Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations |
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
WCU Game #7 - Furman
Where: Paladin Stadium, Traveler's Rest, SC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV/video: ESPN+
Defense - The Furman defense return 3 starters from last season team.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Paladins lost starting QB Tyler Huff, their top running back and four starting offensive linemen. While the Paladins lost a lot to transfers and graduation, they picked up a lot in the transfer portal. Most notable are, Joshua Burrell a TE from Florida State, Jalen Tate a DB from Georgia State, and Isaac Ward a QB from USC. Carson Jones, the SoCon’s Co-Freshman of the Year Award returns at quarterback. Jones played in six games last season and filled in for injured Huff, starting two games. Furman’s top three receivers also all returned, Colton Hinton, Joshua Harris, and Ben Ferguson. The Paladins will have to replace 4 offensive linemen.
The Paladins fielded 10 first-time starters in its 2024 season opener against Ole Miss, five each
of offense and defense. The first-time starters on offense included center Chris Luna (R-Fr.),
offensive tackle Eli Brasher (R-Fr.), wide receiver John Holbrook (R-Fr.), running back
Myion Hicks (R-Jr.), and tight end Joshua Burrell (Gr.). Defenders making their career
starting debuts against the Rebels included tackle Malachi Harrison (R-Fr.), cornerback
Jaylon Moson (R-Fr.), cornerback Charles Ingram V (R-Fr.), spur Maurice Perkins (Gr.),
and free safety Tre’ McLeod (R-So.).
The list of first-time starters grew to 11 against CSU when linebacker Raleigh
Herbert (R-Fr.) made his collegiate starting debut against the Buccaneers, and three Paladins
— tight end Brock Chappell (So.), quarterback Trey Hedden (Fr.), and spur Brandt Babin
(R-Jr.) — made it 14 first time starters this year when they joined the lineup for the first time
against Stetson. The latest and 15th Paladin newcomer to make his career starting debut
this year is wide receiver Devin Hester, Jr. (Fr.), who got the nod versus William & Mary.
Lots of injuries reported this season for the Paladins: WR Josh Harris (starter) - out for year, TE Josh Burrell (starter), DB AK Burrell (starter), WR Santino Varvel, DB Jalen Tate (2 deep), Spur Justin Hartwell (starter), Ban Alex Maier (2 deep), RB Jayquan Smith (2 deep), LB Raleigh Herbert (2 deep), DE David Alabi, & DT Bryce Stanfield (starter)
2024 Furman Statistics (6 games)
Yards per game: 90
Yards per rush: 2.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 39
TDs rushing: 6
Passing Offense: 1333 yards or 222 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.3 yards
Passing 1st downs: 48
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 184-112-9
Total Offense: 1873 yards or 312 ypg
3d Down Conversions: 21 of 77 (27%)
4th Down Conversions: 3 of 6 (50%)
Field Goal-Attempts 7 of 10
On-side kicks: 0 of 0
Red Zone Scores: 15 of 19
Red Zone Touchdowns: 10 of 19
Avg per punt 41 yards
Fumbles-Lost: 11-5
Monday, October 14, 2024
2024 SoCon Football Power Rankings - (after week #7)
Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings. Here are this week's power rankings, after week #7. Last week's ranking are in parentheses.
1. (1) Mercer (6-0, 3-0 SoCon)
Next: at Samford (2-3, 1-1 SoCon)
Next: at Furman (2-4, 1-1 SoCon)
Next: Wofford (3-3, 1-2 SoCon)
Next: Bye week
Next: Mercer (6-0, 3-0 SoCon)
Next: Western Carolina (3-3, 3-0 SoCon)
Next: at Chattanooga (3-3, 2-1 SoCon)
Next: at VMI (0-6, 0-2 SoCon)
9. (9) VMI (0-6, 0-2 SoCon)
Next: The Citadel (2-6, 0-4 SoCon)
Sunday, October 13, 2024
WCU Player of the Game (vs. The Citadel)
Thursday, October 10, 2024
WCU 2024 Atheltic Hall of Fame Class
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
WCU Game #6 - The Citadel
Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
The Series: Western is currently 20-27-1 vs. the Bulldogs overall. The Cats and Dogs first played on the gridiron in 1972, and the Cats own an 11-13 record vs. the Citadel in games played in Cullowhee, NC, along with a 5-5 record in the last 10 games played. The Cats have won 3 of the last 4 games played.
Last Season's Game vs. The Citadel (9-30-23) - Reid Runs for Record Books in Victory at The Citadel - Charleston, SC – Sophomore running back Desmond Reid set a school record with a career-best five first-half rushing touchdowns as #21/17 Western Carolina downed The Citadel 49-14 in Southern Conference action on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon at Johnson Hagood Stadium. Reid posted rushing scores of 11, 1, 9, 1, and 13 yards to cap WCU's five first-half drives as the Catamounts saw one player account for five scores in the opening two quarters for the second consecutive week.
Rushing Offense: 842 yards
Yards per game: 140.4 yards
Yards per rush: 3.6 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 45
Passing Offense: 1058 yards or 176 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 6.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 43
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 155-80-4
Total Offense: 1900 yards or 317 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 6 - 3
3d Down Conversions: 32 0f 88 (36%)
4th Down Conversions: 6 of 12 (50%)
Field goal attempts: 9 of 11
PAT-Attempts: 9 of 12
On-side kicks: 0 of 1
Red Zone Touchdowns: 13 of 23
Monday, October 7, 2024
2024 SoCon Football Power Rankings - (after week #6)
Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings. Here are this week's power rankings, after week #6. Last week's ranking are in parentheses.
1. (1) Mercer (5-0, 3-0 SoCon)
Next: Princeton (1-2)
Next: The Citadel (2-4, 0-3 SoCon)
Next: at Furman (2-3, 1-0 SoCon)
Next: Chattanooga (2-3, 1-1 SoCon)
Next: Samford (2-2, 1-0 SoCon)
Next: VMI (0-5, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: at ETSU (3-3, 1-1 SoCon)
Next: Western Carolina (2-3, 1-0 SoCon)
9. (9) VMI (0-5, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: at Wofford (2-3, 0-2 SoCon)
Saturday, October 5, 2024
Cats Win Without Spectators
WCU elected to attempt a 53-yard field goal on fourth-and-14 with 1:36 remaining, but Paxton Robertson narrowly missed it to the right, setting up Wofford at its 36-yard line for a potential game-winning drive.
The Terriers' Pauly Seeley ran for a 15-yard gain on first down and then completed a 3-yard pass to Dylan Djet. Seeley overthrew a wide-open receiver on third down and then tried to squeeze a pass to Rickie Shaw over the middle that Williams batted to the ground in the closing seconds.
Purple & Gold's "Player of the Game" junior quarterback Cole Gonzales, completed 29-of-39 attempts, passing for 257 yards, and rushed 7 times for 65 yards (second leading rusher in the game) for WCU. Junior running back Branson Adams rushed for 84 of the Catamounts' 218 yards in 13 attempts, averaging 16 and a half yards per carry. Wofford's Seeley threw for 209 yards and a touchdown for the Terriers (2-3, 0-2 Southern Conference).
Western Carolina (2-3, 1-0 Southern Conference) has now won four straight games in the series between the Catamounts and Terriers. Next week the Cats face The Citadel in Cullowhee, as the Bulldogs lost to Furman today, as the Paladins outscored the Bulldogs 14-3 in the fourth quarter to narrowly pick up the win 17-16.
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Monday, September 30, 2024
2024 SoCon Football Power Rankings - (after week #5)
Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings. Here are this week's power rankings, after week #5. Last week's ranking are in parentheses.
1. (1) Mercer (5-0, 3-0 SoCon)
Next: Bye Week
2. (2) ETSU (3-2, 1-0 SoCon)
Next: Chattanooga (2-2, 0-1 SoCon)
3. (4) Western Carolina (1-3, 0-0SoCon)
Next: Wofford (2-2, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: at ETSU (3-2, 1-0 SoCon)
Next: at Western Carolina (1-3, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: at The Citadel (2-3, 0-2 SoCon)
7. (6) The Citadel (2-3, 0-2 SoCon)
Next: Furman (1-3, 0-0 SoCon)
8. (8) Samford (1-2, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: VMI (0-4, 0-0 SoCon)
9. (9) VMI (0-4, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: at Samford (1-2, 0-0 SoCon)
Sunday, September 29, 2024
WCU Game #5 - Wofford Terriers
Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
The last game played vs. Wofford: November 4, 2023 - Catamounts Snap Skid with Road Win at Wofford - Cole Gonzales tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Calvin Jones and Censere Lee, and Richard McCollum connected on a pair of field goals including the game-winner midway through the fourth quarter as No. 20/16 Western Carolina snapped a two-game seasonal slide with a 28-25 road win over Wofford on Saturday afternoon in Southern Conference action at Gibbs Stadium.
Shawn Watson's record vs. WCU: 0 - 2
Offensive Formation: Pro spread offense
Defensive Formation: Multiple 3/4
Nine players from Wofford received the league's preseason all-conference first and second teams honors and the conference's nine head coaches selected Wofford to rank eighth in the preseason poll.
Shawn Watson is starting his second full season as head coach of the Terriers. The offensive line has Quincy Hughes, Anthony Garcia, and Briggs Kearse returning, with Luke Moise and Mason Howard filling in the other spots. The offense usually has three receivers, one tight end, and one running back on the field. Cam Smith, Kyle Watkins, and Isaiah Scott will be the starting receivers, Jordan Davis at tight end, and Ryan Ingram as the top rusher. Amari Odom won the quarterback competition, with Bryce Corriston and Pauly Seeley as backups.
The defense is sticking with a 3-4 base, with Brandon Maina and Anthonie Lattany leading the defensive line. David Powers, John Boyles, and Jalen Marshall are returning linebackers, with Nick Morgan joining as an outside linebacker. Amir Annoor and Isaiah Wadsworth are back at cornerback, and C.J. Coombes joins Maximus Pulley at safety.
Bridger Jones is the placekicker, with a good record on field goals and kickoffs. Sam Spence takes over as punter, and Tommy DiLiegro is back as the long snapper.
Wofford, ranked #23 in the nation, opens the season at 2-2 and 0-1 in the Southern Conference. The #12 ranked Mercer Bears are 5-0 and 2-0 in league play. The Terriers were unable to get the offense going, as they were held to 146 total yards. Amari Odom was 9-of-22 passing and Pauly Seeley V was 7-of-14 passing. The Bears were led by quarterback Hess Horne, who entered the game when starting quarterback D.J. Smith was injured in the first half. Horne was 10-of-17 passing for 100 yards.
Wofford had 146 total yards, with 130 receiving yards. Mercer had 287 total yards, with 157 of those passing yards. Wofford had eight first downs to 15 for the Bears. Wofford was 2-of-14 on third down and 0-of-1 on fourth down. Mercer was 5-of-14 on third down. Mercer was called for five penalties, while Wofford was called for seven. Mercer had a 33:47 to 26:13 time of possession advantage."
Yards per game: 83
Yards per rush: 2.9 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 20
TDs rushing: 4
Passing Offense: 853 yards or 83 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 6.4 yards
Passing 1st downs: 37
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 134-70-4
Total Offense: 1183 yards or 118 per game
4th Down Conversions: 4 of 8 (50%)
Field Goal: 5 of 6
On-side kicks: 0 - 0
Red Zone Scores: 10 of 12
Red Zone Touchdowns: 8 of 12
PAT: 6 of 6
Monday, September 23, 2024
2024 SoCon Football Power Rankings - (after week #4)
Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings. Here are this week's power rankings, after week #4. Last week's ranking are in parentheses.
1. (1) Mercer (4-0, 2-0 SoCon)
Next: at Wofford (2-1, 0-0 SoCon)
2. (5) ETSU (2-2, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: at The Citadel (2-2, 0-1 SoCon)
3. (2) Wofford (2-1, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: Mercer (4-0, 2-0 SoCon)
4. (4) Western Carolina (1-3, 0-0SoCon)
Next: Bye Week
5. (3) Chattanooga (0-3, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: Portland State (0-3)
6. (6) Furman (1-3, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: Samford (1-2, 0-0 SoCon )
7. (8) The Citadel (2-2, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: at Mercer (4-0, SoCon 2-0)
8. (7) Samford (1-2, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: at Furman (1-3, 0-0 SoCon)
9. (9) VMI (0-4, 0-0 SoCon)
Next: Bye Week
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Deandre Tamarez/Cole Gonzales/Jordy Lowery
Western Carolina's redshirt sophomore Deandre Tamarez had a career-best game with 229 receiving yards on eight catches and a touchdown. However, #24 Western Carolina football couldn't recover from 24 unanswered points, leading to a 46-35 victory for #9 Montana on Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula.
Tamarez's performance was the best by a Catamount since 2012, when Karnorris Benson had 212 yards in 2013 against Mars Hill. It's the third-highest receiving yards in a game by a WCU player, with only Jon Reed's 235 yards against Appalachian State in 1989 and Craig Aiken's 232 yards against The Citadel in 1992 being better.
Junior Cole Gonzales completed 26 out of 48 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns. The game marked Gonzales' third career game with over 300 passing yards for the Catamounts. He moved into third place on the all-time touchdown passing record with 41 touchdowns in his time with the Catamounts.
On defense, redshirt sophomore Jordy Lowery led the Cats with nine tackles and an interception. This game marked the fourth consecutive game where WCU had at least one interception, with Lowery grabbing his second interception of the season.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Game Preview: Western Carolina Catamounts at Montana Grizzlies
Date: Sept. 18, 2024
Location: Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT
Kickoff: 3 pm (EST)
As the college football season heats up, fans are gearing up for an exciting matchup as the Western Carolina Catamounts travel to Missoula to take on the Montana Grizzlies. Both teams are looking to make a statement early in the season, making this game a must-watch.
Western Carolina Catamounts
The Catamounts are coming off a strong start, showcasing a dynamic offense that has impressed fans and analysts alike. With a potent passing game led by their quarterback, they’ve shown the ability to stretch the field and exploit defensive weaknesses. The running game is also a key component, featuring a talented backfield that can grind out yards and control the clock.
Defensively, Western Carolina will need to tighten up, especially against a formidable opponent like Montana. They’ve had some ups and downs on that side of the ball, but their ability to create turnovers will be crucial in this matchup.
Montana Grizzlies
The Grizzlies, known for their rich football tradition, are always a tough opponent at home. With a passionate fan base behind them, Washington-Grizzly Stadium will be electric. Montana's offense has a balanced attack, combining a solid passing game with a bruising running style. Their quarterback has been effective in both decision-making and execution, making them a versatile threat.
Defensively, Montana prides itself on being physical and aggressive. They’ll look to apply pressure on the Catamounts’ quarterback and force mistakes, which could swing momentum in their favor.
Key Matchups
Quarterbacks: The battle between the quarterbacks will be pivotal. The ability of each signal-caller to read defenses and make quick decisions could determine the outcome.
Defensive Lines: Whichever team can establish dominance in the trenches will likely gain the upper hand. Both defenses will be looking to disrupt the opposing offense’s rhythm.
Special Teams: Special teams play can often be the deciding factor in close games. Look for big returns or key field goals to play a role in this matchup.
Prediction
With home-field advantage and a strong tradition of success, Montana enters this game as the favorite. However, Western Carolina’s explosive offense could make this a high-scoring affair. Expect a hard-fought battle as both teams vie for a crucial victory early in the season.
Don’t miss this clash of styles and talent as the Catamounts take on the Grizzlies in what promises to be an electrifying game!
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Game #4 - at #9 Montana Griz
The Griz completed the 2023 season with a 13-2 overall record and a Big Sky Championship, with a 9-0 record in the Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Montana is currently ranked #9 by STATS and #10 in the coaches poll.
Where: Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula Montana
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-Play-by-Play: Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson
Head Coach: Bobby Hauck became the 37th head football coach at the University of Montana on Nov. 30, 2017. He began his second tenure as the Grizzlies' head coach a day later on December 1, 2017. 2024 will be his 18th year as a college football head coach, his 13th overall year at Montana, and the sixth year of his second stint as Montana's head coach. In 2018 Hauck became the winningest coach in Montana history, surpassing the great Don Read with 86 wins in eight seasons..
The Grizzlies are set to field a formidable trio at the running back position. Eli Gillman, who won the Jerry Rice Award last year for his 968 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, is returning. Alongside him, veteran Nick Ostmo, who accumulated 1,398 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two years, is also on the roster. Against Morehead State, the Griz ran for 410 yards on the ground and totaled 576 yards of offense behind the rushing attack, going 5-for-12 on third down while picking up four conversions on fourth down. They averaged 6.9 yards per play while holding the Eagles to just 1.0 yards per play. It's the most total yards since going for 695 in the win over Cal Poly two years ago.
Yards per game: 245
Yards per rush: 6.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 44
TDs rushing: 11
Passing Offense: 560 yards or 169 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 24
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 85-53-1
TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 1243 yards or 414 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 3-1
3d Down Conversions: 11 of 34 (32%)
4th Down Conversions: 6 of 8 (75%)
Field goal-attempts: 5 of 7
PAT-Attempts: 11 of 13
Red Zone Scores: 12 of 15
Red Zone Touchdowns: 8 of 15
On-Side Kicks: 0 - 0
Punts-Yards: 10 - 437 - Avg. per gm 41
Monday, September 16, 2024
2024 SoCon Football Power Rankings - (after week #3)
Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings. Here are this week's power rankings, after week #3 Last week's ranking in parentheses.