Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Isaiah Helms commits to Western Carolina


This is the second 2019 verbal commit 


OC/DE   Isaiah Helms   -   Lenoir, NC    -    West Caldwell HS   -   6'3"  310 lbs 

How to Draw the Western Carolina Catamount

32 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #32 Chris Campbell








It's now 32 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another line backer

#32 Chris Campbell







Position:  Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6'1"  225
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Vanceboro, N.C.
High School: West Craven HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Played linebacker and defensive end as a prep, three-year varsity letter winner ... Started working on offense as a senior ... Took part in the Blue-Grey All-American Combine in Richmond, Va., in the summer of 2017 prior to his senior year where he was "without peer" and "nearly stole the show" ... High school coach was Michael Twichell ... Also played basketball as a prep ... Was an early enrollee, coming to Cullowhee in January.

Personal: Is the son of Ashley Sontag and Kenyatta Campbell.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 



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Monday, July 30, 2018

33 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #33 Curtis Roach









It's now 33 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we'll highlight another line backer

#33 Curtis Roach

















Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6'1"  195
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Cumming, Ga
High School: South Forsyth HS

2017 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in nine of the team's 12 games on the season, making his collegiate debut in the home-opener against Davidson ... Recorded a career-high two tackles - both solo stops - including a tackle for loss against Davidson ... Recovered a fumble in the road win at Chattanooga (Sept. 30).

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Redshirted ... Credited with two tackles including one for a six-yard loss in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was twice named first team Forsyth County News All-County after both his junior and senior seasons ... Recorded 78 tackles with 47 solo stops including three tackles for loss, each coming as a sack as a senior ... Tallied eight passes defended with five interceptions ... Was a Class AAAAAA Georgia All-State honorable mention ... As a junior tallied 65 total hits with a sack, seven pass break-ups, and two interceptions.

Personal: Is the son of former Catamount Hall of Fame placekicker Kirk Roach, who was a four-time all-conference selection and three-time All-America honoree.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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Sunday, July 29, 2018

34 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #34 Bruce Squires








It's now 34 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.


#34 Bruce Squires









Position:  Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6'0"  180
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Forest City, N.C.
High School: Chase HS

2017 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt ... Named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-time All-South Mountain Athletic Conference (SMAC) selection ... Selected as the Best DB at Chase HS, as well as the Specialist of the Year for the SMAC by the league head coaches following his senior season ... Was listed as a two-star athlete from 247Sports.com ... High school head coach was Daniel Bailey ... Also ran track as a prep, winning the 200-meter dash at the NCHSAA 2-A state championship.

Personal: Full name is Bruce Lee Squires ... Is the son of Bryan and Lisa Lynch.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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Saturday, July 28, 2018

35 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #35 Kalen Allen









It's now 35 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

#35 Kalen Allen











Position: LB
Height/Weight: 6-0 - 230 lbs.
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Mallard Creek HS)

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a four-year varsity letter winner and a three-time all-conference selection ... Amassed over 480 career tackles including 327 solo stops, 27 sacks, and three interceptions during his prep career ... Named both I-MECK Conference and Charlotte Observer Defensive Player of the Year after recording 138 tackles with seven sacks and an interception as a senior in 2017 ... Collected All-State plaudits as a senior ... Helped guide his team to the 4AA state championship game.

Personal: Full name is Kalen Rashawn Allen ... Is the son of Lakesha Bennett ... His mother was a two-time state champion in track & field.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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Friday, July 27, 2018

36 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #36 Christian Yarborough








It's now 36 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today, we'll highlight another linebacker

#36 Christian Yarborough






Position: Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6'0"  200
Year: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Indian Trail, N.C.
High School: Metrolina Christian Academy


2017 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in five games on the season mostly on special teams, making his WCU debut at VMI (Oct. 21) ... Was not credited with any official statistics.

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Redshirted ... Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner that played running back and free safety in high school while also returning kickoffs ... Missed four games of his senior season due to injury, rushing 72 times for 533 yards and five touchdowns ... High school was Thomas Langley ... Also ran track & field as a prep.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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Thursday, July 26, 2018

37 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #37 Ty Harris








It's now 37 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today, we'll highlight another linebacker


#37 Ty Harris







Position:  Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6'1"  220
Year:  Sophomore
Hometown: Dacula, Ga.
High School: Dacula HS

2017 (Freshman): Saw action in all 12 of the team's games on the season on special teams and as a defensive substitution ... Recorded 18 tackles on the season including 12 solo stops with half a tackle for loss ... Made his collegiate debut on the road at Hawai'i (Sept. 2) with his first career tackle coming in the home-opener against Davidson (Sept. 9) ... Posted a career-best three tackles twice - in the road win at Chattanooga (Sept. 30) and in the season-finale against FBS-foe, North Carolina (Nov. 18) ... Made two tackles including half a tackle for loss in the home win over nationally-ranked Samford (Sept. 23).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was highly recruited, originally committed and signed with Army West Point ... Was a running back and outside linebacker as a prep ... Named Honorable Mention All-State in Georgia's Class AAAAAA as a senior ... Rushed for over 1,000 yards with eight touchdowns as a senior ... Also finished with 70 tackles including 43 solo stops as a senior with five tackles for loss including three sacks ... Was a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and 247Sports.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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Wednesday, July 25, 2018

38 Days 'till Football Kickoff - Devlin Olawumi Jr.








It's now 38 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

#38 is not assigned on the spring roster, we'll highlight someone that could wear #38


Devlin Olawumi Jr.







Position: LB
Height/Weight:   6-0  195 lbs.
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School:  Westlake HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time Georgia 2-7A All-Region first team defense selection following both his junior and senior years ... As a junior in 2016, recorded 95 tackles including 60 solo stops and 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks ... Earned first team plaudits on offense and defense ... Also runs track as a prep and wrestled for three years.

Personal: Is the son of Turi Smith Olawumi and Devlin Olawumi, Sr., and Felicia Olawumi.

Note: High school coach was Kareem Reid ... Was recruited by Blake Gideon.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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Tuesday, July 24, 2018

39 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #39 Mitchell Berry









It's now 39 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today, we'll highlight a linebacker


#39 Mitchell Berry







Position:  Linebacker
Height/Weight:  6'1"  225
Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Clemmons, N.C.
High School: West Forsyth HS

2017 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt ... Named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year varsity letter winner, progressing up the depth chart from his junior varsity days before getting a chance on the varsity as a sophomore due to a team injury ... Named All-Central Piedmont 4-A Conference as a senior team captain ... Recorded 138 total tackles including 75 solo stops with 18 tackles for loss including four sacks in his final season of high school ... Forced a pair of fumbles ... Also played baseball as a prep ... Made the Academic Honor Roll all four years and was awarded the 2017 Corrigan / Faircloth Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholarship.

Personal: Is the son of David and Nicole Berry.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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Monday, July 23, 2018

2018 Football Preseason Preview: Wofford








Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2018 football opponents. For the tenth game of the season, the Wofford Terriers will visit Cullowhee.


The Cats remain in Cullowhee for the final home and conference game of the season.


In a series that started in 1952, The Cats Terriers have played a total of 40 times, and Western has won 2 of the last 4 games against the Terriers, having dropped a road game in Spartanburg last season.






Wofford




When: Saturday, November 10 at 3:30 pm

Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video: ESPN3/SoCon Digital Network

The Series: The Cats are 14-26 overall against the Terriers. having won two of the last four games played.

Games that will be played by the Bulldogs this season prior to the WCU contest:  (9 games) The Terriers open the season with two home games verses two SoCon opponents First up is the Citadel, then VMI pays a visit to Spartanburg the new Saturday.  In game three, the Terriers go out of conference for an FBS game at Wyoming, then travel to Boiling Springs, NC to face Gardner-Webb. In game five, Wofford returns to conference play at Chattanooga, followed by a trip to Furman.  ETSU then visits Spartanburg, followed by Mercer. The final game before coming to Cullowhee is against Samford in Birmingham.

The last game played vs. Wofford:   October 7, 2017 - No. 22 Western Carolina Falls at No. 5 Wofford in Overtime -  Spartanburg, S.C. -  Redshirt freshman tailback Donnavan Spencer scored an equalizing touchdown on a toss sweep with three minutes remaining in regulation to ultimately force overtime for No. 22 Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. However, fifth-ranked Wofford scored on their second play of the extra session before sealing the win with a third interception - the second by George Gbesee - this one coming in the end zone as the Terriers held off upset-minded WCU, 35-28. Spencer capped an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard plunge around the right end with the Will Horton extra point knotting the game at 28 in the closing minutes of regulation. On the ensuing possession, Wofford moved down the field, but the ball-control offense stalled with a fourth-down pass play as time expired falling incomplete. In overtime, running back Andre Stoddard scored his second rushing TD of the game, finding the end zone from three yards out to push the Terriers ahead for the third-time in the game. The Catamount offense suffered a loss on the first play on its turn with the football before Tyrie Adams moved back into position with an 11-yard run. But on the next play, Adams' pass intended for Terryon Robinson was corralled by Gbesee as he undercut the route to end the game.


Head Coach:  Josh Conklin - Wofford College announced on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, the hiring of Josh Conklin as head football coach. Conklin, who spent the past three seasons as the defensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh, was an assistant coach at Wofford from 2007-09 working with the secondary. Conklin has additional experience at Florida International, Tennessee, The Citadel and South Dakota State University, serving as the defensive coordinator at Pitt, Florida International and The Citadel. He has worked with the 4-3, 4-2 and 3-4 defensive packages during his career.



Last Season's Record (Wofford): 10-3 overall, 5-1 home, 5-2 away, 7-1 in the SoCon  - Beat Furman 28-10 in the first round NCAA playoffs, lost to ND State on the quarterfinals 42-10

Offensive Formation:  Triple Option
Defensive Formation:   Multiple 50
Starters returning/lost:    11  /  11
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  5  /  6
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  6 /  5
Specialist - Returning/Lost: 5  /  5
Lost from 2-Deep Roster:  13    (6 offense,  7 defense, 0 specialists)

Top losses:
Offense: QB 14 Brandon Goodson; LG 72 Chuck Rouse; C 50 Roo Daniels; TE 81 Chandler Gouger; WR 19 R.J. Taylor

Defense: LDE 92 Tyler Vaughn; OLB 44 Daryl Vining; ILB 21 Colton Clemons; OLB 9 Terrance Morris; FS 31 Malik Rivera

At the end of the 2017 season, former Wofford head coach, Mike Ayers, announced his retirement after 30 years of leading the Terriers.  New HC Josh Conklin hired four new coaches, three on defense & one on offense. Sam Siefkes hired as the new DC;  Trey McCray as OLB coach; Allen Smith, as DL coach; and Trey Johnson for the OL coach. With the loss of 5 starters from the defensive side of the ball, and three new defensive coaches, there might be some letdown on that side of the ball.  Joe Newman was named Wofford's starting quarterback in fall camp.

2017 Wofford Statistics
Rushing Offense: 3483 yards
Yards per game: 244.8
Yards per rush: 8.6 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 157
TDs rushing: 38
Passing Offense: 1337 yards or 102.9 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7 yrds
Passing 1st downs: 51
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 81-156-3
TDs Passing: 5
Total Offense: 4519 yards or 347.6 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 25 - 11
3d Down Conversions: 47%
4th Down Conversions: 57%
Field goal attempts: 17 - 23
PAT-Attempts: 42 of 43  (98%)
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 44 of 48
Red Zone Touchdowns: 33 of 48
Punts - Yards: 55 - 2253 - Avg per punt:  40.9
Touchdowns scored: 46

Game prediction: Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have a 42% probability of winning (27-30) over the Terriers.

According to Massey, Western Carolina should be 6-4 after this game. I'm going to disagree, the Cats are 9-1 after this game.


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40 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #40 Will Horton








It's now 40 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today, we'll highlight a kicker


#40 Will Horton














Position:  Kicker
Height/Weight: 5'10"  165
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Acworth, Ga.
High School: North Cobb HS

2017 (Freshman): Played in six of the team's 12 games on the year ... Finished a perfect 31-for-31 on point after touchdowns on the season, adding a pair of field goals in 2-for-4 effort on the season ... Scored 37 points on the season ... Recorded a tackle in the home-opener against Davidson, finishing a career-best 9-for-9 on PATs for a career-best nine points ... Hit a career-long 40-yard field goal against Samford (Sept. 23) ... Kicked off 24 times for 1,445 yards, averaging 60.2 per kick with six touchbacks ... Hit a 32-yard field goal in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named first team placekicker on the Georgia 3-AAAAAAA All-Region team ... According to ProKicker.com rankings, was the No. 3 kicker overall and No. 9 kickoff specialist in the country ... Earned a four and a half star rating from Chris Sai Kicking ... Rated as the nation's top kicker by Ray Guy ProKicker.com Camps ... As a junior was an honorable mention on the Georgia Class AAAAAA All-State team as a kicker ... High school head coach was Shane Queen.

Personal: Full name is William Archer Horton ... Is the son of Bucky and Kara Horton ... His father is the principal at North Cobb HS.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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Sunday, July 22, 2018

41 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #41 Cinsere Allison








It's now 41 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today, we'll highlight a defensive back

#41 Cinsere Allison













Position: DB
Height/Weight: 6-0 180
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.
High School:  A.L. Brown HS



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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Saturday, July 21, 2018

42 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #42 John Esposito








It's now 42 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Labor Day Weekend, Saturday, September 1, 2018, against the Newberry College Wolves, in Cullowhee.

For the season's kick-off game, the Cats will host a "White Out" in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the Cats sport their all-white look, white Adidas jerseys over white pants; and for the fourth-straight year, a post game fireworks extravaganza.

To help pass those long summer days, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, and knowledgeable of the team members, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today, We'll highlight another line backer


#42 John Esposito








Position:  LB
Height/Weight: 5-10 200
Class:  R-Junior
Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.
Last college: Buffalo State
High School: St. Joseph by the Sea



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 


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