Pages

Sunday, June 17, 2018

2018 Football Preseason Preview: VMI









Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western Carolina's 2018 football opponents.

For the third game of the season, the Cats return home and move into conference play as the VMI Keydets travel to Cullowhee.

The Cats have won all four games against the Keydets since their return to the Southern Conference in 2014, can we make it five in a row on Family Weekend in the Whee?







VMI

When: Saturday,September 22 - Time: 3:30 pm  EST

Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video:  ESPN3 or ESPN+

The Series: Western currently leads the series with VMI, by a 20-3 margin. The Cats and Keydets first played on the gridiron in 1978, and the Cats currently own a fourteen game winning streak over the Keydets, having swept the Keydets since their return to the Southern Conference.

The last game played vs. VMI:  October 21, 2017 - Four Josh Gibson Field Goals Key in 26-7 Road Win at VMI  - 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.




Head Coach: Scott Wachenheim - A 1984 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and veteran coach with over 25 years of experience in the college ranks, Wachenheim came to VMI from the University of Virginia where he had served for five seasons, including being the Cavaliers offensive line coach since 2011. Prior to his tenure in Charlottesville, Wachenheim was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Liberty University for three seasons (2006-08).




Last Season's Record (VMI): 2017 - 0-11 overall, 0-5 home, 0-6 away,  0-8 SoCon

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 3-4

Starters returning/lost:    14   /   8

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  8   /  3

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:   6   /   5

Specialist - Returning/Lost:    7    /    7

Key Personnel Lost  - QB Duncan Hodges, RB Daz Palmer,  LB Brian Lipscomb

The Keydets have replaced 6 assistant coaches over the off-season, joining the Keydets on the offensive side of the ball are Brian Sheppard (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks), Albert Reid (Running Backs), and Penn Stephenson (Tight Ends).  Seth Payne (Defensive Line), Jeff Sejour (Outside Linebackers) and Tarron Williams (Cornerbacks) will coach on the defensive side.

2017 VMI Statistics
Rushing Offense: 1502 yards
Yards per game: 109
Yards per rush: 3.0 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 59
TDs rushing: 17
Passing Offense: 2613 yards or 238 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 6.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 116
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 241-383-14
TDs Passing: 13
Total Offense: 3813 yards or 347 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 9 - 4
3d Down Conversions: 56 of 170 (33%)
4th Down Conversions: 8 of 25 (32%)
Field goal attempts: 7 - 21
PAT-Attempts: 19 of 24 (79%)
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 28 of 38 (74%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 23 of 38 (79%)
Punts - Yards: 59 - 2276 - Avg per punt: 61


Game prediction:  Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have a 98% probability of winning (41-13) over the Keydets.

Cats should be 3-0 after this game.

-------------------------------------- 

Join the conversation and leave a comment below



No comments:

Post a Comment

Leave a comment