2016 Football Preseason Preview: Wofford

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2016 football opponents. Today we look at the Wofford Terriers.

In the fifth game of the 2016 season, Wofford travels to Cullowhee for what will be the Cats second straight home game, and the third in Cullowhee this season.

In a series that started in 1952, The Cats and Terriers have played a total of 38 times, and the Cats are 10-9-0 againt the Terriers in games played in Cullowhee.









Wofford

When: Saturday, October 8 at 6:00 pm

Where: E. J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video:  SoCon Digital Network

The Series: The Cats are 14-24 overall against the Terriers. having  won the last two times the two teams played.

Head Coach:  Mike Ayers
Entering his 29th season, Mike Ayers is the dean of Southern Conference football coaches. Ayers has guided the Terriers from the NAIA and NCAA Division II ranks to Division I and the Southern Conference. Along the way, the team made appearances in the Division II Playoffs in 1990 and 1991, the Division I FCS Playoffs in 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012, and claimed Southern Conference titles in 2003, 2007, 2010, and 2012.


Last Year's Record:  5-6 overall,  (home 3-3,  road 2-3)  3-4 in the SoCon.  The Terriers lost to The Citadel, Western Carolina, Chattanooga, and Samford last season.

Last Season's Game vs. Wofford  (October 17th 2015)
Western Carolina Fends Off Wofford for Road Victory, 24-17  -  Troy Mitchell threw for 203 yards and two touchdowns and Western Carolina capitalized on five Wofford turnovers as the Catamounts held off the Terriers, 24-17, in Southern Conference action Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. After mounting fourth quarter rallies for the first two wins in the current three-game win streak, it was the Catamount defense which was called upon to stand tall in the final frame on Saturday.

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 8 / 3

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 9 / 2

Specialist - Returning/Lost: 3 / 0

Offensive Formation: Triple Option (Wingbone)

Defensive Formation: Multiple 50

2015 Wofford Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 3302 yards (300 per game average)
Yards per rush: 5.2 yards
TDs rushing: 33
Passing Offense: 860 yards (69 yards per game)
Yards per pass: 7.2
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 54-106-4
Total Offense: 4062 yards or 369 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 30-15
Penalties-Yards: 48 - 440 yards
3d Down Conversions: 59 of 151 or 39%
4th Down Conversions: 17 of 29 or 59%
Field Goals - Attempts: 10 of 13
Red-Zone Scores: 33 of 36
Red-Zone Touchdows: 29 of 36
On-side kicks:  2 - 2
Punts (No. Yards): 46 (1597 yds)
Avg, per punt: 35 yds

In 2015, the Terriers were 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the Southern Conference with wins against Mercer, VMI and Furman, and losses to The Citadel, Western Carolina, Chattanooga, and Samford. Their 5-6 record marked the second losing season in the past three years for the Terriers. Wofford used three different starting quarterbacks during the season. Brad Butler was 14-of-25 passing with 101 rushing yards in three starts, Brandon Goodson was 3-of-8 passing with 24 rushing yards in 3 starts, and Evan Jacks was 34-of-65 passing with 675 rushing yards, including five starts.

The Terriers lost 20 seniors from the 2015 team, but only 5 starters from that group. The Terriers lost wide receiver Will Irwin, running back Ray Smith and tight end Taylor Bragg on the offensive side of the ball, as well as, line backer Drake Michaelson & corner back Brion Anderson on defense.

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