Game #3 - Presbyterian Blue Hose

For the 2022 season's third game, the Catamounts return to the friendly confines of EJ Whitmire Stadium for the first time this season to face the Presbyterian Blue Hose in a "White Out" game in Whitmire. 

The Blue Hose finished the 2021 season in eleventh place in the Pioneer Football league
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Game #3 - Presbyterian Blue Hose

When: Saturday, September 17, 2022
Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

  -Play-by-Play Gary Ayers • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video: ESPN+

  -Play-by-Play Kyle Rush and John Mount Shoop 

Time: 3:30 pm

Live Stats: WCU Live Stats

Conference:  Pioneer Football League

Message Board:  Presbyterian Blue Hose

Roster: WCU 2-Deep Roster -

Game Notes:   Western Carolina   -    Presbyterian 

The Series: The Cats own a 10-9 record over the Blue Hose, and have won 9 of the last ten meetings between the two teams.  

The Last Game:  Oct. 3, 2015 - Strong fourth quarter pushes Cats past PC  -   Sophomore tailback Detrez Newsome rushed for a career-high 189 yards and two touchdowns as Western Carolina pushed past Presbyterian, 33-21, in non-conference action on Saturday afternoon at a rain-soaked E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Head Coach: Steve Englehart -  Englehart enters his first season as head coach of the Blue Hose. Englehart's hiring came after a national search conducted by the Parker Executive Search firm, working with a search committee including Presbyterian College faculty, staff, coaches, and members of the College's Board of Trustees. 

Steve Engleharts' Record at PC: 1-1  (the first season)

Steve Englehart's record vs. Kerwin Bell: 1-2
Kerwin Bell's record vs. Steve Englehart: 2-1

Last Season's Record - (PC 2021): 2-9 overall, 2-4 home, 0-5 away, 0-8 PFL

PC Offense - Returning/loss:  5 / 6

PC Defense- Returning/loss:  5 / 6

Special Teams - Returning/loss:  1 /  2

First-year head coach Steve Englehart will have his hands full this season directing the Pioneer Leagues' only conference winless team, the Blue Hose.  PC was also picked to finish 11th in the Pioneer Leagues coaches' preseason poll for 2022.  

With the 2021 PC quarterback starter (redshirt sophomore) Ren Hefley not on this season's roster, last season's backup (sophomore) Jake Davis will battle sophomore Warner Bush for the starting position. All three quarterbacks listed at the top of the Blue Hose pack are enacting their collegiate debut seasons, along with two defensive backs and one offensive lineman, wide receiver, edge rusher, and return specialist at the top of PC's depth chart. Redshirt-junior transfer QB Nate Hayden has gotten the start on both games prior to the trip to Cullowhee. 

The Blue Hose come to Cullowhee with a 1-1 record, losing to Austin Peay on the road (0-63), and beating NCCAA's  Virginia University of Lynchburg at home (21-13).  Coach Englehart and co. represent a sizable overhaul in the PC depth chart to begin the season, starting 13 underclassmen on both sides of the ball, including seven true freshmen.

"The Catamounts open the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, Sept. 17, hosting Presbyterian at Bob Waters Field / E.J. Whitmire Stadium in Cullowhee. The home opener includes a "White Out Whitmire," the 2022 Freshmen Run, WCU honoring its members of the Southern Conference's 100th Anniversary team, and the first performances of the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band. Fans are encouraged to wear their white WCU gear to the game as the Catamounts will match with their white Nike uniforms and will sport the vintage "The Cats" logo on their helmets. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will also receive a free "White Out" T-shirt. The Carolina Soul Band will be performing during tailgating just south of the Stadium Lot beginning at 1:30. The free concert is courtesy of Ingles." 

2022 Presbyterian Stats (2 games)      

Rushing Offense: 237 yards
Yards per game: 118.5
Yards per rush: 3.3 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 85
TDs rushing: 0
Passing Offense: 425 yards or 212.5 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 18
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 61-34-2
TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 662 yards or 331 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 4 - 3
3d Down Conversions: 13 of 30 (43%)
4th Down Conversions: 1 of 4 (25%)
Field goal attempts 0 - 0
PAT-Attempts: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 2 of 4
Red Zone Touchdowns: 2 of 4
On-Side Kicks: 9 of 48
Penalties-Yards: 13 - 131 - Avg. per gm 65
Punts-Yards: 11 - 254549 - Avg. per gm 22.6

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations