The day we had waited for so patiently since last December finally arrived. A new season, a new beginning, an opportunity to impress, a record of 0-0. No losses, undefeated. That feeling before the start of the game was great. Like all new football seasons, full of optimism, full of hope, day dreams of a win over NC State.
But it was not to be. Not this year, once again, no win over a FBS opponent. Did you hear about Jacksonville State of the OVC? They won today. They beat Ole Miss, a Southeastern Conference member.
When does our time come?
Western Carolina Catamount Sports............All Catamount Sports............All the time.
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Recap
Good to see so many Western fans in purple and gold come out and represent lil ole Cullowhee on Saturday.
Obviously no Catamount really expected a win, but overall we did some good things and a lot of poor things.
The first drive of the game was likely a combination of catching the Wolfpack with their pants down, and pre-selected plays regardless of situation. The 4th down call and play was likely our best highlight of the evening. Jaynes rolls slightly right, and to throw that ball, left handed into the flat and a over the shoulder catch is very difficult. That one play ended up being the difference of being shutout and scoring the in game.
The next series ended up being a huge turn. NC State comes out, trying to run the ball, they fail, they punt. On that 4th down play, the punt was short and off towards the sideline, Alexander, had he caught likely would have scored on it, because there was one WCU blocker and one NC State defender on that entire side of the field. High risk, high reward play. Alexander unforuntately fumbled that catch, and NC State on the next play scored on a 20 yard pass. Which was the beginning of the end for the Cats.
There were a handful of plays were we significantly made mistakes through the game.
Our special teams need work. Kicking distance, hang time, punting, hang time, fighting off blocks, tackling, staying your lane, has to improve. If it doesn't get corrected it's going to shorten the field for every opponent we face, which puts a lot of pressure on the defense.
The defensive line while overmatched against NC State, they can't just give up. I saw some of that last Saturday. Maybe a bit of giving up, maybe just tired.
The secondary has to communicate. There were multiple times where NC State rubs led to wide receivers being uncovered due to our backs laying on the ground.
Linebackers just need to pursue the ball. They played pretty well, just need to continue to read and react.
The offense.
Jaynes is not under pressure from any other qb. He clearly never puts the team at risk, and plays smart.
Brindise while albeit playing with back-ups, could barely get them under out of the huddle and avoiding play clock disasters. Hard to figure those series out, on whether it was the qb fault or the coaches not giving him the play.
Running back corp led by Michael Johnson is going to be solid, if they can stay healthy.
Alexander, Everett, and Pittman, when he comes back, should give us three potential playermakers down the field.
Tusculum, a D2 opponent, has the advantage of already played two games, and gathered two wins.
Hopefully we'll see some impovement this weekend from the Cats.
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