WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. ETSU

 

Bring Home the Rock

SoCon Football Power Ranking (after week #4)

September 21, 2026

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2026 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #4 of play. (Last week's ranking in parentheses).  

1. (1) Tennessee Tech (3-0, 2-0 SoCon)

Next: at Wofford (2-2, 1-1)

2. (7) Chattanooga (2-2, 1-1 SoCon)

Next: at The Citadel  (1-2, 0-1 SoCon)

3. (4) Western Carolina (2-2)

Next: at ETSU (2-2)

4. (5) Mercer (2-2)

Next: at Abilene Christian (1-3)

5. (2) Furman (2-2)

Next: at Richmond (3-1)

6. (3) Wofford (2-2, 1-1 SoCon)

Next: Tennessee Tech (3-0, 2-0 SoCon)

7. (8) ETSU  (2-2)

Next: Western Carolina  (2-2)

8. (6) The Citadel (1-2, 0-1 SoCon)

Next: Chattanooga (2-2, 1-1 SoCon)

9. (9) Samford (0-3, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: VMI (0-4, 0-0 SoCon)

10. (10) VMI (0-4, 0-0 SoCon)

Next: at Samford (0-3, 0-1 SoCon)

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WCU Football Game #5 - at ETSU

In Western Carolina's fifth game of the 2026 season, the Cats travel to Johnson City, TN to face the Bucs of East Tennessee State (ETSU) for the fifty-sixth time overall on the gridiron.  This is The Blue Ridge Boarder Battle and the SoCon/Ingles Game of the Week.

Game #5 - East Tennessee State University

When: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Time: 3:30 pm (ET)  
Where: Johnson City, Tenn.
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video: Nexstar / ESPN+

  - WYCW (Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville-Anderson), WJHL (Tri-Cities)

Game Notes:  Western Carolina    -     ETSU

Mascot: Bucs

Fan Message Board:  Buccaneer Nation

Enrollment: 13,378

Nickname: .Buccaneers (Bucs) 

Colors: Navy Blue and Gold 

The Series: The series is tied at 27-27-1 overall, with the first game being played in Cullowhee in 1932. The Cats are currently on a two game losing streak to the Bucs.  

Kerwin Bell's Record vs. ETSU:  2-3
Will Healy's Record vs. WCU:  1-0

The Bucs enter this game with a 2-2 record and wins over Tusculum and West Georgia, and losses to Campbell and UNC.  

2026 Record:  2-2 overall, 2-1 home, 0-1 away, 0-0 SoCon.  

See the preseason preview:  A Look at  the  East Tennessee State Buccaneers

2026 ETSU Statistics (4 games):        

Rushing Offense: 712 yards
Yards per game: 159

Yards per rush: 4.4 yards

Rushing 1st downs: 36
TDs rushing: 9
Passing Offense: 252 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 8.4 yards
Passing 1st downs: 39
Passing: Att-Comp-Int: 120-86-3

TDs Passing: 9
Total Offense: 1644 yards or 411 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 6-3
3d Down Conversions: 29-54 (53.70 %)
4th Down Conversions: 1-5 (20.00 %)
Field goal attempts: 2 of 4
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores:11 of 13
Red Zone Touchdowns:11 of 13

PAT:  15 of 15

SoCon Power Rankings (after week #3)

September 14, 2026

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2026 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #3 of play. Last week's ranking in parentheses.  

1. (1) Tenn Tech (1-0)

Next: Samford (0-2)

2. (7) Furman (2-1)

Next: SC State (3-0)

3. (4) Wofford (2-1, 1-0 SoCon)

Next: at Chattanooga (1-2, 0-1 SoCon)

4. (3) Western Carolina (1-2)

Next: PC (1-1)

5. (2) Mercer (2-1)

Next:  at Georgia Tech  (0-2)

6. (5) The Citadel (1-2)

Next: Bye

7. (6) Chattanooga (1-2, 0-1 SoCon)

Next: Wofford (2-1, 1-0 SoCon)

8. (8) ETSU  (1-2)

Next: West Georgia  (0-2)

9. (9) Samford (0-3, 0-1 SoCon)
Next: Bye

10. (10) VMI (0-3)

Next: at Davidson  (1-2)

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WCU Game #4 - Presbyterian Blue Hose

In Western Carolina's fourth game of the 2026 season, the Presbyterian Blue Hose travel to Cullowhee to face the Catamounts for the twenty-first time overall on the gridiron. This is WCU's Family Weekend in Cullowhee & is a 'White Out Whitmire' game. The Blue Hose were last in Cullowhee in 2022

Game #5 - Presbyterian Blue Hose

When: Saturday, September 19, 2026

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

TV / video: ESPN+

Colors:  Blue and Garnet

Conference: Pioneer

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -     PC

Mascot: Blue Hose

Location: Clinton, SC 

The Series: The Catamounts have a 11-9 overall record with PC that stretches back to September of 1950

Head Coach: Matt Rahl was appointed the 18^th head football coach in Presbyterian history on December 29, 2025. Rahl – who holds 24 years of experience as an assistant coach, including three FBS programs – has served as PC’s offensive line coach, run game coordinator, and offensive recruiting coordinator for the past two seasons. He takes over a program that reached new heights in 2025 with his guidance, helping the Blue Hose post a 16-8 record since arriving.

The Blue Hose enters the game at 1-1, and are coming off a road loss to Mercer by a final score of 3-62. 

See the preseason preview A Look at the Presbyterian College Blue Hose. 

The Catamounts will pay the Blue Hose a $105,000 guarantee for the game, according to the copy of the contract (the price you pay without playing a home-and-home series).  

9-11 Never Forget

 

WCU Game #3 - at Cincinnati Bearcats

In Western Carolina's third game of the 2026 season, the Catamounts travel to Cincinnati, Ohio to face the Cincinnati Bearcats for the second time overall. Western will receive a $475,000 guarantee payout for playing at the Cincinnati Bearcats on September 12, 2026.

Game #3 - Cincinnati Bearcats

When: Saturday, September 12, 2026

Time: 7 pm (ET)  
Where: Nippert Stadium - Cincinnati, Ohio
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video: ESPN+

Colors:  Red and Black

Conference: Big 12

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -     Cincinnati

Enrollment: 53,682

Mascot: Bearcats

Location: Cincinnati, Ohio 

The Series: The Catamounts have faced the Bearcats one time, in 2005 where they lost 3-7.

Head Coach: Scott Satterfield his fourth season leading the Bearcats in 2026. On staff in Cincinnati is former WCU head coach Mark Speir (assist. head coach).

What the Catamounts are facing:  

Cincinnati Athletic Budget:  Expenses: $119.3 million for FY2024–25, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year due to facility debts, operations, and scholarships. Set to receive a full $36 million conference revenue share allotment for the 2025–26 fiscal year as a full XII member. 

Student-Athlete Pay: Planning to spend up to the $20.5 million cap for direct athlete revenue-sharing under the House v. NCAA settlement

Catamount Football Weekly (9-7-26)

 

SoCon Power Rankings (after week #2)

September 7, 2026

Welcome to Purple & Gold's 2026 SoCon Football Power Rankings.

Each Monday throughout the season, we'll release that week's Power Rankings.  Here are this week's power rankings, after week #2 of play. Last week's ranking in parentheses.  

1. (2) Tenn Tech (1-0)

Next: Samford (0-2)

2. (3) Mercer (2-0)

Next:  Furman (1-1)

3. (1) Western Carolina (1-1)

Next: at

Cincinnati

(1-0)

4. (4) Wofford (1-0)

Next: Gardner-Webb (0-1)

5. (9) The Citadel (1-1)

Next: Charleston Southern  (0-2)

6. (6) Chattanooga (1-1)

Next:  at EKU  (0-2)

7. (5) Furman (1-1)

Next: at Mercer (2-0)

8. (7) ETSU  (1-1)

Next: at UNC  (1-0)

9. (8) Samford (0-2)
Next: at Tenn Tech (2-0)

10. (10) VMI (0-2)

Next: at Va Tech  (0-0)

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WCU 2-Deep Roster at Campbell