Game #1 - Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC
When: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm (EST)
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
-announcer: Gary Ayers
TV/video: ESPN+
TV/video: ESPN+
-announcer: Daniel Hooker
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats
Game Notes: Western Carolina - EKU (when available)
Conference: UAC
Mascot: Colonels
Colors: Maroon and White
Students: 15,673
Message Board: Maroon Nation
The Series: In the 9th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 3-5 record overall against the Colonels and enter the contest on a 1 game winning streak vs. EKU. The 2023 season win broke a two-game losing streak with EKU. The Cats are 1-2 in games played in Cullowhee.
Walt Well's record vs. WCU: 2-1
Kerwin Bell's record vs. GWU: 1-1
Last Game vs. EKU (Sep. 15, 2023) - Catamounts Weather the Colonels in 27-24 Road Win -Richmond, Ky. – Cole Gonzales passed for 340 yards and three touchdowns including the go-ahead score to Branson Adams with 25 seconds remaining in regulation and Western Carolina withstood a late Eastern Kentucky drive with a would-be game-tying field goal missing as the Catamounts earned a 27-24 road victory on a rain-soaked Saturday night on CG Bank Field at Roy Kidd Stadium.
Last Season's Record (2025 - EKU): 5-7 overall, 3-3 home, 2-4 away, 3-5 Big South/OVC
Returning Players and Roster Outlook
EKU has significant experience returning, bolstered by a large transfer portal class (19 signees + one international) announced in early 2026. The portal haul emphasizes defense (13 signees) and the offensive line.
Offense:
Quarterbacks: Myles Burkett (R-Sr., experienced starter) and Colbey Lamberth (R-Jr./SO) headline the room, with depth from transfers like Jordyn Potts (R-Jr., from Tennessee Tech). Expect competition for the starting nod.
Myles Burkett (R-Sr.): Primary returning starter with significant experience. Reliable arm and decision-making from 2025 action.
Colbey Lamberth (R-Jr.): Tall, athletic backup with upside; provides dual-threat potential.
Eastern Kentucky's offense under head coach Walt Wells and offensive coordinator Andy Richman enters 2026 with experience at key skill positions but faces questions along the offensive line and in overall consistency. The unit showed flashes in 2025 (part of a 5-7 season) but needs better trench play and rhythm to push for a top-half UAC finish and playoff contention. The team added six offensive transfers (four OL, two WRs) in the January 2026 portal class, emphasizing line upgrades
Defense:
A major area of investment with transfers like DL Keshawn Hayden (from Central Michigan), Jayden Marable (Memphis), and others providing FBS/D-I experience. Linebackers Jackson Marshall (Gr., local) and edge players like Caleb Redd add toughness.
Secondary:
Additions like Dyson Bell and Cristian Conyer (Kentucky native from App State) bolster depth.
Overall, the roster mixes veterans, transfers with proven production, and high school signees. Depth on the defensive side and O-line upgrades could be difference-makers
EKU has significant experience returning, bolstered by a large transfer portal class (19 signees + one international) announced in early 2026. The portal haul emphasizes defense (13 signees) and the offensive line.
Offense:
Quarterbacks: Myles Burkett (R-Sr., experienced starter) and Colbey Lamberth (R-Jr./SO) headline the room, with depth from transfers like Jordyn Potts (R-Jr., from Tennessee Tech). Expect competition for the starting nod.
Myles Burkett (R-Sr.): Primary returning starter with significant experience. Reliable arm and decision-making from 2025 action.
Colbey Lamberth (R-Jr.): Tall, athletic backup with upside; provides dual-threat potential.
Eastern Kentucky's offense under head coach Walt Wells and offensive coordinator Andy Richman enters 2026 with experience at key skill positions but faces questions along the offensive line and in overall consistency. The unit showed flashes in 2025 (part of a 5-7 season) but needs better trench play and rhythm to push for a top-half UAC finish and playoff contention. The team added six offensive transfers (four OL, two WRs) in the January 2026 portal class, emphasizing line upgrades
Defense:
A major area of investment with transfers like DL Keshawn Hayden (from Central Michigan), Jayden Marable (Memphis), and others providing FBS/D-I experience. Linebackers Jackson Marshall (Gr., local) and edge players like Caleb Redd add toughness.
Secondary:
Additions like Dyson Bell and Cristian Conyer (Kentucky native from App State) bolster depth.
Overall, the roster mixes veterans, transfers with proven production, and high school signees. Depth on the defensive side and O-line upgrades could be difference-makers
2025 Colonels Statistics: 
Rushing Offense: 1570 yards
Yards per game: 130.8
Yards per rush: 3.9 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 74
TDs rushing: 12
Passing Offense: 1580 yards or 131.7 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 5.6 yards
Passing 1st downs: 80
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 149-280-9
Yards per game: 130.8
Yards per rush: 3.9 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 74
TDs rushing: 12
Passing Offense: 1580 yards or 131.7 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 5.6 yards
Passing 1st downs: 80
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 149-280-9
TDs Passing: 9
Total Offense: 3150 yards or 262.5 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 10-8
3d Down Conversions: 11 of 155 or 33%
4th Down Conversions: 5 of 12 or 42%
Field goal attempts: 14 of 19
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 21 of 26 (81%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 13 of 26 (50%)
Fumbles-Lost: 10-8
3d Down Conversions: 11 of 155 or 33%
4th Down Conversions: 5 of 12 or 42%
Field goal attempts: 14 of 19
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 21 of 26 (81%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 13 of 26 (50%)
PAT: 26 of 26
Game Day Tips: The season opener will air on ESPN+ and broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network with the Pepsi Pregame Show airing at 6 p.m. Fans can hear the broadcast locally on the 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.
Fans are encouraged to help Blackout Whitmire by wearing black as the Catamounts unveil their new Night Cat black Nike uniforms. The first 3,500 fans will receive a complimentary black WCU T-shirt, while 4,000 Blackout thunder sticks, courtesy of The Everson, will help create a charged atmosphere throughout the evening.
One of the program's traditions returns with the 15th Annual Freshmen Run, as members of WCU's Class of 2030 will charge through the tunnel before kickoff to lead the Catamounts onto the field.
Following the game, the celebration continues with a drone light show presented by Catamount Athletics and Vannoy Construction and produced by Sky Elements.
Fans are encouraged to help Blackout Whitmire by wearing black as the Catamounts unveil their new Night Cat black Nike uniforms. The first 3,500 fans will receive a complimentary black WCU T-shirt, while 4,000 Blackout thunder sticks, courtesy of The Everson, will help create a charged atmosphere throughout the evening.
One of the program's traditions returns with the 15th Annual Freshmen Run, as members of WCU's Class of 2030 will charge through the tunnel before kickoff to lead the Catamounts onto the field.
Following the game, the celebration continues with a drone light show presented by Catamount Athletics and Vannoy Construction and produced by Sky Elements.
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