WCU Preseason Preview: Game #6 - The Citadel

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2024 football opponents. For the sixth game of the season, the Catamounts host The Citadel Bulldogs in EJ Whitmire Stadium on Hero's Day in Cullowhee. The Cats picked up a 40-14 win in Charleston last season.  

 

The Bulldogs are coming off an 0-11 season.  May the "triple-option" as run by the Dogs in the past - rest in peace. 

Game #5 - The Citadel

When: Saturday, October 23, 2024

Time:  2:30 pm
Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
Radio:  Catamount Sports Network

   -announcers:  Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video: ESPN+

 Live Stats:  Citadel live stats

Game Notes:   Western Carolina   -    The Citadel 

Citadel Message Board:  Citadel Fan Message Board

Nickname:  Bulldogs

Mascot:  Spike

The Series: Western is currently 20-27-1 vs. the Bulldogs overall. The Cats and Dogs first played on the gridiron in 1972, and the Cats own an 11-13 record vs. the Citadel in games played in Cullowhee, NC, along with a 5-5 record in the last 10 games played. The Cats have won 3 of the last 4 games played. 

Last Season's Game vs. The Citadel (9-30-23) - Reid Runs for Record Books in Victory at The Citadel  - Charleston, SC – Sophomore running back Desmond Reid set a school record with a career-best five first-half rushing touchdowns as #21/17 Western Carolina downed The Citadel 49-14 in Southern Conference action on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon at Johnson Hagood Stadium. Reid posted rushing scores of 11, 1, 9, 1, and 13 yards to cap WCU's five first-half drives as the Catamounts saw one player account for five scores in the opening two quarters for the second consecutive week..

Last season's Record - (The Citadel): 0-11 overall, 0-5 home, 0-6 away, 0-8 SoCon

Head Coach: Maurice Drayton -  Former Bulldog player and defensive coordinator Maurice Drayton has been named the next head football coach at The Citadel. The announcement was made by Director of Athletics Mike Capaccio on Tuesday. A former standout player and defensive coordinator, Drayton returns to The Citadel after spending the previous seven seasons working in the NFL. He most recently served as the assistant special teams coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders. Drayton also served as the special teams' coordinator in Green Bay in 2021, assistant special teams coordinator for the Packers from 2018-20, and the special teams' coordinator for Indianapolis Colts in 2016-17. 

Drayton's Record vs. WCU:  0 - 1

Bell's record vs. The Citadel: 3 - 1

Former player and assistant coach Maurice Drayton took over the reins of the Bulldog program in December 2022.The Bulldogs were picked to finish last in the nine-team SoCon by league coaches, with Chattanooga, Furman and Western Carolina leading the way. Only one Citadel player, punter James Platte, was named to the all-SoCon preseason teams; he was a second-team pick. 

In the crucial role of quarterback, the Bulldogs recruited Johnathan Bennett, a standout player from Summerville High School who transferred from Liberty, to join their team. In the 2022 season, Bennett, who started all seven games he played in, led the Flames with 1,534 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and two rushing scores. He was the starting quarterback in two consecutive victories against Arkansas and BYU, where he completed 24 out of 29 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. Graeson Underwood and Dustin Fletcher, who shared the quarterback position in the previous season, are still on the roster and in the quarterback training program. 

The Bulldogs have also made changes to their coaching staff, notably moving Lamar Owens, a former Navy quarterback to co-offensive coordinator, to work with Patrick Covington. Additionally, Everette Sands, who previously coached the offensive skills and ran backs, has taken on the role of running backs coach and is also responsible for recruiting. Tony Coaxum, who has experience coaching at Bluefield State, Army West Point, and the NFL, has been hired as the special-teams coordinator. Jo Jackson, who has experience coaching cornerbacks at Presbyterian and Southeast Missouri State, has been promoted to coach cornerbacks and Zane Vance, who previously worked as a defensive coordinator at Charleston Southern, has taken over coaching the bandits. Joe Call, the assistant coach for the Bulldogs and a former Citadel quarterback, has transitioned to a new role as an assistant head coach. 

2022 The Citadel Statistics (11 games):

Rushing Offense: 1357 yards
Yards per game: 123.4 yards
Yards per rush: 3.4  yards
Rushing 1st downs: 78

TDs rushing: 6
Passing Offense: 1507 yards or 137 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 5.7 yards
Passing 1st downs: 63
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 262-136-9

TDs Passing: 6
Total Offense:  2864 yards or 260.3 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 18 - 12
3d Down Conversions: 52 0f 152 (34%)
4th Down Conversions: 13 of 29 (45%)
Field goal attempts: 9 of 11
PAT-Attempts: 8 of 11
On-side kicks: 1 of  5

Red Zone Scores: 13 of 26
Red Zone Touchdowns: 7 of 26

Punts - Yards: 52 for 2221 yards - Avg per punt: 42-7

29 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #29 Jhamari Pierre-Louis

It's now 29 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, 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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a defensive safety:

#29 Jhamari Pierre-Louis

Position Safety
Height 5-11
Weight 195
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Delray Beach, Fla.
High School Atlantic HS

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action.

2022 (Freshman): Saw action in one game, making his collegiate debut in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17) … Did not record any official statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Credited with 34 tackles including 16 solo stops and two TFLs as a senior according to MaxPreps.

Personal: Full name is Jhamari P. Pierrie-Louis, prefers to go by Jay ... Is the son of Tywanza Solomon and Paul Pierre-Louis ... Has three siblings, Zhamari, Isaiah, and Tyler ... Is of Haitian descent.

30 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #30 Richard Garrett

It's now 30 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, 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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a defensive lineman:

#30 Richard Garrett

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6-4
Weight: 250
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
High School: Andrew Jackson HS











2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in seven games, each as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with four tackles including three in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Tallied a tackle and a quarterback hurry at home in the rivalry win over ETSU (Nov. 11).

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as a defensive reserve and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Did not record any official statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 114 tackles including 11.5 sacks as a senior … Credited with four pass deflections.

WCU Preseason Preview: Game #5 - Wofford

Throughout this preseason, we will preview all of  Western Carolina's 2024 football opponents. For the fifth game of the season, the Cats return to Cullowhee to host the Wofford Terriers in the Family Weekend game. 

The Terriers finished the 2023 season with a 2-9 overall record, but ended the season on a high note, knocking off both The Citadel and Furman in back to back weekends to end the season. 

Game #5 - Wofford Terriers

When: Saturday,October 5, 2023

Time:  2:30 pm
Where:  EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -announcers:  Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video:  ESPN3 

Mascot:  Terrier

Colors: Old Gold & Black

Enrollment: 1800

Message Board:  Wofford Fans

The Series: The Cats are 17-28 overall against the Terriers in a series that started in 1952, The Cats & Terriers have played a total of 45 times, and the Cats are 11-12 in games played in Cullowhee, and are on a three game winning streak.  

The last game played vs. Wofford:  November 4, 2023 -  Catamounts Snap Skid with Road Win at Wofford - Cole Gonzales tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Calvin Jones and Censere Lee, and Richard McCollum connected on a pair of field goals including the game-winner midway through the fourth quarter as No. 20/16 Western Carolina snapped a two-game seasonal slide with a 28-25 road win over Wofford on Saturday afternoon in Southern Conference action at Gibbs Stadium.

Head Coach:  Shawn Watson -  Shawn Watson was named head coach on December 1, 2022. A veteran with nearly 40 years of coaching experience, Watson came to Wofford in January 2022 as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. On October 6, he was named interim head coach of the Terriers. Prior to Wofford, he spent the 2021 season as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa. Along with his work with the Panthers, he has served as offensive coordinator at Texas (2014-15), Louisville (2012-13), Nebraska (2007-10), Colorado (2000-05) and Pittsburgh (2017-18). Additionally, he was the head coach at his alma mater, Southern Illinois, from 1994-96..

Shawn Watson's record vs. WCU:  0 - 2

Kerwin Bells' record vs. Wofford:  3 - 0

Last Season's Record (2022 Wofford):  2-9 overall, 1-4  home, 1-5 away, 2-6 SoCon.  

Offensive Formation:   Pro spread offense
Defensive Formation:   Multiple 3/4 

Wofford received nine players from the league's coaches for the preseason all-conference first and second teams. The conference's nine head coaches selected Wofford to rank eighth in the preseason poll, accumulating a total of 19 points. 

A total of five players made it to the first team, senior running back Ryan Ingram, who topped the team in both rushing and rushing touchdowns from the previous season, was among the five chosen for the first team. Senior tight end Jordan Davis also made the cut. Senior defensive lineman Brandon Maina was recognized as an All-Southern Conference second team player. Senior linebacker David Powers was the leader in total tackles with 102 from the previous season, while junior safety Maximus Pulley ranked second in interceptions and first in recovered fumbles. The second team also featured senior offensive lineman Anthony Garcia and junior offensive lineman Quincy Hughes. Additionally, two specialists made the second team, with junior kicker Bridger Jones and sophomore long snapper Tommy DiLiegro being recognized. 

2023 Wofford Statistics (11 games)

Rushing Offense: 1364 yards
Yards per game: 124
Yards per rush: 3.7 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 65
TDs rushing: 10
Passing Offense: 1368 yards or 124 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 4.5 yards
Passing 1st downs: 60
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 252-137-7

TDs Passing: 5
Total Offense: 2732 yards or 248 per game

3d Down Conversions: 25 of 138 (25%)
4th Down Conversions: 8 of 14  (57.3%)
Field Goal: 13 of 17
On-side kicks:  1 - 3
Red Zone Scores: 16 of 20
Red Zone Touchdowns: 8 of 20
PAT: 13 of 14

Punts: 65, Avg per punt: 39 yards

31 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #31 Ja'morri Downing

It's now 31 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, 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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a defensive safety:

#31 Ja'morri Downing

Position: Safety
Height: 6-0
Weight: 200
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
High School: Stranahan HS









2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action. 2022 (Freshman): Played in four games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Did not record any official statistics. 

Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 81 tackles including 63 solo stops and 25 tackles for loss with 10 sacks as a high school senior … Credited with nine passes defended … Also ran track as a prep, posting times of 11 flat in the 100m dash and 23 flat in the 200m dash. Personal: Is the son of Sheneera Perry ... Has two siblings, Jamiya Downing and Paige Pocte.

      

32 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #32 Trevaughn Martinez

It's now 32 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, 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 football countdown each day until kickoff day.

Today we will highlight a defensive back:

#32 Trevaughn Martinez

Position: Defensive Back

Height: 5-10
Weight: 175
Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
High School: Dillard HS











2023 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt … Credited with five tackles including two tackles for loss and an interception in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Before Western Carolina: Played a variety of positions in the Dillard defensive secondary as a senior, helping his high school to a 7-win season … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals.

Personal: Is the son of Ronnetta and Kenneth Graham … He goes by “Tre”.

Cats Selected to Finish 3rd in the SoCon - Coach Bell's Media Day Interview

Western Carolina was picked to finish third by the coaches in the 2024 SoCon preseason poll at the Media Day held in Greenville South Carolina. Quarterback Cole Gonzales was selected as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and a total of 10 Catamounts were honored with all-conference selections. 

Catamount head coach Kerwin Bell's Media Day Interview is below:  

 

Your offense was top five in the country, scored 37 and a half points a game last year. You return a lot on offense, is there any reason to believe that that unit isn't going to be just as explosive? 

"Well, we go in every year to be in a top-five offense, you know we want to average 300 throwing and 200 running, and if we can do that, we feel like we're accomplishing what we want to get done. I tell people all the time man I'm so proud of one fact we didn't just lead the nation last year, as not the only place we've done it three different places in the NCAA, at Jacksonville University, at Valdosta State, we led the nation and then we led the nation last year. So I think we know what we're doing. You've got to have players that fit your system and I think that's what we know the best is who can fit our system"

What does that mean, fit the system, how do you know a guy's going to work well? 

"Just take a sample of a receiver. A lot of guys will go draft that 6'2" 200 lb, 190 lb guy that runs 46, 45, because he looks pretty getting off the bus, in pads. That ain't who we want though. We want guys, I don't care if he's 5'10" or 5' 11" or 5'9" if he can be explosive, drop his hips, get in and out of routes, be able to catch the deep ball and be able to vertically push you on on offense. That's the kind of guys we want who can run after the catch because that creates explosive plays. That's why we've been so good is that we create explosive plays."

 

33 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #33 Lee Campbell

It's now 33 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

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

Today we will highlight a defensive safety:

#33 Lee Campbell

Position: Safety
Height: 6-0
Weight: 205
Class: Junior
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Vance HS









2023 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with three starts in the defensive secondary … Credited with 44 total tackles including 23 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss … Recorded tackles in 10 of the 11 games in which he saw action … Added five pass breakups including a career-best two against Furman (Oct. 21) … Matched his previous career best with eight tackles against the Paladins, posting a season-high four solo stops … Also had four solo tackles against ETSU (Nov. 11) … Finished with four tackles including one for loss against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Recorded a career-high nine tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28).

2022 (Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games on special teams and as a reserve on defense … Recorded 22 tackles on the season including 11 solo stops with half a tackle for loss … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Credited with his first career tackle at Georgia Tech (Sept. 10), finishing with two total stops … Had three tackles with a half a TFL at Samford (Sept. 24) … Recorded a season-high eight tackles including four solo stops at Mercer (Oct. 8) … Posted five tackles at home against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Recovered a fumble in the road win at ETSU (Nov. 12) that helped stop a would-be scoring drive at the 18-yard line … Recorded a team-high tying seven tackles with a tackle for loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on ... Started his prep career at East Mecklenburg High before transferring to Vance / Julius L. Chambers High ... Finished his prep career at Queen City Prep in Matthews, N.C.

Personal: Full name is Lee Jay Campbell ... Is the son of Sabrina and Lee Campbell.

WCU Preseason Preview: Game #4 - Montana Griz

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of  Western's 2024 football opponents. For the season's fourth game, the Catamounts travel to Missoula, Montana to face the 2023 Big Sky champions, the Montana Grizzlies. 

 Game #4  - Montana Griz

The Griz completed the 2023 season with a 13-2 overall record and a Big Sky Championship, with a 9-0 record in the Washington-Grizzly Stadium.

      

When: Saturday, September 21, 2023

Time: 3:00 pm (ET) - 1 pm (MT)
Where: Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula Montana
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
   -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video: ESPN+

Conference: Big Sky

Students:  10,962

Colors:  Maroon and Silver

Nickname:  Grizzlies

Fan Message Board: eGriz.com

The Series: This is the first meeting between the two teams on the football field.

Head Coach: Bobby Hauck became the 37th head football coach at the University of Montana on Nov. 30, 2017. He began his second tenure as the Grizzlies' head coach a day later on December 1, 2017. 2024 will be his 18th year as a college football head coach, his 13th overall year at Montana, and the sixth year of his second stint as Montana's head coach. In 2018 Hauck became the winningest coach in Montana history, surpassing the great Don Read with 86 wins in eight seasons..

Last Season's Record - (Montana 2023): 13-2 overall, 9-0 home, 4-1 away, 0-1 neutral,  7-1 Big Sky

Coming into the 2024 season, Montana ranks No. 3 in HERO Sports’ FCS Preseason Top 25. The Grizzlies finished 13-2 last year, reaching the FCS national championship game before losing 23-3 against South Dakota State.

Montana is set to become a leading contender in the FCS this season, with two uncertainties left, both of which involve key positions. The Grizzlies are in search of a center to complement their experienced offensive line. But, the biggest concern is the selection of a starting quarterback, a role Montana has faced numerous times. 

For the fourth consecutive year, Montana will see a change at the helm of the offense, with quarterbacks Cam Humphrey (2021), Lucas Johnson (2022), and Clifton McDowell (2023) taking turns in the role. McDowell, who joined the transfer list after the national championship game, has committed to McNeese after a short stint at Temple. Sam Vidlak, who took over as the starting quarterback last season, has moved on to Stephen F. Austin. However, the competition for the starting quarterback position is expected to be strong. Montana fans are optimistic about the prospects of redshirt freshman Keali’i Ah Yat, who impressed last season with brief but impactful playing time. Ah Yat, the son of the Griz Hall of Fame quarterback Brian Ah Yat, had a successful season, completing 9 out of 13 passes for 89 yards and a touchdown against Northern Colorado, and 10 out of 15 passes for 131 yards at Portland State.

The Grizzlies are set to field a formidable trio at the running back position. Eli Gillman, who won the Jerry Rice Award last year for his 968 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, is returning. Alongside him, veteran Nick Ostmo, who accumulated 1,398 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns over the past two years, is also on the roster. 

Only four players from its elite 11 defensive line are returning — safety Ryder Meyer ranked second on the team with 91 tackles, linebacker Ryan Tirrell came in fourth with 62 tackles, linebacker Riley Wilson was named to the All-Conference Second Team after making 53 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, and safety Jaxon Lee recorded 49 tackles. The Grizzlies are also welcoming back standout cornerback Trevin Gradney, who was a First Team All-Big Sky honoree the previous season with 27 tackles, five interceptions, and seven pass breakups. Safety TJ Rausch and cornerback Ronald Jackson were active players last season, and their numbers will likely grow this year as Montana will be losing three defensive backs: Corbin Walker, TraJon Cotton, and Nash Fouch.

Out of Montana's 15 D1 incoming transfers, 10 are positioned on the defensive end. A number of them left a lasting impact during the spring season. Monmouth transfer, Pat Hayden, is set to contribute significantly to Montana's defensive deep-down left side. The addition of DBs Chrishawn Gordon (Fresno State), Prince Ford (Illinois), and Kenzel Lawler (Utah) to the team is seen as a major boost. Additionally, the San Diego State transfer, Vai Kaho, appears to be slated for the middle linebacker position.

-Returning All-Conference Players: Junior Begen (1st Team; WR), Brandon Casey (1st Team; OL), Trevin Gradney (1st Team; DB), Eli Gillman (2nd Team; RB), Riley Wilson (2nd Team; LB), Journey Grimsrud (Honorable Mention; OL) 

 -Notable Transfers: Andres Lehrmann (Youngstown State; DL), Patrick Hayden (Monmouth; DL), Logan Fife (Fresno State; QB), Chrishawn Gordon (Fresno State; DB), Prince Ford (Illinois; DB), Vai Kaho (San Diego State; LB), Kenzel Lawler (Utah; DB)

2023 Montana Statistics (15 games)

Rushing Offense: 2652 yards
Yards per game: 177
Yards per rush: 4.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 147
TDs rushing: 32
Passing Offense: 2967 yards or 198 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 130
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 410-247-9
TDs Passing: 18
Total Offense: 5619 yards or 375 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 15-6
3d Down Conversions: 91 of 219 (42%)
4th Down Conversions: 12 of 25 (48%)
Field goal-attempts:  18 of 27
PAT-Attempts: 46 of 50
Red Zone Scores: 44 of 54
Red Zone Touchdowns: 34 of 54
On-Side Kicks: 0 - 0
Penalties-Yards: 96 - 926 - Avg. per gm 62
Punts-Yards: 68 - 2708 - Avg. per gm 40

34 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #34 Rashad Snow

It's now 34 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

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

Today we will highlight a defensive back:

#34 Rashad Snow

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5-9
Weight: 160
Class: True Freshman
Hometown: Homestead, Fla.
High School: Homestead HS

Prior to Western Carolina: Started his prep career at North Fort Myers High before transferring to Homestead High … Came to WCU as a preferred walk-on … Had over 300 receiving yards and three touchdowns on offense with a pair of interceptions as a junior … Named All-Area in 2022 … Listed as a three-star recruit by Jerry Recruiting Rising Stars and On3sports.

35 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #35 Christian Murphy

It's now 35 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

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

Today we will highlight a defensive linebacker:

#35 Christian Murphy

Position Linebacker
Height 6-1
Weight 220
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Dania Beach, Fla.
High School Dillard HS










2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action ... Credited with three and a half tackles including a TFL in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Began his prep career at St. Thomas Aquinas High … Helped guide Dillard HS to a tri-county championship in 2020 … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com

36 Days Until WCU Football Kickoff - #36 Don Robinson III

It's now 36 days until the kickoff of Catamount Football on Thursday, August 29, 2024, against the NC State Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC 

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

Today we will highlight a defensive cornerback:

#36 Don Robinson III

Position: Cornerback
Height: 5-10
Weight: 180
Class: Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown: Winston-Salem, N.C.
High School: West Forsyth HS

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action ... Credited with three tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played at West Forsyth High for head coach Adrian Snow where he was a three-year varsity letter winner ... Recorded 65 tackles as a senior with three tackles for loss ... Tallied three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns ... Credited with 25 pass break-ups ... Blocked five field goals, returning one for a touchdown on a scoop-and-score.

Personal: Full name is Don Levander Robinson III ... Is the son of Tricia and Don Robinson Sr. ... Has two older siblings, Gabrielle and Hannah, and one younger, Jordyn.

WCU Preseason Preview: Game #3 - Elon Phoenix

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western Carolina's 2024 football
opponents. In Western's third game of the 2024 season, the Catamounts travel to Elon, NC to face the Phoenix. Western faces Elon for the 45 time overall, the two teams last played in Cullowhee in 2013.

Elon finished the 2023 season with a 6-5 overall record.

Game #3 -  Elon Phoenix

When: Saturday, September 14

Time:   6 pm
Where: Rhodes Stadium, Elon, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV / video: FloFootball 

Conference:  Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) 
Nickname: Phoenix
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Enrollment:  7,117
Message Board:  ElonFans

The Series: In only the 45th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 18-24-2 record overall against the former Southern Conference foe.  Western is 6-15-1 against the Phoenix in games played in Elon. 

Last Game vs. Elon (Oct. 26, 2013) - WCU halted a seven-game slide against Elon; it was the Catamounts' first win over the Phoenix since 2005 ... WCU improves to 3-3 against Elon in games played in Cullowhee. Western Carolina head coach Mark Speir won his first game against a NCAA Division I opponent, while also earning his first victory against a Southern Conference opponent;

Head Coach:  Tony Trisciani - Named the 23rd head football coach at Elon University on Dec. 17, 2018, Tony Trisciani will begin his sixth season at the helm of the program in the fall of 2024. Widely familiar with the CAA Football landscape, the 2023 season marked Trisciani's 28th year as a football coach and his 18th year coaching at a CAA Football institution. Known for developing champions, Trisciani's career has featured multiple conference championships on the field while guiding his defensive units to national leaders in multiple categories and coaching numerous all-conference and All-American student-athletes. 

Last Season's Record  (2023): 6-5 overall, 4-2 home, 2-4 away, 6-2 CAA

The Phoenix are picked to finish sixth in the 16 team CAA football poll for 2024, and had two first team All-conference players, Chandler Brayboy a senior wide receiver and Caleb Curtain a junior safety.  Elon All-America safety Caleb Curtain was selected as the preseason Defensive Player of the Year after recording 80 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and a league-high four interceptions in 2023.  Brayboy also received honors on Special Teams as kickoff return.  The Phoenix also were ranked #18 in the 2024 Craig Haley pre-season top 25. 

Elon head coach Tony Trisciani, safety Caleb Curtain, quarterback Matthew Downing  (CAA interview at media day)

Matthew Downing is set to guide Elon's attack on offense following his start in nine games during the 2023 season. Downing was the ninth-best passer in the country, amassing 1,915 yards through the air and 19 touchdowns. The senior, standing 6'6" and weighing 206 pounds, is stepping into the season with a strong foundation, having shown impressive performances in the last four games of the 2023 season.

Wide receiver Chandler Brayboy has come back after 589 yards receiving in 2023. He's been named to the All-Conference team three times and is coming with more than 1,600 yards from catches and 1,000 yards from kick returns. Jamarien Dalton set a new team record with five receiving touchdowns last year and is expected to move into a starting position. Tight end Tyler Devera was absent from the 2023 season but still managed to rack up over 400 yards from catches at Stony Brook from 2020 to 2022.

Elon's defense team is poised to become one of the top groups in the CAA this season. Caleb Curtain will take charge of the secondary following his selection as an All-American in 2023. Throughout the season, he recorded 80 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, and six pass breakups. Bringing in former North Carolina Central defensive back Khalil Baker will strengthen Elon's safety duo, making it one of the best in the country. Baker received the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year award and was recognized as a first-team All-American by multiple selectors in 2022. The Phoenix will need to find replacements for both starting cornerbacks, but Senquavious Alsobrooks is anticipated to play a more significant role after starting two games as a freshman.

Returning All-Conference Players: Caleb Curtain (1st Team; DB), Chandler Brayboy (Honorable Mention; WR) 

Notable Incoming Transfers: Khalil Baker (North Carolina Central; DB), Rushawn Baker (Bucknell; RB), Brandon Smiley (Western Carolina; DL), Nathan Kibambe (Appalachian State; DB), Tyler Devera (New Mexico State; TE), Jack Salopek (Western Michigan; QB)

2023 Elon Statistics  (11 games):
Rushing Offense: 1418 yards
Yards per game: 129
Yards per rush: 3.6 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 82
TDs rushing: 10
Passing Offense: 2248 yards or 204.4 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.9 yards
Passing 1st downs: 86
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 283-159-6

TDs Passing: 21
Total Offense: 3666 yards or 333.3 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 13-5
3d Down Conversions: 45 of 151 (30%)
4th Down Conversions: 14 of 26 (54%)
Field goal attempts: 12 - 15
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 23 of 28
Red Zone Touchdowns: 14 of 28 

PAT-attempts: 32 of 34