39 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #39 Julian Pletz

It's now 39 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight a kicker


#39 Julian Pletz

Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Liberty Township, OH
High School:  Edgewood HS 
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 180
Position:  Kicker

2018 (Freshman): Played in three games on the year on special teams … Finished the year with a pair of successful PATs (2-for-2) with one missed field goal (0-for-1) … Scored his first career point on a PAT at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 14) while also having a field goal attempt partially blocked … Also scored a PAT at Furman (Sept. 29) ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Is a left-footed placekicker ... As a senior was a first-team all-league and All-Journal player and a second-team All-Southwest Ohio selection ... Was a part of back-to-back conference championship teams at Edgewood HS ... Through his first three years of high school, scored 129 points including 63 points as a junior to earn special mention on the All-Southwest Ohio team ... Connected on 111-of-116 on PATs and 6-of-9 on field goals ... High school football coach was Scott Clemmons ... Also played soccer as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Julian Bryce Pletz.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

Tyrie Adams - SoCon Offensive POY

Headlined by redshirt senior quarterback Tyrie Adams collecting the 2019 Southern Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor, three Western Carolina football players landed on the coaches’ preseason All-SoCon team as the league released its preseason polls and all-conference teams Monday during its annual Football Media Day at the Spartanburg Marriott.

In addition to earning the league’s top offensive accolade, Adams was dubbed first-team All-SoCon at quarterback where he was joined by one of his top targets in junior tight end Owen Cosenke on the first team. Second-year defensive back Ronald Kent Jr., likewise tallied first-team All-SoCon plaudits in the secondary.

40 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #40 Will Horton

It's now 40 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight a kicker


#40 Will Horton

Class: Junior
Hometown: Ackworth, GA
High School:  North Cobb HS 
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 185
Position:  Kicker

Career: Has connected on 73-percent of his field-goal attempts (19-of-26) … He has seven career field goals of 40+ yards … Has connected on 67 of his 68 career PAT attempts.

2018 (Sophomore): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games handling the placekicking and kickoff duties … Led the Catamounts with 87 total points scored … Finished 5-of-6 between 20-to-29 yards and 6-of-7 between 30-to-39 yards on field goals … Six of his 17 made field goals came from 40+ yards (6-of-8) … Added 36 points on 36-of-37 PATs, missing his first PAT in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) … Kicked off 45 times, averaging 61.1 yards per kick with 13 touchbacks … Connected on a career-best four field goals in a perfect 4-for-4 outing at North Carolina (Nov. 17), earning Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors and an honorable mention from STATS FCS … Credited with a tackle assist at Samford (Oct. 6).

2017 (Freshman): Played in six of the team's 12 games on the year ... Finished a perfect 31-for-31 on point after touchdowns on the season, adding a pair of field goals in 2-for-4 effort on the season ... Scored 37 points on the season ... Recorded a tackle in the home-opener against Davidson, finishing a career-best 9-for-9 on PATs for a career-best nine points ... Hit a career-long 40-yard field goal against Samford (Sept. 23) ... Kicked off 24 times for 1,445 yards, averaging 60.2 per kick with six touchbacks ... Hit a 32-yard field goal in WCU's annual Spring Game. 

Prior to Western Carolina: Named first team placekicker on the Georgia 3-AAAAAAA All-Region team ... According to ProKicker.com rankings, was the No. 3 kicker overall and No. 9 kickoff specialist in the country ... Earned a four and a half star rating from Chris Sai Kicking ... Rated as the nation's top kicker by Ray Guy ProKicker.com Camps ... As a junior was an honorable mention on the Georgia Class AAAAAA All-State team as a kicker ... High school head coach was Shane Queen.

Personal: Full name is William Archer Horton ... Is the son of Bucky and Kara Horton ... His father is the principal at North Cobb HS.

Career Highs:

Field Goals in a Game: 4, at North Carolina (11/17/18)

Long Field Goal: 47 yards, CHATTANOOGA (10/13/18)

PATs in a Game: 9, DAVIDSON (9/9/17)

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

41 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #41 Cinsere Allison

It's now 41 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight another defensive back


#41 Cinsere Allison

Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Kannapolis, NC
High School:  A.L. Brown HS 
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 185
Position:  Defensive Back

2018 (Freshman): Saw action in one game, making his collegiate debut in the regular-season finale at North Carolina (Nov. 17) … Was not credited with any statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Played football and ran track as a prep at A.L. Brown High ... Three-year letter winner in football as a defensive safety ... Was an All-MECKA 4A conference selection and a first-team member of the Independent Tribune’s Football Dream Team in 2015 ... Played in the North Carolina Coaches Association 2017 East-West All-Star game, returning a blocked field goal 50 yards for a touchdown ... Ranked tied for 10th in A.L. Brown’s track & field record book in the high jump (5’8”) set in 2016... Received both the Keith Black Scholarship and Booster Club Scholarship as a high school senior.

Personal: Full name is Cincere Nazé Allison ... Is the son of the late Roshunda Smith ... Has a sister, Anygha ... Named after one of the main characters, Sincere, in the hip-hop film, “Belly.”

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

42 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #42 Jontavious Shotwell

It's now 42 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight a defensive back


 #42 Jontavious Shotwell

Class: Redshirt Freshman
Hometown: Hoschton, GA
High School:  Mill Creek HS 
Other College:  UNC-CH
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 175
Position:  Defensive Back

2018 (Freshman): Only credited with playing in one game, making his collegiate debut at Samford (Oct. 6) but did not record any statistics … Remains eligible for a redshirt.

Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner in football ... Recorded 36 tackles as a senior, breaking up 11 passes with one interception ... Also forced a fumble ... Also ran track as a prep, competing in the 100 and 200-meter individual races, as well as on the 4x100-meter relay, while also competing in the high jump.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

2019 Football Preseason Preview: Chattanooga Mocs

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western Carolina's 2019 football opponents.

In the Catamounts' fourth game of the 2019 season, the Cats re-enter SoCon action when they travel to Chattanooga, TN to play the Univerity of Tennessee Chattanooga Mocs

Western faces the Mocs for the 46th time on the gridiron, since 1973.








Game #4 - UT Chattanooga Mocs

When: Saturday, September 28th at 4:00 pm
Where: Finley Stadium, Chattanooga, TN
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV/video: ESPN3 or ESPN+

The Series: In the 46th meeting between the two teams, the Cats own a 17-28 record against the Mocs.  The last time the Cats made a visit to the city of Chattanooga, they came away with a 45-7 win.

Last Game vs. Chattanooga (October 13, 2018) - Catamount Football dropped by Chattanooga 26-6. Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina’s potent offensive attack was held in check by Chattanooga’s stingy defense on Saturday afternoon as the Catamounts were never able to find a rhythm in dropping their first home game of the year at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field, 26-6, to the Mocs in Southern Conference action. Chattanooga QB Nick Tiano completed 22 of 28 passes for 204 yards and two first-half touchdowns – both to WR Joseph Parker – as UTC (5-2, 3-2 SoCon) snapped its two-game seasonal slide while relegating WCU to its third-straight defeat on the year. The Mocs amassed 348 yards of total offense including 204 passing and 144 through the air while chewing-up nearly 38 minutes of game clock in scoring their fifth-straight road victory in the head-to-head series.

Last Season's Record (2018 - UTC): 6-5 overall, 3-2 home, 3-3 away, 4-4 SoCon  (wins over Tenn. Tech, the Citadel, UT Martin, WCU, VMI) - While the Mocs started the season strong in 2018 with 4 straight wins, the Mocs closed out the season losing 5 of their last 7 games including 3 straight losses to end the season.

Games that will be played by the Mocs this season before the WCU contest: 4 games - This is the 4th game of the young season for WCU, but the 5th for Chattanooga. UTC plays Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State, Tennessee, and James Madison before the Western Carolina game. The 2019 Mocs overall schedule is projected to be the 2d toughest in the FCS, the Cats schedule comes in ranked 11th toughest in the FCS.

Head Coach:  Rusty Wright - Rusty Wright is in his first year as head coach of the Mocs football program. He was officially introduced on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. A 22-year veteran of the collegiate coaching ranks, Wright is a 1996 graduate of UTC with a degree in Sports Administration. He was a four-year letter winner for the Mocs football team and had two stints as an assistant coach at UTC. “I am extremely excited to announce Rusty Wright as the next head coach of Chattanooga Football,” stated UTC Director of Athletics Mark Wharton. “Once again, our program, University and community attracted an outstanding candidate pool.”

Offensive Formation: Multiple
-2018 Offense: 21.5 ppg. (98th in FCS)
Defensive Formation: Multiple
- 2018 Defense: 21.0 ppg. (14th in FCS)
Starters Returning/Lost: 17  /
Offensive starters - Returning/Lost: 9 /  2
Defensive starters - Returning/Lost: 6 / 5
Special Teams - Returning/Lost: 2 / 3

While the Mocs strength of schedule is projected at #2 in the FCS, the Mocs are also projected in the FCS Top 25 for 2019 by HEROSports.com (No. 19).  The Mocs were picked to finish fourth by the coaches and fifth by the media. and the Mocs placed six individuals on the 2019 Preseason Southern Conference Football Team. Junior receiver Bryce Nunnelly, senior linebacker Marshall Cooper, and junior defensive backs Brandon Dowdell and Jerrell Lawson made the first-team defense. Senior running back Tyrell Price and junior OL Cole Strange were both second-team offense selections.

The Mocs do return 17 starters from the 2018 season (9 on offense), but brand new head coach Rusty Wright is the 3d head coach in Chattanooga in the last 4 seasons.

A new HC in Chattanooga, combined with  an entirely new staff (new offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, new defensive line coach, new safeties coach, new tight end coach, new offensive line coach, new receivers coach, new running backs coach, new special teams coordinator, and linebacker coaches) could cause problems for both the defensive and offensive units until the players adjust to a totally new staff and new offensive and defensive formations.

The good news for the Mocs on offense is all five starting linemen and the tight end are back, as is both starting RB Tyrell Price and quarterback Nick Tiano. Taiano is considered one of the top signal-callers returning in the SoCon. The Mocs offensive unit scored 21.5 ppg (9th in the SoCon & 98th in FCS), so lots of improvement is needed in offensive production, especially, the rushing yardage. The Mocs only produced 98 yards per game in 2018.

On defense, senior linebacker Marshall Cooper is the anchored, leading the team in tackles last season with 98, good enough to land him on the Southern Conference All-Second Team. The Mocs’ secondary returns experience in junior defensive backs Brandon Dowdell and Jerrell Lawson. In 2018, Dowdell three interceptions and 40 tackles while tallied 53 tackles, 4.5 of which were for a loss.


2018 Mocs Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 1082 yards on 323 attempts
Yards per game: 98
Yards per rush: 3.3 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 62
TDs rushing: 11
Passing Offense: 2712 yards or 247 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 11.6 yards
Passing 1st downs: 110
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 234-379-6
TDs Passing: 16
Total Offense: 3794 yards or 344.9 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 14-8
3d Down Conversions: 58 - 149  (39%)
4th Down Conversions: 7 - 16 (44%)
Field goal attempts:13 - 21
On-side kicks: 0-1
Red Zone Scores:30 of 36  (83%)
Red Zone Touchdowns: 19 of 36 (53%)
PAT:   25 - 27 (93%)

Game prediction: Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have only a 27% probability of winning (23-31) over the Mocs.
I'm going to disagree with that, as I see the Mocs coming into the game with a 1-3 record, and on a three-game losing streak.  Cats win 35 - 21 over UTC and leave Chattanooga with a 3-1 overall all record.

43 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #43 Luke Hoggard

It's now 43 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight a linebacker


 #43 Luke Hoggard

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Hometown: Edenton, NC  
High School:  John Holms HS 
Other College:  UNC-CH
Height / Weight: 6-00 / 225
Position:  Linebacker



2018 (Redshirt Freshman): Only played in one game on special teams, suiting up against his former team at North Carolina (Nov. 17) ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Transferred to WCU from North Carolina after attending UNC as a walk-on ... Did not see game action ...

High School: Recorded 2,341 career passing yards and 26 touchdowns through the air as a two-year starter ... Helped guide his high school team to the state championship game as a senior ... Named all-conference and all-area as a senior ... Threw for 667 yards and eight TDs while rushing for 484 yards and six TDs as a senior ... Played for the winning East All-Stars in the 2017 North Carolina Coaches Association (NCCA) East-West All-Star game, completing 4-of-7 passes for 70 yards ... Also played baseball and basketball as a prep, helping Holmes High to a baseball state championship.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

44 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #44 Charles McDonough

It's now 44 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight a long snapper


#44 Charles McDonough

Class: Redshirt Junior

Hometown: Kernersville, NC  
High School:  Forsyth HS
Height / Weight: 6-00 / 200
Position:  Long Snapper

2018 (Redshirt Sophomore): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s seasonal games as the starting long-snapper, handling center duties on field goals, PATs, and punts … Credited with a solo tackle in the 2018 season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1) ... Named to the 2018-19 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2017 (Redshirt Freshman): Saw action in all 12 of the team's games, starting on special teams as the long-snapper ... Credited with a solo tackle coming on the road against nationally-ranked Wofford (Oct. 7).

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.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

45 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #45 Caleb Ferguson

It's now 45  days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight a running back


#45 Caleb Ferguson

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Hometown: Waynesville, NC  
High School:  Tuscola HS
Height / Weight: 5-11 / 195
Position: Running Back

2018 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games, each on special teams or as an offensive reserve … Rushed twice for a total of 20 yards including a career-long rush of that same distance … Both of his first career rushes came at Samford (Oct. 6)… Was the team’s starting punter in the season-opener against Newberry (Sept. 1), punting a career-high four times for 149 yards – an average of 37.2 yards per kick … Long punt of 43 yards came in the opener against Newberry … Finished with six punts for a 36.8 yards per punt average on the year – two fair catches, one touchback and one downed inside the opponent 20-yard line … Credited with a solo tackles against VMI (Sept. 22).

2017 (Freshman): Did not see game action, taking a redshirt ... Scored an 18-yard touchdown rush in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-time, All-Western North Carolina football team selection ... Collected the 2016 Citizen-Times All-WNC Offensive Player of the Year accolades ... Finished as the all-time career leader at Tuscola HS with 3,999 rushing yards and 68 career touchdowns ... Scored the second-most touchdowns in North Carolina high school football (38) to go along with single-season school records for rushing yardage (1,944) and rushing TD's (35) ... Selected to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA North Carolina Football Team published by USA TODAY High School Sports ... On defense, secured 73 tackles and three interceptions ... A versatile athlete, also averaged 41.9 yards per punt as a senior ... As a junior, placed second out of more than 100 football players in the standing long jump at the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl Mid-Atlantic Super Regional combine ... Played for head coach Tommy Pursley.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

46 Days 'till WCU Football Kickoff - #46 Austin Phillips

It's now 46  days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 31, 2019, against the Mercer Bears, in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC 

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

Today we'll highlight a tight end



#46 Austin Phillips

Class: Senior

Hometown: Banner Elk, NC
High School:  Avery County HS
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 235
Position: Tight End

2018 (Junior): Played in all 11 games as an offensive reserve and on special teams … Used primarily as a blocking back in the run game, did haul in one pass for a touchdown against Newberry (Sept. 1), catching a pass from WR Jordan Mathis on a trick play … Credited with three tackles, all solo stops on special teams.

2017 (Sophomore): Played in all 12 of WCU's seasonal games on offense and special teams, making two starts at tight end ... Made his first career start in the road win at The Citadel (Nov. 4) ... Finished the year with five receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown ... Caught his first career pass at nationally-ranked Wofford (Oct. 7) as a part of a career-high two receptions ... Also hauled in two passes for a career-best 27 yards at Furman (Oct. 28) ... Recorded his first career touchdown pass on an eight-yard strike against Mercer (Nov. 11) ... Caught a touchdown pass from Tyrie Adams in WCU's annual Spring Game.

2016 (Freshman): Saw action in five games on the season, each coming in the final six games of the season ... Saw his most extensive action on special teams ... Did not record any season statistics.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-year varsity letter winner that played fullback and linebacker at Avery County High ... Two-time 1A/2A Western Highlands All-Conference both as a junior and senior ... Rushed for over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns ... Added 451 career receiving yards and five TDs ... Recorded 340 career tackles including 199 solo stops ... Recorded a pair of interceptions, forced three fumbles and recovered four during his prep career ... Also played basketball as a prep.

Personal: Full name is Jack Austin Phillips ... Is the son of Alison and John Phillips.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

2019 Football Preseason Preview: North Greenville Crusaders

Throughout this preseason, Purple & Gold will preview all of Western Carolina's 2019 football opponents.

In the Catamounts' third game of the 2019 season, the Cats return home to host the North Greenville University Crusaders in Cullowhee and Whitmire Stadium. 

Western faces the Crusaders for the first time on the gridiron.





Game #3 - North Greenville Crusaders

When: Saturday, September 14th at 3:30 pm
Where: E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field, Cullowhee, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV/video: ESPN+
The Series: This is the first meeting between the two schools on the gridiron.
Conference:  Gulf South Conference (GSC) - NCAA Div. II
Location:  Tigerville, SC
Undergraduates: 2,260

Games that will be played by the Crusaders this season before the WCU contest: 1 game - This is the 2d game of the young season for NGU as the Crusaders open the season at home against Newberry College on September 5th.

Last Season's Record (2018 - NGU): 4-6 overall, 2-2 home, 2-4 away, 3-4 GCC  (wins over Tusculum, Delta State, West Alabama,  Shorter)   (2019 is the second season in the GSC)

Head Coach: Jeff Farrington, who played high school football in Greer, SC, and coached for nine years at Furman University, enters his sixth season as head coach of the North Greenville University football program, leading the team to a Victory Bowl Championship in 2014, a 7-3 record in 2015, and a Quarterfinals appearance in 2016 with a 9-5 record. The Crusader mentor comes from the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia where he was the Keydets’ defensive coordinator. Before his stint at VMI, Farrington spent a year at Mercer University in Georgia under Bobby Lamb helping to initiate the Bears’ Division I FCS program which begins play in the fall of 2013. Farrington was a defensive assistant coach for Lamb at Furman from 2002-2010 and was the Paladins’ defensive coordinator in 2010.

Basic Offense: Spread
-2018 Offense: 20.4 ppg. (126th in Div. II)
Basic Defense: Multiple
-2018 Defense: 26.6 ppg. (85th in Div. II)
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost:  8 / 3
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost:  6 / 5
Special Teams Starters Returning/Lost:  3 / 1

 -------------------

North Greenville was picked to come in seventh in the pre-season rankings of the Gulf South Conference in their second year of membership. The Crusaders rank just ahead of Mississippi College and Shorter who chime in at eight and nine in the rankings. Aaron Watson (DB) enters the 2019 season as the first player named to a Gulf South Conference preseason All-Conference team.  Watson checked off several firsts for the program last season, garnering First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-Region after turning in one of the best seasons by a GSC defensive back. Watson was also named a Don Hansen All-American.

The Crusaders lost 13 seniors off their 2018 team, including 4-year quarterback starter, Will Hunter, as well as, all-conference Wide Receiver Demajiay Rooks and all-conference defensive lineman, Seth Laughter. The Crusaders are implementing a new offense for the second time in as many seasons as Brad Robbins took over the offensive coordinating duties in the offseason.

One of the positions that took the biggest hit is the offensive line. Following the 2018 season, the front five lost three starters including left tackle Caleb Harris, right tackle Cam Stepp, and guard Guage Murphy. The battle for these positions looks to be wide open. While NGU lost their longtime QB, they did sign a former 4 star QB transfer during the early signing period in Logan Byrd, of Warner Robins, Georgia. Byrd, a 6-3, 230-pound signal-caller was ranked the number 15 pro-style quarterback coming out of high school in 2016 and originally signed with the University of North Carolina. Byrd threw for 3,902 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for another 930 yards and 15 scores while at Veterans High School. However, Byrd is not a shoo-in for the job, the decision will not be an easy one, as Byrd was taking second-team reps at times during the spring, as he learns from program veteran Donnie Baker. Baker has backed up Will Hunter for the previous three seasons and looks to take the next step.

NGU averaged just 82.6 yards per game last season on the ground, the lowest in more than 10-years of Crusader football. NGU rushed for 100-yards or more only four times and was 2-2 in those games.  The passing attack last season was the lifeblood of the offense. The Crusaders averaged almost 250-yards through the air and 17-touchdowns. One area that needs improvement is pass protection as NGU quarterbacks were sacked 31-times through 10-games.

On special teams, Justin Gravely looked consistent during the spring after battling nagging injuries in 2018. Gravely holds several kicking records for NGU and should be the team’s starting placekicker n and could also take over the punting duties after the departure of Bobby Foos.

NGU's defensive front has the potential to be one of the best in the Gulf South in 2019. Defensive backs are arguably the deepest and most experienced group on either side of the ball. Returning 11 guys that combined to play in more than 133-games, All American defensive back Aaron Watson returns to anchor the group, while Johnny Worthy heads into his junior year as one of the teams top tacklers. Adrian McGee, Jermia Bogan, and Azende Dixon round out the players who have played in at least 19 games over their careers.

2018 Crusaders Statistics:
Rushing Offense: 826 yards
Yards per game: 82.6
Yards per rush: 2.4 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 50
TDs rushing: 7
Passing Offense: 2486 yards or 248.6 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.1 yards
Passing 1st downs: 103
Passing Comp-Att-Int: 198-350-16
TDs Passing: 17
Total Offense: 3312 yards or 331.2 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 16-9
3d Down Conversions: 54 - 154
4th Down Conversions: 8 -14
Red zone scores:  22 - 32 (69%)
Res zone TDs:  16 - 32  (50%)


Game prediction: Per the Massey Ratings, the Cats have a 90% probability of winning (42-21) over the Crusaders. I'm going to agree, the Cats win and WCU's record after game three:  2-1

-------------------------------------- 

Join the conversation and leave a comment below