Game Week 1 - Mercer

In the Ingles SoCon Game of the Week and the Catamounts' opening game of the 2019 season, the Mercer Bears visit Cullowhee for just the third time overall. This is also the first Southern Conference contest of the season for both schools and kicks off conference play for the SoCon as a whole.

Western faces the Bears for just the sixth time since Mercer joined the Southern Conference.



Game #1 - The Mercer Bears

When: Saturday, August 31 at 6:00 pm
Where: Cullowhee, NC
Venue: E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field,
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-Radio Announcers: Gary Ayers (PBP), Jeff Bryson (Color), Greg McLamb (sideline)
TV/video: Nexstar / ESPN+
-TV Announcers: Pete Yanity (PBP); Jared Singleton (analyst)
    -WYCW (Greenville/Spartanburg/Asheville)
    -WCBD (Charleston)
    -WWCW (Lynchburg)
    -WJHL (Johnson City)
    -WMUB (Macon)
Stats:  WCU Live Stats
Game Notes:   WCU     -     Mercer     -  SoCon Notes
2-Deep Roster:  WCU
Mercer Message Board:  MU Bear Down

The Series: In only the 6th meeting between these two teams, the Cats own a 2-3 record against the Bears, having dropped the last three games played. The Bears come to Cullowhee riding a 3 game win streak against the Cats but are 1-1 in games played in Whitmire Stadium.

Last Season's Game vs. Mercer (October 20, 2018) - Tyrie Adams Posts Career Day In Road Loss at Mercer    Macon, Ga. – Tyrie Adams amassed a school-record 545 yards of total offense including 360 yards through the air and a career-high 185 yards rushing on Saturday afternoon in a tough road loss as Western Carolina fell to the Mercer Bears, 59-46, at Five Star Stadium. Adams accounted for four touchdowns – two rushing TDs and a pair of passing TDs – as the Catamounts piled up 710 yards of total offense, finishing one yard shy of the school record ( vs. Emory & Henry). Along the way, the St. Petersburg, Fla., native moved into second-place in WCU’s career record books with 6,347 career passing yards while closing to within one TD pass of former mentor Troy Mitchell (50, 2012-15) for the program’s career passing touchdown record now with 49 career scores through the air.

Last Season's Record (Mercer): 5-6 overall, 2-3 home, 3-3 away, 4-4 SoCon

Offensive Formation: Spread
- 2018 offense: 30.6 ppg. (34th in FCS)
Defensive Formation: 4-2-5 (Multiple)
- 2018 defense: 32.5 ppg. (85th in FCS)
Starters Returning/Lost: 15  /  12
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 6 /  4
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 7 / 4
Specialist - Returning/Lost: 2 / 4
Lost from the two-deep roster: 13

Picked to finish fourth and fifth by the media and coaches, respectively, in the SoCon preseason polls, Mercer had seven players selected for all-conference honors, included three first-team members and five second-team members. The Bears' three first-team members were redshirt senior offensive lineman Austin Sanders, junior running back Tyray Devezin and sophomore return specialist David Durden. Durden was additionally named a second-team member as a wide receiver, joining tight end Chris Ellington, defensive lineman Dorian Kithcart, linebacker Will Coneway and defensive back Malique Fleming.

Last season's weakness for the Bears, like for the Cats, was on the defensive side of the ball.  With five starters to replace from the season finale with Furman, the Bears also have big holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. Along with a potentially weaker defense, the Bears may struggle on special teams with the loss of Cole Fisher (KO & PK), Matt Shiel (punter), Marquise Irwin (PR) and Steve Nixon (LS).  This season for the Bears may well turn on the question, can their rebuilding defense slow the high powered offensives of WCU, Furman, Wofford, and Sanford?

Redshirt sophomore Robert Riddle will again lead the Bears at the quarterback.  The 2018 all-freshman team member, led Mercer to an upset win at #9 Samford in a break-out performance in his first full game at quarterback for the Bears. Riddle set a single-game program record with 347 passing yards vs. The Citadel, but saw a promising season ended abruptly with a collarbone injury in that same game. Riddle played in only 4 games in 2018 due to his injury.

In the 2018 season, the Bears ranked 3d in the SoCon in scoring offense, with 30.6 ppg and 7th in scoring defense, giving up 32.5 ppg. Mercer's rushing offense ranked 6th with 148.8 ypg and rushing defense came in at 7th giving up 220,3 ypg.  In the passing game, the Bears came in 5th in the league with 231 ypg and were 8th in passing defense giving up 260.4 ppg.  However, the Bears returns just five of its 11 starters from 2018 and arrive in Cullowhee on a one-game skid, having lost 3 of their last 4 games.

During the offseason, the Bears added six new coaches, including an offensive and defensive coordinator. This is the largest turnover of assistant coaches since Mercer restarted football. This shakeup in the coaching staff should not be taken lightly, as with coaching changes, comes new personalities, new schemes and coaching styles for a team to adjust to.


2018 Mercer Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 1847 yards
Yards per game: 146.7
Yards per rush: 4.5 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 74
TDs rushing: 19
Passing Offense: 2541 yards or 231 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 118
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 326-178-8
TDs Passing: 22
Total Offense: 4155 yards or 377.7 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 16-7
3d Down Conversions: 35.9%
4th Down Conversions: 80%
Field goal attempts: 12 - 16
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 35 of 38
Red Zone Touchdowns: 25 of 38


Game prediction: Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have only a 37% probability of winning (33-38) over the Bears. I'm going to disagree, the Cats open the season with a home win (49-35) over the Bears to even the overall series record to 3-3.  Cats record after game one: 1-0

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1 Day 'till WCU Football Kickoff

It's now 1 day until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

No WCU player is currently assigned to number 1.  Just know that tomorrow, the Cats take on the Bears in Cullowhee.

2:30 pm: On-campus tailgating officially begins in the designated lots in Cullowhee;

3:30 – 5:30 pm: Make your plans to swing by “Tailgate Town” in the Ramsey Center Lot 9A located along Catamount Road. Many of WCU's student-athletes, as well as the iHeartMedia street team, will be on-hand at the tailgate party with games and signing autographs. Great food options for purchase from the Chili Chomper 2 food truck will be available, serving a variety of Mexican cuisine;

3:30 – 5:30 pm: The Catamount Club and Ingles, The Chef's Kitchen are proud to again partner for the Purple Zone pregame event for qualifying Catamount Club Members. The Purple Zone is located on the Northwest patio and concourse of the Ramsey Center.

3:45 pm: Line the path and form a fan tunnel for the traditional “Cat Walk” as the Catamount football team makes their way across campus to the Dale & Dianne Hollifield Locker Room for pregame. Be there along with the Purple Thunder drumline, high-five your Catamount heroes, and show your Purple Pride with this pregame “don't miss moment” for every home game;

4:00 pm: Rising country music recording artist Joe Lasher will perform on the main stage in “Tailgate Town,” with head football coach Mark Speir slated to kick start the part by introducing Joe at the conclusion of the Cat Walk ... Saturday's tailgate concert is presented by Ingles. Lasher has been captivating audiences in his hometown of Asheville for years with his infectious, positive attitude making him a natural both on and off the stage. His new single is entitled “That's Gonna Get You Kissed” (www.joelasherofficial.com).

4:30 pm: Gates to E.J. Whitmire Stadium open for fans to get into the stadium ahead of all the on-field pregame festivities. The iHeartMedia and on-air personalities including Ariel Rymer, Josh Michael, and Eddie Foxx, will be on-hand at Gate 1 welcoming fans to the game. Also, just inside of Gate 1 is “Paws Playground,” presented by Western Builders of Sylva. The area includes inflatable yard toys and games for all kids;

5:30 pm: As the Purple Zone, pregame party (for qualified Catamount Club members) winds down, two additional hospitality areas (both requiring Catamount Club membership, credential pass, and game tickets) open – Paws Porch, located on the porch of the Jordan Phillips Field House in the North End Zone, and the newly formed Catamount Corner, on the Northeast Patio of the Ramsey Center, opposite the Purple Zone locale. For more information on both Paws Porch and Catamount Corner, contact the Catamount Club office at (828) 227-3047 or online at CatamountSports.com/CatamountClub.

5:50 pm: The “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band will take the field just prior to the team entrances for their first foray into the pregame show of 2019. Lining end zone to end zone, the biggest and most vocal part of a Catamount football home game day atmosphere will get you ready to go with the first bright and sharp note of the snare drum through the traditional singing of the WCU Alma Mater. You'll want to be in your seat before the “Pride” brings you to your feet!

5:59 pm: Watch in awe as the 1,000-plus member Western Carolina University Class of 2023 precedes the Catamount football team to run through the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band tunnel in the 9th-annual Freshmen Run;

6:05 pm: Western Carolina kicks off the 2019 season against Southern Conference-foe, the Mercer Bears. Saturday marks just the third time in program history that WCU has opened a season against a Southern Conference opponent – and the first-time since 1980 that WCU has opened a year at home against a conference foe, defeating VMI in front of over 11,600 fans. Last year, WCU and Mercer combined for over 1,200-yards of total offense including 710 by the Tyrie Adams-led Catamount offense with over 100 points hung on the scoreboard in a shootout in Macon, Ga.

Postgame: The western North Carolina sky will explode with the postgame fireworks extravaganza, presented by Ingles and iHeartMedia partners, 99.9 Kiss Country and Star 104.3. Be ready to count down to ignition of the fireworks immediately following the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band's postgame performance!

2 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #2 Nate Mullen

It's now 2 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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


#2 Nate Mullen

Class: Redshirt Senior

Hometown: Harrisburg, NC

High School: Hickory Ridge HS

Height/Weight: 5-9 / 185

Position: Wide Receiver

Other College:  UNC Charlotte


2019 (Redshirt Senior): Named third-team preseason All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele.

2018 (Redshirt Junior): Started all 11 games at wide receiver, making his WCU debut in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) … Led the team with 55 receptions, ranking fifth in the Southern Conference (55) and sixth with 5.0 receptions per game … Finished second on the WCU team with 600 receiving yards … Caught at least two passes in all 11 games, twice hauling in eight receptions and posting a career-high 10 catches for 90 yards at Mercer (Oct. 20) … Posted three games with 100+ all-purpose yards, adding 52 yards on three kickoff returns to 61 receiving yards on eight catches for a career-best 119 all-purpose yards at Furman (Sept. 29).

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.

Career Highs:
Receptions: 10, at Mercer (10/20/18)
Receiving Yards: 90, at Mercer (10/20/18)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, twice (MR: at Mercer, 10/20/18)
Rushes: 1, six times (MR: at North Carolina, 11/17/18)
Rushing Yards: 15, at North Carolina (11/17/18)
Rushing Touchdowns: 1, VMI (9/22/18)
Kickoff Returns: 3, at Furman (9/29/18)
All-Purpose Yards: 119, at Furman (9/29/18)

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

Catamount Football Weekly

Great news, a new weekly coaches show will debut "live" on Monday, September 2, 2019, from the Cullowhee TapRoom on the WCU campus.

Bolstering coverage of Western Carolina football this fall, the Catamount Sports Network and WCU Athletics Video Operations will again produce a weekly coach’s show with Western Carolina head football coach Mark Speir – this year, though, the crew takes the show on the road AND will broadcast LIVE.


Every Monday night at 7:00 pm, fans are invited to Bryson City Outdoors located in Noble Hall in the heart of the WCU campus for “Catamount Football Weekly,” for an interactive question-and-answer Facebook LIVE show that will air on WCU Athletics’ Facebook page. Bryson City Outdoors and its Cullowhee TapRoom located at 723 Centennial Drive in Cullowhee, features 14 taps pouring an ever-rotating selection of craft beer, cider, and wine, while also offering a cold selection of craft beers and ciders in bottles and cans.

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

It's now 3 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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


#3 D.J. Thorpe

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Hometown: Nashville, Tenn

High School: Cane Ridge HS

Height/Weight: 6-3 / 195

Position: Wide Receiver




2018 (Redshirt Freshman): Converted to wide receiver during the off-season … Saw action in nine of the team’s 11 games at receiver and on special teams … Finished with six receptions for 55 yards including a long of 24 yards … Made his collegiate debut against Newberry (Sept. 1) in the season-opener … Caught a career-best two passes twice at Samford (Oct. 6) and Wofford (Nov. 10) … Caught his career-long reception of 24 yards in his lone catch at North Carolina (Nov. 17).

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 Athletic Media Relations

4 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #4 Kenny Benton

It's now 4 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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

#4 Kenny Benton

 
Class: Junior

Hometown: Columbia, SC

High School: Blythewood HS

Height/Weight: 5-9  /  180

Position: Wide Receiver

2018 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games as a reserve on offense and special teams, missing the season-opener … Caught 11 passes for 117 yards and his first career touchdown at Samford (Oct. 6), hauling in a three-yard fourth-quarter TD pass from QB Will Jones … Hauled in a career-high five passes for 40 yards at Samford (Oct. 6), finishing with a career-high 124 all-purpose yards … Caught four passes for a career-high 43 yards at Mercer (Oct. 20) … Credited with five tackles on special teams, adding a forced and recovered fumble at Furman (Sept. 29) … Named to the 2018 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team and to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

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.

Career-Highs:

Rushes: 1, VMI (9/22/18)

Rushing Yards: 9, VMI (9/22/18)

Receptions: 5, at Samford (10/6/18)

Receiving Yards: 43, at Mercer (10/20/18)

Receiving Touchdowns: 1, at Samford (10/6/18)

Long Reception: 28 yards, at Furman (9/29/18)

Kickoff Returns: 4, at Samford (10/6/18)

Long Kickoff Return: 27 yards, at Samford (10/6/18)

All-Purpose Yards: 124, at Samford (10/6/18)

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

5 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #5 Connell Young

It's now 5 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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

#5 Connell Young


Class: Senior
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
High School: Dudlely HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 210
Position: Running Back

2019 (Senior): Named third-team preseason All-Southern Conference by Phil Steele.

2018 (Junior): Saw action in nine of the team’s 11 games on the year with seven straight starts at running back to start the year … Rushed for 529 yards and two touchdowns while adding 31 receptions for 334 yards and three scores … Was second on the team with a 58.8 rushing yard per game average … Eclipsed the 100 all-purpose yard mark five times … Posted 109 all-purpose yards with 97 rushing yards and 12 receiving in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) … Recoded his only 100-yard rushing performance with 105 yards on 14 carries with a TD, adding 66 receiving yards and a score in the win at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14), finishing with 171 all-purpose yards … Hit 100 all-purpose yards for a third-straight game with 108 against VMI … Rushed for 72 yards with 38 receiving yards against Chattanooga (Oct. 13) … Posted a season-high 178 all-purpose yards with 76 rushing yards and 102 through the air with a TD at Mercer (Oct. 20) … Rushed for a touchdown against Wofford (Nov. 10) on limited touches (10 yards on three carries).

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.

Career Highs:
Rushes: 19, VMI (9/22/18)
Rushing Yards: 105, at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14)
Rushing Touchdowns: 2, at South Carolina (11/19/17)
Receptions: 6, twice (MR: at Mercer, 10/20/18)
Receiving Yards: 102, at Mercer (10/20/18)
Receiving Touchdowns: 1, six times (MR: at Mercer (10/20/18)

2 Deep Roster vs. Mercer

6 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #6 Daquan Patten

It's now 6 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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


#6 Daquan Patten

Class: Redshirt Junior

Hometown: Columbia, SC

High School: Blythwood HS

Height / Weight: 5-6 / 185

Position: Wide Receiver



2019 (Redshirt Junior): Was awarded a full grant-in-aid scholarship at the first full team meeting of the 2019 preseason camp ... Named preseason All-Southern Conference second-team as a wide receiver and punt returner by Phil Steele.

2018 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 11 games of the season at wide receiver … Finished the year with 39 catches for 567 yards and five touchdowns, tallying receptions in 10 of the 11 games … Added two kickoff returns for 20 yards and 14 punt returns for 124 yards to finish the year with 711 all-purpose yards … Nearly hit the 100-yard mark in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) with four receptions for 92 yards including a career-long catch of 51 yards … Recorded his first career receiving touchdown at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) … Tallied a career-high seven catches for 81 yards and a score against VMI (Sept. 22) … Eclipsed the 100 receiving yard mark with a career-high 159 yards and a career-best two TDs at Furman (Sept. 29) … Posted 100+ all-purpose yards three times including against Newberry (126 yards), at Furman (career-high 166 yards), and against The Citadel (Nov. 3, 104 yards) … Injury during spring practice sidelined him during WCU’s annual spring drills.

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.

Career-Highs: Receptions: 7, VMI (9/22/18) Receiving Yards: 159, at Furman (9/22/18) Receiving Touchdowns: 2, at Furman (9/29/18) Long Reception: 51 yards, NEWBERRY (9/1/18) Kickoff Return Yards: 21, at Mercer (10/20/18) Punt Returns: 3, twice (MR: THE CITADEL, 11/3/18) Punt Return Yards: 37 yards, CHATTANOOGA (10/13/18)

Courtesy WCU Athletic Relations

7 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #7 Charles Gadie

It's now 7 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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

#7 Charles Gadie

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Hometown: Douglasville, GA

High School: Douglas County HS

Height / Weight: 5-9 / 170

Position: defensive back



2018 (Freshman): Saw action in four of the team’s 11 games on the year between special teams and as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut against Newberry (Sept. 1), recording his first career tackle … Finished the year with three total tackles including two solo stops … Also posted tackles at Samford (Oct. 6) and at North Carolina (Nov. 17).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a four-year varsity letter winner … Was a two-time All-Region selection, collecting first-team All-Region 5-6A plaudits following his senior year and honorable mention as a junior … Finished with 34 tackles as a senior including 24 solo stops … Recorded one interception and nine pass breakups in his final year as a prep, adding a fumble recovery … Also tallied 49 all-purpose yards on kickoff and punt returns … Listed as a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and 247Sports.com ... High school head coach was Johnny White.

Personal: Full name is Charles Amil Gadie … Is the son of Chucquel Davis and Gerald Gadie … Is one of six children: Jerry, Paris, Page, Chloe, Amir, and Amar … Is originally from Detroit, Mich.

8 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #8 Devlin Olawumi

It's now 8 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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


#8 Devlin Olawumi

Class: Redshirt Freshman

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

High School: Westlake HS

Height / Weight: 6-0 / 195

Position: Linebacker






2018 (Freshman): Battled through an injury that limited him to two games played on the season … Made his collegiate debut at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) with one other game played against VMI (Sept. 22) … Returned to action in a limited capacity during WCU’s annual Spring Drills … Redshirt.

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 ... Also ran track as a prep ... High school coach was Kareem Reid.

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

9 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #9 John Brannon

It's now 9 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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


#9 John Brannon

Class: Senior

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

High School: South Mecklenburg HS

Height / Weight: 6-2 / 195

Position: Defensive Back



Career: Enters his senior season with four career interceptions, tallying two apiece as both a sophomore and junior, with six career pass break-ups … Has 31 career tackles including three for losses.

2018 (Junior): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games on the season, missing the Chattanooga game while making two starts in the defensive secondary … Finished the year with 22 total tackles including 14 solo stops and two tackles for loss … Tallied a season-high five tackles twice, making four solo stops as a part of his five tackles against The Citadel (Nov. 3) with three solo tackles among his five at North Carolina (Nov. 17) … Recorded two interceptions including one in the second quarter at No. 25 ETSU (Oct. 27) and the second with a 12-yard return at North Carolina (Nov. 17) that ultimately set-up a second-quarter field goal … Tallied two pass break-ups … Also credited with forcing a fumble against The Citadel (Nov. 3) with a fumble recovery coming at UNC ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

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.

Career-Highs:
Tackles: 5, twice (MR: at North Carolina (11/17/18)
Interceptions: 1, four times (MR: at North Carolina (11/17/18)

10 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #10 Malik Richardson

It's now 10 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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

#10 Malik Richardson

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Sumter, SC

High School: Lakewood HS

Height / Weight: 6-4 / 200

Position: Quarterback




Prior to Western Carolina: Two-year varsity starter as a pro-style quarterback … As a senior, completed 69-of-137 passes for 938 yards and five touchdowns against five interceptions … Rushed 177 times for 964 yards and eight TDs … Nominated to compete in the Touchstone Energy North-South All-Star Game … Chosen to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas, Texas in January 2019 … As a junior, completed 85-of-165 passes for 907 yards and seven scores while also rushing for 769 yards on 132 carries … Is a two-star recruit according to both 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … Also runs track as a prep where he qualified for the state championship ... Originally committed to East Carolina ... Signed in the National Signing Early period … High school head coach was Larry Cornelius.

Personal: Full name is Malik Michel Richardson … Is the son of Geraldine Richardson and Malcolm Chatman.

2019 Football Preseason Preview: #2 Alabama Crimson Tide

Here's the final team preseason preview of the 2019 season. Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold has now previewed all of Western's 2019 football opponents.

For the twelfth game of the season, the Cats end the regular season with an out-of-conference FBS opponent, and it just happens to be the #2 nationally ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Cats will travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to meet the Crimson Tide for the 5th time overall. The Cats last played in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 23, 2014, in front of 101,325 fans against the then nationally ranked #1 team, Alabama.


Game #12 - Alabama Crimson Tide

When: Saturday, November 23 - Time:  TBA
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821), Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV/video: TBA
Conference:  Southeastern Conference (SEC)
Students: 38,563
National Ranking:  Ranked #2, behind Clemson

The Series: The Cats first played at Alabama in 2004 and hold a 0-4 overall record against the Crimson Tide.

Last game played vs. Alabama:  Nov. 21, 2014 - Last game played vs. Alabama: Nov. 21, 2014 - Troy Mitchell Sets Total Yards Record in 48-14 Loss at No. 1 Alabama -  Tuscaloosa, Ala. - Junior quarterback Troy Mitchell set a Western Carolina school record for total yards in a single season, finishing with 204 combined yards on Saturday afternoon to eclipse the 3,000-yard plateau as the Catamounts closed the regular season with a 48-14 road loss at No. 1 Alabama. Mitchell, who finished the year with 3,096 total yards, delivered two first-half touchdown passes to redshirt sophomore Spearman Robinson as the Catamounts from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) played the top-ranked Crimson Tide close midway through the second quarter. Robinson's second TD reception pulled WCU to within three points at 17-14, but the Crimson Tide scored 31-unanswered points to pull away for a Homecoming victory in front of 101,325 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama running back Derrick Henry rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while adding a third score on a nine-yard, second-quarter reception for Alabama. Quarterback Blake Sims tossed a pair of scoring strikes among his 17 completions for 222 yards to pace the Crimson Tide (10-1). Receiver Chris Black led 11 different Alabama receivers with six catches for 101 yards.

Games that will be played by the Crimson Tide this season before the WCU contest:  Alabama kicks off the 2019 season in Atlanta against the Duke Blue Devils, then return home to host New Mexico State. The Tide then hits the road to Columbus, SC to play South Carolina before returning home for a two-game stretch. Southern MIss is the first to visit Tuscaloosa, followed by Ole Miss on Sep. 28 for game #5. Alabama then travels to Texas A&M, then returns home for three additional games. Tennessee first, followed by Arkansas, then LSU visits Bryant-Denny Stadium. Next Alabama travels to Mississippi State, before hosting Western.

Head Coach:  Nick Saban  -  A man of vision who has a proven record of championship success, head coach Nick Saban has returned the University of Alabama to the top of the college football landscape with his commitment to building the total program. After the victory over Georgia in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Saban joined Paul "Bear" Bryant as the only two coaches to win six national titles in the poll era of college football. Entering his 13th season in Tuscaloosa, Saban's uncompromising dedication to excellence in every phase of the program has resulted in five national championships since 2009. An eight-time National Coach of the Year, Saban has achieved resounding success as a head coach and has earned a reputation as an outstanding tactician, leader, organizer, and motivator. Those qualities have sparked impressive turnarounds at every stop of his career. Saban's consistent approach and disciplined leadership are the reasons his teams are known for exhibiting grit, determination, and resilience, often overcoming adversity to achieve victory.

Last Season's Record - 2018 (Alabama): 14-1 overall, 7-0 home, 4-0 away,  3-1 neutral, 8-0 SEC  -  In 2018, Alabama won the SEC Championship beating Georgia, then won then beat Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, before losing to Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Offensive Formation: Pro Style/Multiple
-2018 Offense: 45.6 ppg. (3rd in FBS)
Defensive Formation: 3-4
-2018 Defense: 18.1 ppg. (12th in FBS)
Returning Lettermen/Lost:  43 / 13
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  7  /  4
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  7  /  4
Special Teams - Returning/Lost:  3 / 0

The Crimson Tide returns 17 starters and 43 lettermen for the 2019 season. The AP, STATS, and Coaches polls have all ranked Alabama at  #2 in their top 25 preseason polls, right behind the defending 2018 National Champs, Clemson.

Alabama was selected as the favorite to win the 2019 SEC Championship, and the Crimson Tide landed a league-high 19 players on the All-SEC Teams. The 12 first-teamers include six players on offense, four on defense and one specialist. The Crimson Tide's 12 first-team selections include six on offense in juniors Tua Tagovailoa (quarterback), Najee Harris (running back), Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III (wide receiver), and Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills Jr. (offensive line). The four on defense are made up of seniors Raekwon Davis (defensive line) and Trevon Diggs (defensive back) along with redshirt senior Anfernee Jennings and junior Dylan Moses (linebacker). Sophomore Jaylen Waddle rounds out the first-team selections, landing two spots on the specialist list as an all-purpose player and as a return specialist. Waddle makes another appearance on the second team (wide receiver), in addition to sophomore Patrick Surtain II and junior Xavier McKinney (defensive back). Spotting the third team for the Crimson Tide is junior LaBryan Ray (defensive line), senior Shyheim Carter (defensive back), redshirt senior Matt Womack (offensive line), and redshirt juniors Terrell Lewis (linebacker), Miller Forristall (tight end) and Deonte Brown (offensive line).

Alabama finished the year with the nation’s most efficient passing game and averaged 522 total yards and 46 points per outing. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has to stay healthy. Banged up last season with knee and ankle issues, he was knocked out of the SEC Championship against Georgia last season.

2018 Alabama Statistics
Rushing Offense: 2976 yards
Yards per game: 198,4
Yards per rush: 5.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 155
TDs rushing: 33
Passing Offense: 4854 yards or 392.7 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 195
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 301-438-8
TDs Passing: 52
Total Offense: 7830 yards or 515.9 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 16 - 7
3d Down Conversions: 70 of 150
4th Down Conversions: 14 of 25
Field goal attempts:  15 - 20
PAT-Attempts:  83 of 92
Red Zone Scores: 65 of 79 - 90%
Red Zone Touchdowns: 54 of 79 - 68%
On-Side Kicks:  0 - 0
Penalties-Yards:  87 - 796 - Avg. per gm 53.1
Punts-Yards: 42 - 1502 - Avg. punt: 35.8
Sacks:  45

Game prediction:  Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have a 0% probability of winning (3-59) against the Crimson Tide. According to Massey, the Cats should be 3-9 after this game.  While this will be a difficult game for Western to win, with a loss in Tuscaloosa, the Cats will end the regular season with a 9-3 overall record, and head to the playoff for the first time since 1983.


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11 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #11 Jaylin Young

It's now 11 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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


#11 Jaylin Young

Class: Freshman

Hometown: Miami, FL

High School: Miami Central HS

Height / Weight: 6-0 / 165

Position: Wide Receiver




Prior to Western Carolina: Two-year varsity letter winner at wide receiver, transferring from Hallandale Magnet HS to Miami Central High … Caught 31 passes for 476 yards and five touchdowns as a senior finishing with 34 points scored … Played 7v7 with the South Florida Express, hauling in 10 TD passes in winning the adidas 7-on-7 National Championship … Also ran track as a prep ... High school coach was Roland Smith.

Personal: Is the son of Shamekia Pringle.

12 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #12 Tyrie Adams

It's now 12 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

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


#12 Tyrie Adams

Class: Redshirt Senior

Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL

High School: Dixie M. Hollins HS

Height / Weight: 5-2 / 185

Position: Quarterback




Career: Over his first three seasons, has amassed 9,389 yards of total offense including 7,279 yards passing – second all-time at WCU, just 75 yards shy of the record – and 2,110 rushing yards, 11th in school history … Ranks sixth in SoCon history in total offensive yards gained … Has already thrown a program-record 53 career passing TDs through three seasons – ninth in the SoCon record books – and has tallied 13 career rushing scores.

2019 (Redshirt Senior): Named the Preseason Southern Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Southern Conference at QB at the annual SoCon Football Media Day ... Named to the second team preseason NCAA FCS All-America team as released by HERO Sports ... Was dubbed third-team preseason All-America by STATS FCS and Phil Steele. 2018 (Redshirt Junior): Started all 11 games at quarterback … Amassed a school-record 3,423 yards of total offense last season, averaging 311.2 yards per game, a mark that ranked second in the SoCon and eighth nationally … Finished the year with 2,417 yards passing (7th-best single-season in program history) and a career-best 1,006 yards rushing to become just one of 11 quarterbacks in NCAA FCS history to record 2,000 yards passing / 1,000 yards rushing in the same season … He gave WCU its fourth-straight, 1,000-yard rusher … Averaged 219.7 passing yards per game to rank fourth in the SoCon and led the league with a 91.5 yard per game rushing average … He threw for 200-or-more yards seven times in 2018 and also ran for over 100 yards six times … Scored 60 points on the year while accounting for 26 total touchdowns – 16 passing and 10 rushing, the third-most in the SoCon … Collected Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Month in September for a third-straight season … Was a three-time Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week while twice earning weekly recognition from STATS FCS and SouthernPigskin.com … Collected his first honors after throwing for 424 yards and five touchdowns at Furman (Sept. 29), recording just the seventh, 400-yard passing game at WCU … Was again honored after amassing a career-best 545 yards of total offense at Mercer (Oct. 20), the third-most offensive production in a single-game in SoCon history … Rushed for a career-high 185 yards at Mercer … Was also recognized after tossing four TD passes in the triple-overtime loss at nationally-ranked ETSU (Oct. 27) … Appeared on the Walter Payton Award final ballot a season ago, finishing 19th in the national voting … Collected second-team All-Southern Conference honors at quarterback from both the leagues head coaches and voting media … Was dubbed a second-team All-America choice as an all-purpose back by STATS FCS and a third-team All-America as the same by HERO Sports … Named preseason second-team All-Southern Conference at quarterback by the league's head coaches ... On the national preseason watch list for both the Walter Payton Award as well as the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) National Performer of the Year.

2017 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 12 games at quarterback, finishing the year with 3,040 yards of total offense, just the second Catamount to eclipse the 3,000-yard mark in a single season ... Ranked second in the SoCon in total offense, averaging 253.3 yards per game ... Threw for 2,294 yards -- the ninth-best single-season in program history, while his 22 touchdown passes to set a WCU single-season record ... Eclipsed the 200-yard passing mark five times with two 300-plus passing performances ... Rushed for 746 yards and two touchdowns ... Named second-team All-Southern Conference by the league's head coaches ... Was a three-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Week selection ... Picked-up his first weekly honors of the season after tallying 377 yards of total offense including 107 on the ground and 270 through the air in the season-opener at FBS-foe, Hawai'i (Sept. 2) ... Tallied his second weekly award from the league after amassing 464 yards of total offense including a career-best 152 yards rushing and 312 passing yards in the upset win over nationally-ranked Samford (Sept. 23) ... Picked up his third weekly honor after throwing for 378 yards and three TDs against Mercer (Nov. 11) ... For a second-straight year, was named SoCon Offensive Player of the Month in September after accounting for 12 TDs, 11 through the air in the month ... Selected to the HERO Sports Sophomore All-America team ... Selected to the preseason third-team All-Southern Conference by College Sports Madness.

2016 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team's games, making 10 starts at quarterback missing the first quarter at Mercer (Oct. 15) for a violation of team rules ... Passed for 2,568 yards on the season, a mark that ranked third in the SoCon and 28th nationally -- it was also the fifth-best, single-season performance in school history for a QB ... Completed 217 passes, the fourth-best single-season in WCU history ... His 233.5 passing yards per game average ranked third in the SoCon while his 135.7 passer efficiency and 266.0 total offense average ranked fourth in the league ... Tossed 15 touchdown passes, adding one on the ground in addition to a total of 358 rushing yards ... Set a school record with 510 yards of total offense including a career-best 427 yards passing and 83 rushing yards in the home win over Gardner-Webb (Sept. 10), matching a school benchmark with five passing touchdowns ... His 510 yards of total offense in a single-game also represents the fifth-best in SoCon history ... For his efforts, he garnered SoCon Offensive Player and STATS FCS National Freshman of the Week accolades following the victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs ... Threw for 343 yards and two TDs against ETSU (Sept. 17) in a game held at the Bristol Motor Speedway, while also eclipsing the 300-yard passing mark with 384 yards at Mercer (Oct. 15) ... Named the SoCon's Offensive Player of the Month in September, leading the league in passing yards (312.3 yds/gm) and total offense (369.4 yds/gm) through the first month of the season ... Named the 2016 Southern Conference Freshman of the Year by both the league's head coaches and voting media ... Selected to the SoCon All-Freshman team ... Finished fourth in voting out of 23 national finalists for the STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award given to the national freshman of the year ... Tabbed first-team Freshman All-America by HERO Sports, leading all rookie quarterbacks in passing yards ... Threw for 272 yards on 17-of-29 passing with two interceptions and a pair of touchdown passes in WCU's annual Spring Game ... Despite being in the protective gold jersey, Adams added 34 rushing yards including a scrimmage-long 22-yard rush on a scramble.

2015 (Freshman): Traveled or dressed each week, but did not see game action, taking a redshirt ... Led five scoring drives in WCU's annual Spring Game, tossing three touchdown passes ... Completed 15-of-21 passes for 146 yards and three TDs, adding 59 yards rushing on eight carries in the final spring scrimmage ... Participated in indoor track & field where he was the SoCon men's champion in the high jump, clearing 2.09-meters ... Also finished eighth in the SoCon in the long jump (6.85m), scoring points for the conference championship team ... During the outdoor season, won the SoCon high jump title after clearing 2.11m (6-11.00) while finishing fourth in the long jump ... Qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Round ... Missed the school record in the high jump by a quarter of an inch in his outdoor debut at the Beynon Sports Catamount Classic after clearing 2.14m (7-00.25).

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-sport standout in high school, recruited as a football quarterback and in the high jump in track & field while also playing basketball ... Named to the Tampa Tribune's All-Pinellas County football second team as an athlete ... As a senior, threw for 2,802 yards and 30 touchdowns including a career-high -- and county record -- 598 yards and six TDs on 36-of-55 passing against Tarpon Springs, adding 109 rushing yards and another score ... Recorded 505 passing yards in a game as a senior while earning BHSN Athlete of the Week honors after throwing for 448 yards and four TDs in a win over Seminole HS ... Was a third-team Class 6-A All-State Elite team selection in 2013 ... Was named first-team All-Tampa in track & field in the high jump after finishing third at Class 3-A state meet ... Had the area's top height at 6-10 during the season.

Personal: Full name is Tyrie Andrico Adams ... Is the son of Nikki and Andrico Adams ... Has three siblings; an older sister, Ciara, and a younger brother, Anquan.

Career-Highs:
Rushes: 27, at ETSU (10/27/18)
Rushing Yards: 185, at Mercer (10/20/18)
Rushing Touchdowns: 3, NEWBERRY (9/1/18)
Pass Completions: 36, GARDNER-WEBB (9/10/16)
Pass Attempts: 47, MERCER (11/11/17)
Passing Yards: 427, GARDNER-WEBB (9/10/16)
Passing Touchdowns: 5, three times (MR: at Furman, 9/29/18)
Total Offense Yards: 545 (360 passing, 185 rushing), at Mercer (10/20/18)

Courtesy WCU Athletics Relations