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