1 Day 'till Football Kickoff - Cam Brown

It's now 1 day 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.

#1 is not assigned on the official roster - so we will honor Cam Brown in the #1 position


Cam Brown

Position:  Linebacker
Height/Weight: 6'2"  210
Class:  Sophomore
Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla.
High School:  Florida State University School

2017:  Cameron Michael "Super Cam" Brown passed away on Saturday, Nov. 14 after a battle with osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer ... Cam visited with his Catamount teammates and was a part of WCU's 2017 season-opening victory over Davidson .. Cam left a lasting message with the Catamount football team, telling head coach Mark Speir in an October hospital visit, "Tell the boys to never give up on the fight, because the fun is in the fight" - a motto that is displayed in the Catamount football team room and lives through his teammats.

Cam Brown Dies from Cancer, but His Impact Lives On

Prior to Western Carolina: Was named first-team defense on the Florida All-State Class 3-A football team following his senior season as he was credited with a career-best 140 tackles including a school-record 100 solo stops and 24 TFLs with 10 sacks ... Forced nine fumbles, recovering three while also intercepting a pass ... Tallahassee, Fla., Quarterback Club named him the 2016 Mickey Andrews Co-Defensive Player of the Year ... Was named All Big Bend in both his junior and senior seasons, collecting second team honors as a junior and first team plaudits as a senior ... Selected to play for the North Team in the 62nd annual North-South All-Star FACA Football Classic ... Recorded 193 career tackles, averaging 9.7 tackles per game ... Posted 14 sacks while also recording an interception and forced a pair of fumbles ... Was listed as a two-star athlete by Scout.com ... High school head coach was Jerod Hickman ... As an all-conference prep wrestler, finished fourth in the state of Florida Class 1-A in the 195 lbs., weight class as a junior and qualified for the state tournament as a sophomore.

Personal: Full name is Cameron Michael Brown, prefers to go by "Cam" ... Is the son of Sam Brown and Michelle McQueen ... Has two siblings, Bin and Samaya ... He was engaged to Dallas Kennedy.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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WCU Two-Deep Roster vs. Newberry

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

2 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #2 Nate Mullen

It's now 2 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 wide receiver that wears #2

#2 Nate Mullen

Position:  Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 5'9"  185
Class: Redshirt Junior
Hometown: Harrisburg, N.C.
High School: Hickory Ridge HS
Other College: UNC Charlotte


Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Charlotte prior to the spring, 2018 semester … Signed at Charlotte as part of the 49ers fourth signing class in 2015 … Redshirted as a true freshman in 2015 … Played in 24 games over two seasons at Charlotte, recording 22 receptions for 146 yards … Additionally saw time on special teams, returning three kickoffs for an average of 23.3 yards per return … Was also the primary punt returner in 2017, tallying 81 yards on 16 returns in his second season;

High School: Was listed as a two-star recruit out of high school by both ESPN.com and Rivals.com … Selected to the 2014 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, the first player to ever do so from his high school … Was a three-time all-conference selection, twice earning Special Teams Player of the Year plaudits in addition to All-State honors … Finished his prep career as HRHS’s single-season and career record holder for all-purpose yards, touchdowns, punt, and kickoff return touchdowns, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns ... High school coach was Marty Paxton.

Personal: Is the son of Andrea and Jeff Mullen … Has two sisters, Rami and Maggie … Comes from a football family as his father, Jeff, was the former offensive coordinator and QB coach at Charlotte with previous coaching stops at Ohio, Wake Forest, and West Virginia with his first collegiate stop at Hawai’i as a graduate assistant … Jeff was also a 1989 All-America selection at defensive back at Wittenberg Univ., in Ohio.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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Game #1 - Newberry

In the 2018 season kickoff game for the Cats, former Carolinas Conference mate, the Newberry College Wolves visits E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

In the season-opening game, the Cats will sport an all-white look with white Adidas jerseys over white pants for this year's "White Out" game.

For the fourth-straight year, a postgame fireworks extravaganza follows the home-opener.

Newberry Wolves

When: Saturday, September 1, 2018 - Time:  6:00 pm
Where: Bob Waters Field, Whitmire Stadium - Cullowhee, NC
TV/video:   ESPN+
Live Stats:  liveStats
Conference:  South Atlantic Conference (SAC)  Division II
Message Board:  D2 Football
Game Notes:  WCU     -     Newberry
Radio: Catamount Sports Network  -  coverage begins at 5:00 pm with the Pepsi Tailgate Show as the "Voice of the Catamounts," Gary Ayers will be joined by Greg McLamb and Jeff Bryson on the call.
 - Fans can listen to the CSN broadcast on WWCU-FM Power 90dot5 in Cullowhee; 105.7 FM and 540 AM WRGC in Sylva; 104.9 FM & 1050 AM WFSC in Franklin; WISE Sports Radio 97.3 FM and 1310 / 970 AM in Asheville/Canton; and with live streaming audio available online at CatamountSports.com.

The Series: Newbery and Western Carolina have not met on the football field since a 1993 meeting in Cullowhee. The two schools met nine times in the 1960s and the Cats are 10-4 overall against the Wolves, having won the last 8 games. The series started back in 1948, as most of the games were played when both teams were members of the Carolina's Conference in the 1960s.

Last year’s record (Newberry):  5-6 overall,  3-4 conference,  2-4 away

In the offseason, the Wolves named a new offensive coordinator, Todd Varn, who joined their staff in February. Varn sent the last 8 seasons at  Presbyterian where he served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for six seasons. No stranger to Newberry, he coached the Wolves in various assistant roles on two separate occasions. The Wolves also added a new offensive line coach, Taylor Cornett, and a new tight ends coach, Zach Edmond.

Newberry had 51 signees to mark National Signing Day. The Wolves signed one Shrine Bowler, 14 North-South All-Stars, and six Border Bowl participants, including the game's Most Valuable Player. The signing class also includes two Region Players of the Year and the 2A Offensive Player of the Year in Chesterfield quarterback Savion Watson.

Notable returning players:
-Jamarcus Henderson (DL)Henderson finished second on the team with 59 tackles, including 47 solo stops
-Keito Jordon (DL) finished the season with 30 tackles, including 24 unassisted, and had a team-high nine quarterback hurries.
-Joe Blue (LB) totaled 11 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble
-Jawanza Adams (DB) six tackles on five occasions, had 2.5 tackles for loss, and had one quarterback hurry.
-Tyler Anderson (OL) made nine starts at left tackle and two at right tackle this season. The sophomore from Anderson has graded out at 92 percent or higher in six of 11 games
-Markell Castle (WR) – third in school history in 100-yard games (9), fourth in touchdowns (17), seventh in yardage (1,757), and 10th in receptions (110)

The Newberry Wolves had nine players named preseason all-South Atlantic Conference. Four of the nine garnered first team honors. Receiver Markell Castle was named to the first team offense, while Jamarcus Henderson and Keito Jordan make up half of the first team defensive line. Joe Blue also earned honors at linebacker. Running back Austin Barnes, lineman Tyler Anderson and the placekicker, Shea Rodgers was honored with second-team offense selections. Anfernee Moffett and defensive back Jawanza Adams finished out the selections named to the second team defense. The Wolves were picked to finish fourth in yesterday's preseason coaches' poll.

2016 All-American defensive end Jamarcus Henderson, currently ranked third among active Division II players in career tackles for loss is within range of several all-time Newberry records. Henderson and fellow defensive end Keito Jordon give the Wolves tremendous production (89 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks accounting for 116 yards in 2017) and half of the preseason first team all-SAC defensive line.  Converted tight end Austin Barnes, at running back, figures to be a key part of the offense. Only seven of his 112 carries went for negative yardage a season ago as he racked up 494 yards and seven scores. This season, the Wolves hope to take pressure off the quarterbacks and play ball control, using the running game to open up lanes to throw to Markell Castle, Bobby Irby, and the rest of the Wolves' wide receiver corps. 


2017 Wolves Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 1839 yds
Yards per game: 167.2
Yards per rush: 4.2 yards
TDs rushing: 15
Passing Offense: 1953 yards or 177.5 yards per game
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 139-269-10
TDs passing: 20
Total Offense: 3792 yards or 344.7 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 75
Rushing 1st downs: 103
Fumbles-Lost: 17-7
3d Down Conversions: 65/153 or 42%
4th Down Conversions: 5/12 or 42%
Field Goals - Attempts: 11-16
Red-Zone Scores: 26-33 - 79%
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 21-33 - 64%
Punts (No. Yards): 56-2210 Avg. per punt: 39.5 yds
PAT-Attempts: 34-35 - 97%
Field Goals-Attempts: 11-16
On-Side Kicks: 0 of 0

Game prediction:  Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have a 95% probability of winning (37-14)

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3 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #3 D.J. Thorpe

It's now 3 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 wide receiver that wears #3

#3 D.J. Thorpe

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6'3" 185
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
High School: Cane Ridge HS

2017 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: In two seasons as the starting quarterback, threw for 4,980 yards and 47 touchdowns in leading Cane Ridge High to a 20-4 record ... As a senior, completed 185-of-297 passes for a school single-season record 2,907 yards, setting a school benchmark with 28 touchdowns against seven interceptions, leading CRHS to an undefeated regular season, a Region 6-5A title and the program's first two playoff victories ... Collected Region 6-5A Offensive MVP plaudits, as well as all-region offensive player of the year honors ... Became the first player in CRHS history to receive the 2016 William E. Hume Award which is given annually to the top football player among Metro Nashville schools ... Also received the Hancock/Nipper football sportsmanship award from the Nashville City Civitan Club ... Was listed as a two-star athlete by 247Sports.com ... High school head coach was Eddie Woods.

Personal: Full name is Dakarai Jashaun Thorpe, but goes by "DJ" ... Is the son of Kalvanetta and William Thorpe ... Has a younger sister, Laiya.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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4 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #4 Kenny Benton

It's now 4 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 wide receiver that wears #4

#4 Kenny Benton

Position:  Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 5'9"  180
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
High School: Blythewood HS


2017 (Freshman): Played in nine games on the season ... Returned seven punts for 23 total yards including a long of nine yards against Davidson (Sept. 9) ... Recorded three punt returns at Chattanooga (Sept. 30) ... Credited with two tackles on special teams in the road win at VMI (Oct. 21) ... Named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year letter winner as a kick returner and wide receiver ... Was a two-time first team All-Region selection ... Finished his prep career with 85 receptions for 1,633 yards and 13 touchdowns ... Returned 15 kickoffs for 312 yards, averaging nearly 21 yards per return with one TD ... As a senior, hauled in a career-high 43 passes for 820 yards and seven scores, adding five rushes for 67 yards and a touchdown in earning second-team All-Midlands honors ... Received the Bengal Captain and Bengal Wide Receiver Awards as a senior ... High school head coach was Dan Morgan.

Personal: Full name is Robert Kenneth Benton, but prefers to go by "Kenny" ... Is the son of Melissa and Robert Benton ... His brother, Timel, plays football as a quarterback at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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2018 Catamount Football Two-Deep Roster

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

5 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #5 Connell Young

It's now 5 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 running back that wears #5

#5 Connell Young

Position: Running Back
Height/Weight: 6'0" 205
Class: Junior
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
High School: Dudley HS

2017 (Sophomore): Played in eight of the team's 12 games on the season, making four starts at wide receiver each coming in succession at the beginning of the year ... Finished the year fourth on the team with 23 receptions for 214 receiving yards and three touchdowns ... Caught four passes for 30 yards and a TD in the road win at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 16) ... Recorded his second receiving score on three catches in the road win at The Citadel (Nov. 4) ... Recorded a season-high eight receptions for 76 yards against Mercer (Nov. 11) ... Scored his third receiving TD of the year on his lone reception - a one-yard strike - at FBS-foe, North Carolina (Nov. 18) ... Rushed 10 times for 63 total yards, carrying the ball a season-high five times for 23 yards against Samford (Sept. 23) .. Added three kickoff returns for 36 total yards and one punt return for four yards - ending the year with 317 all-purpose yards ... Credited with one tackle assist on the year coming at Gardner-Webb ... Selected to the preseason third-team All-Southern Conference by College Sports Madness.

2016 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games as an offensive reserve and on special teams ... Rushed 44 times for 155 yards and four touchdowns ... Carried the ball a career-high eight times twice against both Chattanooga (Oct. 28) and at Furman (Nov. 12), recording a career-best 42 rushing yards ... Caught one pass out of the backfield at Furman (Nov. 12) for 24 yards ... Scored two rushing touchdowns against SEC-foe, South Carolina (Nov. 19) ... Added five kick returns for 98 yards with a pair of punt returns ... Finished with 282 all-purpose yards on the year ... Was named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team as a return specialist ... Made the transition to wide receiver during spring practice, but did not see action in the annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Rushed for 2,431 yards as a senior on just 237 carries, averaging an astounding 10.3 yards per carry in helping lead Dudley HS to a 13-2 record and berth in the 4-A west regional final ... Scored 27 rushing touchdowns ... Made 40 receptions for 771 yards and seven TDs, averaging 19.3 yards per reception ... As a junior rushed for 1,051 yards and 11 touchdowns ... Listed as a three-star athlete by 247sports.com ... High school coach was Steve Davis.

Personal: Full name is Connell Jamale Young Jr. ... Is the son of Connell Sr. and Likishen Young ... Has a younger sister, Nisha.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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The 2018 Catamount Football team captians

The 2018 Catamount football captains were selected on Sunday afternoon at a team meeting; P Ian Berryman, RB Corey Holloway, DB Marvin Tillman, and OL Zach Weeks were voted captains by their teammates.

Congratulations to the new team captains from the Catamount Nation !!!!!!!!

6 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #6 Daquan Patten

It's now 6 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 wide receiver that wears #6

#6 Daquan Patten

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 5'6" 185
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
High School: Blythewood HS


2017 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in three games on the year, making his collegiate debut in the home-opener against Davidson (Sept. 9).

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Redshirted ... Caught three passes for 17 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year varsity letter winner at Blythewood HS, playing wide receiver on the football team.

Personal: Is the son of former Catamount wide receiver - and former NFL standout - David Patten.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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7 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #7 Corey Holloway

It's now 7 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 running back that wears #7


#7 Corey Holloway

Position: Running Back
Height/Weight: 5'10" WEIGHT: 210
Class: Redshirt Senior
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga
High School: Eagle's Landing HS


2017 (Redshirt Junior): Played in all 12 of the team's games with three starts .. Rushed 82 times for 444 yards and seven touchdowns, adding four receptions for 33 yards and a score out of the backfield ... Scored 48 points on the season ... Recorded double-digit carries four times on the year including a season-high 17 in a start at VMI (Oct. 21) ... Rushed for a career-high 119 yards on 16 carries in the home-opening win over Davidson (Sept. 9) ... Rushed 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the road victory over Chattanooga (Sept. 30) ... Returned three kickoffs for 43 total yards, amassing 520 all-purpose yards on the season ... Named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2016 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in nine games with one start in the backfield, making his first collegiate start at Mercer (Oct. 15) ... Missed the final two games of the season due to injury ... Rushed 38 times for 119 yards and a touchdown scored in the home win over VMI (Nov. 5) ... Returned a pair of kickoffs for 24 yards, both going for 12 yards ... Finished the season with 143 all-purpose yards ... Tallied two tackle assists against VMI ... Selected to the 2016 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Rushed eight times for 34 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in seven games as a back-up running back ... Rushed for 239 yards on 53 carries with four touchdowns on the ground ... Added nine catches for 220 yards ... Made his collegiate debut with a five-carry, 58-yard outing, scoring his first career touchdown in the opener against Mars Hill (Sept. 5) on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter ... Tallied his second career rushing score on five carries at Wofford (Oct. 17) ... Posted a two-rushing TD game against Samford (Oct. 24) ... Caught a career-high three passes at Chattanooga (Oct. 31) ... Rushed five times for 50 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2014 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll... For the Gold squad in WCU's annual Spring Game, rushed nine times for 26 yards including a seven-yard touchdown rush.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a four-year varsity letter winner in football ... Is a physical runner with good vision that amassed over 1,300 all-purpose yards including 1,093 on the ground en route to earning his team's MVP award as a senior, helping Eagle's Landing High record a school-record for wins ... Led the team with 10 rushing touchdowns as a part of first-team All-Region honors at running back ... Recorded 200 receiving yards as a senior ... Also saw time on defense at linebacker over his final two seasons, tallying 44 tackles including 34 solo stops ... Earned the Good Citizenship Award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution ... As a junior rushed for 1,449 yards and nine touchdowns ... High school coach was Joe Teknipp.

Personal: Full name is Corey Justin Holloway ... Is the son of G. Reginald and Donna J.L. Holloway ... Is one of four children in the Holloway family.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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8 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #8 A.J. Curry

It's now 8 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 quarterback that wears #8

#8 A.J. Curry

Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6'5" 210
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Mt. Airy, Ga.
High School: Habersham Central HS


Prior to Western Carolina: Dual-threat QB that is listed as a three-star recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports ... Named Georgia 8-AAAAAA All-Region at QB ... Converted to QB prior to his senior prep season after playing mostly as a wide receiver despite playing the position growing up ... Threw for nearly 2,500 yards and 15 touchdowns while adding 800 yards and 13 TDs on the ground as a senior, averaging 329.5 yards per game in his final year as a prep ... High school coach was Benji Harrison.

Personal: Is the son of Aviean and Felicia Curry.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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9 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #9 John Brannon

It's now 9 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 that wears #9

#9 John Brannon





Position: Defensive Back
Height/Weight: 6'2" 190
Class: Junior
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C
High School: South Mecklenburg HS

2017 (Sophomore): Saw action in 11 of the team's 12 games on the season with one start coming against VMI (Oct. 21) ... Finished the season with nine total tackles including four solo stops and one tackle for loss coming against VMI ... Named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 16 after recording a pair of interceptions - the first of his collegiate career - to accompany a pair of tackles in the home victory over ETSU (Oct. 14), in which he saw the most extensive playing time of his career ... Returned his first career interception 41 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Bucs ... Set-up another WCU score by returning his second pick 56 yards to the six-yard line ... Was additionally nominated for the FCS Hero of the Week through a vote by HERO Sports ... Intercepted two passes to highlight WCU's annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2016 (Freshman): Played in five of the team's 11 games on the year, mostly as a defensive reserve ... Made his first collegiate start against Chattanooga (Oct. 28), recording his first career tackles ... Finished with four tackles including two solo stops coming against VMI (Nov. 5) and at Furman (Nov. 12).

Prior to Western Carolina: Two-time All-SoMeck 8 Conference selection ... Garnered second-team defense accolades on the All-Charlotte Observer team ... Was listed on the South Charlotte "20 to Treasure" list following his senior season which ended with him garnering the publication's Defensive Player of the Year honor ... Posted 56 tackles including six TFLs, a sack, eight interceptions and 13 pass break-ups as a senior ... On offense, caught 24 passes for 98 yards and three scores ... Set as a junior and then matched as a senior a school-record with eight INTs in a single-season ... Also tallied a career-best three interceptions in a single-game ... High school coach was Rocky White.

Personal: Full name is John William Brannon III ... Is the son of John Brannon Jr. and Dana L. Byers.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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A Catamount Weekend

Courtesy CatamountsMarketing          

10 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #10 Nolan Beasley

It's now 10 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 quarterback that wears #10



#10 Nolan Beasley

Position:   Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6'1" 195
Class: Redshirt Junior
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C
High School: North Mecklenburg HS


2017 (Sophomore): Made his collegiate debut in the home-opener against Davidson ... Officially recorded one rush for a five-yard gain against Davidson (Sept. 9) ... Named to the 2017-18 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Made the 2016 Chancellor's List ... Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2015-16: Joined the Catamount football team during spring drills ... Saw snaps during WCU's annual Spring Game, completing two passes for eight yards.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year starter at QB for head coach Brad Baker ... Threw for over 2,890 yards as a varsity quarterback, tossing 32 touchdown passes in 17 games ... Recorded 1,255 career all-purpose yards ... Was a three-time offensive Player of the Game and once collected overall game honors vs. Lake Norman (Aug. 22, 2014) as selected by MaxPreps.com during his senior season ... Also played small forward on the basketball court as a prep, helping his team compile a 46-9 record as a two-year starter.

Personal: Is the son of Kenneth and Cindy Beasley ... Has an older sister, Kelly.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations 

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