Game #10: The Citadel

For the tenth game of the season, the Cats travel to Charleston to meet the Bulldogs of The Citadel.

Western faces the Bulldogs for the forty-second time since 1972.

When: Saturday, November 4 at 2:00 pm
Where: Johnson Hagood Stadium (natural grass), Charleston, SC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
- Talent: Gary Ayers (pxp), Daniel Hooker (color), Jeff Bryson, Greg McLamb (sideline)
TV / video: ESPN3
Fan Message Board:  The Citadel Message Board
Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -   Citadel    -   SoCon Weekly Update

Head Coach: Brent Thompson (Norwich, ‘98)
Record at The Citadel: 10-2 (1 yr)
Career Record: Same
Basic Offense: Triple Option
Basic Defense: Multiple
Lettermen Returning / Lost: 37 / 21
Starters Returning / Lost (O/D/S):  9 (3/6/0) / 15 (8/5/2)
Series History: WCU trails 16-24-1 (L-2); Last Mtg 2016 - Western trails The Citadel 16-24-1 overall in the series, losing the last two games to the Bulldogs. The Cats are 6-13 in games played in Charleston and Coach Speir is 1-4 against the Citadel.

Last Season's Game vs. The Citadel (Oct. 1, 2016) - Western Carolina Falls 37-14 to The Citadel - Cullowhee, NC - The Bulldog's Reggie Williams ran for 133 yards on 17 carries, Rod Johnson had three rushing touchdowns, and The Citadel cruised to a 37-14 win over Western Carolina on Saturday. Johnson finished with 69 yards on just six carries. Cam Jackson added 85 yards on the ground and also threw a 75-yard touchdown pass on a trick-play to running back Tyler Renew. Renew also had 77 yards on the ground for the Bulldogs (4-0, 3-0 Southern Conference), who ran 84 times for 513 yards as a team.

Last season's Record (The Citadel): 10-2 overall, 4-1 home, 6-1 away, 8-0 SoCon

Ganes played by the Bulldogs this season prior to the WCU game: (8) - Record 5-3 overall, 3-3 conference, 2-2 home, 3-1 away
- Newberry (home) Dogs beat Div II Newberry, 31-14
- PC (away) Dogs travel to PC, pick up a 48-7 victory
- ETSU (away)  Dog travel to Johnson City, nip the Bucs, 31-25
- Samford (away) Citadel dogs thrashed by Birmingham dogs, 14-35
- Mercer (home) Bears beat the dogs in Charleston, 14-24
- Wofford (home)  Terriers sneak by the Bulldogs, 16-20
- Chattanooga (away) Mocs fall to the Bulldogs 20-14 in Chattanooga
- VMI (home) Keydets drop  rivalry game, 21-3 to the Bulldogs

The Bulldogs were ranked 12 in the FCS Coaches Preseason Top 25 poll, and placed six players on the preseason All-SoCon teams, led by the preseason Defensive Player of the Year Kailik Williams.  He was joined by senior A-Back Cam Jackson and junior offensive lineman Tyler Davis on the first team. Senior linebacker Myles Pierce, senior defensive lineman Jonathan King and junior defensive lineman Ken Allen were voted to the second team.

However the season has not lived up to expectations, as the dogs dropped out of national rankings after losses to Samford, Mercer and Wofford.  The Bulldogs have rebounded somewhat with wins over the two last place teams in the SoCon, Chattanooga and VMI.  But the Bulldgs are expecting to extend that 2 game win streak to 3, with a rushing offense that continues to lead the conference, putting up 322 yards per game on the ground. The Cats are currently in 6th place in rushing defense in the conference.

2017 The Citadel Statistics through 8 games:
Rushing Offense: 2573 yards
Yards per game: 322
Yards per rush: 5.3 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 133
TDs rushing: 20
Passing Offense: 705 yards or 88 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 6.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 26
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 41-104-3
TDs Passing: 6
Total Offense: 3278 yards or 410 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 16 -5
3d Down Conversions: 57 of 126
4th Down Conversions: 6 of 16
Field goal attempts: 4 - 12
PAT-Attempts: 25 of 26 (98%)
On-side kicks: 1-1
Red Zone Scores: 21 of 34 (62%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 19 of 34 (56%)
Punts - Yards: 36 - 13 - 96
Avg per punt: 39




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Coaclh Speir's Furman post game comments

This week's Purple & Gold football picks (10-28-17)

It's week #9 in the SoCon, and time to pick Saturday's games.

All four games are set for Saturday, and all four are conference games. Mercer has a bye week.





Wofford  (6-1, 4-1 SoCon) at ETSU (3-4, 1-3 SoCon)   1:00 noon - watch on ESPN3
The Terriers travel to Johnson City to take on the Bucs in what will be another close game. This week, Wofford gets back on the winning side with a 28-21 win over ETSU


VMI (0-8, 05 SoCon) at The Citadel (4-3, 2-3 SoCon)  2:00 pm EDT - watch on ESPN3
The Keydets travel to Charleston to meet the Bulldogs of the Citadel in the Military Classic of the South. Unfortunately for VMI, the dogs will own this game, as they pull out a 21-14 win, and they get to keep that silver "thingamajig" (band cap).


Chattanooga (0-7, 1-4 SoCon) at Samford (5-2, 3-1 SoCon)  3:00 pm EDT - watch on ESPN3
While the Mocs have made some adjustments and improvement, its just too big a battle this week against the Bulldogs. Samford rolls this week with a 35-21 win.


Furman (5-3, 4-1 SoCon) at Western Carolina (6-2, 4-1 SoCon)    3:30 pm EDT - watch on ESPN3
Furman travels up the mountain to play the Cats in what is the SoCon Game of the Week.  The two hottest teams in the SoCon battle to remain in 1st place and for Purple Supremacy. The Cats make it win #7, with a 35-28 win over the Paladins.

Record this season:
37-8 overall








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2017 "Battle for Purple Supremacy" - WCU vs. Furman Hype

WCU 2-Deep vs. Furman

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations                 

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Catamount Football Weekly: Furman

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations                               

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The Cats

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2017 SoCon Football Power Rankings - (Week #8)

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2017 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Tuesday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.






Here's this week's P&G rankings after week #8 of play, last week's rank in parentheses.



1. (2) (tie)  Western Carolina (6-2, 4-1 SoCon)
Next: Furman

1. (3) (tie)  Samford (5-2, 3-1 SoCon)
Next: Chattanooga

3. (1) Wofford (6-1, 4-1 SoCon)
Next:  @ ETSU

4. (4) Furman (5-3, 4-1 SoCon)
Next:  @ Western Carolina

5. (6) The Citadel (4-3, 2-3 SoCon)
Next:  VMI

6. (5) Mercer (4-3, 3-2 SoCon)
Next:  @ Furman

7. (7) East Tennessee State (3-4, 1-3 SoCon)
Next:  Wofford

8. (8) Chattanooga (1-7, 1-4 SoCon)
Next:   @ Samford

9. (9) Virginia Military Institute (0-8, 0-5 SoCon)
Next:  @ The Citadel




Watch for Friday's SoCon picks.......  Record this year 37-9




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Homecoming Schedule

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

Game #9: Furman

For the ninth game of the season, the Cats host the Furman Paladins for this year's fourth home game and what is definitely the SoCon Game of the Week.  It's also Homecoming weekend in the valley.

The Cats dropped a 28 point loss to the Paladins in last season on the road after winning 48-19 at home in 2015. Both Furman and Western are on the upswing this season and with both teams sharing first place with Wofford, both teams need a win to stay in contention for a share of the SoCon title.


When: Saturday, October 28 at 3:30 pm
Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
- Talent:  Gary Ayers (pxp), Greg McLamb (color), Jeff Bryson, Dan Gibson (sideline)
TV/video: ESPN3
- Talent:  Daniel Hooker (pxp), Kyle Rush (color) & Katie Miller (sideline)
Fan Message Board:  TheUnofficialPaladianFootballPage
Game Notes:   Western Carolina    -      Furman     -     SoCon Weekly Release

Head Coach: Clay Hendrix (Furman, ‘86) First Year
Record at Furman: 5-3, 4-1 SoCon
Career Record: Same
Basic Offense: Multiple
Basic Defense: Multiple
Lettermen Returning / Lost: 38 / 27
Starters Returning / Lost (O/D/S): 11 (4/4/3) / 15 (7/7/1)
Series History: WCU trails 12-30-2 (L-1); Last Mtg 2016 - The Cats have won the two of the last three games, but are only 12-30-2 overall against the Paladins in the series, and 6-14-1 in games played in Cullowhee.

Last Season's Game vs. Furman (Nov. 12, 2016) Camount Football Drops Road Game at Furman, 49-21 - Greenville, S.C. - Junior tailback Detrez Newsome rushed for a pair of first half touchdowns and receiver Spearman Robinson capped a double-digit reception day with a score, but it was not enough as Furman pulled away from Western Carolina in the second half, handing the Catamounts a 49-21 loss Saturday evening at Paladin Stadium.

Last season's Record (Furman):  3-8 overall,  1-4 home,  2-4 away,  3-5 conference (conference wins over ETSU, VMI, & WCU)

Ganes played by the Paladins this season prior to the WCU game: (8) - Record this season:  5-3 overall, 4-1 conference,  3-1 home, 2-2 away
- Wofford (away) - Terriers hold off Furman in season opener, 24-23
- Elon (home) - A field goal in the final 5 seconds by the Phonix lifts them over Furman, 34-31
- NC State (away) - State rolls over the Paladins, 49-16
- Colgate  (away) - Colgate strong arms the Paladins, 45-14
- ETSU (home) - The Paladins runs past the Bucs, 56-35
- Chattanooga (away) - The Paladins roll past the Mocs, 41-17
- VMI (home) - Furman handles the Keydets, 42-10
- Mercer (home) - The Paladins hold off the Bears to win, 28-21

Key Personnel Returned: Offense - Terrell Bush (OG), Matthew Gordon (WR), Logan McCarter (WR), Matthew Schmidt (C) Defense - Aaquil Annoor (S), Joe Farrar (S), Chinedu Okonya (DE), Jaylan Reid (DT)

Furman was the seventh place pick in the Southern Conference coaches preseason poll, and four Paladins were named to preseason all-conference teams. Furman garnered 26 points in the coaches poll to place seventh, finishing ahead of East Tennessee State (17) and VMI (12). Paladin senior center Matthew Schmidt was the Paladins' lone representative on the preseason all-conference first team. Earning second-team accolades were senior fullback Antonio Wilcox, redshirt junior nose guard Jaylan Reid, and junior safety Aaquil Annoor.

The Paladins have exceeded everyone's expectations this season, much like Western Carolina. In eight games this season, the Cats and Paladins rank 1 & 2 (in that order) in scoring offense in the SoCon and 4 & 5 (in that order) in scoring defense.  In total offense, they are 1 & 2, while in total defense, the Cats are at #4 while the Paladins are #7.  In rushing, they are 3 & 4 (with the Cats on top), and in rushing defense, the Cats are at #5 while Furman comes in at #2.

2017 Furman Statistics (8 games):
Scoring: 35.2 PPG
Rushing Offense: 1824 yards
Yards per game: 228
Yards per rush: 4.4 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 98
TDs rushing: 23
Passing Offense: 1588 yards or 199 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 10.6 yards
Passing 1st downs: 70
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 94-150-2
TDs Passing: 13
Total Offense: 3412 yards or 427 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 12 - 7
3d Down Conversions: 59 of 116 (51%)
4th Down Conversions: 12 of 16 (75%)
Field goal attempts: 6 - 9
PAT-Attempts: 36 of 36
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 29 of 33 (88%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 25 of 33 (76%)
Punts - Yards: 28 - 1163 - Avg per punt: 42




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Saturday's SoCon Football Round-up (10-21-17)

Week #8 is now in the books, here's how the games played out.....


Samford at Wofford
No. 14 Football Earns Thrilling 24-21 Win At No. 5 Wofford
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford senior defensive back Omari Williams intercepted a Wofford pass in the end zone with six seconds to go as the 14th-ranked Bulldogs earned a 24-21 win at No. 5 Wofford Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The win was Samford's first victory over a top-five ranked opponent since Oct. 10, 1992 when the Bulldogs earned a 46-14 win over third-ranked Eastern Kentucky. Samford improves to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Southern Conference play. Wofford falls to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in league games.

Mercer at Furman
Furman Holds Off Mercer To Claim Fifth Straight Win, 28-21
GREENVILLE, S.C -- Antonio Wilcox rushed for three touchdowns and Joe Farrar intercepted a Mercer pass in the end zone as time expired to give Furman its fifth straight victory, a 28-21 Southern Conference win over the Bears on Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium. The Paladins erased a 21-14 third-quarter deficit, tying it on quarterback P.J. Blazejowski's 18-yard touchdown pass to Andy Schumpert with 40 seconds remaining in the period, and taking the lead for good on Wilcox's third touchdown of the game — a four-yard scoring run with 4:48 remaining in the contest. The win improved the Paladins to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in the SoCon, while Mercer slipped to 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the league.

Western Carolina at VMI
Four Josh Gibson Field Goals Key in 26-7 Road Win at VMI
Lexington, Va. - Quarterback Tyrie Adams threw for 195 yards and a score, and Joshua Gibson kicked four field goals to lead No. 21/19 Western Carolina past VMI 26-7 in Southern Conference action on Saturday afternoon at Foster Stadium. Adams completed 20-of-33 passes, including a 29-yard scoring pass to Terryon Robinson in the second quarter that gave the Catamounts (6-2, 4-1 SoCon) the lead for good at 13-7. Robinson finished with nine catches for 91 yards and the score to lead five players with receptions. Western Carolina extended its consecutive game win streak to 15 -straight in the series with VMI, and the Catamounts won their third road game in a season for the first time since 2002.

The Citadel at Chattanooga
Bulldogs Turn Back Chattanooga, 20-14
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Junior Aron Spann III's interception in the end zone with 1:10 remaining sealed a 20-14 win for The Citadel over on Saturday afternoon at Finley Stadium. Spann's second interception of the afternoon ended Chattanooga's final threat, the Mocs' longest drive of the game. UTC moved from its own 20 to first-and-10 at the Bulldogs' 11, but quarterback pressure and Spann stepping in front of a Cole Copeland pass for a second time secured the win.



The Standings after week #8
1. Wofford -           SoCon 4-1, overall 6-1
1. WCU-                SoCon 4-1, overall 6-2
1. Furman -            SoCon 4-1, overall 5-3
4. Samford -           SoCon 3-1, overall 5-2
5. Mercer -             SoCon 3-3, overall 4-4
6. The Citadel -      SoCon 2-3, overall 4-3
7. ETSU -               SoCon 1-3, overall 3-4
8. Chattanooga -     SoCon 1-4, overall 1-7
9. VMI -                 SoCon 0-5, overall 0-8




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WCU Players of the Game (VMI)

We're back with Purple & Gold's Catamount Players of the Game. 

This week's selection is for the VMI game played in Lexington, VA.

                                                                       

Newman

Gibson

     The Offensive Player of the Game is Joshua Gibson



    The Defensive Player of the Game is A. J. Newman

Junior transfer Joshua Gibson assumed the kicking duties for injured Will Horton and completed 4 field goals (a long of 43 yards), along with two extra points. "Gibson, who received the game ball in the post-game locker room, had field goals of 22, 40, 38 and 43 yards for the Catamounts, splitting the uprights four times in a game - the most by a WCU kicker since Chris Vought did so back in 2002."

On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker A.J. Newman led the Cats in tackles, as he completed a career-high 12 tackles, 6 solo, one sack, one tackle for a loss.


Purple & Gold congratulates Joshua Gibson & A. J. Newman on their accomplishments in the VMI victory.

A,J. Newman (4

Joshua Gibson (89)

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Game Day

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations                

This week's Purple & Gold football picks (10-21-17)

It's week #8 in the SoCon, and time to pick Saturday's games.

All four games are set for Saturday, and all four are conference games. ETSU has a bye week.






Western Carolina (5-2,3-1 SoCon) at VMI (07-04SoCon)   1:30 pm EDT - watch on ESPN3
The Cats travel to Lexington to play the Keydets looking for their 6th win of the season. Avoiding a letdown, the Cats roll to a 49-10 win over VMI.


Mercer (4-3, 3-2 SoCon) at Furman (4-3, 3-1 SoCon)   1:30 noon - watch on ESPN3
The Bears travel up the road to Travelers Rest, SC to take on what just may be the hottest team in the SoCon at this point, the Furman Paladins. Unfortunately for the Bears, the Paladins are on a winning streak and will pull out a close victory over Mercer, 35-28 victory.


Samford (4-2, 2-1 SoCon) at Wofford (6-0, 4-0 SoCon)  1:30 pm EDT - watch on ESPN3
The Bulldogs travel to Sparkle City in an effort to do what no other team has been able to accomplish this season, beat the Terriers.  However, Wofford is defending the home turf and will pull out another close win, 28-24.


The Citadel (3-3, 1-3 SoCon) at Chattanooga (1-6, 1-3 SoCon)  2:00 pm EDT - watch on ESPN3
The Bulldogs travel to Chattanooga to play the Mocs in what would have been the game of the week last season. This year, both teams are chasing their second conference win of the season, one will be rewarded.  The Dogs go the distance and pick up a 24-21 win over the Mocs.








Record this season:
34-7 overall








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WCU 2-Deep vs. VMI

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations                

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2017 SoCon Football Power Rankings - (Week #7)

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2017 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Tuesday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.






Here's this week's P&G rankings after week #7 of play, last week's rank in parentheses.

1. (1) Wofford (6-0, 4-0 SoCon)
Next:  Samford

2. (2) Western Carolina (5-2, 3-1 SoCon)
Next: @ VMI

3. (3) Samford (4-2, 2-1 SoCon)
Next: @ Wofford

4. (5) Furman (4-3, 3-1 SoCon)
Next:  Mercer

5. (5) Mercer (4-3, 3-2 SoCon)
Next:  @ Furman

6. (6) The Citadel (3-3, 1-3 SoCon)
Next:  @ Chattanooga

7. (7) East Tennessee State (3-4, 1-3 SoCon)
Next:  Bye

8. (8) Chattanooga (1-6, 1-3 SoCon)
Next:   The Citadel

9. (9) Virginia Military Institute (0-7, 0-4 SoCon)
Next:  Western Carolina




Watch for Friday's SoCon picks.......  Record this year 34-8




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Game #8: Virginia Military Institute

For the eighth game of the season, the Cats travel to Lexington, KY to face the Keydets of the Virgina Military Institute.

VMI has struggled this season, only scoring an average of 8.3 points per game, while giving up 41.7 ppg. The loss of quarterback Al Cobb had a major detrimental effect on the Keydet offense.

The Cats won all three games against the Keydets since their return to the Southern Conference in 2014, can we make it four in a row?




When: Saturday, October 21 at 1:30 pm
Where: Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
  -Talent - Gary Ayers (pxp), Daniel Hooker (color), Jeff Bryson, Greg McLamb (sideline)
TV / video:  ESPN3
  -Talent - Wade Branner (play-by-play) and Chip Tarkenton (analyst)
Game Notes:      Western Carolina        -          VMI        -          SoCon Weekly Release
Fan Message Board:  Keydets Sportstalk

Head Coach:  Scott Wachenheim (Air Force, ‘84)
Record at VMI: 5-17 (2 yrs)
Career Record: Same
Basic Offense: Spread
Basic Defense: 3-4
Lettermen Returning / Lost: 36 / 23
Starters Returning / Lost (O/D/S): 12 (4/7/1) / 12 (7/4/1)
The Series: The Cats and Keydets first played on the gridiron in 1978, and the Cats currently own a thirteen game winning streak over the Keydets. Western currently leads the series with VMI, by a 20-3 margin. In games played in Lexington, the Cats are 8-3-0.

The last game played vs. VMI:  Nov. 5th 2016 - Defense, Special Teams Key Football Senior Day Victory  - Cullowhee, N.C. - Terryon Robinson hauled in a 53-yard scoring strike from Tyrie Adams inside the final minute of regulation on Saturday afternoon as Western Carolina rallied past the VMI Keydets to score a 32-29 victory on Hall of Fame and Senior Day at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. But it was the Catamount defensive unit and special teams that keyed the come-from-behind victory and proved to be the difference makers as WCU snapped a six-game seasonal slide with their 14th-consecutive victory over VMI, remaining perfect in Cullowhee at 12-0 in the all-time series.

Last Season's Record (VMI): 2016 - 3-8 overall, 1-3 home, 2-5 away,  1-7 SoCon

Games played by the Keydets this year prior to the WCU game: (7)  Record: 0-7 overall, 0-4 SoCon, 0-3 home, 0-4 away
- Air Force (away) Keydets travel to Colorado Spring a drop a 62-0 game
- Catawba (home) - VMI returns home and drops a 7 point game to Div II Catawba
- Robert Morris (away) - On the road again, the Keydets lose to NEC member Robert Morris,  23-0
- Chattanooga (home) - Kicking off the home conference schedule, the Keydets lost to the Mocs 63-7
- Mercer (away) - Traveling to Macon, the Keydets lose to the Bears 14-49
- Samford (home) - The Bulldogs travel to Lexington an only win by a 26-7 final score.
- Furman (away) - It gets ugly again in Greenville as the Palading win 42-10.

Key Personnel Lost  -  QB Al Cobb, WR Aaron Sanders, 3 from offensive line - Roseborough, Lewis, & Hann, LB Alijah Robinson, 2 defensive backs, Jones & Nicholson.

Currently the Keydets are holding down last place in scoring offense (8.3 ppg), scoring defense (giving up 41.7 ppg), rush defense (215 ppg), pass defense (257 ppg)


2017 VMI Statistics (7 games)
Rushing Offense: 608 yards
Yards per game: 86.9
Yards per rush: 3.0 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 35
TDs rushing: 3
Passing Offense: 915 yards or 130.7 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 48 yards
Passing 1st downs:35
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 96-190-13
TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 1523 yards or 217.6 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 9 - 4
3d Down Conversions: 26 of 96 (27%)
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 7 (29%)
Field goal attempts: 7 - 21
PAT-Attempts: 3 of 8
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 3 of 6 (50%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 2 of 6 (33%)
Punts - Yards: 48 - 2236 - Avg per punt: 42.4



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Saturday's SoCon Football Round-up (10-14-17)

Week #7 is now in the books, here's how the games played out.....


East Tennessee State at Western Carolina
Defense, Spencer Key Strong Second Half in WCU'S 49-10 Win Over ETSU
Cullowhee, N.C. - Redshirt freshman tailback Donnavan Spencer scored four rushing touchdowns while the defense and special teams units tallied scores of their own as No. 25/21 Western Carolina stormed past upset-minded East Tennessee State in the second half, winning 49-10, in Southern Conference action on Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. Western Carolina (5-2, 3-1 SoCon) created three takeaways including two John Brannon III interceptions - one returned for a touchdown with the second return setting-up WCU with a first-and-goal situation - with the third turnover coming on a muffed kickoff fumble recovery. WCU also blocked an ETSU punt with Tyran Reynolds scooping-and-scoring from 35 yards out as a part of a 42-point second half.


VMI at Furman
Furman Throttles VMI, Wins Fourth Straight, 42-10
GREENVILLE, S.C -- Furman scored 28 unanswered points in the second half and compiled 523 yards of total offense to claim its fourth consecutive victory with a 42-10 Southern Conference win over VMI on Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium. Junior Kealand Dirks rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback P.J. Blazejowski added 145 yards passing and 74 yards rushing to help the Paladins improve to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the SoCon play. Furman's 42 points extended the Paladins' string of scoring at least 40 points to four games — a first in school history (1,109 games since 1889).


Chattanooga at Mercer
Mercer Stifles Chattanooga, 30-10, in Home Win
MACON, Ga. – Mercer held Chattanooga to 44 rushing yards in a hard-nosed defensive effort as the Bears powered their way to a 30-10 Southern Conference win at Five Star Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kaelan Riley completed 20-of-27 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns to help Mercer win its third straight game and improve to 4-3 (3-2 SoCon). Chattanooga fell to 1-6 (1-3 SoCon) with it's third consecutive loss.


Wofford at The Citadel
Football Rallies For 20-16 Win At The Citadel
CHARLESTON, S.C. – A touchdown by Andre Stoddard with 1:10 left in the game gave the Wofford College football team a 20-16 win over The Citadel at Johnson Hagood Stadium on Saturday night. The Terriers used 219 passing yards to overcome a Bulldog defense that held the Wofford running game to just 99 yards. Wofford, ranked fifth in the nation, opens the season 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Southern Conference. The Citadel is 3-3 on the season and 1-3 in the league, with a #22 national ranking.

Conference Standings after week #6
1. Wofford -           SoCon 4-0, overall 6-0
2. WCU-                SoCon 3-1, overall 5-2
2. Furman -            SoCon 3-1, overall 4-3
4. Samford -           SoCon 2-1, overall 4-2
5. Mercer -             SoCon 3-2, overall 4-3
6. The Citadel -      SoCon 1-3, overall 3-3
6. ETSU -               SoCon 1-3, overall 3-4
6. Chattanooga -     SoCon 1-3, overall 1-6
9. VMI -                 SoCon 0-4, overall 0-7




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ETSU Post-game Interviews

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Play of the Game

J. Brannon III gets 2nd INT of game for @wcu_fb vs. ETSU. #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/cP1OUGmYGL

— Catamount Athletics (@Catamounts) October 14, 2017

WCU Players of the Game (ETSU)

We're back with Purple & Gold's Catamount Players of the Game. 

This week's selection is for the ETSU game played in Cullowhee, NC

                                                                       

Spencer

Brannon

      The  Offensive Player of the Game is Donnavan Spencer



       The Defensive Player of the Game is John William Brannon III

Redshirt freshman running back Donnavan Spencer made the most of his opportunity with both Newsome and Holloway out of the game with injuries. Spencer had 21 carries for 139 yards and 4 touchdowns. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry.

On the defensive side of the ball, sophomore defensive back John William Brannon III completed two interceptions for 97 yards and one touchdown.


Purple & Gold congratulates Donnavan Spencer & John William Brannon III on their accomplishments in the ETSU victory.

Brannon (9) nearly took his second pick to the end zone.

Spencer (20) rushed for four touchdowns

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Game Day

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Bucs come to town......

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations