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson TV/video: ESPN+ Live Stats: Citadel live stats Game Notes: Western Carolina - The Citadel (when available) Citadel Message Board: Citadel Fan Message BoardNickname: Bulldogs Mascot: Spike The Series: Western is currently 19-27-1 vs. the Bulldogs overall. The Cats and Dogs first played on the gridiron in 1972, and the Cats own an 8-14 record vs. the Citadel in games played in Charleston, SC, along with a 4-6 record in the last 10 games played. Last Season's Game vs. The Citadel (10-22-22) - Catamounts Fall to The Citadel on Heroes Day - Cullowhee, NC – Freshman running back Desmond Reid ran for a team-best 129 yards, and classmate quarterback Cole Gonzales threw for two touchdowns, but Western Carolina was unable to overcome a strong first half by The Citadel in a 34-21 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon at Bob Waters Field/E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The Citadel improves to 2-5 overall and 2-3 in the Southern Conference while WCU heads into its bye week at 3-5 and 1-4.
Last season's Record - (The Citadel): 4-7 overall, 2-3 home, 2-4 away, 3-5 SoCon Head Coach: Maurice Drayton - Former Bulldog player and defensive coordinator Maurice Drayton has been named the next head football coach at The Citadel. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Mike Capaccio on Tuesday. A former standout player and defensive coordinator, Drayton returns to The Citadel after spending the previous seven seasons working in the NFL. He most recently served as the assistant special teams coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders. Drayton also served as the special teams' coordinator in Green Bay in 2021, assistant special teams coordinator for the Packers from 2018-20, and the special teams coordinator for Indianapolis Colts in 2016-17. Drayton's Record at The Citadel: 0 - 0 Overall Record: Same Drayton's Record vs. WCU: 0 - 0 Bell's record vs. The Citadel: 1 - 1 After back-to-back 4-7 seasons, the Bulldogs made a head coaching change as well as an offensive scheme change (RIP triple-option). Former player and assistant coach Maurice Drayton took over the reins of Bulldog program in December 2022. With a new head coach, a new offensive coordinator (Patrick Covington), and the demise of the T/O, we're not sure what to expect from the Bulldogs on offense. Covington spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Lamar in Beaumont, Texas. The Cardinals possessed one of the more balanced offenses in FCS football as they averaged 175.7 rushing yards per game and 173.7 yards a game through the air. So I think we can expect some variation of the spread option. Covington ran a "multiple" spread offense while at Lamar, and I expect that is what he will duplicate in Charleston for the Bulldogs. With 5 quarterbacks on the roster and Peyton Derrick no longer on the roster, Graeson Underwood may be the guy. Last season the 6-0, 225-pound Underwood ran for 129 yards and a touchdown on 36 carries — the most ever carries for a Citadel QB making his debut — and threw TD passes of 26 and 32 yards as the Bulldogs beat the Cats by 34-21 in Whitmire Stadium. Former Bulldog linebacker and assistant coach Raleigh Jackson returns to The Citadel as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Jackson spent the 2022 season as the linebackers coach at Central Arkansas, where he helped the Bears capture the A-Sun Championship. Jackson has also served as the defensive coordinator at Division II, Arkansas Tech in 2017-18, and in his first season, the Wonder Boy defense led the Great American Conference in scoring defense, yards per play, takeaways, fourth-down defense, red-zone defense, defensive pass efficiency, and sacks. The Bulldogs lose 3 of their 4 leading tacklers from 2022, but they bring back senior LB Hasan Black who led the team in tackles last season. The Bulldogs only lost 3 players to the transfer portal, two on the offensive side of the ball, and one defensive player. Avery Dixon (DB); Christian Hilton (WR); & Ethan Greenwood (QB). 2022 The Citadel Statistics (11 games):
Rushing Offense: 2568 yards Yards per game: 233.5 yards Yards per rush: 4.3 yards Rushing 1st downs: 133 TDs rushing: 15 Passing Offense: 1032 yards or 92.8 yards per game Avg. per pass: 7.4 yards Passing 1st downs: 49 Passing Comp-Att-Int: 72-138-6 TDs Passing: 10 Total Offense: 3589 yards or 326.3 yards per game Fumbles-Lost: 21 - 12 3d Down Conversions: 69 0f 165 (42%) 4th Down Conversions: 18 of 37 (49%) Field goal attempts: 9 of 12 PAT-Attempts: 23 of 24 On-side kicks: 0 of 1 Red Zone Scores: 23 of 31 (74%) Red Zone Touchdowns: 17 of 31 (55%) Punts - Yards: 37 for 1360 yards - Avg per punt: 36.8  |
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Post by The Cats on Jul 28, 2023 10:39:08 GMT -5
Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2023 football opponents. In the Catamount's sixth regular season game of the 2023 season, the Cats travel to Chattanooga to face the Chattanooga Mocs. Western faces the Mocs for the 49th time on the gridiron, since 1973. Last year the Cats knocked the Mocs out of playoff contention with a 32-29 victory in Cullowhee, and this year the Cats get to ruin Homecoming for the Mocs. See you in Chattanooga. Game #6 - Chattanooga Mocs
 When: Saturday, October 7, 2023 Time: 4:00 pm Where: Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN Radio: Catamount Sports Network -announcers: Gary Ayers, PxP; Daniel Hooker, Color TV/video: ESPN+ Live Stats: UTC Live Stats Fan Message Board: Moc Nation Game Notes: Western Carolina - Chattanooga (when available) The Series: In the 49th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own an 18-30 record against the Mocs. The Cats broke a 3-game-losing streak to the Mocs last season, and travel to Chattanooga where the Cats on a 7-16 record in games played in Chattanooga. Last Game vs. Chattanooga: (10-19-22) Catamounts Upset #15 Chattanooga, 32-29, on Senior Day Cullowhee, N.C. – Senior tailback TJ Jones capped a five-minute, game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter with a one-yard plunge as Western Carolina capped its 2022 season with an upset victory over No. 15 Chattanooga 32-29 in Southern Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Bob Waters Field / E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Last Season's Record (2021): 7-4 overall, 4-1 home, 3-3 away, 5-3 SoCon Head Coach: Rusty Wright - Rusty Wright is in his fifth year as head coach of the Mocs football program. He was officially introduced on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. A 23-year veteran of the collegiate coaching ranks, Wright is a 1996 graduate of UTC with a degree in Sports Administration. He was a four-year letter winner for the Mocs football team and had two stints as an assistant coach at UTC Record at UTC: 22-17 (5th year) Rusty Wright vs. WCU: 3 - 1 Kerwin Bell vs. UTC: 1 - 1 Offense: Multiple Returning/Lost: 8/3 2-Deep Returning/Lost: 15/7 Defense: Multiple Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 2-Deep Returning/Lost: 14/8 Specialists (K/LS) Starters Returning/Lost: 1/2 Redshirts/Newcomers: 18/41 (23 Freshmen/18 Transfers) In preseason SoCon voting, the Mocs were picked to finish fourth in the standings by both the coaches and media polls. The Mocs received votes in the Athlon Sports’ preseason national rankings, put eight players on the preseason All-SoCon teams along with sporting the SoCon's Defensive Player of the Year, senior, defensive lineman Jay Person. The Mocs returns 14 players who made starts in 2022 on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, they return 12 with starts under their belt. Senior running back Ailym Ford, has rushed for three 1,000-yard seasons. He is coming off a career-best 1,199 leading the SoCon in yards per game. Offense. On offense, the Mocs will have a new look, as their starting quarterback and top three leading rushers from 2022 will not be on this season's team. Graduate transfer Chase Artopoeus, who comes over from UCLA, is expected to take over the quarterback position. In the backfield, it'll be Ailym Ford, who gained 1,190 yards and 12 TDs on 230 carries in 2022. In the receiving corps, the Mocs return Sam Phillips and Jamoi Mays, who were on the receiving end of most of the receptions for Chattanooga in 2022. We expect head coach Rusty Wright to play to the Mocs' strength in the passing game. Defense. The Mocs return a lot of talent on the defensive side of the football, as seven of last season's starters return. Cornerback Kam Brown and edge-rusher Jay Person have been tabbed as 2023 FCS preseason All-Americans. Pearson, a senior, had 52 tackles and sacks (8). Bown, a senior had 11 passes defended, finishing top five nationally with six interceptions. While the Mocs lose their leading tacklers in linebackers Ty Boeck and Kam Jones, they return Bo Spearman and sophomore standout Alex Mitchell. 2022 Mocs Statistics (11 games):
Rushing Offense: 1763 yards Yards per game: 160 Yards per rush: 4.2 yards Rushing 1st downs: 84 TDs rushing: 21 Passing Offense: 2738 yards or 249 yards per game Avg. per pass: 8.5 yards Passing 1st downs: 135 Passing Comp-Att-Int: 195-324-11 TDs Passing: 17 Total Offense: 45 01 yards or 409 yards per game Fumbles-Lost: 11-4 3d Down Conversions: 60 of 141 (43%) 4th Down Conversions: 5 of 13 (38%) Field goal attempts: 11 - 19 On-side kicks: 0-0 Red Zone Scores: 37 of 46 (80%) Red Zone Touchdowns: 27 of 46 (59%) PAT: 39 of 40 (98%)  |
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Post by The Cats on Aug 1, 2023 17:34:51 GMT -5
For the Catamount's seventh game of the season, Western Carolina returns to Cullowhee to face the Furman Paladins for the 2023 football edition of The Battle for Purple Supremacy. Coming off a 10-3 season in 2022, the Paladins come to the mountains having been selected to finish the season number one in both the SoCon coaches and media polls. Game #7 Furman Paladins
When: Saturday, October 21, 2023 Time: 2:30 pm EST Where: Bob Water Field, Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC Radio: Catamount Sports Network -announcers: Gary Ayers, Daniel Hooker, Jeff Bryson TV/video: ESPN+ Furman Message Board: GoPaladins
The Series: The Cats are 13-35-2 overall against the Paladins in the series that started back in 1972. The Cats had lost 5 in a row to the Paladins, a string that was broken in the 2021 season with a 43-42 win in Whitmire Stadium. The Cats are 7-11-1 in games played in Cullowhee Game Notes: Western Carolina - Furman The last game played vs. Furman: Oct. 15, 2022 - Valiant Fourth-Quarter Rally Falls Just Short at Furman, 47-40 - Western Carolina's valiant fourth-quarter rally came up just five yards short on Saturday as the Catamounts fought back to a one-score affair, suffering a 47-40 loss to the Furman Paladins in Southern Conference action at Paladin Stadium. Freshman back-up quarterback Cole Gonzales orchestrated three fourth-quarter scoring drives, capping drives with a nine-yard TJ Jones rushing score and tossing touchdown passes of 42 and 69 yards to classmate Censere Lee as the Catamounts clawed back to within a score, 44-40, with 2:18 to play. WCU's defense limited the Paladins to a field goal on the ensuing possession setting up a frantic finish. . Head Coach: Clay Hendrix - Introduced as Furman’s new head football coach on December 19, 2016, Clay Hendrix in five seasons has reinvigorated a Paladin football program accustomed to success. Hendrix, a former standout Paladin offensive guard and assistant coach who returned to his alma mater following a decade as an assistant coach at the US Air Force Academy, directed Furman to an 8-5 campaign and Football Championship (FCS) playoff appearance in 2017. Record At Furman: 41-26 (.612), 6 Years Overall Record: Same Record vs. SoCon: 32-15 Hendrix vs. Western Carolina: 5-1 Bell vs. Furman: 1-1 Last Season's Record (Furman 2022): 10-3 overall, 5-1 home, 5-2 away, 7-1 in the SoCon Offensive Formation: Multiple Starters: Returning/Lost: 8 / 11 Defensive Formation: 3-4 Starters: Returning/Lost: 10 / 11 The Paladins were picked to finish #1 in the SoCon preseason polls (tied with Samford in the coaches poll and #1 pick in the media poll), and 15 Paladins picked up preseason all-conference honors (coaches & media), seven first-team and eight-second team. Offense - The Paladins return 18 starters from last year’s squad that went two rounds into the playoffs, losing by only three points to Incarnate Word. Furman fielded a very balanced offense last season, putting up 213 rushing yards and 209 yards per game passing. Eight starters are back for the offense, led by Tyler Huff at quarterback. While the passing attack lost tight end Ryan Miller, three very good wide receivers return in Joshua Harris, Kyndel Dean, and Wayne Anderson. Dominic Roberto, a very physical running back who had 197 carries for 1,120 yards and 11 TDs. Three starters return on the o-line in Wyatt Hughes and Furman also added transfer Fred Norman Jr. in the offseason, a multi-year starter at e ETSU. Defense - The Furman defense return 10 starters from last season that only allowed 20,2 points per game, ranking them in the top 10 FCS scoring defenses. Furman defended the run well last season, allowing only 116 yards per game, however, the pass defense was not as good, giving up 272 yards per game, ranking them at #115 in the subdivision in the pass defense. 2022 Furman Statistics (13 games)
Rushing Offense: 2767 yards Yards per game: 212.8 Yards per rush: 5.1 yards Rushing 1st downs: 135 TDs rushing: 29 Passing Offense: 2718 yards or 209 yards per game Avg. per pass: 10.6 yards Passing 1st downs: 124 Passing Att-Comp-Int: 382-259-9 TDs Passing: 20 Total Offense: 5485 yards or 422 ypg 3d Down Conversions: 86 of 198 (43.4%) 4th Down Conversions: 7 of 17 (41.2%) Field Goal-Attempts 18 of 21 On-side kicks: 0 of 0 Red Zone Scores: 48 of 54 Red Zone Touchdowns: 34 of 54 Avg per punt: 39.6 yards Fumbles-Lost: 15 - 11  |
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Post by The Cats on Aug 4, 2023 13:50:12 GMT -5
 Throughout this preseason, we will preview all of Western Carolina's 2023 football opponents. For this season's eighth game, the Catamounts remain at home to face the nationally-ranked Mercer Bears.
The Bears finished the 2022 season tied for third place with the Chattanooga Mocs, finishing with a 7-4 overall record. Mercer has been picked to finish this season in third place in preseason voting by the SoCon coaches and media.
Game #8 - Mercer Bears
When: Saturday, October 28, 2022
Time: 2:30 pm
Where: Bob Water Field, Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson
TV/video: ESPN+
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats
Game Notes: Western Carolina - Mercer - SoCon Weekly Notes
Fan Message Board: MU Bear Down
The Series: In only the 10th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 2-7 overall record against the Bears, having dropped the last seven (7) games played in the series. The Cats are 1-3 against the Bears in games played in Cullowhee.
Last Season's Game vs. Mercer (October. 8, 2022) - Catamount Football Falls on the Road at No. 12 Mercer - Macon, Ga. – No. 12 Mercer used a balanced offensive attack and created five Catamount turnovers in upending upset-minded Western Carolina 49-6 in Southern Conference action Saturday afternoon at Five Star Stadium. The Bears scored six first-half touchdowns to build a 42-point halftime edge while WCU only managed a pair of 43-yard Richard McCollum field goals in the road defeat
Last Season's Record (2022 Mercer): 7-4 overall, 4-1 home, 3-3 away, 5-3 SoCon
Head Coach: Drew Cronic was named the 20th head football coach in Mercer University history on December 10, 2019. He spent the previous two seasons as the head coach at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, N.C. A native of Sharpsburg, Ga., Cronic is considered one of the more innovative offensive minds across all levels of college football.
Cronic's Collegiate Record: 59-15
Cronic's Mercer Record: 16 - 10
Kerwin Bell's record vs. Mercer: 0 - 2
Drew Cronic's record vs. WCU: 3 - 0
The Bears finished 7-4 overall last year, and 5-3 in the SoCon. Their last loss came in the regular-season finale, losing 50-44 in double overtime at eventual quarterfinalist Samford. Mercer enters this season ranked 17th by Athlon Sports and 19th by HERO Sports. The Bears put 12 players on the preseason All-SoCon squads, second only to Furman.
Mercer Offensive Formation: Multiple (Spread Wing)
Replacing Fred Payton at quarterback will be a difficult task, but Mercer has four quarterbacks currently on its roster. Carter Peevy is a fourth-year sophomore that played in one game last year and eight games in 2021, However, he started multiple games in the 2020-21 season and threw for 1,318 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. Daniel Shoch is a redshirt freshman, Drew Moore is a true freshman, and Hess Horne is a transfer from Missouri State. He’s a third-year sophomore and was a three-star high school recruit who did not see any game action at Missouri State. The Bears do bring back a wide receiver duo of Ty James and Devron Harper. James recorded 52 receptions for 1,105 yards and 13 touchdowns last fall, while Harper added 78 catches for 987 yards and 10 touchdowns, 199 yards rushing and four scores, 523 kick return yards and a TD, and 169 punt return yards and a score.
Defensive Formation: Multiple
The Bears allowed an average of 120 rushing yards per game (#21 in FCS) and 217 passing yards per game (#54 in FCS) last fall. Their 17 interceptions were the third-most in the FCS. The Bears return their top five tacklers and 10 of the top 11, as the Bears only allowed 22 points per game (#27 in the FCS).
Isaac Dowling is back after leading the team with 99 tackles and nine tackles for loss, as is Ken Standley who put up 85 tackles, seven TFLs, and two sacks, Lance Wise (58 tackles, 3.5 TFLs), Richie Coffey (41 tackles, 4.5 TFLs), and Myles Redding (60 tackles, two TFLs) return as well.
TJ Moore is a 6-foot-1 cornerback coming off a season where he totaled 40 tackles and three interceptions. Cam Sims is a 6-foot-2 cornerback who had 30 tackles, two interceptions.
Last season, the Bears overpowered the Catamounts by 43 points in Macon, for the worse outing of the season for the Catamounts. Hopefully, the Cats extract an overdue win over the Bears in Cullowhee.
2022 Mercer Statistics (11 games):
Rushing Offense: 2091 yards
Yards per game: 190
Yards per rush: 5.1 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 43
TDs rushing: 104
Passing Offense: 3109 yards or 283 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 9.2 yards
Passing 1st downs: 139
Passing: Att-Comp-Int: 338-223-9
TDs Passing: 1433
Total Offense: 5200 yards or 473 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 23-13
3d Down Conversions: 68 of 144 (47.2%)
4th Down Conversions: 17 of 20 (85%)
Field goal attempts: 10 of 14
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 40 of 47
Red Zone Touchdowns: 31 of 47
PAT: 54 of 55
Touchdowns scored: 56
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Post by The Cats on Aug 7, 2023 17:51:13 GMT -5
Throughout this preseason, we will preview all of Western Carolina's 2023 football opponents. For the ninth game of the season, the Cats travel to Spartanburg to face the Wofford Terriers in their homecoming game. This comes on the heels of the Terriers playing the Cats in last season's Homecoming game in Cullowhee. Their interim head coach topped off the 2022 season with a 3-3 record, beating The Citadel, ETSU, and VMI, but losing to WCU, Samford, and Furman. Game #9 - Wofford Terriers
 When: Saturday, November 4, 2023 Time: 3:00 pm Where: Gibbs Stadium, Spartanburg, SC Radio: Catamount Sports Network -announcers: Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson TV/video: ESPN3 Game Notes: Western Carolina - Wofford Mascot: Terrier Colors: Old Gold & Black Enrollment: 1800 Message Board: Wofford Fans The Series: The Cats are 16-28 overall against the Terriers in a series that started in 1952, The Cats & Terriers have played a total of 44 times, and the Cats are 5-16 in games played in Spartanburg. Western's win in Spartanburg in the 2021 season broke a 4 game Terrier win streak over the Catamounts. The last game played vs. Wofford: November 5, 2022 - Catamounts Rally Past Wofford in the Homecoming Rain, 36-29 - Cullowhee, N.C. – Jalynn Williams scored the go-ahead touchdown on a six-yard rush off right tackle with 2:53 remaining in regulation and the Catamount defense stood tall on Wofford's final possession as Western Carolina rallied for a 36-29 Homecoming Day victory over the Terriers on a rain-soaked Saturday afternoon at Bob Waters Field / E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Head Coach: Shawn Watson (Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator) - Former Wofford College head football coach Josh Conklin announced on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, his resignation. Shawn Watson was immediately named the interim Head coach, and on December 1, 2022, the interim title was dropped. . Watson joined the staff as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator on January 13, 2022. He was named interim head coach on October 6, 2022. A veteran with over 35 years of coaching experience, he most recently was the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa. He recruits nationally for the quarterback position, along with the Rock Hill area of South Carolina. Shawn Watson's record vs. WCU: 0 - 1 Kerwin Bells' record vs. Wofford: 2 - 0 Last Season's Record (2022 Wofford): 3-8 overall, 3-2 home, 0-6 away, 3-5 SoCon. Offensive Formation: Pro spread offense Defensive Formation: Multiple 3/4 Starters Returning/Lost: 14 / 11 Offensive starters returning/lost: 5 / 6 Defensive starters returning/lost: 7 / 4 Special teams returning/lost: 2 / 1 Newcomers: 23 (9 offense, 13 defense, 1 specialist) In the 2023 Southern Conference Preseason Polls, the conference’s nine head coaches picked Wofford to finish seventh, while the media picked the Terriers to finish 8th in the 2023 final standings. Shawn Watson took over the reins of the Terrier program on Thursday, Oct. 6, with the resignation of Josh Coklin, and led the team to a 3-3 record in the final six games of the season. With the departure in the portal of Jimmy Weirick at QB, the Terriers have an inexperienced stable of quarterbacks on the roster. Competing for the starting quarterback responsibilities this fall will probably be Cade Rice, Bryce Corriston, and Western Carolina transfer Samuel Cornett. Including Weirick, the Terriers lost a total of 6 from their starting offense of 2022. The defensive side of the ball does look somewhat better the loss of only 4 starters. Wofford lost a total of 13 players overall to the transfer portal after the 2022 season: Al Hogan (OL); Camden Gray (LB); Devin Mathews (WR); Irvin Mulligan (RB); Jimmy Weirick (QB); Landon Parker (WR); Micheal Mason (DL); Miles Richardson (DB); Tahir Annoor (DB); R.J. Brunson (DB); Ezra King (P); Jaheem Hazel; Carlton Terry (WR). “Defensively, we have some good talent and I am excited about the prospects of that side of the ball in 2023…I’m looking at our defensive board and we’ve got two and three deep at some positions with the competition and every program I’ve ever been a part of…the championship programs… has been about competition in the room…everyone…and I think we are developing that,” Watson said. “Defensively we want to be a team that creates havoc and that’s a scheme I wanted and I believe that we have a pretty salty defense…downside…we’re a little young but that’s ok and that’s never a bad thing.” 2022 Wofford Statistics (11 games)
Rushing Offense: 1048 yards Yards per game: 96.3 Yards per rush: 3 yards Rushing 1st downs: 62 TDs rushing: 16 Passing Offense: 2484 yards or 225.8 yards per game Avg. per pass: 7.5 yards Passing 1st downs: 108 Passing Att-Comp-Int: 331-188-8 TDs Passing: 12 Total Offense: 35420 yards or 322 per game 3d Down Conversions: 52 of 155 (33.5) 4th Down Conversions: 9 of 14 (64.3%) Field Goal: 6 of 11 On-side kicks: 2 - 2 Red Zone Scores: 27 of 33 Red Zone Touchdowns: 24 of 33 PAT: 26 of 27 Punts: 70, Avg per punt: 38 yards Points per game: 20   |
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Post by The Cats on Aug 11, 2023 19:51:27 GMT -5
 Throughout this preseason, we will preview all of Western Carolina's 2023 football opponents. For the tenth game of the season, the Cats return to Cullowhee for the annual grudge match, the Blue Ridge Border Battle with the East Tennessee State Buccaneers. Not only is this the Blue Ridge Border Battle, but will be Hall of Fame Day as well.
Seven seasons ago, Western and the Bucs revived their series that started back in 1932 but abruptly ended in 2003 when the Bucs eliminated football. The Cats own a 3-4 record against the Bucs since their return to the Southern Conference.
Game #10 - ETSU Bucs
 When: Saturday, November 1, 2021
Time: 1:00 pm (EST)
Where: Bob Waters Field, EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcers: Gary Ayers, (play-by-play); Daniel Hooker (color)
TV/video: ESPN+
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats
Game Notes: Western Carolina - ETSU
Fan Message Board: Buccaneer Nation
The Series: This series stretches back to 1932, and Western owns a 26-25-1 record overall in the series. Since the return of football at ETSU, the Cats are 3-4 going into the 2023 contest. Adding to the rivalry between the two mountain teams, the Bucs pulled off a 2-point, 3 overtime win, 43-45 in the initial Blue Ridge Border Battle trophy contest held in Johnson City in 2018. The Cats are 13-11 in games played in Cullowhee overall. The Cats broke a two-game losing streak to the mountain pirates last year in Johnson City. This game also marks the sixth showdown of the "Blue Ridge Border Battle" with the Bucs capturing three of the first five games in this newly created trophy game.
The Trophy: The two campuses are separated by just 112 total miles and share a common border through the Blue Ridge Mountains. In 2018 the mountain rivalry was dubbed the “Blue Ridge Border Battle”, consisting of a trophy that includes a two-tiered wooden pedestal adorned on opposite sides by the two school’s respective logos and the moniker of the football rivalry series. Atop the trophy is a rock that was taken from the Appalachian Trail on the North Carolina – Tennessee border in the heart of the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains. This will be the fifth battle for the Blue Ridge Trophy.
The last game played vs. ETSU: Nov. 12, 2022 - McCollum’s Walk-Off Field Goal Leads to Rivalry Win - Johnson City, Tenn. –Richard McCollum punched through a game-winning 33-yard field goal as time expired on Saturday afternoon as Western Carolina reclaimed "the Rock" traveling trophy in the Blue Ridge Border Battle with a 20-17 road win over Southern Conference rival ETSU at Greene Stadium.
Head Coach: George Quarles - On Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, George Quarles was introduced as the 19th Head Coach in Buccaneer football history. Quarles arrives in Johnson City from the staff at Furman, serving as the Associate Head Coach. In addition to operating as the Associate Head Coach, Quarles has also held the Offensive Coordinator slot and the Quarterbacks coach each of the last four seasons. During his time with the Paladins, Quarles oversaw two FCS Playoff appearances in both 2017 and 2019, in addition to a share of the regular-season SoCon Championship in 2018.
George Quarles's record vs. WCU: 0 - 1
Kerwin Bell's record vs. ETSU: 1 - 1
Last Season's Record (ETSU): 3-8 overall, 1-4 home, 2-4 away, 1-7 SoCon.
Offensive Formation: Multiple
Defensive Formation: 3-4
In preseason voting by the coaches and media, the Bucs were picked to finish sixth in both polls. ETSU had a total of six players honored. Redshirt senior wide receiver, Will Huzzie; redshirt junior tight end, Noah West; junior defensive back, Sheldon Arnold II; redshirt junior defensive lineman, Max Evans; redshirt sophomore punter, Trace Kelley; and sophomore long snapper, Ryan Phillips were all preseason SoCon second teams.
The Bucs lost a total of 26 players to the transfer portal since the season ended last year, including many of their most productive players (including 4 All-SoCon players and the starting QB). Added to these difficulties, the Bucs are carrying only 100 players on their active roster this season, due to Title IX difficulties identified by the school.
Prominent ETSU portal transfers after the 2022 season: Alijah Huzzie (DB) - to North Carolina; Blake Austin (OL) - to Troy; Tavon Matthews (OL) - to Troy; Chandler Martin (LB) - to Memphis; Rodney Wright Jr. (DL) - to Eastern Kentucky; Tyler Keltner (K) - to Florida State; Erek Campbell (DB) - to Mississippi Valley State; & Davion Hood (LB) - to Temple.
2022 ETSU Statistics (11 games)
Rushing Offense: 1864 yards
Yards per game: 170
Yards per rush: 4.7 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 96
TDs rushing: 20
Passing Offense: 2109 yards or 192 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 12.6 yards
Passing 1st downs: 90
TDs passing: 15
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 168-321-15
Total Offense: 3973 yards or 361.2 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 12 - 3
3d Down Conversions: 43 of 142 (30%)
4th Down Conversions: 7 of 16 (44%)
Field goal attempts 17 - 23
PAT-Attempts: 38 of 39
On-side kicks: 0 - 0
Red Zone Scores: 27 of 34 (79%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 17 of 34 (50%)
Punts - Yards: 88 - 1050 - Avg per punt: 40.6
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