WCU Football Game #6 - at Wofford Terriers

For the sixth game of the season, the Cats remains on the road as they travel to Spartanburg to face the Wofford Terriers in Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers finished the 2024 season with a 5-7 overall record, and 3-5 in the SoCon with wins over VMI, Samford, and Furman

Game #6 - Wofford Terriers

The Cats travel to Spartanburg to face the Terriers, who own a 0-4 record in the 2025 season. A loss to Mercer in their third game gives the Terriers an 0-1 SoCon record as they enter our game. Wofford is coming off  a bye week, giving them an extra week to prepare for the Cats.  

When: Saturday, October 4, 2024  

Time:  1:30 pm
Where:  Gibbs Stadium, Spartanburg, SC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

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

TV/video: ESPN+

Mascot:  Terrier

Colors: Old Gold & Black

Enrollment: 1873

Message Board:  Wofford Fans

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -    Wofford

The Series: The Cats are 18-28 overall against the Terriers in a series that started in 1952 and the Cats are 6-16 in games played in Spartanburg.  The Cats are currently on a four game overall win streak.  

The last game played vs. Wofford:  Oct. 5, 2024 -  Catamounts Claim SoCon Opener with Gritty Win Over Wofford - Cullowhee, N.C. – Jalyn Williams rumbled for a pair of short rushing touchdowns including the game-winning score late in the third quarter and kicker Paxton Robertson split the sticks on a pair of first-quarter field goals as Western Carolina ground out a gritty 21-17 Southern Conference-opening victory over Wofford on Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

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

Shawn Watson's record vs. WCU:  0 - 3

Kerwin Bells' record vs. Wofford:  4 - 0

Offensive Formation:   Pro spread offense

Defensive Formation:   Multiple 3/4 

Wofford opened the 2025 season with three of their first four games on the road. Shawn Watson enters his third full season as head coach of the Terriers, and returns ten starters overall, including four on offense, four on defense and two specialists.

Six Wofford players were named to the All-Southern Conference preseason team, C.J. Coombes earned a spot on the first team and he is also on the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award. The Wofford defense is 55th in the nation and third in the SoCon, with the scoring defense 16th overall and first in the SoCon. Three of the Terrier losses are by a combined six points, including two (S.C. State and Mercer) decided by just one point.  The turnover margin of +1.33 is ranked 12th in the nation, with the  five turnovers gained are 25th in the nation (3rd in SoCon), while the one turnover lost is tied for the second fewest in the nation (1st in SoCon). 

According to their statistics, year-to-date, the Terriers have gained only 180 total rushing yards (no rushing TDs) and a total of 547 yards passing.  I'm interested to know how well the WCU defense will be able to contain both their rushing and passing games.  Mercer held the Terriers to a total of 56 yards rushing.  

2025 Wofford Statistics (4 games)

Rushing Offense: 180 yards

Yards per game: 45
Yards per rush: 1.7 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 12
TDs rushing: 0
Passing Offense: 547 yards or 136.8 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 5.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 20
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 95-44-1

TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 727 yards or 182 per game

3d Down Conversions: 12 of 54 (22%)
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 5  (40%)
Field Goal: 3 of 7

On-side kicks:  0 - 0
Red Zone Scores: 2 of 3
Red Zone Touchdowns: 1 of 3

PAT: 5 of 5

Punts: 31 for 1258 yards

Avg per punt: 41 yards

WCU 2 Deep Roster vs. Campbell

WCU 2 Deep Roster

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

 

Catamount Football Weekly with Head Coach Kerwin Bell

Wrap-up of the Samford game and a look ahead to the Campbell Camels

 

WCU Football Game #5 - at Campbell Camels

In Western Carolina's fifth game of the 2025 season, and their final nonconference game of the season, the Catamounts travel to Buies Creek, NC to face the  Campbell Camels. 

The Camels finished the 2024 season with a 3-9 overall record and a 1-7 CAA record. The Camels picked up a win over the Cats in Cullowhee last season, essentially costing Western Carolina an NCAA at-large playoff opportunity.  

Game #5 - Campbell Camels

When: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Time: 3:30 pm (ET)  
Where: Barker-Lane Stadium, Buies Creek, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -Play-by-Play: Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV / video: Flo Sports (it will cost you $19.99 for one month)

Live Stats: Campbell Live Stats

Colors:  Orange and Black

Conference: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -    Campbell

Enrollment: 5,000

Mascot: Gaylord the Camel

Nickname:  Fighting Camels

Location: Buies Creek, NC (population- 3,253 at the 2020 census)  

Game Notes:    Western   -    Campbell    

The Series: Campbell actually hold a 3-0 record over the Cats from games played in 1935 & 1937 in Cullowhee, prior Campbell dropping football in 1950. The Camels returned to the gridiron in 2008, and won last season's game in Cullowhee.  

Head Coach: Braxton Harris. Campbell director of athletics Hannah Bazemore announced Braxton Harris as the Fighting Camels’ head football coach on January 2, 2024. Harris, who previously spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on staff at Campbell, returns to Buies Creek after spending 2023 as head coach at FCS Southland Conference member Houston Christian. Harris becomes the third head coach in Campbell’s modern football history (since 2008). . 

Harris's record vs. Western Carolina: 1-0

Kerwin Bell's record vs. Campbell: 0-1

Last Season's Record - 2024 (Campbell): 3-9 overall, 2-4 home, 1-5 away, 1-7 CAA

2025 Record (Campbell):  1-3 overall, 1-1 home, 0-2 away, 1-1 CAA

Campbell was picked to finish 10th in the 16 team CAA football conference in preseason voting for 2025. 

Head coach Braxton Harris, the third head coach in Campbell’s modern history, begins his second season at the helm in Buies Creek.

The 2025 Campbell team features 44 total returners and 56 newcomers, including 36 transfers and 20 freshmen, welcoming back 11 total offensive (6) or defensive starters (5).

Campbell has played 4 quarterbacks this season, with redshirt sophomore Kamden Sixkiller getting most of the action under center.  Playing in all 4 games this season, he's completed 98 passes in 149 attempts, for 893 yards, and 2 interceptions.  

The Camels are coming off a 50-48 double overtime win over the Bryant Bulldogs for their first win of the season.  The Camels have lost to Rhode Island, East Carolina, and Furman in their first 3 games of the season.

2025 Campbell Statistics (4 games)

Rushing Offense: 439 yards Yards per game: 109.8
Yards per rush: 3.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 28
TDs rushing: 4
Passing Offense: 926 yards or 231.5 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 42
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 165-1

TDs Passing: 8

Total Offense: 1365 yards or 342 yards per game
Fumbles - Lost: 7-5
3d Down Conversions:  23-64 (36%)

4th Down Conversions: 7-11  (64%)
Field goal attempts:4 of 5
PAT-Attempts: 11 of 11
Red Zone Scores:  13 of 15 
Red Zone Touchdowns: 10 of 15 
On-Side Kicks: 0 - 0
Penalties-Yards: 30 - 265

WCU Player of the Game (vs. Samford) Taron Dickens

Purple & Gold's "Catamount Player of the Game" for the Samford home game on September 20th is redshirt sophomore quarterback Taron Dickens. 

The Catamount Player of the Game, Taron Dickens threw for career highs of six passing touchdowns and 582 yards to lead Western Carolina to a 50-35 victory over Samford on Saturday. Dickens completed 35 of 45 pass attempts and connected with 10 receivers, while tossing Camury Reid 3 TDs. Tyger also rushed four times for 42 total yards on the ground.  

Dickens posted the best passing performance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to date this year with the second-most passing yards in both school and league history, tying former Samford QB Liam Welch for the latter.

Congratulations to Tyger for his selection as WCU Player of the Game.  

Picture Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

Family Weekend in Cullowhee

 

Tracking the Cats: Coach Chad Miller

 

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Samford

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

 

WCU Football Game #4 - Samford Bulldogs

In 2024, Western Carolina closed the regular season and conference schedule against the Samford Bulldogs, and in 2025, the Cats will open the conference schedule against these same Bulldogs.   

Game #4 - Samford Bulldogs

The Bulldogs finished the 2024 season with a 4-7 overall record, finishing the season with a 3-4 conference record, and finished in fifth place in the conference standings for the second consecutive season. Currently the Bulldogs are 0-3 overall (as are the Cats). 

  

When: Saturday, September 20, 2025

Time: 2:30 pm (ET)  

Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Color Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV / video:    ESPN+
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -   Samford   

Colors: Red and Blue

Bulldog Message Board: The Dog Pound 

The Series: The Cats are 5-17 overall against the Bulldogs since winning the first outing back in 1969. Samford owned an eleven-game winning streak against Western until 2015 when the Cats broke that streak in Cullowhee with a 56-36 win over the Dogs. The Cats brok another 5 game losing streak last in the 2023 season in Cullowhee, with a 30-7 win over the Bulldogs. The Cats are riding a two game win streak vs. the Bulldogs, but are 3-7 vs. Samford in games played in Cullowhee.  

Last game played vs. Samford: Nov. 23, 2024 - Catamounts Claim Wild Season Finale at Samford, 47-42 -  Taron Dickens passed for 408 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offensive attack and Western Carolina converted a pair of late first-half takeaways into points before withstanding a furious third-quarter rally by the Samford Bulldogs as the Catamounts closed the regular season with a 47-42 road victory in Southern Conference action Saturday at Pete Hanna Stadium.

Chris Hatcher's record vs. Western Carolina: 9-4

Kerwin Bell's record vs. Samford: 2-2

Head Coach: Chris Hatcher. Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014. Entering his eleventh season at Samford in 2025, Hatcher boasts a career record of 182-107 in 24 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern, and Valdosta State. 

Last Season's Record - 2024 (Samford): 4-7 overall, 3-3 home, 1-4 away, 3-4 SoCon

This Season's Record - 2025 (Samford):  0-3 overall, 0-2 home, 0-1 away, 0-1 SoCon

Offensive Formation: Multiple
Defensive Formation: 4-3

In SoCon preseason polls, the Bulldogs were picked fifth in the coaches poll and Samford had four players named to the preseason All-SoCon teams. Defensive lineman Conroy Cunningham and long-snapper Alex Applefi eld were both named first team preseason All-SoCon, while quarterback Quincy Crittendon and linebacker Jaden Mosley both earned second team honors.

The 2025 Samford football roster features several Power Four transfers including Deuce Caldwell II (North Carolina), Web Davidson (Virginia Tech), Gumbo Gaskins (Vanderbilt), Jaden Gibson (Virginia), Charlie Gilliam (Wake Forest), Donovan Grayson (West Virginia), Grant Hidalgo (Auburn), Noah Jones (Georgia), Vance Nicklaus (Florida State), Rayf Vinson (Ole Miss) and Hank Weber (Wisconsin).

Not only have there been changes on the roster, but the Bulldog coaching sta has some new faces as well: Scot Sloan (Defensive Coordinator), Cal King (Linebackers), Tyler Zielenske (Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator), Thomas Morton (Quarterbacks) and Caysey Colant (Chief of Staff). 

So far this season, the Bulldogs have losses against West Georgia, The Citadel, and Baylor.  

2025 Samford Statistics (3 games)

Rushing Offense: 209 yards
Yards per game: 69.7
Yards per rush: 2.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 16
TDs rushing: 1
Passing Offense: 709 yards or 236 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 32
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 131-88-6
TDs Passing: 1
Total Offense: 918 yards or 306 yards per game
Fumbles - Lost: 10 - 6
3d Down Conversions: 18 of  54 (33%)
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 7 (29%)
Field goal attempts: 3 - 3
PAT-Attempts: 2 of 2
Red Zone Scores:  5 of 10 
Red Zone Touchdowns: 2 of 10 
On-Side Kicks: 1 - 1
Penalties-Yards: 19 - 174

Game Day - Elon comes to town!!!

 Game Day in Cullowhee!!!

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

Never Forget 9-11-2001

 

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Elon

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

 

WCU Football Game #3 - Elon Phoenix

Game #3 - Elon Phoenix 

In the season's third game, the Catamounts return to Cullowhee to face former Southern Conference foe, the Elon Phoenix from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). This is the Phoenix first trip back to Cullowhee since the 2013 season.  

Where: E. J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

When: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 2:30 pm (EST)
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
     -announcer: Gary Ayers
TV/video: ESPN+
Game Notes: Western Carolina   -    Elon 
Conference: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Mascot: Phoenix
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Students: 6,337

Message Board: Elon Fans

The Series: The Cats own an 18-24-2 overall record against the Phoenix, and come into the game on two game win streak. The Cats picked up a 24-17 last year at Elon.   

Elon's 2024 Record:  6-6 overall, 2-4 home, 4-2 away, 5-3 conference (CAA)

Head Coach: Tony Trisciani -  The 23rd head football coach at Elon University, he completed his sixth season at the helm of the program in the fall of 2024. Widely familiar with the CAA Football landscape, the 2024 season marked Trisciani's 29th year as a football coach and his 19th 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.

Trisciani's record vs. WCU: 0-1

Bell's record vs. Elon:  1-0

Elon was picked to finish eighth in the 14 team CAA football preseason poll, and Jeff Yurk was selected as the Preseason All-CAA punter. So far this season the Phoenix played both Duke & Davidson.  

In Saturday's home opener, Phoenix redshirt freshman QB Landen Clark threw for three touchdowns and ran in another as Elon picked up 41 first-half points en route to a 55-7 win over Davidson at Rhodes Stadium. The Elon defense held Davidson to 93 passing yards, and 65 yards rushing, in their 55-7 win over helpless Davidson.  

2025 Elon Statistics (2 games):
Rushing Offense: 452 yards
Yards per game: 226
Yards per rush: 4.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 27
TDs rushing: 6
Passing Offense: 370 yards or 185 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.9 yards
Passing 1st downs: 17
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 47-27-0
TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 822 yards or 411yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 1-0
3d Down Conversions: 13 of 30 or 43%
4th Down Conversions: 3 of 5 or 60%
Field goal attempts: 3 of 3
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 10 of 11
Red Zone Touchdowns: 7 of 11
PAT: 9 of 9

Tracking the Cats - Fall Sports & volleyball Coach Karen Glover

WCU Sports Wrap + Volleyball Coach Karen Glover 9/4/2025

WCU Football Game #2 - Wake Forest

Game #2 - Wake Forest Demon Deacons 

In the season's second game, the Catamounts travel to Winston-Salem to face the ACC's Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in the fourth meeting between the two teams. 

Where: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC

When: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm (EST)
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
     -announcer: Gary Ayers
TV/video: ACCN ESPN
Game Notes: Western Carolina   -    Wake Forest   
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
Mascot: Demon Deacons 
Colors: Old Gold and Black
Students: 9,121
Message Board: Old Gold and Black Boards

The Series: The Cats own a 0-3 record against the Deacs, with all three games held in Winston-Salem. The two teams last played in September of 1991.  

"Wake Forest opened the Jake Dickert era with a 10-9 victory over Kennesaw State at home on Friday night to launch the 2025 season. 

The Deacs recorded nearly 350 yards of total offense, led by redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford who was 20-of-28 for 218 yards through the air and 18 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown on the ground. On the ground, five different Demon Deacons contributed to 130 rushing yards while redshirt senior tight end Eni Falayi led the team in receiving with four catches for 52 yards."

On Offense: The offensive is poised to center around senior running back Demond Claiborne, who returns after an impressive season in which he amassed 1,049 rushing yards. He is projected to be the offensive MVP. Under offensive coordinator Rob Ezell, the newly implemented spread offense aims to leverage Claiborne's speed and power. However, the quarterback position remains a significant concern, as Ashford has yet to prove himself as a reliable starter, while backup Deshawn Purdie has a history that raises questions about his performance. The receiving corps also lacks established talent, although transfers such as Karate Benson and Carlos Hernandez are anticipated to make meaningful contributions.

On Defense: The defense, which struggled last season, ranking near the bottom nationally in pass defense, is undergoing a transformation under new defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton. Key returning players include safety Nick Andersen and linebacker Dylan Hazen, who is projected to be the defensive MVP. The unit will feature a mix of transfers and untested players, with the potential for improved performance. However, a challenging start to the season is expected.

2025 Demon Deacons Statistics (1 game):
Rushing Offense: 130 yards
Yards per game: 130
Yards per rush: 2.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 9
TDs rushing: 1
Passing Offense: 218 yards or 218 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 10
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 28-20-0
TDs Passing: 0
Total Offense: 348 yards or 348 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 0-0
3d Down Conversions: 6 of 17 or 35%
4th Down Conversions: 1 of 1 or 100%
Field goal attempts: 1 of 2
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 2 of 3

Red Zone Touchdowns: 1 of 3 

PAT: 1 of 1