Cats Travel to Samford - in The Road to Asheville

 The Road to Asheville

Game Preview: Western Carolina Catamounts at Samford Bulldogs

The Western Carolina Catamounts (5-8 overall, 1-1 SoCon) travel to face the Samford Bulldogs (8-7 overall, 1-1 SoCon) in a Southern Conference matchup. This game is set for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET, at the Pete Hanna Center in Homewood, Alabama. It will be broadcast on ESPN+. Both teams are coming off split results in their opening SoCon games, setting up an early battle for positioning in the conference standings.

Team Overviews and Recent Form

Western Carolina has struggled early in the 2025-26 season, playing 13 games with a focus on rebuilding after a tough non-conference slate. They average 77.2 points per game but have been inconsistent on the road (0-7 away record entering conference play). The Catamounts picked up a key road win at Furman on January 3, 2026, to move to 1-1 in SoCon play, but they sit at 5-8 overall. Their defense has been a weak point, allowing opponents to shoot efficiently while forcing turnovers at a moderate rate.

Samford, meanwhile, has shown more balance through 15 games, averaging 77.6 points while holding a strong 4-1 home record. The Bulldogs are coming off a 89-82 road loss to UNCG on January 3, 2026, dropping them to 1-1 in conference after an opening win. They've emphasized low turnovers (just 9.1 per game) and efficient ball movement, but their rebounding (34.9 per game) could be tested against Western Carolina's stronger boards.

Injury Updates
Western Carolina: Redshirt senior forward Chase McKey is out for the remainder of the season due to a season-ending injury and has entered the transfer portal as a graduate transfer. McKey appeared in just four games this season, averaging limited minutes. No other injuries have been reported for the Catamounts.

Samford: No injuries to report as of January 4, 2026.

Key Players to Watch

Western Carolina:
Marcus Kell (F, 27.8 MPG): Leads the team with 13.2 PPG, providing scoring inside and out.
Cord Stansberry (G, 29.0 MPG): Averages 12.3 PPG and brings veteran leadership in the backcourt.
Julien Soumaoro (G, 25.8 MPG): Contributes 11.9 PPG, key for perimeter shooting and playmaking.

Samford:
Jadin Booth (G, 34.0 MPG): The Bulldogs' top scorer at 19.2 PPG, a high-volume shooter who can take over games.
Dylan Faulkner (F, 24.4 MPG): Adds 16.9 PPG with efficient post play and rebounding.
Keaton Norris (G, 31.4 MPG): Averages 11.2 PPG and anchors the offense with 29.0 MPG of steady guard play.

These matchups could decide the game—Western Carolina's guards will need to contain Booth and Norris, while Samford's frontcourt must limit Kell's impact on the glass.

Head-to-Head History
Samford holds a significant edge in recent history, riding a nine-game winning streak against Western Carolina dating back to 2021. The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings at home by an average of 22 points, including a 93-72 victory on February 22, 2025. Western Carolina's last win in the series came on February 26, 2020 (109-78 at home).

Betting Odds and Prediction
Betting odds for this game are not widely available as of January 4, 2026, but early markets suggest a close contest with some even probabilities listed. Given Samford's home advantage, superior ball control, and dominant head-to-head streak, expect the Bulldogs to pull out a win in a high-scoring affair.

Category                   Western Carolina     Samford
Points Per Game          77.2                            77.6
Field Goal %               43.9%                         43.1%
Three-Point %            31.3%                         32.8%
Free Throw %            68.0%                         65.1%
Rebounds Per Game    37.1                            34.9
Assists Per Game        13.5                            15.0
Steals Per Game           7.5                              4.8
Blocks Per Game         2.8                              3.3
Turnovers Per Game   13.6                              9.1

Happy New Year

 

Courtesy WCU Athletics

Merry Christmas from Purple & Gold

 

WCU 2026 Baseball Schedule

 

The 2026 WCU Football Schedule

 

December 2, 2025 Giving Tuesday

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 

WCU Men's Basketball: at High Point

Who: High Point Panthers
When: Saturday, November 29, 2025
Time: 2 pm (EST)
Where: Qubein Center, High Point, NC
TV/video: ESPN+
Live Stats: Live Stats
Enrollment: 6,335
Nickname: Panthers
Mascot: Prowler the Panther
Colors: Purple & White
Conference: Big South

Head Coach: Flynn Clayman

History: Western has an overall record ot 20-40 with the Panthers in a series that started in 1946, and are just 4-22 in games played at High Point. The Cats are 1-9 in the last 10 games played.

2025-26 Record: 6-1 overall, 3-0 home, 0-1 away, 3-0 neutral

After winning the Big South Regular Season and Tournament title in 2024-25, the Panthers were picked as preseason favorite for the 2025-26 season. Rob Martin was voted the Preseason Newcomer of the Year and to the All-Conference selection after transferring from Southeast Missouri State University. High Point was also voted the top front court and back courts in the league.

Martin was a First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection for Southeast Missouri following the 2024-25 regular season. He led the team with 14.8 points per game and scored 20+ points in seven games with a career-high 31 points at SIUE (Feb. 27, 2025) after going 13-for-19 from the field (68.4%). As a point guard, he led the Ohio Valley Conference in assist rate last season with a 2.63 ratio while averaging 4.7 assists per game. Martin helped lead SEMO to its second most wins in its programs division history with 21 wins.

The preseason CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 rankings of the 2025-26 season had the Panthers in the #6 spot. Since cracking the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 on December 26, 2023, High Point has remained in the top 25 for 36 consecutive weeks. The highest ranking that HPU received in program history was No. 5 on February 5, 2024.

Tracking the Cats - WCU over VMI plus more 11/24/25

 

WCU Football Player of the Game (VMI Game)

Purple & Gold's "Catamount Player of the Game" for the VMI game on November 22nd is redshirt sophomore quarterback Taron Dickens. 

The Catamount Player of the Game, Taron Dickens threw three touchdown passes, breaking the Southern Conference single-season passing TD record and leading Western Carolina to a 48-6 win over VMI in a regular-season finale on Saturday.  Dickens was 28-of-40 passing for 332 yards with his three TD passes gives him 38 this season thus passing Samford quarterbacks Michael Hiers (2022) and Devlin Hodges (2016) who each had 36. Dickens also ran for a 3-yard touchdown for the Catamounts' final touchdown.

Congratulations to Tyger for his selection as WCU Player of the Game.  

Picture Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

SoCon Fast Break Preview of WCU Men's Basketball

WCU Basketball Player of the Game vs. UNC Asheville

The first WCU Purple & Gold's Player of the Game for the 2025-26 basketball season, for the UNC Asheville game on November 19th is redshirt junior guard Cord Stansberry.  "Tied at 73 with 15 seconds to play, redshirt junior Cord Stansberry connected on a clutch 3-pointer to spur a 9-to-3 run over the final 32 seconds to lead Western Carolina men's basketball past mountain rival UNC Asheville 80-73 on Wednesday night on Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center."

The Catamount Player of the Game, Cord Stansberry led the Catamounts to a win over Asheville with a game high 29 points, also a career high for Cord. He hit 8-18 field goals, including 4 three pointers, and completed 9 points from the charity line.  He also pulled down 5 rebounds.  

Congratulations to Cord for his selection as WCU Player of the Game.  

2025 SoCon Power Rankings (after Week #12)

November 17, 2025

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2025 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #12.  Last weeks ranking in parentheses.

1. (1) Mercer (9-1)
Next: at Auburn (4-6)

2. (5) ETSU (4-3)

Next: the Citadel  (3-4)

3. (2) Western Carolina (5-2)

Next: at VMI (0-7)

4. (3) Chattanooga (4-3)

Next: at Wofford (4-3)

5. (6) Wofford (4-3)

Next: Chattanooga (4-3)

6. (7) Furman (6-5)

Next: at Clemson (5-5)

7. (4) The Citadel (3-4)
Next: at ETSU  (4-3)

8. (8) Samford (1-10)

Next: at Texas A&M (10-0)

9. (9) VMI (0-7)

Next: Western Carolina (5-2)

1.          

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. ETSU

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

 

Tracking the Cats w/ basketball HC Tim Craft

 

Veterans Day 2025

We thank all those that have served this great country of ours!!!

 

2025 SoCon Power Rankings (after Week #11)

November 10, 2025

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2025 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #11.  Last weeks ranking in parentheses.

1. (1) Mercer (7-0)
Next:  Chattanooga (4-2)

2. (2) Western Carolina (5-1)

Next: ETSU  (3-3)

3. (3) Chattanooga (4-2)

Next: at Mercer (7-0)

4. (4) The Citadel (3-3)
Next:  Wofford  (3-3)

5. (7) ETSU (3-3)

Next: at Western Carolina (5-1)

6. (6) Wofford (3-3)

Next: at The Citadel (3-3)

7. (5) Furman (3-4)

Next: VMI (0-6)

8. (8) Samford (1-9)

Next: at Austin Peay (6-4)

9. (9) VMI (0-6)

Next: at Furman (3-4)

1.          

WCU Football Game #11 - ETSU

For the eleventh game of the season, the Cats remain at home for the annual grudge match, the Blue Ridge Border Battle with the East Tennessee State Buccaneers.

Nine seasons ago, the Catamounts and the Bucs revived their series that started back in 1932, and abruptly ended in 2003 when the Bucs eliminated football. The Cats own a 5-4 record against the Bucs since their return to the Southern Conference.

Game #11 ETSU Bucs

    

When: Saturday, November 15, 2025

Time:  12:00 pm (EST) 

Where: Whitmire Stadium
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

     -announcers:  Gary Ayers,  (play-by-play); Daniel Hooker (color)

TV/video: Nexstar /  ESPN+

Live Stats:  Live Stats

Fan Message Board:  Buccaneer Nation

Enrollment: 13,378

Nickname: .Buccaneers (Bucs) 

Colors: Navy Blue and Old Gold 

Mercer Game Day Timeline

 

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Mercer

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

 

2025 SoCon Power Rankings (after Week #10)

November 3, 2025

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2025 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #10.  Last weeks ranking in parentheses.

1. (1) Mercer (6-0)
Next:  at Western Carolina (5-0)

2. (2) Western Carolina (5-0)

Next: Mercer  (6-0)

3. (3) Chattanooga (3-2)

Next: Furman (3-3)

4. (5) The Citadel (4-5)
Next:  at Ole Miss (8-1)

5. (4) Furman (3-3)

Next: at Chattanooga (3-2)

6. (7) Wofford (2-3)

Next: at VMI (0-5)

7. (6) ETSU (2-3)

Next: at Samford (1-6)

8. (8) Samford (1-6)

Next: at ETSU (2-3)

9. (9) VMI (0-5)

Next: Wofford  (2-3)

1.          

WCU Football Game #10 - Mercer Bears

Game 10 - #10/12 Mercer Bears 

In the season's tenth game, the Catamounts return home to face the #10/12 ranked Mercer Bears on Homecoming 2025 in Cullowhee.   The Bears finished the 2024 season in first place with a 7-1 conference record (11-3 overall) and advanced to the NCAA playoffs making it to the second round.

When: Saturday, November 8, 2025

Time:  2:30 pm
Where: Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
   -Play-by-Play:  Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video:  ESPN+ 

Live Stats:   Live Stats

Enrollment:  9,124 

Nickname:  Bears

Mascot: Toby & Tot

Fan Message Board:  MU Bear Down

The Series: In only the 12th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 2-9 overall record against the Bears, having dropped the last eight (9) games played in the series. The Cats are 1-4 against the Bears in games played in Cullowhee.  

Last Season's Game vs. Mercer (October. 26, 2024) - Middle Frames Rally Leads No. 17/14 Mercer Past No. 24 WCU - Macon, Ga. – Cole Gonzales threw for 395 yards and accounted for three touchdowns including scoring strikes to AJ Colombo and Zion Booker while rushing for a third as No. 24 Western Carolina raced out to a 24-7 first-half lead at No. 17/14 Mercer on Saturday afternoon. However, the Bears rallied back with 27-straight points between the second and third quarters and then held on for a 44-34 victory over the Catamounts in Southern Conference action at Five Star Stadium.

Last Season's Record (2024 Mercer): 11-3 overall, 7-0 home, 4-3 away, 0-0 neutral, 7-1 SoCon

This Season's Record (2025 Mercer):  7-1 overall, 3-1 home, 4-0 away, 0-0 neutral, 6-0 SoCon

Head Coach: Mike Jacobs -  A 21-year collegiate coaching veteran with footprints of success throughout each stop of his storied career, Mike Jacobs was announced as the 21st head coach in the history of the Mercer football program on Jan. 18, 2024. Jacobs, who has compiled a 74-17 (.813) record across head coaching stops at both Notre Dame (Ohio) and Lenoir-Rhyne, boasts the nation’s sixth-best winning percentage among active coaches at the NCAA Divisions I and II levels. He is fresh off of a 2023 campaign that saw him lead Lenoir-Rhyne to a 13-2 clip that was accentuated with an appearance in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

Kerwin Bell's record vs. Mercer:  0 - 4

Mike Jacobs's record vs. WCU:    1 - 0

Mercer hauled in six first-place votes to emerge as the preseason favorite to capture the 2025 Southern Conference title.  Eleven Bears, including four first-teamers, earned a spot on the 2025 Coaches Preseason All-Southern Conference squad in July. Andrew Zock was crowned as the SoCon’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. First Team: Andrew Zock (DL), Xavier Jennings (OL), Adjatay Dabbs (WR), Brayden Smith (RS) Second Team: CJ Miller (RB), Autavius Ison (RB), Tyler Murray (OL), Adonis McDaniel (WR), Donovan Watkins (LB), John McConnell (P), Jaiden Hamilton (LS)]

Mercer will ride a 10-game win streak against SoCon opponents into Saturday’s game at Whitmire Stadium, and a 9-1 record versus the Cats in the last 10 games played. 

2024 Mercer Statistics (8 games):   

Rushing Offense: 1323 yards
Yards per game: 178

Yards per rush: 5.1 yards

Rushing 1st downs: 71
TDs rushing: 13
Passing Offense: 2676 yards or 335 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 13 yards
Passing 1st downs: 123
Passing: Att-Comp-Int: 300-205-6

TDs Passing: 26
Total Offense: 4099 yards or 512 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 6-3
3d Down Conversions: 49 of 105 (47%)
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 3 (67%)
Field goal attempts: 11 of 14
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 29 of 34
Red Zone Touchdowns: 22 of 34

PAT:  38 of 38

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Chattanooga

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

 

2025 SoCon Power Rankings (after Week #9)

October 27, 2025

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2025 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #9.  Last weeks ranking in parentheses.

1. (1) Mercer (5-0)
Next:  at Furman (3-2)

2. (2) Western Carolina (4-0)
Next: at Chattanooga (3-1)

3. (3) Chattanooga (2-1)

Next: Western Carolina (4-0)

4. (6) Furman (3-2)

Next: Mercer (5-0)

5. (4) The Citadel (2-3)
Next:  VMI  (0-4)

6. (7) ETSU (2-3)

Next:  Bye

7. (5) Wofford (1-3)

Next: Samford (1-5)

8. (8) Samford (1-5)
Next: at Wofford (1-3)

9. (9) VMI (0-4)

Next: at The Citadel (2-3)

1.          

WCU Football Game #9 - at Chattanooga

Game #9 - Chattanooga Mocs 

Western Carolina faces the Chattanooga Mocs for the 51th time on the gridiron since 1973, as the Cats travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee to face the Mocs in their "turn about is fair play" Homecoming game against the Catamounts.

When: Saturday, November 1, 2025

Time:  4:00 pm
Where:   Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, Tenn  
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
   -announcers: Gary Ayers, PxP; Daniel Hooker, Color

TV/video:  ESPN+

Live Stats:  UTC Live Stats

Fan Message Board:  Moc Nation

The Series: In the 51st meeting between the two teams, the Cats own an 20-30 overall record against the Mocs. The Cats are riding a 3-game winning streak in the series, but is only 8-16 in games played in Chattanooga. 

Last Game vs. Chattanooga: (11-2-4) Dickens Tosses Five TD Passes in Homecoming Upset Win of UTC -  Taron Dickens threw for a career-high 431 yards and tossed five touchdowns including three to De'Andre Tamarez, the last coming inside the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter as Western Carolina came from behind to upset No. 25/18 Chattanooga 38-34 on Saturday afternoon in a crucial Southern Conference game at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Last Season's Record (2024):  7-5 overall, 3-2 home, 4-3 away, 5-3 SoCon  

This Season's Record (2025):  4-4 overall, 2-1 home, 2-3 away, 3-1 SoCon  

Head Coach:  Rusty Wright - Rusty Wright is in his seventh 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: 41-31 (7th year) 

Rusty Wright vs. WCU:  3 - 3

Kerwin Bell vs. UTC:  3 - 1

Offense: Multiple 

Defense: Multiple 

In preseason SoCon voting, the Mocs were picked to finish second in the standings by the coaches and 3 players selected for the preseason All-SoCon teams. The Mocs will enter the game riding a 3 game SoCon win streak, with wins over VMI, ETSU, and Samford, while the Cats come off a bye week - riding a 5 game win streak, including 4 conference games.  

2025 Mocs Statistics (7 games):

Rushing Offense: 1400 yards 

Yards per game: 200
Yards per rush: 5.3 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 62
TDs rushing: 14
Passing Offense: 1214 yards or 177 yards per game

Avg. per pass: 7.2 yards
Passing 1st downs: 58
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 97-173-7            
TDs Passing: 9
Total Offense: 2641 yards or 377 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 8-3
3d Down Conversions: 34 of 90 (38%)
4th Down Conversions: 8 of 13 (62%)
Field goal attempts: 4 - 6
On-side kicks: 1-1
Red Zone Scores: 17 of 18  (94%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 13 of 18 (72%)

PAT - Attempts  25 of 25