Football - Wofford Terriers

On Saturday, October 11th, possibly the biggest game to be played in E.J. Whitmire Stadium this season will take place that day.

The Wofford Terriers travel up the mountain that day, to the valley, to meet the Western Carolina Catamounts. Why is this game so big, so important to both teams?

First of all, it's a conference game, a game between two teams that are currently tied for second place in the conference standing at 1-0, but it is also a game between two teams that may well be headed in opposite directions, if the outcome of last Saturday's games are any indication.

The Wofford Terriers are coming off an emotional win over arguably their biggest rival, the Citadel Bulldogs, a victory that preserved a 15 game win streak over the Bulldogs with a fourth-and-goal stop from the three yard line on the final play of the game. While the Catamounts are coming off a dreadful game against Presbyterian College, losing to the Blue Hose as a result of five (5) turnovers that included two pick-6 interceptions, ending the Cats hopes to earn a 4-1 record for the first time since 2001.

To make matters worse for the Catamounts, starting quarterback Troy Mitchell went down with an injury in the third quarter of the game, and did not return.  The extent of Mitchell's injuries and how long he may be out of action, will not be known until after an MRI.

So, this game will be big for both teams, a win will keep the victor in the hunt for the top spot in the conference standings, as well as solidify the perception of the winners rise in the power rankings to the top tier of the conference. Without Mitchell under center, will the Cats be able to rally around a new signal caller?

The win-loss record of both WCU and Woffard have many similarities up to this point in the season. Not only are both teams 1-0 in conference play, but both are 3-2 overall.  Both teams have one conference victory, as well as two wins over non-DI opponents, North Greenville & UVA Wise for Wofford, and Catawba & Brevard for WCU.  Both teams have one FBS loss and one FCS loss to a Big South opponent. However, while the Terriers are 3-0 at home, they are 0-2 in road games, with the loss to GT and Gardner-Webb coming in games played outside of Spartinburg.

The Series: The Catamounts trail Wofford 12-23 all-time in the series between the two schools. 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 the Terriers since they joined the SoCon. However, the series between the two is even in games played in Cullowhee - both squads with nine wins against nine losses.

When: October 11th, 2014 at 3:30 pm (EST)

Where: Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium

Radio:  Catamount Sports Network

TV:  ESPN3

Their coach: Mike Ayers - Ayers is now the dean of SoCon football coaches, entering 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

Last season's game vs. Wofford: Oct. 19, 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 Wofford survived WCU's upset bid, 21-17.

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

Wofford 2014 Statistics:
Scoring: 32.6 points per game (avg)
Rushing Offense: 307 yards per game
TDs rushing: 18
Passing Offense: 87.6 yards per game
TDs passing: 3
Total Offense: 395 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 8 -3
Penalties-Yards: 28 - 250 (50 per game)
On-side kicks: 0 - 0
3rd Down Conversions: 25 of 56 (44.6%)
4th Down Conversions: 8 of 13 (61.5%)
Field Goals - Attempts: 3 - 3
Red-Zone Scores: 13 of 15
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 12 of 15

Prediction:  WCU 21 - Wofford 14


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