23 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #23 Retired (Jerry Gains)

It's now 23 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.

Jerry Gains's  #23  is retired,.

Jerry's jersey and number - 23 was only the second Western Carolina football player to have his jersey retired. He was inducted into Western Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, in WCU's first-ever induction class.


#23 Jerry Gains  

Jerry Gaines is the only three sport All-American in WCU athletic history.

He was an NCAA Division II All America Selection in 1974 and helped the Catamounts to a 9-1 record and the national playoffs. He is one of three football players to have his jersey and number - 23 - retired. He established over 40 WCU football records as he caught 187 passes for 3,449 yards in four season. He set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards, a 20.6-yard per reception average for his career, and recorded 15 games with over 100 yards receiving.

A track and field All-American in long jump and triple jump in 1971 and 1972. His records still stood after the 1990 season.

He batted .404 in 1975 and was named NCAA Division II All America and North Carolina College Athlete of the Year.

Western Carolina Coach Bob Waters, left, talks to All-American wide receiver Jerry Gaines (23) during the 1974 football season

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Football Post Practice Comments: 8/9/17

24 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #24 Shamon Elliott

It's now 24 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 back.....

#24 Shamon Elliott

Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C.
High School: Terry Sanford HS
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 190
Position: DB

2016 (Freshman): Appeared in seven games with four starts in the defensive secondary … Saw his first collegiate action in the home win over Gardner-Webb (Sept. 10) where he recorded his first tackle, with his first start coming at Mercer (Oct. 15) … Finished the year with 32 total tackles including 22 solo stops and one tackle for loss … Tallied one pass break-up and one quarterback hurry on a blitz, both coming at Samford (Oct. 22) where he recorded a career-high 11 tackles … Credited with five tackles including a pair of tackles for loss and two sacks during WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 119 tackles in 2015 - 10th in the Cape Fear region - as a senior ... Added four interceptions and scored a pair of touchdowns in his final season as a prep ... Was a first team All-Cape Fear Valley Conference selection as a senior ... Named second team defense on the 2015 Fayetteville Observer All-Cape Fear Region team ... Helped lead his high school team to back-to-back conference championships and into the third round of the state playoffs in his final two seasons ... High school coach was Bryan Till ... Also played basketball at Terry Sanford HS, helping guide his squad to a North Carolina 3-A boy's state championship in 2015 as a junior - the first for the program in 50 years.

Personal: Full name is Shamon Jerome Elliott ... Is the son of Calvin and Kathryn Elliott ... Has two younger siblings, Imani Elliott and Jah'mez Autry.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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2017 Football Preseason Preview: VMI

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

For the eighth game of the season, the Cats travel to Lexington, KY to face the VMI Keydets.

The Cats have won all three games against the Keydets since their return to the Southern Conference in 2014, can we make it four in a row?





VMI

When: Saturday, October 21 at 1:30 pm

Where: Alumni Memorial Field, Lexington, VA

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video:  ESPN3

The Series: Western currently leads the series with VMI, by a 19-3 margin. The Cats and Keydets first played on the gridiron in 1978, and the Cats currently own a thirteen game winning streak over the Keydets.

The last game played vs. VMI:  Nov. 5th 2016 - Defense, Special Teams Key Football Senior Day Victory  - Cullowhee, N.C. - Terryon Robinson hauled in a 53-yard scoring strike from Tyrie Adams inside the final minute of regulation on Saturday afternoon as Western Carolina rallied past the VMI Keydets to score a 32-29 victory on Hall of Fame and Senior Day at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. But it was the Catamount defensive unit and special teams that keyed the come-from-behind victory and proved to be the difference makers as WCU snapped a six-game seasonal slide with their 14th-consecutive victory over VMI, remaining perfect in Cullowhee at 12-0 in the all-time series.

Head Coach: Scott Wachenheim - A 1984 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and veteran coach with over 25 years of experience in the college ranks, Wachenheim came to VMI from the University of Virginia where he had served for five seasons, including being the Cavaliers offensive line coach since 2011. Prior to his tenure in Charlottesville, Wachenheim was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Liberty University for three seasons (2006-08).

Last Season's Record (VMI): 2016 - 3-8 overall, 1-3 home, 2-5 away,  1-7 SoCon

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 3-4

Starters returning/lost:    12   /   12

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost:  4   /  7

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost:   7   /   4

Specialist - Returning/Lost:    1    /    1

Key Personnel Lost  -  QB Al Cobb, WR Aaron Sanders, 3 from offensive line - Roseborough, Lewis, & Hann, LB Alijah Robinson, 2 defensive backs, Jones & Nicholson.

Key Personnel Returning - RB Daz Palmer, WR Rohan Martin and 2 from offensive line - Smith & Douvette. Linebacker Allan Cratsenberg, Cratsenberg was selected to the first team All-conference after leading the SoCon in tackles in 2016 with 126 and his 11.5 per game average, which earned him First Team All-SoCon honors at the conclusion of the season. Linebacker Ryan Francis and defensive back Greg Sanders were on the preseason All-SoCon Second Team.


2016 VMI Statistics
Rushing Offense: 1502 yards
Yards per game: 109
Yards per rush: 3.0 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 59
TDs rushing: 17
Passing Offense: 2613 yards or 238 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 6.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 116
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 241-383-14
TDs Passing: 13
Total Offense: 3813 yards or 347 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 9 - 4
3d Down Conversions: 56 of 170 (33%)
4th Down Conversions: 8 of 25 (32%)
Field goal attempts: 7 - 21
PAT-Attempts: 19 of 24 (79%)
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores: 28 of 38 (74%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 23 of 38 (79%)
Punts - Yards: 59 - 2276 - Avg per punt: 61



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25 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #25 Jacquez Williams

It's now 25 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 Line backer.....

#25 Jacquez Williams

Class: Junior
Hometown: Cataula, Ga.
High School: Harris County HS
Last College: Georgia Military College
Height / Weight: 6-3 / 220
Position: LB

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga., where he played for Burt Williams ... Played in 19 games over two seasons including nine a season ago ... Recorded 21 career tackles including 13 solo stops with two tackles for loss and a sack ... Was also credited with a forced and recovered fumble along with three pass break-ups ... Achieved academic distinction by making the Dean's List at GMC; At Harris County HS: Was listed as a two-star athlete out of high school by Scout.com ... High school head coach was Dwight Jones ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Jacquez Devante Williams ... Is the son of Shanton Holloway and Terrence Williams.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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2017 WCU Football Preseason 2-Deep Chart

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations           

26 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #26 Willie Debruce

It's now 26 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 Line backer.....

#26 Willie Debruce

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Moultrie, Ga.
High School: Colquitt County HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 205
Position: LB

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a part of two high school state championships as a sophomore and junior ... Earned first team all-region plaudits as a senior, posting 89 total tackles including 68 solo stops with five sacks ... High school head coach was Rush Propst.

Personal: Full name is Dankerious Willie Debruce, but prefers to go by "Willie" ... Is the son of Willie and Lillian Debruce.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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27 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #27 Trevor Childers

It's now 27 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 Line backer.....

#27 Trevor Childers

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Lincolnton, N.C.
High School: East Lincoln HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 190
Position: LB

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year letter winner who finished with a school-record 366 career tackles including six sacks, recording 133 stops as a senior ... Also stepped in at running back as a senior, adding over 800 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns on the ground in his final season to earn the Denver Weekly Two-Way Player of the Year honor and All-Gazette accolades ... Collected Southern District-7 all-conference plaudits and SD-7 Defensive Player of the Year honors as a junior after finishing with 123 tackles including a school-record 26 tackles for loss and a career-best five interceptions ... Earned the Newcomer Award on the North Carolina State Championship team as a sophomore ... High school head coach was Mike Byus ... Also played baseball as a prep where he hit .292 with 26 runs scored, 22 RBI, and six extra base hits as a junior, collecting all-conference accolades.

Personal: Full name is Trevor Dean Childers ... Is the son of Angela and Paul Dean Childers.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Fall Camp - Practice 5: Full Pads

28 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #28 Terrance Wilson

It's now 28 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 back.....

#28 Terrance Wilson

Class: RS Sophomore
Hometown: Suwanee, Ga.
High School: Buford HS
Last College: Univ. of Buffalo
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 180
Position: DB

2016 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in eighth of the team’s 11 games with three starts in the defensive secondary … Recorded 20 tackles on the year including eight solo stops … Made his WCU debut in the season-opener at East Carolina (Sept. 3), starting in the secondary … Recorded his first tackles against the Pirates, posting a season-high seven with three solo stops … Twice recorded five tackles against The Citadel (Oct. 1) and at Samford (Oct. 22).

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from Buffalo during 2016 preseason fall camp ... Signed with the Bulls in 2014 before taking a redshirt in the 2014 season ... Played in seven games in 2015 but did not record any stats; High School: Was a two-star cornerback recruit out of Buford High under coach Jess Simpson ... Won two straight 3-A state championships as a junior and senior, and was named All-County honorable mention ... Averaged 41.5 tackles, 8.5 pass breakups and 1.5 interceptions over those final two championship seasons.

Personal: Is the son of Thomas and Janice Wilson ... His twin brother, Thomas, plays football at the Univ. of Missouri.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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29 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #29 Marvin Tillman

It's now 29 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 back...

#29 Marvin Tillman

Class: Junior
Hometown: Bridgeport, Conn.
High School: Southern Durham (N.C.) HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 190
Position: DB

2016 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team's 11 games with four starts in the defensive secondary ... Recorded 60 tackles to rank seventh on the team, tallying 31 solo stops ... Tallied four pass break-ups and recovered a fumble in the home win over Gardner-Webb (Sept. 10), returning it 35 yards ... Posted double-digit tackles once with 10 stops at Furman (Nov. 12) ... Also secured nine tackles in the season finale at South Carolina ... Led the defensive unit in WCU's annual Spring Game, credited with six total tackles including one stop for loss and a pass break-up while also recovering a fumble.

2015 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games as a defensive substitution and on special teams ... Finished eighth on the WCU squad with 47 tackles including 26 solo stops ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Mars Hill (Sept. 5), recording this first career collegiate tackles ... Tallied a career-high 12 tackles including eight solo stops at Chattanooga (Oct. 31) ... Named to the 2015 Southern Conference All-Freshman team ... Recorded six tackles and an interception in WCU's annual Spring game.

2014-15: Graduated from Southern Durham HS early and enrolled at Western Carolina in the spring, 2015 semester ... Playing for the Gold squad, led his team with nine tackles with one for loss in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-time All-Big 8 Conference selection including honorable mention as a sophomore ... Recorded 73 tackles as a senior and forced four fumbles, recovering three ... Finished with 14 career interceptions including seven as a senior ... Scored six touchdowns over his final two seasons ... Had 55 tackles as a junior ... Listed as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was ranked as the 39th-best player in the state of North Carolina ... Also listed as a two-star recruit from 247Sports.com ... Was a part of back-to-back conference championships and a 3-AA state title as a junior ... High school coach was Darius Robinson ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Was born in Bridgeport, Conn. ... Is the son of Marvin, Sr. and Teresa Tillman ... His father played semi-pro football ... Has four siblings: Tiaundra, Tiara, Jessikia, and Ariana ... Two of his sisters competed in collegiate sports.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Catamount Quick Look: Fall Camp - Practice 1

30 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #30 Michael Murphy

It's now 30 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 back...

#30 Michael Murphy

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Spartanburg, S.C.
High School: Spartanburg HS
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 180
Position: DB

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Credited with two tackles including one for a four-yard loss in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was an All-Region II-4A selection and named second team All-Herald-Journal/GoUpstate All-Area team ... Recorded 43 tackles with four interceptions and three pass break ups as a senior ... Was part of the 2014 South Carolina state championship team as a junior in 2014, finishing with 88 tackles and three interceptions from his safety position ... Was cited as one of the top 10 defensive backs at an EPT Football Skills Showcase prior to this senior year ... Listed as a two-star prospect from Rivals.com ... High school coach was Chris Miller ... Was a four-year starter in boy's basketball as a prep, earning MVP honors in 2014.

Personal: Full name is Michael Anthony Murphy Jr., and goes by "Mike" ... Is the son of Michael Sr. and Tamika Murphy ... Has two siblings, Malik and Mekhi.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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Coach Speir on Opening Fall Camp

31 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #31 Darius Means

It's now 31 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 wide receiver...

#31 Darius Means

Class: RS Junior
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High School: Olympic HS
Height / Weight: 5-9 / 160
Position: WR

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

2015 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in one game, making his collegiate debut in the home-opener against Mars Hill ... Filling in at tailback, rushed the football seven times for 32 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2014 (Freshman): Redshirted.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-time All-Conference wide receiver, recording 75 catches for 1351 yards and 16 touchdowns over final two seasons ... Also added 770 return yards and two touchdowns for the Trojans ... Recorded 2,121 total yards and 18 TD's over junior and senior seasons ... Was also a two-time All-conference centerfielder in baseball ... Earned the Olympic High School Athlete of the Year Award ... High school coach was Barry Shuford.

Personal: Full name is Darius Evan Means ... Is the son of Wallace and Dee Means ... Father played collegiate football at North Carolina A&T State University.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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32 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #32 Chris Seaborn

It's now 32 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...

#32 Chris Seaborn

Class: Senior
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
High School: B.E.S.T. Academy
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 215
Position: LB

2016 (Junior): Saw action in nine of the team's 11 games, each as a defensive reserve and on special teams ... Finished the year with seven tackles including five solo stops ... Posted two tackles in three different games including two solo stops in the season-opener at East Carolina (Sept. 3) ... Credited with three tackles including one for loss with an interception he returned 50 yards in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2015 (Sophomore): Played in nine of the team's 11 games on the year, each as a defensive substitution and on special teams ... Recorded 10 tackles on the season including four solo stops and half a tackle for loss ... Charted tackles in five of the nine games he played ... Posted a career-best five tackles including his first career TFL in the season finale at VMI (Nov. 21).

2014 (Freshman): Saw action in all 12 games on special teams and as a defensive substitution … Recorded four tackles including two solo stops … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30) … Collected his first career tackle in the home-opener against Brevard (Sept. 6) … Playing for the Gold squad, made one tackle for loss in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played both sides of the ball as a prep including as a linebacker on defense with time at quarterback and wide receiver on offense ... Recorded 45 tackles including 28 solo stops with two interceptions as a senior ... On offense, scored six touchdowns including four receiving and two on the ground ... Finished with 16 receptions for 247 yards ... Earned first team offense All-Region honors in 4-AAA as a receiver in 2013 ... Also ran track as a prep ... High school coach was Josh Moore.

Personal: Is the son of Cathy Seaborn.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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33 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #33 Curtis Roach

It's now 33 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...

#33 Curtis Roach

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
High School: South Forsyth HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 195
Position: LB

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Redshirted ... Credited with two tackles including one for a six-yard loss in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was twice named first team Forsyth County News All-County after both his junior and senior seasons ... Recorded 78 tackles with 47 solo stops including three tackles for loss, each coming as a sack as a senior ... Tallied eight passes defended with five interceptions ... Was a Class AAAAAA Georgia All-State honorable mention ... As a junior, tallied 65 total hits with a sack, seven pass break-ups and two interceptions.

Personal: Is the son of former Catamount Hall of Fame placekicker Kirk Roach, who was a four-time all-conference selection and three-time All-America honoree.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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34 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #34 Andrew Askew

It's now 34 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...

#34 Andrew Askew

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: LaGrange, Ga.
High School: LaGrange HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 200
Position: WR

2016 (Freshman): Did not see game action; expected to take a redshirt. Prior to Western Carolina: Recorded 91 catches for 850 yards over his final two seasons as a prep including a career-best 65 receptions for 700 yards as a senior .... Seven of his nine career receiving TDs came in his final year ... Tallied the LaGrange HS position award for Best Wide Receiver as a senior ... High school coach was Dialleo Burks ... Also played baseball as a prep, collecting a .325 batting average as a switch hitter in his junior year with 21 stolen bases.

Personal: Full name is Andrew Michael Askew ... Is the son of Ceola Askew and Amy Mains ... Has a younger sister, Ashlee Mains.




Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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35 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #35 Keion Crossen

It's now 35 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...

 #35 Keion Crossen

Class: Senior
Hometown: Garysburg, N.C.
High School: Northampton County HS
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 180
Position: DB

2016 (Junior): Started 10 of the 11 games in which he saw action, missing the start against Chattanooga ... Finished with a single-season, career-best 61 tackles including 43 solo stops and three for loss ... Twice posted double-digit tackle games with a career-high 12 at Mercer (Oct. 15) and 10 at Samford (Oct. 22) ... Credited with seven pass break-ups ... Named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 7 after returning a fumble 19 yards for a touchdown and intercepting a pass with a 65-yard return in the home win over VMI (Nov. 5), finishing with 103 all-purpose yards ... Also participated in track & field in the spring semester, earning SoCon Track Athlete of the Week on May 4 ... Returned one kickoff 35 yards at South Carolina (Nov. 19) ... Was the SoCon men's champion in the 100-meter dash, setting a WCU school-record in the preliminary rounds with a time of 10.33 which qualified him for the NCAA East Preliminary ... Tallied a pair of interceptions including one returned 60 yards for a touchdown in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2015 (Sophomore): Saw action in all 11 games, each as a defensive reserve and on special teams ... Credited with 20 tackles including 13 solo stops ... Twice recorded a career-best five tackles against Mars Hill (Sept. 5) and at Wofford (Oct. 17) ... Intercepted two passes, tallying his first career pick against Mars Hill and second against Wofford, also charting a pass break-up at SEC-foe, Tennessee (Sept. 19) ... On special teams, returned two kickoffs for a total of 35 yards including a long of 22 yards at Chattanooga (Oct. 31).

2014 (Freshman): Played in all 12 games on special teams and as a defensive substitution ... Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30) ... Finished with 17 tackles including 11 solo stops ... Credited with four pass break-ups ... Tallied his first career tackle at home against Brevard (Sept. 6) ... Posted a then career-high four tackles including three solo stops against Catawba (Sept. 13) ... Tallied his first pass break-up at Mercer (Oct. 18) ... Tallied one rush on offense, carrying the ball 16 yards on an end-around vs. The Citadel (Oct. 25) ... Also returned one kickoff 21 yards at Samford (Nov. 8) ... Playing for the Purple squad, credited with four tackles including one for loss and a pair of pass break-ups in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: A four-sport athlete who played quarterback and in the defensive secondary as a safety on the football gridiron ... Rushed for 1,752 yards and 20 touchdowns on offense and recorded a team-high seven interceptions as a senior... Recorded a 419 yard rushing performance with four touchdowns in a win over Granville Central ... Named N.C. Preps 1-A All-State as a defensive back ... Earned "best camper" title at the Steve Wilkes Defensive Back Camp ... Also ran track as a prep, finishing second in the state at the 1-A level in the 400-meter dash ... High school coach was George Privott.

Personal: Is the son of Winnie Webb and Thomas Crossen ... Has an older sister, Tanisha Crossen, and an older brother, Travis Williams.



Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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36 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #36 Christian Yarborough

It's now 36 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...

#36 Christian Yarborough

Class: RS Freshman
Hometown: Indian Trail, N.C.
High School: Metrolina Christian Academy
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 200
Position: LB

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

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner that played running back and free safety in high school while also returning kickoffs ... Missed four games of his senior season due to injury, rushing 72 times for 533 yards and five touchdowns ... High school was Thomas Langley ... Also ran track & field as a prep.


Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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2017 Football Preseason Preview: East Tennessee State

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

For the seventh game of the season, the Cats return home to face the Buccaneers of East Tennessee State University for their third home game of the season.

Last year, Western and the Bucs revived a series that started in 1932 and abruptly ended in 2003 when the Buccaneers eliminated football. Adding to the revival and new found rivalry between the two teams, the Bucs upset the Cats last season at the Bristol Motor Speedway.


ETSU

When: Saturday, October 14 at 3:30 pm

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

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

TV / video:  ESPN3/SoCon Digital Network

The Series: This series stretches back to 1932, with the Cats holding a slim 23-22-1 lead.

The last game played vs. ETSU:  Sept. 17, 2016 - Catamount Football Drops 34-31 Decision to ETSU - BRISTOL, Tenn. - Junior tailback Detrez Newsome scored a career-best four touchdowns on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as Western Carolina dropped its 2016 Southern Conference football opener, 34-31, to East Tennessee State in front of an ETSU single-game record crowd of 13,863 at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Newsome tallied two TDs on the ground to accompany a pair of receiving scores in the loss. The Raeford, N.C., native moved into a tie for ninth-place in school history with his 22nd career rushing score, matching David Mayfield (22, 1984-86). Newsome finished with a combined 172 all-purpose yards including 32 yards rushing, 86 receiving yards on four catches, and 54 yards on kickoff returns.

Head Coach: Carl Torbush was named head coach of the East Tennessee State University football program on June 21, 2013, and tasked with resurrecting a program that will kick off a new era of play in the fall of 2015. Torbush, whose career includes head coaching stops at North Carolina and Louisiana Tech, has built a strong reputation as an outstanding defensive strategist after having served as a defensive coordinator at six FBS programs, including Alabama, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Kansas, Texas A&M and UNC. The most notable coaching stop on Torbush's resume was at North Carolina, where he served as defensive coordinator from 1988-97 before being promoted to head coach for three seasons (1998-2000).



Last Season's Record (ETSU):  2016 - 5-6 overall,  4-2 home,  1-4 away,  2-6 SoCon

Offensive Formation: Spread

Defensive Formation: 3-4

Starters returning/lost: 19 / 3

Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 10 /  1

Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 9 /  2

Specialist - Returning/Lost: 7  /  0

In preseason honors, year, red-shirt junior linebacker Dylan Weigel earned second team honors, while senior offensive lineman Alex Rios and junior kicker JJ Jerman joined Weigel on the second team list.  ETSU was picked to finish in 8th place by both the coaches and media polls. The Bucs were picked to finish ninth last season, but finished in seventh place. They pulled a couple of big upsets, beating Western Carolina and finishing the season with a major upset over playoff-bound Samford.

Top Returners:  QB Austin Herink has started all 22 games for the Bucs, RB Jajuan Stinson has 5 career 100 yard rushing games


2016 ETSU Statistics
Rushing Offense: 1776 yards
Yards per game: 134
Yards per rush: 3.5 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 96
TDs rushing: 11
Passing Offense: 1787 yards or 163 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 6 yards
Passing 1st downs: 78
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 171-296-8
TDs Passing: 9
Total Offense: 3261 yards or 297 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 8 - 2
3d Down Conversions: 63 of 163 (39%)
4th Down Conversions: 7 of 10 (70%)
Field goal attempts: 12 - 16
PAT-Attempts: 18 of 19 (95%)
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 28 of 31 (90%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 17 of 31 (55%)
Punts - Yards: 71 - 2565 - Avg per punt: 36

37 Days 'till Football Kickoff - #37 Ty Harris

It's now 37 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...

#37 Ty Harris

Class: Freshman
Hometown: Dacula, Ga.
High School: Dacula HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 220
Position: LB

Prior to Western Carolina: Was highly recruited, originally committed and signed with Army West Point ... Was a running back and outside linebacker as a prep ... Named Honorable Mention All-State in Georgia’s Class AAAAAA as a senior ... Rushed for over 1,000 yards with eight touchdowns as a senior ... Also finished with 70 tackles including 43 solo stops as a senior with five tackles for loss including three sacks ... Was a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and 247Sports.




Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

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