52 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #52 Grady Thomas

It's now 52 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a player from the offensive line.....


#52 Grady Thomas

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.
High School: Spartanburg HS
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 285
Position: OL

Prior to Western Carolina: Named to the first team All-USA South Carolina football team and to the Herald-Journal All-Area team ... Selected to play in the 80th annual Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas ... High school head coach was Chris Miller ... According to SCMat.com, listed as the No. 5 wrestler in the state of South Carolina at the 5-A classification ... He also won the county championship in wrestling in 2017.

Personal: Full name is Grady Maguire Thomas ... Is the son of Tammy Thomas ... Is originally from Laconia, N.H.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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SoCon Media Day - July 18 Spartanburg Marriott

53 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #53 Abe Noland

It's now 53 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a player from the offensive line.....

#53 Abe Noland

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Watkinsville, Ga.
High School: Oconee County HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 255
Position: OL

Prior to Western Carolina: Recovered from a broken vertabrae in his back suffered prior to his sophomore season to return to the football field ... Was among the Terrific 32 from NE Georgia Recruits.

Personal: Is the son of Travis and Julie Noland ... His father, Travis, is the football coach at OCHS and played collegiate football at Appalachian State ... Travis coached prep football across Western North Carolina at Cherokee HS, Pisgah HS, A.C. Reynolds HS, Erwin HS and Tuscola HS, serving as the head coach at the final two stops ... Has two brothers - older brother, Zeb, is a quarterback at Iowa State, and younger brother, Ben.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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54 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #54 is Retired (Art Byrd)

It's now 54 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Art Byrd's #54 is retired, Art's jersey and number - 54- was the first to be retired in Western Carolina's athletic history.


#54 Art Byrd

Art Byrd was Western Carolina's first football All-American Selection in 1949 when he helped lead the Catamounts to the North State Conference championship, the school's first football title. He was a two-way player as an offensive and defensive lineman who amazingly was in on every play of every game in the 1948 season. Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular season mark in 1949 and their first North State Conference title. That team additionally holds the distinction of being WCU's first to earn a postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va.

According to his head coach, Tom Young, Byrd "epitomized the spirit of those fine football teams that put us on the map." Byrd was a catalyst of three winning records in his four seasons (1946-49).   Byrd ss the first Western Carolina student-athlete to have their jersey retired, and he was inducted into the Western Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, WCU's first-ever induction class.



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55 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #55 Andrew Birkmire

It's now 55 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight another linebacker.....

#55 Andrew Birkmire

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Oviedo, Fla.
High School: Oviedo HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 215
Position: LB

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.2016 (Freshman) Did not see game action ... Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played both offensive tight end and defensive end, as well as on special teams as a prep ... Started playing at a private school before transferring to Oviedo High ... Was involved in starting a team Bible study and was involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) ... High school coach was Wes Allen.

Personal: Is the son of Rex and Ann Birkmire ... Has an older brother, Jon.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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56 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #56 Jerod Walls

It's now 56 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight another linebacker.....

#56 Jerod Walls

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Lexington, N.C.
High School: Central Davidson HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 210
Position: LB

2016 (Redshirt Freshman): Appeared in 10 games as a defensive reserve and on special teams ... Recorded four tackles on the year with two solo stops ... Recorded his first career tackle in the home win over Gardner-Webb (Sept. 10) ... Tallied a career-high two tackles against Chattanooga (Oct. 28) ... Selected to the 2016 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team and Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.... Credited with three tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2015 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Named to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Named All-Mid-Piedmont Conference as a senior ... Was also a Lexington Dispatch All-County selection in his final season, finishing with 133 tackles, three sacks, an interception and two blocked kicks ... Also played basketball as a prep, earning Athlete of the Week honors during his career, and competed in swimming ... Was named the Edward Jones Athlete of the Month in March of 2015.



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57 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #57 Alan Harris

It's now 57 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight another linebacker.....

#57 Alan Harris

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School: Mt. Vernon Presbyterian
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 225
Position: LB

Prior to Western Carolina: Over his four-year prep career, recorded 458 career tackles including 200 solo stops and 29 sacks ... Was a three-year all-region selection ... Named the 5-A Defensive Player of the Year as a senior after collecting a career-high 130 season tackles ... Was an honorable mention Class A-Private All-State selection ... Credited with the most tackles by a freshman in his first year as a prep ... High school head coach was Wayne Dabbs ... Was an honor roll student and was selected to the Dean's List as a senior ... Also participated in field events, setting a school-record and finishing fourth in the state in the discus as a junior.

Personal: Full name is Alan Micah Harris ... Is the son of Daisy and Andre' Harris ... Has two siblings.


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2017 Football Preseason Preview: Samford

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2018 football opponents.

For the fifth game of the season, we'll look at the projected conference preseason #1 Samford Bulldogs. The Cats travel to Homewood, AL for what will be the second straight road game for the Cats.

Since Samford joined the Southern Conference in 2008, Western is 2-8 against the Bulldogs after last season's four-point upset win over the #17 nationally ranked Dogs in Cullowhee.





Samford

When: Saturday, September 23 - Time 3:30 pm ET

Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Bob Waters Field, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV/video: SoCon Digital Network / ESPN3

Games that will be played by the Dogs this season prior to the WCU contest: (3) KSU (home); West Alabama  (Div II) (home), Georgia  @ Athens, GA

The Series: The Cats are 2-12 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 are 1-5 against the Dogs in Cullowhee, and 1-7 in games played in Birmingham.

Last game played vs. Samford: (10-22-16) Western Carolina Football Falls at No. 20 Samford, 30-17  -  Karel Hamilton recorded 16 receptions for a game-high 208 yards and two receiving touchdowns to highlight a strong passing performance by No. 20 Samford as the Bulldogs handed Western Carolina a 30-17 defeat Saturday night in Southern Conference action at Seibert Stadium

Head Coach: Chris Hatcher.  Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014. His career record is 121-57 in 15 years as a college head coach at Murray State, Georgia Southern and Valdosta State. Hatcher served as the head coach at Murray State since 2010.and had five seasons with the Racers, Hatcher’s teams employ the high-powered “Hatch Attack”. Hatcher came to Samford after serving as the head coach at Murray State University from 2010 to 2014. In five seasons as the head coach of the Racers, Hatcher’s teams employed the high-powered “Hatch Attack” offense to top the Division I-FCS football charts. In 2014, the Racers ranked second in the nation in passing offense, averaging 327.2 yards per game. The team also ranked 15th in total offense at 468.3 yards per contest.

Last Season's Record (Samford): 7-5 overall, 5-0 home, 2-5 away (5-3 SoCon)

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  5  / 6

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  7 / 4

Specialist - Returning/Lost: 5 / 1

Lost from 2-Deep Roster - 17

Offensive Formation: Multiple

Defensive Formation: 4-3

Key losses:  Emmanuel Obajimi, Devon Schmitt, Karel Hamilton, LG Armando Bonheur, C Gordon Crozier, RG Royus Amos, NG Jared Holloway, DE Roosevelt Donaldson, LB Tonne Osaigbond, FS Jamerson Blount,

Top returnees:  Devlin Hodges, last season's SoCon POY,  LB  Shaheed Salmon, CB Omari Williams, DL Ahmad Gooden

The Samford football team has been highly ranked in 2017 preseason polls by several publications and websites. SouthernPigskin.com has Samford ranked the highest of any preseason poll, placing the Bulldogs 9th in the nation. Athlon Sports places Samford 18th, while the Dogs are ranked 20th in Street and Smith's preseason poll. Samford returns five starters on offense and seven starters on defense from the 2016 squad.

Last year's team posted a record of 7-5 overall and 5-3 in Southern Conference games, marking Samford's sixth-straight winning season. Among the returning starters are first-team All-SoCon honorees quarterback Devlin Hodges (Off. POY), linebacker Shaheed Salmon, cornerback Omari Williams and defensive lineman Ahmad Gooden.

In preseason honors, Samford junior quarterback Devlin Hodges was named the Southern Conference's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Hodges was joined on the first team by wide receiver Kelvin McKnight, defensive lineman Ahmad Gooden, linebacker Shaheed Salmon and defensive back Omari Williams. Punter Austin Barnard was named to the second team.

As a team, Samford was picked to finish third in both the coaches poll and media poll. Wofford was picked first and The Citadel second in both polls. Samford earned three first-place votes in the media poll.

2016 Samford Statistics
Rushing Offense: 1161 yards
Yards per game: 97
Yards per rush: 3.6 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 66
TDs rushing: 13
Passing Offense: 4193 yards or 349 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 181
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 386-546-8
TDs Passing: 38
Total Offense: 5354 yards or 446 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 14 - 7
3d Down Conversions: 59 of 168
4th Down Conversions: 9 of 14
Field goal attempts:  12 - 17
PAT-Attempts:  53 of 54
Red Zone Scores: 46 of 51
Red Zone Touchdowns: 36 of 51



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58 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #58 Daniel Riddle

It's now 58 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a linebacker.....

#58 Daniel Riddle

Class: RS Senior
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
High School: Athens Drive HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 225
Position: LB

2016 (Redshirt Junior): Was limited to eight games with just one start due to injury, starting a linebacker in the season-finale at South Carolina (Nov. 19) ... Team Captain ... Finished with 36 total tackles including 19 solo stops ... Recorded a season-best nine tackles with seven solo stops in the regular season finale at South Carolina ... Selected to the 2016 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team and Named to the 2016-17 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2015 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 11 games in which he saw action at linebacker ... Led Western Carolina -- and the Southern Conference -- in tackles during the regular season, finishing with 129 tackles including 46 solo stops and three for losses ... Posted double-digit tackles in nine of WCU's 11 seasonal games and concluded the regular season seventh in the country in tackles per game (11.7) ... Posted five-or-more tackles in every game ... Matched his career-high with 18 tackles in the home win over Presbyterian (Oct. 2) ... Recorded a pair of interceptions including the first of his career against Samford (Oct. 24), returning the pick 46 yards ... Also had an interception at Texas A&M (Nov. 14) ... Collected first team All-Southern Conference honors from the media and second recognition from the league's head coaches ... Was a two-time SoCon Player of the Week and selected the top defensive player in October after tallying 67 tackles -- an average of 13.4 per game -- during the month ... Also garnered SoCon Student-Athlete of the Week honors, presented by General Shale ... Listed on the CFPA Defensive Watch List for top defensive player ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll ... Was selected 2015 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference ... Credited with five tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2014 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 of the team’s games with nine starts at linebacker … Finished third on the team with 74 tackles including 35 solo stops and five tackles for 32 yards in losses … Was the highest ranking rookie defender in the SoCon, averaging 6.2 tackles per game … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team … Twice finished with double-digit tackles … Recorded 1.5 sacks with a pair of pass break-ups … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30) … Made his first career start count, earning Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week and co-Freshman of the Week from The Sports Network against Catawba (Sept. 13) … Recorded a career-high 18 tackles including seven solo stops with three TFLs, a sack and two forced fumbles in earning the weekly plaudits … Posted an 11-tackle performance in the home win over Wofford (Oct. 11) … In late October, was added to the Jerry Rice Award Watch List for the nation’s top freshman … Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll.

2013 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Named to the 2013-14 Southern Conference Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year varsity letter winner and starter at Athens Drive High ... Led the Tri-9 Conference in tackles with over 360 including 65 tackles for loss and 13 sacks ... Named the Tri-9 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, recording 169 tackles and seven sacks as a senior ... Recorded two career receiving touchdowns and an interception ... Was a Tri-9 All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2010 ... Two-time Academic All-Conference.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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59 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #59 Graham Foster

It's now 59 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a long snapper.....

#59 Graham Foster

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Anderson, S.C.
High School: T.L. Hanna HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 200
Position: LS



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60 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #60 Zachary Greene

It's now 60 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a defensive end.....

#60 Zachary Greene

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Randleman, N.C.
High School: Randleman HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 245
Position: DE

2016 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in nine of the team’s 11 games with one start … Finished the year with 10 total tackles including three solo stops … Tallied a season-high two tackles in four different games … Made his first career start against SEC-foe, South Carolina (Nov. 19), finishing with two tackles … Credited with a tackle on a sack in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 games as a defensive reserve and on special teams ... Finished the year with 11 tackles including three solo stops ... Posted a career-best three tackles at SEC-foe, Tennessee (Sept. 19) ... Recovered a fumble in the home win over Furman (Nov. 7) ... Credited with eight tackles in WCU's annual Spring Game, three going for loss with a pair of sack.

2014 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Playing for the Purple squad, credited with one tackle in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Began his prep career at Southwestern Randolph High before finishing his career as a defensive end at Randleman High ... Named to the All-Randolph County team as a junior after recording 93 tackles ... Also played baseball as a prep.

Personal: Is the son of Randy and Glynis Greene ... Has a brother, Gabi ... Intends on majoring in natural resource management.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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61 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #61 Dawson Johnson

It's now 61 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight another player from the offensive line.....

#61 Dawson Johnson

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Taylorsville, N.C.
High School: Alexander Central HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 250
Position: OL


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62 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #62 Michael Harper

It's now 62 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight another player from the offensive line.....

#62 Michael Harper

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Wilkesboro, N.C.
High School: Fork Union Military Academy
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 250
Position: OL

Prior to Western Carolina: Played both offensive and defensive line, staring as a defensive end for head coach Col. John Shuman for three years at FUMA ... As a senior, collected All-Prep and All-State honors, as well as received The Cobb Award given to the Prep MVP ... Awarded the Distinguished Cadet Award at FUMA where he served as an officer ... Was named second team VISAA Division I All-State in 2015 ... Earned the 2013 Pioneer League All-Conference Award and Christian Character Award.

Personal: Full name is Michael Brian Harper ... Is the son of Michelle and Michael Harper Sr. ... Is one of seven children in his family.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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63 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #63 Zach Weeks

It's now 63 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight another player from the offensive line.....

#63 Zach Weeks

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Bryson City, N.C.
High School: Swain County HS
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 285
Position: OL

2016 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games along the offensive line and on special teams, making 10 starts … Was a part of the offensive line unit that paved the way for Detrez Newsome’s second-straight, 1,000-yard rushing season … Selected to the 2016 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team.

2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 10 of the team's 11 games, missing the game at Chattanooga ... Started all 10 of his appearances at left tackle ... Graded out at over 82-percent on the season along the offensive line ... Named to the 2015 Southern Conference All-Freshman team ... Was a part of an offensive line that helped produce WCU's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2006 ... Named to the 2015 Fall Academic All-SoCon team and to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2014 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year starter along both the offensive and defensive line ... In addition to earning All-Smoky Mountain Conference accolades, was named the SMC Lineman of the Year for 2013 ... Anchored an offensive line that combined for 6,039 yards and averaged 37 points per game ... Graded out at 94-percent or better on blocking assignments ... On defense, recorded a combined 77 tackles including 10.5 for losses and batted down three passes ... Earned NC Preps All-State honors as a senior ... Was a part of Swain County's 2011 I-AA North Carolina State Championship team ... Joined the WCU football team as a preferred walk-on.



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64 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #64 Charles McDonough

It's now 64 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a player from special teams.....

 #64 Charles McDonough

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Kernersville, N.C.
High School: East Forsyth HS
Height / Weight: 6-4 / 185
Position: LS

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played high school football at East Forsyth HS ... Attended Rubio Long Snapping Camps, presented by former UCLA specialist Chris Rubio ... Received a 4.5 star rating from the Rubio Long Snapping Camp ... His older brother, Brian, was a long-snapper ... Also played lacrosse growing up.

Personal: Is the son of Brian and Kim McDonough ... Is originally from West Virginia ... His brother, Brian, originally attended Charlotte to play football before transferring to James Madison in January, 2015.


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2017 Football Preseason Preview: Gardner-Webb

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western's 2017 football opponents.

Today we look at the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs.

In the third game of the season, the Catamounts will travel to Boiling Springs, NC to face its second NC-based non-conference opponent. the Running Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb.




Gardner-Webb

When: Saturday, September 16 - Time 6:00 pm ET

Where: Spangler Stadium,  Boilings Springs, NC  (9,000)

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV/video: WMYA-TV, My40 / Big South Network

Games that will be played this season prior to the WCU contest: (2)  NC A&T (home);  at Wyoming (Laramie, Wyo.)

The Series: The series stretches back to 1932, and is currently tied at 4-3, with last season's win in Cullowhee. The Cats are 3-1 in Cullowhee against the Runnin' Bulldogs..

Last game played vs. GWU: (9-10-16)  CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL CRUISES PAST GARDNER-WEBB, 44-14 - Redshirt freshman QB Tyrie Adams guided the Catamounts to 690 yards of total offense including career-highs of 427 yards through the air and 83 yards on the ground as Western Carolina pulled away from visiting Gardner-Webb for a 44-14 victory on "White Out" night at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. Leading at halftime, 17-14, following a Logan Howard 38-yard field goal, Western Carolina outscored Gardner-Webb 31-0 in the second half to pull away and cruise to the home-opening victory.

Head Coach: Gardner-Webb head coach Carroll McCray (Class of ‘83) enters his fifth season in charge of his alma mater’s football program in 2017, with sights set on continuing to construct a foundation that supports a bright future for the program going forward. McCray is in the midst of a rebuilding effort that he embarked upon in 2013, adjusting the culture quickly in his first season and instilling pride into the program for which he once played. McCray’s teams have proven to be giant slayers during his time in Boiling Springs, knocking off four teams ranked in the top-15 since 2013. In its previous eight seasons at the Division I level, Gardner-Webb had won just twice against top-25 opponents. GWU will face at least three teams ranked in the FCS Top 25 in 2016, with two of those games in Boiling Springs (Citadel, Coastal Carolina).



Last Year's Record: 5-6 overall (home 3-3, road 2-3),  3-2 Big South Conference

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  7  / 4

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:  9  /  2

Specialist - Returning/Lost:  3  / 2

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 3-4

Key losses: RB - Khalil Lewis. Center - Caleb Smith, TE - Mike Estes,  LG - David Sutton, LS - James Needham, LS

Top returnees:  QB - Tyrell Maxwell, RB - Khalil Lewis,  Adonus Lee

Gardner-Webb quarterback Tyrell Maxwell is listed as the Preseason Big South Offensive Player of the Year by the 2017 Lindy's College Football National Preview Magazine heading into his senior campaign.  The Runnin' Bulldogs return a somewhat veteran team this season, only losing 6 starters total to graduation. Their offense will be asked to get the job done without last year’s No. 1 running back, Khalil Lewis, who was dismissed from the program this offseason because of multiple violations of team rules.

2016 Bulldog Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 2743 yards
Yards per game: 229
Yards per rush: 5.2 yards
TDs rushing: 24
Passing Offense: 1679 yards or 153 yards per game
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 134-241-4
Total Offense: 4198 yards or 257 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 64
Rushing 1st downs: 130
Fumbles-Lost: 17 - 6
Penalties-Yards: 47 - 453 yards
3d Down Conversions: 63 of 155 - 41%
4th Down Conversions: 7 of 12 - 58%
Red-Zone Scores: 31 of 35 (89%)
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 22 of 35 (48%)
Punts: 60 - Avg. per punt: 41 yds
Sacks: 21
PAT-Attempts: 34 of 34 - 100%
Field Goals-Attempts: 10 of 11



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65 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #65 Kaleb Spry

It's now 65 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on September 2, 2017, in Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii - home of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

To help pass those long summer days until football season starts, and hopefully get the Catamount faithful more excited about the upcoming season, we'll continue the 100-day football countdown each day until kickoff.

Today we'll highlight a player from the offensive line.....

#65 Kaleb Spry

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Kannapolis, N.C.
High School: A.L. Brown HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 295
Position: OL

2016 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 11 games along the offensive line and on special teams, making two starts at center … Made his first collegiate start against Wofford (Oct. 8) … Was a part of the offensive line unit that paved the way for Detrez Newsome’s second-straight, 1,000-yard rushing season … Selected to the 2016 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team.

2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in six games as a reserve along the offensive line ... Was a part of an offensive line that helped produce WCU's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2006 ... Named 2015 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference and to the 2015-16 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Represented Western Carolina at the 2016 Southern Conference SALI Conference during the summer.

2014 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Named to the 2014-15 Southern Conference Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: A two-year varsity letter winner who started at offensive center as a senior ... Was voted a team captain ... Listed as a two-star prospect by Rivals.com ... Ranks inside the Top 20 in his high school class academically ... Was honored by the Great American Rivalry Series at A.L. Brown's season-opener for having his team's highest GPA ... Also received his team's Academic Achievement award ... Also played basketball as a prep ... High school coach was Mike Newsome.

Personal: Is the son of Terry and Meredith Spry.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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