2015 Western Carolina Catamount Football Yearbook

The 2015 Western Carolina Football Media Guide has been published.  It is available on-line and in pdf format.  The WCU Athletic Media Relations staff did another outstanding job in this publication.

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5 Days 'till Kickoff - #5 Terryon Robinson

It's now 5 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #5 is Terryon Robinson.

#5 Terryon Robinson

Class: Junior
Hometown: Decatur, Ga.
High School: Decatur HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 190
Position: WR




2014 (Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team's 12 games with nine starts at wide receiver … Paced the team with 56 receptions for a team-high 643 receiving yards … Led the Southern Conference with a 5.1 reception per game average and was fourth in the SoCon in receiving yards per game (58.5 yds/gm) … Recorded double-digit receptions three times including a career-high 15 in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30), matching a school-record for receptions in a single-game (Eric Rasheed, 15 vs. UTC in 1984) … Threw a touchdown pass on a trick play at Mercer (Oct. 18), connecting with Karnorris Benson on a 39-yard strike … Finished with three, 100-plus yard receiving games … Caught 10 passes for a career-high 183 receiving yards against The Citadel (Oct. 25) … Returned one punt and had one kick return … Recorded a pair of tackles at Samford (Nov. 8) … Named second team All-Southern Conference by the voting media … Playing for the Gold squad, caught eight passes for 40 yards while rushing twice for 30 yards in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2013 (Freshman): Saw action in all 12 games on the season making 11 starts at wide receiver ... Made his collegiate debut by starting the season-opener at Middle Tennessee State ... Finished second on the team with 41 catches for 562 yards and two touchdowns ... Tallied catches in 11 of his 12 games on the season, shutout at ACC-foe, Virginia Tech ... Added five punt returns for 17 yards for a combined 579 yards of total offense ... Recorded his first career reception and first collegiate touchdown on the same play - a 35-yard second quarter scoring strike from Troy Mitchell at MTSU ... Ranked ninth in the Southern Conference in receiving yards per game (46.8 yds/gm) - a mark that was third among all league freshmen ... Finished 10th in the SoCon in receptions per game (3.4) ... Led the team in receiving five times including the final three games of the year ... Tallied a career-best 91 receiving yards and a second touchdown at Chattanooga ... Posted his career-high for catches with six against Furman ... Credited with two solo tackles.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity team member at Decatur High ... Finished with 94 catches for 1,660 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns ... Averaged 17.7 yards per reception during his career ... Despite nursing a sprained ankle most of his senior season, finished with 44 receptions for 480 yards and five touchdowns ... Also had two TDs on punt returns and seven interceptions as a cornerback ... Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's All-Region 6-AAA squad ... Played in the DeKalb County Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Lionel & Anita Robinson ... Has two brothers, Dominicus and Michael, and a sister, Andrea.

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This week's Purple & Gold football picks (9-3-15)

It's week #1 coming up in the SoCon.  Everyone is undefeated (except NDSU) at this point, and looking to kick off the new season with a victory.

Purple & Gold wishes all the SoCon teams success in their out of conference games.

If the Southern Conference is to regain it's position as the premier FCS football conference, this week's out of conference games are critical to that climb back to respectability.

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015

VMI (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Ball State (0-0, 0-0 Home) 7:00 pm ET
The Keydets travel to Muncie, Ind. to meet the Cardinals of Ball State from the Mid-America Conference.  While looking to turn around the fortunes of VMI football, new head coach Scott Wachenheim won't get his first win this week, as the Cardinals roll, 35-10

Central Arkansas (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Samford (0-0, 0-0 Home) 7:00 pm ET
The University of Central Arkansas Bears of the Southland Conference make the trip to Birmingham hoping to pick up a season opening win for second year head coach Steve Campbell. The Bulldogs protect the home turf, in a close 21-17 battle.

Bonus
Kennesaw State (0-0, 0-0 Away) at East Tennessee State (0-0, 0-0 Home) 7:30 pm ET
Two new start up programs, one playing as an independent this season, the other plays a full Big South Conference schedule.  Given the fact that KSU must be ready to play a full conference slate this season, their preparation may just be a little more intense than that of ETSU which plays their first conference game next year.  I'll give the Owls an edge over the Bucs, and a win 24-17.


Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015

Wofford (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Clemson (0-0, 0-0 Home)  12:30 pm ET
The Terriers travel to in-state rival Clemson hoping to keep the final score close.  However, the Tigers have other plans, and will romp to a 49-10 win.

Mercer (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Austin Peay (0-0, 0-0 Home) 5:00 pm ET
The Bears open their second season in the SoCon with a trip to Clarksville to meet the Austin Peay Governors of the Ohio Valley Conference.  Unfortunately for the SoCon's out-of-conference RPI hopes, the Bears disappoint their fans (and the SoCon) with a 28-24 loss to the Governors.

Jacksonville State (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Chattanooga (0-0, 0-0 Home)  6:00 pm ET
In this week's SoCon-OVC showdown, the #8 Mocs host the #9 Gamecocks of Jacksonville State out of the Ohio Valley Conference.  JSU's head coach John Grass, hopes to duplicate last season's win over the Mocs, however, unlike Mercer, the Mocs hold on to pull out a 35-31 home victory over the Gamecocks.

Davidson (0-0, 0-0 Away) at The Citadel (0-0, 0-0 Home)  6:00 pm ET
The Bulldogs open the 2015 season on a high note, with  a  runaway romp in over the hapless Wildcats in Charleston.  Davidson picked up one win last season, but don't expect any wins this year, as the College of Faith - Charlotte can not be found any place on their 2015 schedule. Dogs win big, 49-0.

Mars Hill (0-0) at Western Carolina (0-0, 0-0 Home)  7:00 pm ET
The Catamounts open season four under Head Coach Mark Speir with the expected win against the Division II, Mars Hill Lions, 42-3.

Coastal Carolina (0-0, 0-0 Away) at Furman (0-0, 0-0 Home)  7:00 pm ET
While the hopes are high in Greenville that the Paladins will surge this season with an intact roster, it just won't happen the first weekend of the season.  Unfortunately, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are just too strong for the Paladins to contain at home. The Sun Belt bound Chants pull out a 35-10 victory in Paladin Stadium.

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6 Days 'till Kickoff - #6 C.J. Goodman Jr.

It's now 6 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #6 is C.J. Goodman Jr.

#6 C.J. Goodman Jr.

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Mableton, Ga.
High School: Pebblebrook HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 190
Position: RB/WR




2014 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team's 12 games, missing The Citadel game after sustaining an injury at Mercer ... Was WCU's primary punt returner, returning 10 kicks for 110 yards ... Returned a career-high four punts for 58 yards at Furman (Sept. 27) including a career-long return of 29 yards ... Returned three punts against VMI (Nov. 15) ... Caught a pair of passes on offense ... Finished with 129 all-purpose yards ... Converted back to running back during 2015 spring drills ... Playing for the Purple squad, rushed once for 10 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game

2013 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 games making three starts at wide receiver including his first career start in the season-opener at Middle Tennessee State ... Caught 16 passes for 182 yards, making his first career reception at MTSU ... Posted a career-high five catches in the season-finale against Appalachian State with a career-best 46 yards receiving against Furman ... Returned three kickoffs for a combined 51 yards with a long of 17 accomplished twice ... Credited with one tackle assist on the season.

2012 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Selected to the Cobb Senior Bowl as a senior ... Listed as a "dual threat quarterback" ... As a junior, threw for over 1,340 yards and 10 touchdowns, adding over 430 yards rushing and four scores ... Also ran track & field as a prep, competing in the high jump and sprint events ... Joined by high school teammate, Sertonuse Harris, to sign at WCU in 2012.

Personal: Full name is Curtis Bernard Goodman Jr., but goes by C.J. ... Is the son of Curtis Goodman Sr., and Monica Brown ... Has three siblings - Brent Brown, Jarrett Brown and Jordan Brown.

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7 Days 'till Kickoff - Brad Swan Jr

It's now 7 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #7 is not assigned.  We will highlight Brad Swan Jr

Brad Swan Jr

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Dallas, Ga.
High School: North Paulding HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 185
Position: WR


Prior to Western Carolina: Hauled in 61 catches for 915 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... Had over 100 yards receiving in the Georgia Northwest Senior Bowl ... High school coach was Scott Jones.

Personal: Is the son of Brad Swan, Sr. and Shenika ... Has two brothers, Benjamin and C.J.

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Cats to play South Carolina in 2016

Continuing their recent habit of scheduling two FBS games per season, the Catamounts will play at the University of South Carolina in the 2016 football seasons, along with their previously announced trip to Greenville, NC to meet the Pirates of East Carolina.

The game is scheduled for November 19, 2016 in Columbia, SC. Western Carolina and South Carolina have met four times previously on the football gridiron and the Catamounts trail in the series, 0-4.

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Catamount Volleyball Classic

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8 Days 'till Kickoff - #8 Spearman Robinson

It's now 8 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #8 is assigned to Spearman Robinson

#8 Spearman Robinson

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Greenwood, S.C.
High School: Greenwood HS
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 215
Position: WR




2014 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 12 of the team’s games with 11 starts at wide receiver … Ranked second on the WCU squad with 45 catches for 571 yards, averaging 47.6 receiving yards per game to rank ninth in the SoCon … His 3.8 receptions per game ranked him ranked seventh in the league … Recorded at least one catch in all 12 games including a season-high eight in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30) … Posted two, 100-yard receiving games including a season-high 120 yards at Furman (Sept. 27) and 108 yards at Mercer (Oct. 18) … Paced the squad with 11 receiving touchdowns and 66 points, eighth in the SoCon … Was a two-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Week, collecting honors after a five catch, 120-yard, two TD performance at Furman and again after catching seven passes including a career-high three TDs at Mercer … Named first team All-Southern Conference by both the league’s head coaches and media … Playing for the Gold squad, caught four passes for 91 yards and a touchdown in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2013 (Sophomore): Did not participate in football in the fall, rejoining the team for spring drills.

2012 (Freshman): Played in nine of WCU's 11 games including six starts at wide receiver, missing the final two games of the regular season ... Was second on the team with 39 receptions and 376 yards including a long of 47 yards with one touchdown reception ... Ranked fifth in the SoCon with a 4.3 receptions per game average while his 41.8 receiving yards per game ranked eighth ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Mars Hill, catching five passes for 16 yards ... In his first career start at ninth-ranked Wofford, caught a career-high nine passes for 91 yards ... Matched his career-best with nine catches for a career-high 139 yards at Elon, hauling in his first receiving TD on a 47-yard scoring strike from classmate Troy Mitchell.

Prior to Western Carolina: In three seasons on the varsity squad, hauled in 104 passes for 2,111 yards and 15 touchdowns at Greenwood High including 1,042 yards and 12 scores as a senior ... Was selected as a senior team captain ... Guided the squad to back-to-back state championship finals appearances, garnering All-Lakelands and all-region plaudits as a senior ... Was chosen to play in the North-South Shrine Bowl ... Helped the school record the most wins over a two-year period in school history (26-4) ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Kenneth Spearman Robinson, but goes by Spearman ... Is the son of Ken and Barbara Robinson ... His uncle played football at Western Carolina.

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Position Previews: Special Teams

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9 Days 'till Kickoff - #9 Wes Holcombe

It's now 9 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #9 is assigned to Wes Holcombe

#9 Wes Holcombe

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Rabun Gap, Ga.
High School: Rabun County HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 185
Position: QB



2014 (Freshman): Saw action in three games at quarterback, each in a reserve role ... Finished 1-for-3 for 12 yards ... Made his collegiate debut late in the game at Presbyterian (Oct. 4) ... Tossed an interception on his first pass attempt at PC ... Completed his first pass for a 12-yard gain against Chattanooga (Nov. 1) ... Credited with two rush attempts against Chattanooga ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll ... Playing for the Gold squad, connected on 14-of-29 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown in WCU's annual Spring Game

Prior to Western Carolina: Passed for over 3,500 yards in his final two seasons of high school including over 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior ... Was an offensive honorable mention at QB on the 8-AA All-Region team ... In addition to quarterback, also played in the defensive secondary as a prep, moving to the position primarily as a senior after a thumb injury ... Played for former Catamount Lee Shaw at Rabun County HS.

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Position Previews: Tight Ends (video)

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10 Days 'till Kickoff - #10 Troy Mitchell

It's now 10 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #10 is assigned to Troy Mitchell

#10 Troy Mitchell

Class: Senior
Hometown: Houston, Texas
High School: Cypress Falls (Texas) HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 195
Position: QB





2014 (Junior): Started at quarterback in all 12 seasonal games ... Completed 231-of-352 (65.6%) passes for 2,541 yards and 20 passing touchdowns ... Was intercepted nine times ... Ranked second in the SoCon with a 211.8 passing yards per game average ... Was second on the squad with 555 rushing yards on 127 carries, scoring six touchdowns ... Named second team All-Southern Conference by both the coaches and media ... Set the WCU single-season record for total offense in a season, amassing 3,096 yards to surpass the previous benchmark of 2,984 set by David Rivers in 2000 ... Ranked second in the SoCon with an average of 258.0 total offense yardage per game ... Earned Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week plaudits and weekly honors from College Sports Madness after tallying career-highs with 374 yards passing on 46-of-66 passing at USF (Aug. 30) ... Matched a career-high by rushing for a season-best 131 yards on 15 carries against The Citadel (Oct. 25) ... Collected a second Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor after the win over VMI (Nov. 15), amassing 448 yards of total offense and throwing five touchdown passes ... Playing for the Purple squad, completed 12-of-22 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown while unofficially rushing 10 times for 36 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2013 (Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team's 12 games making nine starts in the offensive backfield ... Finished with a team-high 1,614 yards passing, completing 131-of-227 (57.7%) of his passes on the year with 12 touchdown passes against 10 interceptions ... Rushed 133 times for 565 yards, ranking second on the team in total rushing yards and average per game (51.4 yds/gm) ... Ranked fifth in the Southern Conference in both passing (146.7 yds/gm) and total offense (198.1 yds/gm) ... Additionally ranked fourth in the league in passer efficiency (126.1) ... Opened the season with touchdown passes in each of the first three games ... Threw for a then career-best 350 yards and a then career-high three touchdown passes in the come-from-behind victory over Mars Hill, matching a career-best with 20 completions ... Tallied a then career-best 414 yards of total offense against the Lions ... Rushed for a season-high 106 yards against The Citadel - his two, 100-yard rushing games have both come against the Bulldogs ... Credited with a solo tackle ... Completed 15 of his 26 pass attempts for 156 yards and two TDs, carrying the ball nine times for 29 yards on the ground in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2012 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 of the team's games, making five starts at quarterback ... Became the third true freshman quarterback to start at WCU since 1991, joining Chad Greene (1991) and Brandon Pechloff (2010) ... Named to the 2012 Southern Conference All-Freshman team ... Rushed 112 times for 433 yards, second on the squad ... Led the team with eight rushing touchdowns, the most by a Catamount QB, surpassing Josh Brook's five rushing scores in 1996 (research back to 1967) ... Finished the season with a team-leading 50 points, adding a two-point conversion rush ... Completed 85-of-142 pass attempts for 862 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions ... Led WCU in total offense, amassing 1,295 yards - a mark which ranked him eighth in the SoCon ... Tossed his first career touchdown pass to Jacoby Mitchell at Elon, coming on his 66th career pass attempt ... Twice named SoCon Freshman of the Week ... Picked up his first honor after completing 20-of-29 passing (both career highs) for 149 yards and rushing for 38 yards and a pair of scores in the season-opener against Mars Hill ... Was the fourth WCU freshman or redshirt freshman QB to earn SoCon honors after first career start (Adam Hearns, 2007; Zack Jaynes, 2008; Brandon Pechloff, 2010) ... Again earned SoCon and SouthernPigskin.com Freshman of the Week honors after guiding WCU's second-half comeback at Elon with 175 yards passing and two touchdown passes ... Threw for a then career-best 176 yards on 18-of-30 passing against Chattanooga.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year starter who threw for over 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns as a senior at Cypress Falls High in Houston, Texas ... Earned Texas 5-A All-District 17 honors following his senior season ... Dual-threat QB who tossed seven touchdown passes in a single-game against Elsik in bi-district playoff meeting in Nov. 2011 ... Earned the Marine Corps Elite Warrior of the Week honor following a 331-yard, six TD performance against Jersey Village ... Was named second team all-district as a junior.

Personal: Full name is Troy Lavaughn Mitchell ... Is the son of Troy and Shanita Mitchell ... Has two siblings, Raybon and Zurie ... Was born in Mobile, Ala., before moving to Texas.

Career Notes: Enters his senior season having amassed 6,565 yards of total offense and is just 267 yards behind WCU's all-time career leader, Lonnie Galloway (1990-93) who finished with 6,832 yards of total offense ... Is also closing in on WCU's passing records, entering the season just 1,143 passing yards and seven passing TDs shy of WCU's all-time leader in both categories, Mike Pusey (1977-79) ... Mitchell already holds WCU's scoring record for the most career touchdown responsibilities with 52 -- 36 career TD passes and 16 career rushing scores.



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Position Previews: Quarterbacks (video)

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11 Days 'till Kickoff - #11 Jordan Mathis

It's now 11 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #11 is assigned to Jordan Mathis


#11 Jordan Mathis

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Marietta, Ga.
High School: Marietta HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 200
Position: WR\



2014 (Freshman): Redshirted ... A two-sport student-athlete, saw action in five games for the Catamount baseball team ... Went 0-for-2 with one run scored and a stolen base as a pinch runner ... Playing for the Gold squad, caught three passes for 18 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner who earned honorable mention all-conference accolades twice before garnering second team honors as a senior... Recorded 42 receptions for 662 yards and eight touchdowns for the Blue Devils, who finished 8-3 and earned a state playoff trip ... Added 74 rushing yards and a TD on the ground ... a two-sport standout including football and baseball ... As a senior, broke the school record for most career touchdowns with 23 ... Is expected to walk-on the Catamount baseball team as a sophomore ... Earned the Jackie Smallwood Award for baseball ... High school coach was Scott Burton.

Personal: Full name is Jordan Elliott Mathis ... Is the son of Mark and Melanie Mathis ... Has two younger siblings, Sydney and Christian ... Father played collegiate football at Liberty University before a six-year career in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Dolphins.



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12 Days 'till Kickoff - #12 Tyrie Adams

It's now 12 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J. Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #12 is assigned to Tyrie Adams


#12 Tyrie Adams

Class: Freshman
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Fla.
High School: Dixie M. Hollins HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 175
Position: QB




Prior to Western Carolina: Three-sport standout in high school, recruited as a football quarterback and in the high jump in track & field while also playing basketball ... Named to the Tampa Tribune's All-Pinellas County football second team as an athlete ... As a senior, threw for 2,802 yards and 30 touchdowns including a career-high -- and county record -- 598 yards and six TDs on 36-of-55 passing against Tarpon Springs, adding 109 rushing yards and another score ... Recorded 505 passing yards in a game as a senior while earning BHSN Athlete of the Week honors after throwing for 448 yards and four TDs in a win over Seminole HS ... Was a third-team Class 6-A All-State Elite team selection in 2013 ... Was named first team All-Tampa in track & field in the high jump after finishing third at Class 3-A state meet ... Had the area's top height at 6-10 during season.



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Football Position Previews: Defensive Backs

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13 Days 'till Kickoff - #13 Hassan Belton

It's now 13 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J.Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #13 is assigned to Hassan Belton

#13 Hassan Belton

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
High School: Blythewood HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 215
Position: LB




Prior to Western Carolina: In three seasons, amassed 279 tackles including 210 solo stops ... Was a two-time all-state and all-region selection ... Only played in seven games as a senior, but recorded 115 tackles including 15 for loss and seven sacks ... Forced four fumbles and had an interception as a senior ... Posted 156 tackles including 13 TFLs with 11 sacks as a junior ... Set a school record with 24 tackles in a single game ... Was named the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the 2014 Shrine Bowl for the South Carolina squad, recording 14 tackle including two TFLs and recovering a fumble ... Was his team's MVP on the junior varsity squad as a freshman ... Attended and excelled in numerous camps in 2014 including the Adidas Georgia Showcase, Nike SPARQ, VTO Elite 100 and Rivals Charlotte Invitational, finishing as the top performer at each camp ... Listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and a two-star recruit from 247Sports.com ... High school coach was Dan Morgan.

Personal: Is the son of Patrick and Monica Belton ... Father played collegiate football as a running back at South Carolina State ... He is the youngest of three brothers: P. Andre and Matrick, who plays football at South Carolina ... Was born in Jacksonville, Fla.


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Football Final Scrimmage Highlights (8-22-15)

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14 Days 'till Kickoff - #14 Karnorris Benson & Garrett Young

It's now 14 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J.Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #14 is assigned to two players:  Karnorris Benson & Garrett Young

#14  Karnorris Benson

Class: RS Senior
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School: Therrell HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 205
Position: WR




2014 (Redshirt Junior): Played in 10 of the team's 12 seasonal games, making nine appearances among the starting lineup ... Missed the first two games of the year stemming from a suspension from the NCAA ... Finished third on the team with 40 catches for 519 yards, averaging 51.9 receiving yards per game ... Tallied three-or-more catches seven times including nine at Alabama (Nov. 22) ... Was second on the squad with five receiving touchdowns including a career-high four in a home win over VMI (Nov. 15) ... Scored 32 points on the year ... Tallied a pair of 100-yard receiving games with a season-high 127 yards vs. VMI and 118 at Alabama ... Just missed the century mark with 91 receiving years on seven catches at Samford (Nov. 8) ... Returned three kickoffs for 63 yards with a long return of 26 yards ... Added three tackles on special teams and also recovered a fumble against Presbyterian (Oct. 4) ... Named to the College Football Performance (CFPA) Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Wide Receiver Award Watch List for 2014 ... Playing for the Purple squad, caught two passes for 19 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2013 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 12 games at wide receiver ... Hauled in a team-leading 51 receptions for a career-high 834 yards ... Matched WCU's 30-year old school single-season record for receiving touchdowns in a season set by Eric Rasheed back in 1983 with 12... Named second team All-Southern Conference by both the league's head coaches and voting media ... Earned first team All-SoCon accolades as selected by College Sports Madness ... Finished the season ranked second in the league with a 69.5 yards per game average and fifth with 4.2 receptions per game ... the top scoring wide receiver in the SoCon, ranked fourth in the SoCon in scoring (touchdowns) averaging 6.0 points per game ... His 72 points scored were tied for the fourth-most by an individual in the SoCon in the fall, and were the most by a Catamount individual since 2001 when Fred Boateng finished with 74 points, adding a two-point conversion to his 12 rushing TDs. ... Recorded 100-or-more yards in four games on the year including 113 at Middle Tennessee State; 116 against nationally-ranked Wofford; 129 in the home win over Elon; and the top receiving performance of any wide out in the SoCon this season with his career-high 212 yards in WCU's home win over Mars Hill ... Was a two-time College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) honorable mention - career-high 212 receiving yards on nine catches including three TDs in the home win over Mars Hill on Sept. 23 and in the home win over Elon after two scoring receptions of 80 and six yards ... Became just the fifth WCU receiver to eclipse the 200-yard receiving plateau with the 212 yards ranking third on the school's all-time single-game receiving records.

2012 (Redshirt Freshman): Started four of the nine games in which he saw action ... Finished fourth on the team with 19 receptions while his 349 receiving yards were the third-most on the squad ... Tallied receptions in eight of the nine games he appeared ... Recorded a career-high 83 yards receiving at nationally-ranked Wofford ... Pulled down a career-best four catches at Furman, finishing with 75 yards ... Hauled in his first career touchdown pass against Chattanooga on a 42-yard score that gave WCU a 24-16 halftime lead over the Mocs ... Tallied a team-high seven receptions for 90 yards and three touchdowns in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2011 (Freshman): Originally signed with Western Carolina in the 2010 incoming class but did not qualify, sitting out his freshman season ... Later granted a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: As a two-way player, amassed over 1,400 yards receiving with 16 touchdowns on offense and recorded 142 career tackles in two varsity seasons at Therrell HS ... Set a city record with nine interceptions his senior season, finishing with 16 career INTs ... Tabbed All-Area by the Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) ... Named Defensive Player of the Year as a junior... Also rushed 17 times for 200 yards and a pair of scores along with completing four passes for 30 yards and a score ... Earned first team All-State as a wide receiver during his final prep season.

Personal: Full name is Karnorris Bernard Benson... Is the son of Lula Kemp.

Career Notes: Including his record-tying dozen receiving TDs in 2013 and five in 2014, enters his final year with 18 career touchdown receptions, tied for fifth with Jerry Gaines (18, 1970-74) in the school's all-time record books ... Benson is just eight receiving TDs shy of Gerald Harp's school-record of 26 set between 1977-80.

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#16 Garrett Young

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Denver, N.C.
High School: East Lincoln HS
Last College: Mars Hill
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 195
Position: QB





Prior to Western Carolina: Originally signed with Mars Hill out of high school ... Transferred to WCU prior to spring drills, 2015 ...

High School: Led East Lincoln to the first undefeated season in school history and a 2A state championship ... Threw for 3,751 yards and 47 touchdowns on 226 completions with only seven interceptions during the 2012 campaign despite missing several weeks of the season with a knee injury ... Threw a 79-yard TD game-winning TD pass as a part of 146 yards through the air in the North Carolina East-West All-Star game.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Football Position Previews: Defensive Backs

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Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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15 Days 'till Kickoff - #15 Michael Helms Jr.

It's now 15 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J.Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #15 is Michael Helms Jr.

#15 Michael Helms Jr.


Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Morganton, N.C.
High School: Freedom HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 235
Position: TE




2014 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 12 games with four starts at tight end, each coming at home … Caught six passes for 80 yards including a season-long 28-yard reception against Wofford (Oct. 11) … Tallied a season-high two receptions in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30) … Also credited with three tackles … Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll … Sat out during most of 2015 spring drills.

2013 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in 11 of the team's 12 games, missing the season finale at Appalachian State ... Made six starts at tight end ... Hauled in 10 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown ... Caught a career-best two passes in three different games ... Recorded his first career reception on a 15-yard completion against FBS-foe, Virginia Tech ... Tallied a pair of receptions for a career-best 79 receiving yards at Samford, posting a career-long catch of 65 yards - the second-longest reception by a Catamount on the year ... Caught an eight-yard touchdown pass in the home overtime win over Elon for his first collegiate score ... Was also credited with two tackles ... Named to the SoCon All-Freshman team.

2012 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt ... Converted from quarterback to wide receiver early in the 2012 season ... Made the move to tight end during spring drills ... Enrolled at Western Carolina for the spring semester in January, 2012 and participated in 2012 spring drills with the Catamount football team ... In the annual spring game, completed all three pass attempts for 13 yards while rushing for 27 on the ground.

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-time Burke County Player of the Year and a three-time All-South Mountain Athletic Conference selection ... Garnered the league's offensive player of the year plaudits as a junior after throwing for a school-record 2,652 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 361 rushing yards and eight rushing TDs ... For his three-year varsity career, threw for 6,227 yards and 77 touchdowns, adding 1,008 yards rushing and 20 scores on the ground ... Set and matched a school-record with 30 passing touchdowns as both a junior and senior, collecting five passing touchdowns in four different games ... Selected to play in the North-South Shrine Bowl ... Also ran track and played golf as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Mike Sr. and Barbara Helms ... His father, Mike, is a former football standout at Lenior-Rhyne and the head football coach at Freedom High while his mother played collegiate basketball at Wake Forest and currently coaches girls basketball at Hickory High ... Has a younger brother, Brandon.




Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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16 Days 'till Kickoff - #16 Bobby Gibbs & Skyler Matheson

It's now 16 days until kickoff of Catamount football against the Mars Hill University Lions in E.J.Whitmire Stadium on September 5th in Cullowhee.

To help pass those long summer days until football season officially starts, and to hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100 day football countdown each day until kickoff day arrives.

Utilizing the 2015 Preseason Football Roster, #16 is assigned to two players:  Bobby Gibbs & Skyler Matheson

#16 Bobby Gibbs

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Randleman, N.C.
High School: Randleman HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 195
Position: DB




2014 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year defensive starter for Randleman HS and a two-time All-Pac-6 Conference player ... Recorded three interceptions, had eight pass breakups, and made 35 total tackles as a senior ... Also scored three returns for touchdowns ... Averaged 23 yards on punt returns and 39 yard on kickoff returns, scoring on three returns for TDs .... Also contributed on the offensive side as a wide receiver and kick returner ... During his senior season, tallied 212 rushing yards on 20 carries with a touchdown, adding 161 receiving yards on 10 receptions with three scores.

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#16 Skyler Matheson

Class: Incoming Freshman
Hometown: Robbinsville, N.C.
High School: Robbinsville HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 200
Position: QB

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the WCU football team as a preferred walk-on ... Named All-Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference selection ... Threw for 93 yards, ran for 34 yards and a TD and made a team-high 12 tackles in the NCHSAA 1-A championship game earning game MVP honors ... Passed for 1,093 yards and eight touchdowns with 1,694 rushing yards and 22 TDs on th ground ... Led RHS with 181 tackles including 133 solo stops with 18 TFLs, five fumble recoveries and two interceptions ... Selected to the East-West All-Star game ... Also played basketball at Robbinsville High.

Personal: Is the son of David Matheson.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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