Game Day - Time for WCU Football Kickoff - Colombo & Moore.

It's game day verses the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #0, one on offense and one on defense: 

#0 AJ Colombo AJ Colombo

Position Wide Receiver 

Height 5-8 

Weight 170 

Class Senior 

Hometown Waxhaw, N.C. 

High School Cuthbertson HS

2024 (Junior): Started 10 of the 11 games in which he saw action … Led the Catamounts with a Southern Conference best 61 receptions and 590 receiving yards that ranked him eighth in the league … Was second on the squad with five receiving touchdowns, tied for fifth in the SoCon … Caught a career-high nine passes in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), just missing the century mark with 97 yards … Caught five passes for 51 yards and returned five punts for 50 yards to amass 101 all-purpose yards … Recorded his first 100-yard receiving performance with a career-high 116 yards on a career-high tying nine receptions at Samford (11/23/24) … Named to the first-team All-Southern Conference team by the league’s head coaches … Named to the Fall 2024 Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2023 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games with two starts at wide receiver … Finished third on the team with 31 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns, the latter ranking him tied for fifth in the SoCon … Caught passes in eight of the 10 games in which he saw action … Caught five passes for 79 yards and a score in the home win over nationally-ranked Samford (Sept. 9) … Tallied his first multi-score game with two TD receptions against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Matched with five catches for 40 yards and a score at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Tallied a career-high seven receptions for 56 yards against Mercer … Returned 16 punts for 192 total yards, ranking third in the SoCon with a 12.0 yard per return average … Added six kickoff returns for 78 total yards with a long of 21 yards … Hauled in five passes for 96 yards and a 64-yard touchdown pass in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games with one start at wide receiver … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) with his first collegiate start against VMI (Oct. 1) … Finished the season with five catches for 36 yards, making his first reception against Presbyterian (Sept. 16) and catching two passes for 26 yards against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Returned 14 punts for 124 total yards, averaging 8.9 yards per return with a long of 39 yards in the win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Dropped back on kickoff returns the final four games of the season, finishing with 11 returns for 258 yards and a team-best 23.5 yard per return average … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on special teams by the league’s head coaches … Hauled in six receptions for 67 yards including a 50-yard strike from QB Bennett Judy to pull the White team to within seven, 21-14, six possessions into WCU’s annual Spring Game … Received a partial scholarship from head coach Kerwin Bell following the conclusion of WCU’s annual spring drills ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-time, first-team all-conference receiver at Cuthbertson High for head coach Trey Kavanaugh ... Recorded 154 career catches for 1,784 yards and seven touchdowns over three seasons as a prep, adding two kickoff returns for TDs ... Also rushed 162 times for 909 career yards with 17 touchdowns ... Posted a conference-record 17 receptions in a game as a junior ... Started his prep career at quarterback on the junior varsity team in 2018 ... Also played lacrosse as a prep, scoring 49 goals as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Armond Giuseppe Colombo, but prefers to go by "AJ" ... Is the son of Juliann and Thomas Colombo ... Was born in Boston, Mass. ... Has three older sisters - Gia, CeCe, and Gracie ... His father was a Hall of Fame quarterback at Villanova.

#0 Ken Moore Jr.

Position Nickelback

Height 5-10

Weight 160

Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Christopher Columbus HS

2025 (Redshirt Junior): Named first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference as a defensive back.

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 12 of the team’s games on the season with 10 starts in the defensive secondary … Recorded 36 total tackles, including 23 solo stops and four tackles for loss … Posted tackles in all 12 games with multiple stops nine times … Finished second on the team with a career-best four interceptions coming in four separate games … Made his first collegiate start in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), finishing with five total tackles and an interception he returned 51 yards … Two of his three stops against The Citadel (Oct. 12) went for loss … Credited with five solo stops against Chattanooga (Nov. 2), recording his second interception with a 38-yard return … Returned a second-quarter interception 34 yards for his first career touchdown as part of WCU’s 41-7 first-half lead against VMI (Nov. 16) … Posted a career-high six tackles, including five solo stops in the season finale at Samford (Nov. 23) … Credited with five stops and a pass breakup in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Recorded 17 total tackles with 11 solo stops with one tackle for loss … Credited with two pass breakups and had an interception … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2), making his first career tackle as part of a two solo stop effort … Posted a career-high six tackles with four solo stops against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Had a tackle for loss at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Made his first career interception at Chattanooga (Oct. 7), adding a pair of pass breakups in the road win … Credited with four tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28) and three in the road win at Wofford (Nov. 4) … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Recorded a pass breakup in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Credited with 64 total tackles including 44 solo stops according to MaxPreps … Posted three interceptions as a prep … Caught 10 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns as a part of 547 all-purpose yards … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.

1 Day Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Boyd & Fisher

It's now 1 day until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #1, one on offense and one on defense: 

#1 Patrick Boyd Jr.

Position Running Back
Height 5-10
Weight 170
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
High School Fort Lauderdale HS

2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in five games as a reserve in the offensive backfield, converting from wide receiver to running back … Finished the year with 201 yards on the ground, 37 receiving yards, and 20 yards on kick returns, finishing with 201 all-purpose yards … Did not see action in the first six games of the year before making his season debut at Furman (Oct. 19), rushing three times for 41 yards … Rushed 11 times for 37 yards at ETSU (Nov. 9), adding three catches for 17 yards … Posted a career-high 59 yards rushing against VMI (Nov. 16), scoring his first collegiate touchdown … Added a kickoff return for 20 yards for a career-best 79 all-purpose yards against the Keydets … Rushed a career-high 16 times at Samford (Nov. 23), adding four catches in the road win over the Bulldogs … Rushed six times for 56 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards in WCU’s annual Spring Game … Scored on a 48-yard touchdown romp for the Purple Squad.

2023 (Freshman): Saw game action in four games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut at home against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23), recording his first career reception for seven yards … Caught three passes for a combined 48 yards, adding two kick returns for 41 total yards … Averaged 16 yards per catch including a career-long 36 yards … Caught a career-best two passes for a career-high 41 yards in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11) … Returned two kickoffs for 41 yards against Mercer (Oct. 28).

Prior to Western Carolina: Took snaps at wide receiver, running back, and quarterback as a prep, adding two scores on special teams … In 10 games, caught 33 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 559 yards on 68 carries with six scores on the ground … Also tossed a pair of TD passes … Played for head coach Richard Dunbar … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.

Personal: Is the son of Laqueisa Bradley-Boyd and Patrick Boyd Sr.

#1 Caleb Fisher

Position Defensive End

Height 6-3
Weight 240
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Decatur, Ga.
High School Columbia HS










2025 (Redshirt Senior): Named first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference along the defensive line.

2024 (Redshirt Junior): Started all 12 games along the defensive line … Finished with 37 total tackles with 23 solo stops, seven for loss, including 2.5 sacks … Recorded tackles in all 12 games … Credited with six quarterback hurries and a pair of pass breakups … Had a pair of tackles including one for loss at NC State (Aug. 29) … Two of his three tackles at Elon (Sept. 14) went for loss on a pair of sacks … Recorded a season-high six tackles twice, including two solo stops and half a sack at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) and four solo stops with three hurries against The Citadel (Oct. 12) … Tallied five solo stops with one for loss at ETSU (Nov. 9).

2023 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 11 games in which he saw action along the defensive front … Credited with 18 tackles on the season with five solo stops … Posted tackles in eight of the 11 games … Finished with 2.5 tackles for nine yards of losses including half a sack with four quarterback hurries including two at Chattanooga (Oct. 7) … Posted a season-high three tackles three times – against Samford (Sept. 9) with a season-best two solo stops, three at UTC, and three tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28) … Credited with a team-best four quarterback hurries in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2022 (Sophomore): Returned from injury to play in the final three games of the regular season as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Recorded three tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss … Made his season debut against Wofford (Nov. 5), posting half a tackle for loss … Tallied two tackles against nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Nov. 19) with a third quarter tackle for loss.

2021 (Freshman): Played in 10 games on the year, credited with nine total tackles including three solo stops and 2.0 tackles for six yards of losses ... Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4) ... Recorded a career-high five tackles including two TFLs and a pair of quarterback hurries against Samford (Sept. 18).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-way player as a prep as a defensive end and tight end … Entered the 2020 season as a preseason all-state selection along the defensive line … Was an honorable mention defensive lineman all-region for 5-AAAAA in Georgia in 2019 after finishing with 30 tackles including 11 for loss with 10 sacks.

Personal: Is the son of Mitzi Gant and Cecil Fisher.

2 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Adams & Nelson

It's now 2 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #2, one on offense and one on defense: 

#2 Branson Adams

Position Running Back
Height 5-9
Weight 190
Class Fifth Year
Hometown Greensboro, N.C.
High School Dudley HS











2025 (Fifth Year): Named to the first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference at running back.

2024 (Senior): Started all 12 games at running back … Led the team in rushing, amassing 749 yards on 134 carries with four touchdowns, averaging 62.4 rushing yards per game … Added 36 receptions for 284 yards and a score … Averaged 86.1 all-purpose yards per game … Totaled double-digit rushes nine times … Rushed for 80 or more yards five times, including a season-high 91 yards on a season-best 17 carries with two touchdowns at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21), adding seven receptions for 50 yards to amass 141 all-purpose yards … Just missed his season-high with 89 rushing yards at Mercer (Oct. 26), adding three catches for 39 yards for 128 all-purpose yards … Rushed six times for 30 yards and a four-yard touchdown in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Named to the WCU Dean's List.

2023 (Junior): Played in all 11 games with four starts at running back coming in the final four games of the regular season … Rushed 89 times for 539 yards with three touchdowns, averaging 49 yards per game … Eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark one time with a career-best 110 yards against ETSU (Nov. 11) … Added 36 receptions out of the backfield for 266 yards with four touchdowns … Recorded his first collegiate touchdown on a game-winning 8-yard TD reception at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Scored his first touchdown on the ground at Chattanooga (Oct. 7) with a 37-yard romp late in the third quarter … Twice went over 100 all-purpose yards in a game with 101 – 51 rushing, 50 receiving – at Wofford (Nov. 4) and a career-high 183 yards – 110 yards rushing and 73 receiving yards – in the home win over ETSU … Led the purple squad in WCU’s annual Spring Game with five rushes for 27 yards.

2022 (Sophomore): Played in four games as an offensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with an unassisted tackle in the road win at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Recorded one rush for three yards and one reception at Georgia Tech (Sept. 10) ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2021 (Freshman*): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games on the season between special teams and an offensive reserve, finishing the season with 94 all-purpose yards … Rushed 13 times for 41 yards with four receptions for 17 total yards … Recorded a career-high three rushes three times including at Oklahoma (Sept. 11), at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 25) and at Wofford (Oct. 30) … Caught a career-best two passes at Chattanooga (Oct. 2) … Posted four kickoff returns for a combined 36 yards.

2020-21 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner … Began his prep career at Northern Guilford while also playing at Page HS before finishing at Dudley HS … Rushed for 1,211 yards over his final two seasons as a prep, scoring 21 touchdowns on the ground … Made 32 career receptions for 503 yards and three receiving scores … Added 150 yards on kickoff returns and 17 on punt returns for 1,881 career all-purpose yards … Defensively, tallied 59 tackles as a senior including 36 solo stops and 1.5 sacks with three interceptions as a senior … Rushed for 183 yards and two TDs while catching two passes for 44 yards as a sophomore at Page HS … Four-year, A-B Honor Roll as a prep while also running track … Joined the WCU football team as a walk-on

Personal: Is the son of Denise Turner ... Has an older brother, Andre Adams Jr., and a younger brother Jamari Burks ... Is related to former NFL standout Stefon Adams, who played collegiate football at East Carolina and played in the NFL with the Los Angeles Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and the Miami Dolphins, while also playing World League of American Football (WALF) with the Sacramento Surge ... Stefon Adams also played for the Charlotte Rage and Connecticut Coyotes of the Arena Football League, and a season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

 

#2 Micah Nelson

Position Defensive End

Height 6-3
Weight 265
Class Fifth Year
Hometown Murphy, N.C.
High School Murphy HS










2025 (Graduate Student): Named second-team Preseason All-Southern Conference along the defensive line.

2024 (Redshirt Senior): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games on the season, each coming as a defensive reserve as he returned from injury … Credited with 26 total tackles, including 10 solo stops and 6.5 for loss with a pair of sacks … Posted tackles in nine of the 11 games in which he played, with multiple stops six times … Returned from the injury that sidelined him in 2023 in the home opener against Campbell (Sept. 7) … Had four tackles including three solo stops and a TFL at Elon (Sept. 14) … Credited with a season-high six tackles against The Citadel (Oct. 12) with a sack … Posted a tackle and a half for loss among his four stops in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Also had four tackles at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Recorded a pair of quarterback hurries and one pass breakup from his defensive end position … Nominated for the 2024 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy which is awarded to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance ... Named to the Fall 2024 Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Qualified for the 2025 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2023 (Redshirt Junior): Selected first-team preseason All-Southern Conference by the league's head coaches ... Missed the season due to injury ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): One of seven players including four defenders to start all 11 games on the season, doing so from his defensive end position … Recorded 35 tackles on the year with 14 solo stops and three tackles for loss coming on sacks … Credited with four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup … Posted three-or-more tackles in seven games on the year including a season-best seven tackles at Samford (Sept. 24) … Had four tackles including a sack and a half against VMI (Oct. 1) … Posted three tackles with a sack against Wofford (Nov. 5) … Named to the 2022 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2021 (Redshirt Freshman*): Started all 11 games along the defensive line as a stand-up defensive end ... Finished with 33 total tackles on the year including 15 solo stops and three tackles for loss ... Had at least one tackle in all 11 games with four-or-more stops in five games including a season-high six against Samford (Sept. 18) ... Recovered a fumble against Furman (Nov. 6) ... Credited with three quarterback hurries and two pass break-ups ... Was a fourth-team All-Southern Conference selection by Phil Steele ... Named to the 2021 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2020-21 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all nine of the team’s games with four starts … Recorded 27 total tackles including 13 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss … Credited with two quarterback hurries and one pass break-up … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Recorded his first collegiate tackles including half a tackle for loss at North Carolina (Dec. 5) … Tallied seven tackles at Furman (Feb. 20) … Recorded a career-high nine tackles including seven solo stops with a TFL against The Citadel (March 13) ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was named Academic All-Southern Conference.

2019 (Freshman): Did not see game action and is eligible for a redshirt ... Named to the 2019-20 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joins the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on after a stellar prep career at Murphy High … Was a two-time state champion (2016 & 2018) and three-time Smoky Mountain Conference champion as a prep … Twice named all-conference and All-Western North Carolina … Played wide receiver, defensive back, and quarterback as a senior during his prep career … Credited with 128 career tackles including seven tackles for loss while totaling 17 pass break-ups and 10 career interceptions … Finished with 57 career receptions for 907 yards, while also passing for 1,130 yards and rushing for 261 – recording 28 career total touchdowns ... High school coach was David Gentry.

Personal: Full name is Micah Thomas Nelson … Is the son of Becky and Thomas Nelson … Was born in Bristol, Va. … Has two younger siblings, Grace and Tyra … Father, Thomas, was an All-American football player at Emory & Henry College (1998) and a 2011 inductee into the Emory & Henry College Sports Hall of Fame.

3 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Sterling & Dukes

It's now 3 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #3, one on offense and one on defense: 

#3 Kha'leal Sterling

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-9
Weight 170
Class Freshman
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Miami Central HS









Prior to Western Carolina: HeroSports had him as the No. 2 wide receiver prospect in the NCAA FCS … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Originally committed to Pitt … As a junior, caught 26 passes for 609 yards and seven touchdowns … Also ran track as a prep.

#3  Samaurie Dukes

Position Safety

Height 5-11
Weight 185
Class Senior
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Miami HS








2025 (Senior): Named to the second-team Preseason All-Southern Conference as a defensive back.

2024 (Junior): Saw action in 10 of the team’s 12 games on the season with seven starts in the defensive secondary … Finished with 55 total tackles to rank third on the WCU squad, with 33 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss with a quarterback hurry … Recorded at least two tackles in all 10 games he played … Tallied four pass breakups and had two interceptions … Tallied six tackles with three solo stops at NC State (Aug. 29) … Credited with a career-high 12 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, against Campbell (Sept. 7), his first double-digit tackle performance … Intercepted a pass with five tackles against The Citadel (Oct. 12) … Had seven stops, including four solo tackles, in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) and eight tackles at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Added an interception to his eight-tackle performance at ETSU.

2023 (Sophomore): Played in nine of the team’s 11 games with seven starts in the defensive secondary … Finished with 29 total tackles including 20 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for a total of six yards of losses … Tallied four pass break ups and three interceptions … Recorded a tackle in all nine games he played including a season-high six twice – in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) and in the road win at nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7) … Credited with five solo stops in the road win at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Had a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and his first career interception in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Intercepted two passes in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11).

2022 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games on the season with three starts … Tallied 33 tackles with 21 solo stops and two tackles for loss … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), recording his first career tackle … Was an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground National Freshman of the Week after recording a then career-high nine tackles with four solo stops at Mercer (Oct. 8) … Recovered a fumble with two tackles at Furman (Oct. 15) … Posted six tackles with four solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Had three tackles and a quarterback hurry against Wofford (Nov. 5) … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on defense.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team during the spring 2022 semester, participating in annual spring drills ... Recorded two interceptions during WCU's annual Spring Showcase scrimmage ... Played wide receiver and defensive back as a prep, while also returning punts and kickoffs on special teams ... Was the offensive MVP of the annual Private vs. Public High School All-Star Game, catching six passes for 115 yards and a touchdown ... Named All-Dade first-team by the Miami Herald.

Catamount 2-Deep Roster vs. Gardner-Webb

 

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

4 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Dutton & Thompson

It's now 4 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #4, one on offense and one on defense: 

#4 Dominic Dutton

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-10
Weight 175
Class Senior
Hometown Glen Allen, Va.
High School Glen Allen HS











Prior to Western Carolina: Started his collegiate career running track at South Carolina before transferring to Old Dominion to play football; 

At South Carolina: Competed in 14 meets between the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2021-22 … Recorded seven podium finishes including an indoor first-place in the 60m at the U of SC Indoor Open and outdoor firsts in the 4x100m at Weems Baskin Relays and the UofSC Open … Had a third-place finish in the 200m at the indoor South Carolina Invitational; 

At ODU: Played in 19 games over two seasons between 2022-24, making nine catches for 201 yards with four TDs all in 2023 … Played in six games in 2024, mostly on special teams; 

High School: Graduated with his high school’s record in the 100m and 200m, earning Senior Athlete of the Year … Was the runner-up in the 100m and 200m at the 2021 Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 5 State Championships … Ran track and played football as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Ellen and Steve Dutton … Has one older sibling and two younger siblings.

#4 Jordan Thompson

Position Linebacker

Height 5-11
Weight 220
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Charlotte, N.C.
High School Julius Chambers HS










2025 (Redshirt Sophomore): Was a mid-year transfer to Western Carolina from Middle Tennessee ... Took part in WCU's spring drills ... Credited with four tackles and a QB hurry in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played in 13 games over two seasons at Middle Tennessee, three games in 2023 with 17 total snaps on special teams to remain eligible for a redshirt and 10 games in 2024 with eight starts ... Credited with 37 career tackles including 11 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss, with one sack ... Tallied two PBUs ... Made his first collegiate start agasint Tennessee Tech ... Recorded a single-game best eight tackles at Louisiana Tech; High School: Lettered in football and basketball ... Recorded 110 tackles with nine TFLs as a prep senior for head coach Brandon Wiggins.

Personal: Full name is Jordan Tyreece Thompson ... Is the son of Maima Carr and Shamus Thompson.

Catamount Football Weekly with Head Coach Kerwin Bell

 (starts at about the 9:50 mark)

5 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Dickens & McQueen

It's now 5 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #5, one on offense and one on defense: 

#5 Taron Dickens 

Position Quarterback
Height 5-11
Weight 180
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Northwestern HS











2025 (Redshirt Sophomore): Named first-team All-Southern Conference at quarterback and the SoCon Preseason Offensive Player of the Year ... Dubbed second-team Preseason All-America by Stats Perform FCS ... Appeared on the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Walter Payton Award Watch List.

2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in seven games with four consecutive starts at the end of the season in place of Cole Gonzales, guiding WCU to a 3-1 record as a starter … Finished 127-for-172, completing 73.8 percent of his pass attempts, with 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions … Tossed TD passes in five of the seven games he played … Rushed for 56 yards and two scores on the season … Made his first collegiate start in the home win over Chattanooga (Nov. 2), throwing for a career-high 431 passing yards with five passing touchdowns, adding 41 rushing yards on a career-high 19 attempts and one reception for eight yards to total 480 yards of total offense … Earned his first of two Southern Conference Player of the Week honors following the Chattanooga win … Eclipsed the 400-yard passing mark in the road win at Samford (Nov. 23), completing a career-high 36 passes for 408 yards and two TDs to earn SoCon Offensive Player of the Week accolades … Selected to the SoCon All-Freshman team … Named third-team Freshman All-America by Phil Steele and was a Freshman All-America honoree by FCS Football Central by Sports Illustrated … Was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, finishing 15th in the final vote … Completed 7-of-12 passes for a scrimmage-best 151 yards, including a nine-yard TD passes to lead the White Team in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Freshman): Played in two games as a reserve at quarterback as a true freshman … Finished 4-for-6 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown … Made his collegiate debut in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Completed 3-of-4 passes for a career-high 91 yards through the air including a long pass of 65 yards and his first career touchdown pass of 17 yards to Ca’Lique Cunningham … Rushed six times against the Buccaneers … Completed 1-of-2 passes against ETSU (Nov. 11) for 36 yards … In WCU’s annual Spring Game, completed 4-of-10 passes for 54 yards with an interception.

Prior to Western Carolina: In 10 games, completed 137-of-212 passes (64.6%) for 2,233 yards and 22 touchdowns with just four interceptions, according to MaxPreps … Added 424 rushing yards with five touchdowns on the ground … Selected as the Florida 6A Player of the Year and the top-rated passer in Florida … Over his final two years as a prep, passed for 5,976 yards with 64 touchdowns and 12 INTs, adding a total of 911 rushing yards and 14 scores … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and a two-star recruit by Rivals.

Personal: Full name is Taron Tyger Dickens.

#5 Hayward McQueen Jr.

Position Linebacker
Height 6-1
Weight 215
Class Senior
Hometown Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
High School TRU Prep Academy

2024 (Senior): Named first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference at linebacker.

2024 (Junior): Played in all 12 of the team’s games with seven starts at linebacker … Led the Catamounts with 61 total tackles, including 23 solo stops with 7.5 tackles for loss with a quarterback sack … Recorded tackles in 11 of his 12 seasonal games, booking five-or-more nine times … Credited with three quarterback hurries and three pass breakups … Had five tackles and forced a fumble in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29) … Posted five tackles with solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss against Campbell (Sept. 7) … Recorded double-digit tackles with 11 stops in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19), with three tackles for loss, including half a quarterback sack … Finished with eight tackles at Mercer (Oct. 26), with a pair of TFLs and half a sack … Tallied two tackles and a fumble recovery in the win over VMI (Nov. 16) … Credited with a season-best five solo stops at Samford (Nov. 23) … Posted six tackles including a TFL in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games on the season with eight starts … Finished with 26 total tackles including 14 solo stops … Posted tackles in nine of the 10 games he played … Had 5.0 tackles for loss including a sack … Forced a fumble while also being credited with a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup … Recorded three tackles including a stop for loss in the season opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) while also posting three stops at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Finished with four tackles twice in the home wins over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) and Furman (Oct. 21) … Credited with a season-high six tackles including four solo stops with a sack and a forced fumble on the road at VMI (Nov. 18).

2022 (Freshman): Early-enrollee where he took part in 2022 spring drills ... Played in all 11 of the team’s games with three starts at linebacker … Finished the season second on the WCU squad with 59 tackles including 27 solo stops with 3.0 tackles for loss with a sack and three quarterback hurries … Ranked 25th in the SoCon – and was the fourth-best freshman – with his 5.3 tackle per game average … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), recording five tackles including his first career sack … Twice posted double-digit tackles including a career-best 13 tackles with eight solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Was listed as an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground FCS National Freshman of the Week on Nov. 21 following a career-high 10 tackle performance that included a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry in the upset win over No. 17/15 Chattanooga in the regular-season finale … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on defense … Credited with six tackles including three tackles for loss with a sack in WCU’s annual 2023 Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Is a hybrid-style linebacker who joined the Catamount football team during the spring 2022 semester, participating in annual spring drills … Was a second-team Class 2-A Independent All-State team selection in the 2020 Independent All-State football team compiled by FloridaHSFootball.com … Posted 90+ tackles with 15 tackles for loss and five sacks, forcing a pair of fumbles as a senior … Listed as a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.

2025-26 Football Season: Game #1 - Gardner-Webb

Game #1 - Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs

In the season opener, the #18/19 Western Carolina Catamounts face the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs. The Dogs travel to Cullowhee for a 6 pm start time in the 12th meeting between the two North Carolina teams.  

Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

When: Saturday, August 30, 2025

Time:  6:00 pm (EST)

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -announcer: Gary Ayers
TV/video:  ESPN+

   -announcer:  Daniel Hooker

Live Stats:   WCU Live Stats

Game Notes:   Western Carolina    -     Gardner-Webb  (when available)

Conference: Big South/OVC Football Association

Mascot:  Runnin' Bulldogs

Colors:  Scarlet and Black

Students:  3,600

Message Board:  Gardner Webb Fan

The Series: In the 12th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 6-5 record overall against the dogs and enter the contest on a 2 game losing streak vs. Gardner-Webb. The 2019 season's loss broke a four-game win streak over the Runnin' Bulldogs by the Cats.  

Cris Reisert's record vs. WCU:  0-0

Kerwin Bell's record vs. GWU:  0-1

Last Game vs. Gardner-Webb (Sep. 21, 2021) - Turnovers proved costly on Saturday night as Western Carolina dropped an offensive affair at Gardner-Webb, falling 52-34 at Spangler Stadium. The Runnin' Bulldogs overcame two 10-point second half deficits and finished the game with 28-consectutive points to pull away for the victory in nonconference play.  The two teams combined for 1,202 yards including 650 yards on 99 plays for the Catamounts and 552 yards for Gardner-Webb in Saturday's game.

Last Season's Record (2024 - GWU): 4-8 overall, 2-3 home, 2-5 away, 3-5 Big South 

Head Coach: Cris Reisert -  Reisert enters his second season at Gardner-Webb in 2025. In his first season at the helm of the program, Reisert compiled an overall record of 4-8, including 3-5 in the Big South/OVC. He picked up his first career win at GWU during a 42-21 victory at Presbyterian on September 21. 

Reisert helped to coach tight end Camden Overton and linebacker Trevor Moffitt to Big South/OVC All-Conference honors while punter Nick Bigelow was named a 2024 FCS Punter of the Year Semifinalist.

Offensive Formation: Spread 

Defensive Formation: Multiple

GWU Offensive Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4 

GWU Defensive Starters Returning/Lost: 5/8

Reisert embarks on his second season as head coach of the Runnin' Bulldogs, following a successful tenure that saw the team clinch back-to-back conference titles in 2022 and 2023. Despite finishing the 2024 campaign with a 4-8 overall record and a 3-5 mark in league play, the Bulldogs are poised for a resurgence, bolstered by a strong recruiting class and an influx of talented transfers.

One of the most pressing questions facing the team is who will take the reins of the offense in the absence of former starting quarterback Tyler Riddell. The competition for the signal-calling position includes transfers Cole Pennington from Marshall and Nate Hampton from Liberty, both of whom bring FBS experience. Additionally, the Bulldogs recruited incoming freshman Finley Polk, a graduate of Northwestern High School. Polk enjoyed a remarkable high school career, amassing over 10,000 passing yards and 121 touchdowns. His senior season was impressive, as he completed 274 of 383 passes for 3,712 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.

Gardner-Webb has utilized the transfer portal, adding a total of 45 new players, including 15 from FBS programs. Notable additions to the roster include wide receivers Markel Fortenberry (Liberty), Chris Lofton (James Madison), and Jalen Harris (Coastal Carolina), as well as tight end Gatlin Hancock (Kennesaw State). On the defensive side, the Bulldogs have strengthened their lineup with the addition of linebacker Sabin McLaughlin (Davidson) and safety David Laney (North Carolina A&T).

With these strategic moves, the Runnin' Bulldogs feel they are positioned to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.

2024 Runnin' Bulldogs Statistics:

Rushing Offense: 1559 yards 
Yards per game: 130
Yards per rush: 3.6 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 95
TDs rushing: 19
Passing Offense: 2770 yards or 231 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7 yards
Passing 1st downs: 131
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 394-242-11

TDs Passing: 17

Total Offense: 4329 yards or 361 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost:  10-3
3d Down Conversions: 61 of 173 or 35%
4th Down Conversions: 21 of 36 or 58%
Field goal attempts: 11 of 19
On-side kicks: 0-4
Red Zone Scores: 33 of 43 
Red Zone Touchdowns: 28 of 43

PAT:  35 of 35

Game Day Tips: The season opener will air on ESPN+ and  broadcast on the Catamount Sports Nework with the Pepsi Pregame Show airing at 5 p.m. Fans can hear the broadcast locally on five CSN affiliate frequencies: in Sylva, 105.7 FM and 540 AM WRGC "The River" (wrgc.com); 104.9 FM and 1050 AM WFSC in Franklin (1050wfsc.com); WISE Sports Radio, 1310 AM in Asheville (wisesportsradio.com); and free through live streaming audio online at CatamountSports.com.

Public parking is available in the North Baseball Parking Deck (NO tailgating allowed) and South Baseball Lots, HF Robinson Admin Building, and various other lots across campus.  Fans can purchase tickets and game day parking in advance online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets. A reminder that game day parking is $15 in advance and $20 on game days.

 

6 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Striggles & Simpson-Nealy

It's now 6 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #6, one on offense and one on defense: 

#6 Marcus Striggles 

Position Wide Receiver

Height 5-9
Weight 180
Class Sophomore
Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
High School Dillard HS











Prior to Western Carolina: Transfer from Concord University in Athens, W.Va., where he was regarded as the top freshman wide receiver in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) … Listed as an Honorable Mention on the postseason All-MEC team … Finished fourth in the MEC with 48 receptions for 600 yards and a touchdown over 10 games … Averaged 60 receiving yards per game, sixth-best in the league … Had one 100-yard performance against Fairmont State … Originally committed to WCU back in 2023; 

High School: As a senior, hauled in 55 passes for 730 yards and eight touchdowns … Caught 31 passes for 713 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 at Dillard High … Also ran track & field as a prep where he was a member of his school’s 4x100 meter relay team that placed fourth at the Florida 3A meet as a junior … He also qualified for regionals in the long jump event that same season.

#6 Bo Simpson-Nealy 

Position Safety
Height 5-10
Weight 185
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Altamonte Springs, Fla.
High School Seminole HS












2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 10 of the team’s 12 games with seven starts in the defensive secondary … Credited with 37 total tackles, tied for sixth on the squad … Tallied 22 solo stops, including four for loss with a quarterback sack … Had tackles in all 10 games he played, with multiple tackles recorded eight times … Posted a pair of takeaways with an interception and a fumble recovery … Made his first collegiate start in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), finishing with five total tackles with one for loss … Including six solo stops, finished with seven tackles in the road win at Elon (Sept. 14), recovering a fumble in the winning effort … Credited with a career-high eight tackles with five solo stops and half a TFL at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) … Booked four tackles both at Mercer (Oct. 26), adding his first career interception, and four stops at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team defense by the league’s head coaches.

2023 (Freshman): Played in four games as a defensive reserve and on special teams, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Recorded nine total tackles including a pair of solo stops and half a tackle for loss … Made his collegiate debut and recorded his first career tackle in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Tallied a solo tackle at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Had three stops against Furman (Oct. 21) while recording a career-best four tackles in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11)… Credited with four tackles in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Over his final three seasons, recorded 112 total tackles including 65 solo stops and four tackles for loss with two sacks, according to MaxPreps … Had three career interceptions, two as a senior to go along with 34 tackles to earn first-team all-conference honors … Added 91 punt return yards in his final season … Had a 58 tackles junior season … Three-sport prep athlete, also playing basketball and baseball as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Ebony and Nakoma Simpson … First name is Antonio, but goes by “Bo”.

7 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Knight & Jones

It's now 7 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #7, one on offense and one on defense: 

#7 Malik Knight

Position Wide Receiver
Height 6-2
Weight 185
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
High School Fort Lauderdale HS










2025 (Redshirt Junior): Named second-team Preseason All-Southerence Conference.

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in all 12 of the team’s games as a reserve on offense and on special teams … Finished the season with 23 receptions for 392 yards, sixth on the team in catches and fourth in receiving yards … Recorded receptions in 10 of the team’s 12 games … Caught his first collegiate touchdown pass in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Hauled in a career-best four catches twice, against VMI (Nov. 16) and at Samford (Nov. 23) … Recorded 69 receiving yards at Furman before tallying a career-high 79 in the regular-season finale at Samford (Nov. 23) … Attempted a pass at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Caught one pass in limited action in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Did not see game action in the regular season ... Capped a strong spring semester by catching two passes for 50 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2022 (Freshman): Played in four games as an offensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his WCU debut in the season-opening road win at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Caught two passes for 20 yards in the home win over Presbyterian (Sept. 17).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a part of the 2021 District 7-A Championship team in the FHSAA ... Also ran track as a prep where he was the fourth-fastest runner in the 200-meter dash in Florida as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Malik Jamal Knight ... Is the son of Zawana Howard and Atare Allen.

#7 Ed Jones IV

Position Safety
Height 6-1
Weight 205
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Arlington, Texas
High School Martin HS












2024 (Senior): Underwent off-season lower body surgery with plans to rehab and return in the fall … Missed the eight games of the season before returning for four games at the end of the season, playing in each as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with seven tackles, including four solo stops … Had a season-high four tackles at ETSU (Nov. 9).

2023 (Junior): Played in all 11 of the team’s games with 10 starts in the defensive secondary … Was fifth on the WCU squad, credited with 40 total tackles including 21 solo stops … Had 4.5 tackles for 24 yards of losses including two sacks … Posted tackles in 10 of the 11 games he played … Credited with two quarterback hurries and one pass breakup … Recorded four tackles including a sack and forced a fumble in the season-opener at SEC-foe Arkansas (Sept. 2) … Had five stops with a TFL at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Came up with his first career interception, returning the pick 48 yards for a key touchdown in WCU’s road win over nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7) to accompany a season-high seven tackles … Had six tackles at Wofford (Nov. 4) and five solo tackles at VMI (Nov. 18).

2022 (Sophomore): Played in all 11 of the team’s games on the season with eight starts on defense … Recorded 38 tackles on the season with 20 solo stops and five tackles for loss with two sacks and a pair of pass breakups … Made his WCU debut in the season opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), tallying six solo tackles with two sacks against the Buccaneers … Recorded his WCU-best eight tackles with four solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Finished with seven tackles against nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Nov. 19) in the regular-season finale … Led his squad with seven tackles including a tackle for a loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU for the spring semester from Cisco College in Texas … Played in 15 games over the past two seasons, recording 132 total tackles including 62 solo stops and six tackles for loss … Saw action in eight games in the fall 2021, finishing third on the team with 70 tackles including 36 solo hits … Recorded an interception, returning the pick 32 yards … Played in seven games in the 2020-21 season played in the spring, collecting 62 total tackles including 26 solo stops and one TFL … Recorded six pass break-ups including an interception … Both forced and recovered a fumble … Helped guide Cisco to an undefeated conference championship; High School: Three-year varsity letter winner, credited with 170 total tackles including 103 solo stops and 30 tackles for loss with 16 sacks, according to MaxPreps.

Personal: Full name is Edward Jones IV ... Is the son of Bethany Britten and Edward Jones III, and his grandmother, Emma Jones.