WCU Football Game #6 - at Wofford Terriers

For the sixth game of the season, the Cats remains on the road as they travel to Spartanburg to face the Wofford Terriers in Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers finished the 2024 season with a 5-7 overall record, and 3-5 in the SoCon with wins over VMI, Samford, and Furman

Game #6 - Wofford Terriers

The Cats travel to Spartanburg to face the Terriers, who own a 0-4 record in the 2025 season. A loss to Mercer in their third game gives the Terriers an 0-1 SoCon record as they enter our game. Wofford is coming off  a bye week, giving them an extra week to prepare for the Cats.  

When: Saturday, October 4, 2024  

Time:  1:30 pm
Where:  Gibbs Stadium, Spartanburg, SC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -announcers:  Gary Ayers • Daniel Hooker • producer: Jeff Bryson

TV/video: ESPN+

Mascot:  Terrier

Colors: Old Gold & Black

Enrollment: 1873

Message Board:  Wofford Fans

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -    Wofford

The Series: The Cats are 18-28 overall against the Terriers in a series that started in 1952 and the Cats are 6-16 in games played in Spartanburg.  The Cats are currently on a four game overall win streak.  

The last game played vs. Wofford:  Oct. 5, 2024 -  Catamounts Claim SoCon Opener with Gritty Win Over Wofford - Cullowhee, N.C. – Jalyn Williams rumbled for a pair of short rushing touchdowns including the game-winning score late in the third quarter and kicker Paxton Robertson split the sticks on a pair of first-quarter field goals as Western Carolina ground out a gritty 21-17 Southern Conference-opening victory over Wofford on Saturday afternoon at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Head Coach:  Shawn Watson -  Shawn Watson was named head coach on December 1, 2022. A veteran with nearly 40 years of coaching experience, Watson came to Wofford in January 2022 as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator. On October 6, he was named interim head coach of the Terriers. Prior to Wofford, he spent the 2021 season as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Northern Iowa

Shawn Watson's record vs. WCU:  0 - 3

Kerwin Bells' record vs. Wofford:  4 - 0

Offensive Formation:   Pro spread offense

Defensive Formation:   Multiple 3/4 

Wofford opened the 2025 season with three of their first four games on the road. Shawn Watson enters his third full season as head coach of the Terriers, and returns ten starters overall, including four on offense, four on defense and two specialists.

Six Wofford players were named to the All-Southern Conference preseason team, C.J. Coombes earned a spot on the first team and he is also on the preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award. The Wofford defense is 55th in the nation and third in the SoCon, with the scoring defense 16th overall and first in the SoCon. Three of the Terrier losses are by a combined six points, including two (S.C. State and Mercer) decided by just one point.  The turnover margin of +1.33 is ranked 12th in the nation, with the  five turnovers gained are 25th in the nation (3rd in SoCon), while the one turnover lost is tied for the second fewest in the nation (1st in SoCon). 

According to their statistics, year-to-date, the Terriers have gained only 180 total rushing yards (no rushing TDs) and a total of 547 yards passing.  I'm interested to know how well the WCU defense will be able to contain both their rushing and passing games.  Mercer held the Terriers to a total of 56 yards rushing.  

2025 Wofford Statistics (4 games)

Rushing Offense: 180 yards

Yards per game: 45
Yards per rush: 1.7 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 12
TDs rushing: 0
Passing Offense: 547 yards or 136.8 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 5.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 20
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 95-44-1

TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 727 yards or 182 per game

3d Down Conversions: 12 of 54 (22%)
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 5  (40%)
Field Goal: 3 of 7

On-side kicks:  0 - 0
Red Zone Scores: 2 of 3
Red Zone Touchdowns: 1 of 3

PAT: 5 of 5

Punts: 31 for 1258 yards

Avg per punt: 41 yards

WCU 2 Deep Roster vs. Campbell

WCU 2 Deep Roster

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

 

Catamount Football Weekly with Head Coach Kerwin Bell

Wrap-up of the Samford game and a look ahead to the Campbell Camels

 

WCU Football Game #5 - at Campbell Camels

In Western Carolina's fifth game of the 2025 season, and their final nonconference game of the season, the Catamounts travel to Buies Creek, NC to face the  Campbell Camels. 

The Camels finished the 2024 season with a 3-9 overall record and a 1-7 CAA record. The Camels picked up a win over the Cats in Cullowhee last season, essentially costing Western Carolina an NCAA at-large playoff opportunity.  

Game #5 - Campbell Camels

When: Saturday, September 27, 2025

Time: 3:30 pm (ET)  
Where: Barker-Lane Stadium, Buies Creek, NC
Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -Play-by-Play: Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV / video: Flo Sports (it will cost you $19.99 for one month)

Live Stats: Campbell Live Stats

Colors:  Orange and Black

Conference: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -    Campbell

Enrollment: 5,000

Mascot: Gaylord the Camel

Nickname:  Fighting Camels

Location: Buies Creek, NC (population- 3,253 at the 2020 census)  

Game Notes:    Western   -    Campbell    

The Series: Campbell actually hold a 3-0 record over the Cats from games played in 1935 & 1937 in Cullowhee, prior Campbell dropping football in 1950. The Camels returned to the gridiron in 2008, and won last season's game in Cullowhee.  

Head Coach: Braxton Harris. Campbell director of athletics Hannah Bazemore announced Braxton Harris as the Fighting Camels’ head football coach on January 2, 2024. Harris, who previously spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons on staff at Campbell, returns to Buies Creek after spending 2023 as head coach at FCS Southland Conference member Houston Christian. Harris becomes the third head coach in Campbell’s modern football history (since 2008). . 

Harris's record vs. Western Carolina: 1-0

Kerwin Bell's record vs. Campbell: 0-1

Last Season's Record - 2024 (Campbell): 3-9 overall, 2-4 home, 1-5 away, 1-7 CAA

2025 Record (Campbell):  1-3 overall, 1-1 home, 0-2 away, 1-1 CAA

Campbell was picked to finish 10th in the 16 team CAA football conference in preseason voting for 2025. 

Head coach Braxton Harris, the third head coach in Campbell’s modern history, begins his second season at the helm in Buies Creek.

The 2025 Campbell team features 44 total returners and 56 newcomers, including 36 transfers and 20 freshmen, welcoming back 11 total offensive (6) or defensive starters (5).

Campbell has played 4 quarterbacks this season, with redshirt sophomore Kamden Sixkiller getting most of the action under center.  Playing in all 4 games this season, he's completed 98 passes in 149 attempts, for 893 yards, and 2 interceptions.  

The Camels are coming off a 50-48 double overtime win over the Bryant Bulldogs for their first win of the season.  The Camels have lost to Rhode Island, East Carolina, and Furman in their first 3 games of the season.

2025 Campbell Statistics (4 games)

Rushing Offense: 439 yards Yards per game: 109.8
Yards per rush: 3.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 28
TDs rushing: 4
Passing Offense: 926 yards or 231.5 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 42
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 165-1

TDs Passing: 8

Total Offense: 1365 yards or 342 yards per game
Fumbles - Lost: 7-5
3d Down Conversions:  23-64 (36%)

4th Down Conversions: 7-11  (64%)
Field goal attempts:4 of 5
PAT-Attempts: 11 of 11
Red Zone Scores:  13 of 15 
Red Zone Touchdowns: 10 of 15 
On-Side Kicks: 0 - 0
Penalties-Yards: 30 - 265

WCU Player of the Game (vs. Samford) Taron Dickens

Purple & Gold's "Catamount Player of the Game" for the Samford home game on September 20th is redshirt sophomore quarterback Taron Dickens. 

The Catamount Player of the Game, Taron Dickens threw for career highs of six passing touchdowns and 582 yards to lead Western Carolina to a 50-35 victory over Samford on Saturday. Dickens completed 35 of 45 pass attempts and connected with 10 receivers, while tossing Camury Reid 3 TDs. Tyger also rushed four times for 42 total yards on the ground.  

Dickens posted the best passing performance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to date this year with the second-most passing yards in both school and league history, tying former Samford QB Liam Welch for the latter.

Congratulations to Tyger for his selection as WCU Player of the Game.  

Picture Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

Family Weekend in Cullowhee

 

Tracking the Cats: Coach Chad Miller

 

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Samford

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

 

WCU Football Game #4 - Samford Bulldogs

In 2024, Western Carolina closed the regular season and conference schedule against the Samford Bulldogs, and in 2025, the Cats will open the conference schedule against these same Bulldogs.   

Game #4 - Samford Bulldogs

The Bulldogs finished the 2024 season with a 4-7 overall record, finishing the season with a 3-4 conference record, and finished in fifth place in the conference standings for the second consecutive season. Currently the Bulldogs are 0-3 overall (as are the Cats). 

  

When: Saturday, September 20, 2025

Time: 2:30 pm (ET)  

Where: EJ Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Radio: Catamount Sports Network

   -Play-by-Play: Gary Ayers • Color Daniel Hooker • Producer: Jeff Bryson

TV / video:    ESPN+
Live Stats: WCU Live Stats

Game Notes:  Western Carolina   -   Samford   

Colors: Red and Blue

Bulldog Message Board: The Dog Pound 

The Series: The Cats are 5-17 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 brok another 5 game losing streak last in the 2023 season in Cullowhee, with a 30-7 win over the Bulldogs. The Cats are riding a two game win streak vs. the Bulldogs, but are 3-7 vs. Samford in games played in Cullowhee.  

Last game played vs. Samford: Nov. 23, 2024 - Catamounts Claim Wild Season Finale at Samford, 47-42 -  Taron Dickens passed for 408 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offensive attack and Western Carolina converted a pair of late first-half takeaways into points before withstanding a furious third-quarter rally by the Samford Bulldogs as the Catamounts closed the regular season with a 47-42 road victory in Southern Conference action Saturday at Pete Hanna Stadium.

Chris Hatcher's record vs. Western Carolina: 9-4

Kerwin Bell's record vs. Samford: 2-2

Head Coach: Chris Hatcher. Chris Hatcher was named Samford’s 36th head football coach on Dec. 11, 2014. Entering his eleventh season at Samford in 2025, Hatcher boasts a career record of 182-107 in 24 years as a college head coach, having previously coached at Murray State, Georgia Southern, and Valdosta State. 

Last Season's Record - 2024 (Samford): 4-7 overall, 3-3 home, 1-4 away, 3-4 SoCon

This Season's Record - 2025 (Samford):  0-3 overall, 0-2 home, 0-1 away, 0-1 SoCon

Offensive Formation: Multiple
Defensive Formation: 4-3

In SoCon preseason polls, the Bulldogs were picked fifth in the coaches poll and Samford had four players named to the preseason All-SoCon teams. Defensive lineman Conroy Cunningham and long-snapper Alex Applefi eld were both named first team preseason All-SoCon, while quarterback Quincy Crittendon and linebacker Jaden Mosley both earned second team honors.

The 2025 Samford football roster features several Power Four transfers including Deuce Caldwell II (North Carolina), Web Davidson (Virginia Tech), Gumbo Gaskins (Vanderbilt), Jaden Gibson (Virginia), Charlie Gilliam (Wake Forest), Donovan Grayson (West Virginia), Grant Hidalgo (Auburn), Noah Jones (Georgia), Vance Nicklaus (Florida State), Rayf Vinson (Ole Miss) and Hank Weber (Wisconsin).

Not only have there been changes on the roster, but the Bulldog coaching sta has some new faces as well: Scot Sloan (Defensive Coordinator), Cal King (Linebackers), Tyler Zielenske (Special Teams Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator), Thomas Morton (Quarterbacks) and Caysey Colant (Chief of Staff). 

So far this season, the Bulldogs have losses against West Georgia, The Citadel, and Baylor.  

2025 Samford Statistics (3 games)

Rushing Offense: 209 yards
Yards per game: 69.7
Yards per rush: 2.2 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 16
TDs rushing: 1
Passing Offense: 709 yards or 236 yards per game
Passing 1st downs: 32
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 131-88-6
TDs Passing: 1
Total Offense: 918 yards or 306 yards per game
Fumbles - Lost: 10 - 6
3d Down Conversions: 18 of  54 (33%)
4th Down Conversions: 2 of 7 (29%)
Field goal attempts: 3 - 3
PAT-Attempts: 2 of 2
Red Zone Scores:  5 of 10 
Red Zone Touchdowns: 2 of 10 
On-Side Kicks: 1 - 1
Penalties-Yards: 19 - 174

Game Day - Elon comes to town!!!

 Game Day in Cullowhee!!!

Courtesy WCU Athletic Media Relations

Never Forget 9-11-2001

 

WCU 2-Deep Roster vs. Elon

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations

 

WCU Football Game #3 - Elon Phoenix

Game #3 - Elon Phoenix 

In the season's third game, the Catamounts return to Cullowhee to face former Southern Conference foe, the Elon Phoenix from the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA). This is the Phoenix first trip back to Cullowhee since the 2013 season.  

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

When: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: 2:30 pm (EST)
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
     -announcer: Gary Ayers
TV/video: ESPN+
Game Notes: Western Carolina   -    Elon 
Conference: Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Mascot: Phoenix
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Students: 6,337

Message Board: Elon Fans

The Series: The Cats own an 18-24-2 overall record against the Phoenix, and come into the game on two game win streak. The Cats picked up a 24-17 last year at Elon.   

Elon's 2024 Record:  6-6 overall, 2-4 home, 4-2 away, 5-3 conference (CAA)

Head Coach: Tony Trisciani -  The 23rd head football coach at Elon University, he completed his sixth season at the helm of the program in the fall of 2024. Widely familiar with the CAA Football landscape, the 2024 season marked Trisciani's 29th year as a football coach and his 19th year coaching at a CAA Football institution. Known for developing champions, Trisciani's career has featured multiple conference championships on the field while guiding his defensive units to national leaders in multiple categories and coaching numerous all-conference and All-American student-athletes.

Trisciani's record vs. WCU: 0-1

Bell's record vs. Elon:  1-0

Elon was picked to finish eighth in the 14 team CAA football preseason poll, and Jeff Yurk was selected as the Preseason All-CAA punter. So far this season the Phoenix played both Duke & Davidson.  

In Saturday's home opener, Phoenix redshirt freshman QB Landen Clark threw for three touchdowns and ran in another as Elon picked up 41 first-half points en route to a 55-7 win over Davidson at Rhodes Stadium. The Elon defense held Davidson to 93 passing yards, and 65 yards rushing, in their 55-7 win over helpless Davidson.  

2025 Elon Statistics (2 games):
Rushing Offense: 452 yards
Yards per game: 226
Yards per rush: 4.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 27
TDs rushing: 6
Passing Offense: 370 yards or 185 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.9 yards
Passing 1st downs: 17
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 47-27-0
TDs Passing: 3
Total Offense: 822 yards or 411yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 1-0
3d Down Conversions: 13 of 30 or 43%
4th Down Conversions: 3 of 5 or 60%
Field goal attempts: 3 of 3
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 10 of 11
Red Zone Touchdowns: 7 of 11
PAT: 9 of 9

Tracking the Cats - Fall Sports & volleyball Coach Karen Glover

WCU Sports Wrap + Volleyball Coach Karen Glover 9/4/2025

WCU Football Game #2 - Wake Forest

Game #2 - Wake Forest Demon Deacons 

In the season's second game, the Catamounts travel to Winston-Salem to face the ACC's Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in the fourth meeting between the two teams. 

Where: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC

When: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Time: 2:00 pm (EST)
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
     -announcer: Gary Ayers
TV/video: ACCN ESPN
Game Notes: Western Carolina   -    Wake Forest   
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference
Mascot: Demon Deacons 
Colors: Old Gold and Black
Students: 9,121
Message Board: Old Gold and Black Boards

The Series: The Cats own a 0-3 record against the Deacs, with all three games held in Winston-Salem. The two teams last played in September of 1991.  

"Wake Forest opened the Jake Dickert era with a 10-9 victory over Kennesaw State at home on Friday night to launch the 2025 season. 

The Deacs recorded nearly 350 yards of total offense, led by redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford who was 20-of-28 for 218 yards through the air and 18 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown on the ground. On the ground, five different Demon Deacons contributed to 130 rushing yards while redshirt senior tight end Eni Falayi led the team in receiving with four catches for 52 yards."

On Offense: The offensive is poised to center around senior running back Demond Claiborne, who returns after an impressive season in which he amassed 1,049 rushing yards. He is projected to be the offensive MVP. Under offensive coordinator Rob Ezell, the newly implemented spread offense aims to leverage Claiborne's speed and power. However, the quarterback position remains a significant concern, as Ashford has yet to prove himself as a reliable starter, while backup Deshawn Purdie has a history that raises questions about his performance. The receiving corps also lacks established talent, although transfers such as Karate Benson and Carlos Hernandez are anticipated to make meaningful contributions.

On Defense: The defense, which struggled last season, ranking near the bottom nationally in pass defense, is undergoing a transformation under new defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton. Key returning players include safety Nick Andersen and linebacker Dylan Hazen, who is projected to be the defensive MVP. The unit will feature a mix of transfers and untested players, with the potential for improved performance. However, a challenging start to the season is expected.

2025 Demon Deacons Statistics (1 game):
Rushing Offense: 130 yards
Yards per game: 130
Yards per rush: 2.8 yards
Rushing 1st downs: 9
TDs rushing: 1
Passing Offense: 218 yards or 218 yards per game
Avg. per pass: 7.8 yards
Passing 1st downs: 10
Passing Att-Comp-Int: 28-20-0
TDs Passing: 0
Total Offense: 348 yards or 348 yards per game
Fumbles-Lost: 0-0
3d Down Conversions: 6 of 17 or 35%
4th Down Conversions: 1 of 1 or 100%
Field goal attempts: 1 of 2
On-side kicks: 0-0
Red Zone Scores: 2 of 3

Red Zone Touchdowns: 1 of 3 

PAT: 1 of 1

Game Day - Time for WCU Football Kickoff - Colombo & Moore.

It's game day verses the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #0, one on offense and one on defense: 

#0 AJ Colombo AJ Colombo

Position Wide Receiver 

Height 5-8 

Weight 170 

Class Senior 

Hometown Waxhaw, N.C. 

High School Cuthbertson HS

2024 (Junior): Started 10 of the 11 games in which he saw action … Led the Catamounts with a Southern Conference best 61 receptions and 590 receiving yards that ranked him eighth in the league … Was second on the squad with five receiving touchdowns, tied for fifth in the SoCon … Caught a career-high nine passes in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), just missing the century mark with 97 yards … Caught five passes for 51 yards and returned five punts for 50 yards to amass 101 all-purpose yards … Recorded his first 100-yard receiving performance with a career-high 116 yards on a career-high tying nine receptions at Samford (11/23/24) … Named to the first-team All-Southern Conference team by the league’s head coaches … Named to the Fall 2024 Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2023 (Sophomore): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games with two starts at wide receiver … Finished third on the team with 31 receptions for 438 yards and five touchdowns, the latter ranking him tied for fifth in the SoCon … Caught passes in eight of the 10 games in which he saw action … Caught five passes for 79 yards and a score in the home win over nationally-ranked Samford (Sept. 9) … Tallied his first multi-score game with two TD receptions against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Matched with five catches for 40 yards and a score at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Tallied a career-high seven receptions for 56 yards against Mercer … Returned 16 punts for 192 total yards, ranking third in the SoCon with a 12.0 yard per return average … Added six kickoff returns for 78 total yards with a long of 21 yards … Hauled in five passes for 96 yards and a 64-yard touchdown pass in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman): Saw action in all 11 of the team’s games with one start at wide receiver … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) with his first collegiate start against VMI (Oct. 1) … Finished the season with five catches for 36 yards, making his first reception against Presbyterian (Sept. 16) and catching two passes for 26 yards against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Returned 14 punts for 124 total yards, averaging 8.9 yards per return with a long of 39 yards in the win over VMI (Oct. 1) … Dropped back on kickoff returns the final four games of the season, finishing with 11 returns for 258 yards and a team-best 23.5 yard per return average … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on special teams by the league’s head coaches … Hauled in six receptions for 67 yards including a 50-yard strike from QB Bennett Judy to pull the White team to within seven, 21-14, six possessions into WCU’s annual Spring Game … Received a partial scholarship from head coach Kerwin Bell following the conclusion of WCU’s annual spring drills ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a three-time, first-team all-conference receiver at Cuthbertson High for head coach Trey Kavanaugh ... Recorded 154 career catches for 1,784 yards and seven touchdowns over three seasons as a prep, adding two kickoff returns for TDs ... Also rushed 162 times for 909 career yards with 17 touchdowns ... Posted a conference-record 17 receptions in a game as a junior ... Started his prep career at quarterback on the junior varsity team in 2018 ... Also played lacrosse as a prep, scoring 49 goals as a senior.

Personal: Full name is Armond Giuseppe Colombo, but prefers to go by "AJ" ... Is the son of Juliann and Thomas Colombo ... Was born in Boston, Mass. ... Has three older sisters - Gia, CeCe, and Gracie ... His father was a Hall of Fame quarterback at Villanova.

#0 Ken Moore Jr.

Position Nickelback

Height 5-10

Weight 160

Class Redshirt Junior
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Christopher Columbus HS

2025 (Redshirt Junior): Named first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference as a defensive back.

2024 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in all 12 of the team’s games on the season with 10 starts in the defensive secondary … Recorded 36 total tackles, including 23 solo stops and four tackles for loss … Posted tackles in all 12 games with multiple stops nine times … Finished second on the team with a career-best four interceptions coming in four separate games … Made his first collegiate start in the season-opener at NC State (Aug. 29), finishing with five total tackles and an interception he returned 51 yards … Two of his three stops against The Citadel (Oct. 12) went for loss … Credited with five solo stops against Chattanooga (Nov. 2), recording his second interception with a 38-yard return … Returned a second-quarter interception 34 yards for his first career touchdown as part of WCU’s 41-7 first-half lead against VMI (Nov. 16) … Posted a career-high six tackles, including five solo stops in the season finale at Samford (Nov. 23) … Credited with five stops and a pass breakup in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 11 of the team’s games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Recorded 17 total tackles with 11 solo stops with one tackle for loss … Credited with two pass breakups and had an interception … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2), making his first career tackle as part of a two solo stop effort … Posted a career-high six tackles with four solo stops against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Had a tackle for loss at The Citadel (Sept. 30) … Made his first career interception at Chattanooga (Oct. 7), adding a pair of pass breakups in the road win … Credited with four tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28) and three in the road win at Wofford (Nov. 4) … Named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman team.

2022 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Recorded a pass breakup in WCU's annual Spring Game.

Prior to Western Carolina: Credited with 64 total tackles including 44 solo stops according to MaxPreps … Posted three interceptions as a prep … Caught 10 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns as a part of 547 all-purpose yards … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.

1 Day Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Boyd & Fisher

It's now 1 day until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday, August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #1, one on offense and one on defense: 

#1 Patrick Boyd Jr.

Position Running Back
Height 5-10
Weight 170
Class Redshirt Sophomore
Hometown Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
High School Fort Lauderdale HS

2024 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in five games as a reserve in the offensive backfield, converting from wide receiver to running back … Finished the year with 201 yards on the ground, 37 receiving yards, and 20 yards on kick returns, finishing with 201 all-purpose yards … Did not see action in the first six games of the year before making his season debut at Furman (Oct. 19), rushing three times for 41 yards … Rushed 11 times for 37 yards at ETSU (Nov. 9), adding three catches for 17 yards … Posted a career-high 59 yards rushing against VMI (Nov. 16), scoring his first collegiate touchdown … Added a kickoff return for 20 yards for a career-best 79 all-purpose yards against the Keydets … Rushed a career-high 16 times at Samford (Nov. 23), adding four catches in the road win over the Bulldogs … Rushed six times for 56 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards in WCU’s annual Spring Game … Scored on a 48-yard touchdown romp for the Purple Squad.

2023 (Freshman): Saw game action in four games, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Made his collegiate debut at home against Charleston Southern (Sept. 23), recording his first career reception for seven yards … Caught three passes for a combined 48 yards, adding two kick returns for 41 total yards … Averaged 16 yards per catch including a career-long 36 yards … Caught a career-best two passes for a career-high 41 yards in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11) … Returned two kickoffs for 41 yards against Mercer (Oct. 28).

Prior to Western Carolina: Took snaps at wide receiver, running back, and quarterback as a prep, adding two scores on special teams … In 10 games, caught 33 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 559 yards on 68 carries with six scores on the ground … Also tossed a pair of TD passes … Played for head coach Richard Dunbar … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.

Personal: Is the son of Laqueisa Bradley-Boyd and Patrick Boyd Sr.

#1 Caleb Fisher

Position Defensive End

Height 6-3
Weight 240
Class Redshirt Senior
Hometown Decatur, Ga.
High School Columbia HS










2025 (Redshirt Senior): Named first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference along the defensive line.

2024 (Redshirt Junior): Started all 12 games along the defensive line … Finished with 37 total tackles with 23 solo stops, seven for loss, including 2.5 sacks … Recorded tackles in all 12 games … Credited with six quarterback hurries and a pair of pass breakups … Had a pair of tackles including one for loss at NC State (Aug. 29) … Two of his three tackles at Elon (Sept. 14) went for loss on a pair of sacks … Recorded a season-high six tackles twice, including two solo stops and half a sack at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21) and four solo stops with three hurries against The Citadel (Oct. 12) … Tallied five solo stops with one for loss at ETSU (Nov. 9).

2023 (Redshirt Sophomore): Started all 11 games in which he saw action along the defensive front … Credited with 18 tackles on the season with five solo stops … Posted tackles in eight of the 11 games … Finished with 2.5 tackles for nine yards of losses including half a sack with four quarterback hurries including two at Chattanooga (Oct. 7) … Posted a season-high three tackles three times – against Samford (Sept. 9) with a season-best two solo stops, three at UTC, and three tackles in the home win over Mercer (Oct. 28) … Credited with a team-best four quarterback hurries in WCU’s annual Spring Game.

2022 (Sophomore): Returned from injury to play in the final three games of the regular season as a defensive reserve, remaining eligible for a redshirt … Recorded three tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss … Made his season debut against Wofford (Nov. 5), posting half a tackle for loss … Tallied two tackles against nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Nov. 19) with a third quarter tackle for loss.

2021 (Freshman): Played in 10 games on the year, credited with nine total tackles including three solo stops and 2.0 tackles for six yards of losses ... Made his collegiate debut in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4) ... Recorded a career-high five tackles including two TFLs and a pair of quarterback hurries against Samford (Sept. 18).

Prior to Western Carolina: Was a two-way player as a prep as a defensive end and tight end … Entered the 2020 season as a preseason all-state selection along the defensive line … Was an honorable mention defensive lineman all-region for 5-AAAAA in Georgia in 2019 after finishing with 30 tackles including 11 for loss with 10 sacks.

Personal: Is the son of Mitzi Gant and Cecil Fisher.

2 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Adams & Nelson

It's now 2 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #2, one on offense and one on defense: 

#2 Branson Adams

Position Running Back
Height 5-9
Weight 190
Class Fifth Year
Hometown Greensboro, N.C.
High School Dudley HS











2025 (Fifth Year): Named to the first-team Preseason All-Southern Conference at running back.

2024 (Senior): Started all 12 games at running back … Led the team in rushing, amassing 749 yards on 134 carries with four touchdowns, averaging 62.4 rushing yards per game … Added 36 receptions for 284 yards and a score … Averaged 86.1 all-purpose yards per game … Totaled double-digit rushes nine times … Rushed for 80 or more yards five times, including a season-high 91 yards on a season-best 17 carries with two touchdowns at nationally-ranked Montana (Sept. 21), adding seven receptions for 50 yards to amass 141 all-purpose yards … Just missed his season-high with 89 rushing yards at Mercer (Oct. 26), adding three catches for 39 yards for 128 all-purpose yards … Rushed six times for 30 yards and a four-yard touchdown in WCU’s annual Spring Game ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll ... Named to the WCU Dean's List.

2023 (Junior): Played in all 11 games with four starts at running back coming in the final four games of the regular season … Rushed 89 times for 539 yards with three touchdowns, averaging 49 yards per game … Eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark one time with a career-best 110 yards against ETSU (Nov. 11) … Added 36 receptions out of the backfield for 266 yards with four touchdowns … Recorded his first collegiate touchdown on a game-winning 8-yard TD reception at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Scored his first touchdown on the ground at Chattanooga (Oct. 7) with a 37-yard romp late in the third quarter … Twice went over 100 all-purpose yards in a game with 101 – 51 rushing, 50 receiving – at Wofford (Nov. 4) and a career-high 183 yards – 110 yards rushing and 73 receiving yards – in the home win over ETSU … Led the purple squad in WCU’s annual Spring Game with five rushes for 27 yards.

2022 (Sophomore): Played in four games as an offensive reserve and on special teams … Credited with an unassisted tackle in the road win at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3) … Recorded one rush for three yards and one reception at Georgia Tech (Sept. 10) ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2021 (Freshman*): Played in 10 of the team’s 11 games on the season between special teams and an offensive reserve, finishing the season with 94 all-purpose yards … Rushed 13 times for 41 yards with four receptions for 17 total yards … Recorded a career-high three rushes three times including at Oklahoma (Sept. 11), at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 25) and at Wofford (Oct. 30) … Caught a career-best two passes at Chattanooga (Oct. 2) … Posted four kickoff returns for a combined 36 yards.

2020-21 (Freshman): Did not see game action ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Four-year varsity letter winner … Began his prep career at Northern Guilford while also playing at Page HS before finishing at Dudley HS … Rushed for 1,211 yards over his final two seasons as a prep, scoring 21 touchdowns on the ground … Made 32 career receptions for 503 yards and three receiving scores … Added 150 yards on kickoff returns and 17 on punt returns for 1,881 career all-purpose yards … Defensively, tallied 59 tackles as a senior including 36 solo stops and 1.5 sacks with three interceptions as a senior … Rushed for 183 yards and two TDs while catching two passes for 44 yards as a sophomore at Page HS … Four-year, A-B Honor Roll as a prep while also running track … Joined the WCU football team as a walk-on

Personal: Is the son of Denise Turner ... Has an older brother, Andre Adams Jr., and a younger brother Jamari Burks ... Is related to former NFL standout Stefon Adams, who played collegiate football at East Carolina and played in the NFL with the Los Angeles Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and the Miami Dolphins, while also playing World League of American Football (WALF) with the Sacramento Surge ... Stefon Adams also played for the Charlotte Rage and Connecticut Coyotes of the Arena Football League, and a season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

 

#2 Micah Nelson

Position Defensive End

Height 6-3
Weight 265
Class Fifth Year
Hometown Murphy, N.C.
High School Murphy HS










2025 (Graduate Student): Named second-team Preseason All-Southern Conference along the defensive line.

2024 (Redshirt Senior): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games on the season, each coming as a defensive reserve as he returned from injury … Credited with 26 total tackles, including 10 solo stops and 6.5 for loss with a pair of sacks … Posted tackles in nine of the 11 games in which he played, with multiple stops six times … Returned from the injury that sidelined him in 2023 in the home opener against Campbell (Sept. 7) … Had four tackles including three solo stops and a TFL at Elon (Sept. 14) … Credited with a season-high six tackles against The Citadel (Oct. 12) with a sack … Posted a tackle and a half for loss among his four stops in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) … Also had four tackles at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Recorded a pair of quarterback hurries and one pass breakup from his defensive end position … Nominated for the 2024 NFF William V. Campbell Trophy which is awarded to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance ... Named to the Fall 2024 Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the 2024 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Qualified for the 2025 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society ... Named to the 2024-25 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2023 (Redshirt Junior): Selected first-team preseason All-Southern Conference by the league's head coaches ... Missed the season due to injury ... Named to the 2023-24 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Redshirt Sophomore): One of seven players including four defenders to start all 11 games on the season, doing so from his defensive end position … Recorded 35 tackles on the year with 14 solo stops and three tackles for loss coming on sacks … Credited with four quarterback hurries and a pass breakup … Posted three-or-more tackles in seven games on the year including a season-best seven tackles at Samford (Sept. 24) … Had four tackles including a sack and a half against VMI (Oct. 1) … Posted three tackles with a sack against Wofford (Nov. 5) … Named to the 2022 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Selected to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team ... Named to the 2022-23 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and Received a SoCon Commissioner's Medal.

2021 (Redshirt Freshman*): Started all 11 games along the defensive line as a stand-up defensive end ... Finished with 33 total tackles on the year including 15 solo stops and three tackles for loss ... Had at least one tackle in all 11 games with four-or-more stops in five games including a season-high six against Samford (Sept. 18) ... Recovered a fumble against Furman (Nov. 6) ... Credited with three quarterback hurries and two pass break-ups ... Was a fourth-team All-Southern Conference selection by Phil Steele ... Named to the 2021 Fall Academic All-Southern Conference team ... Named to the 2021-22 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

2020-21 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all nine of the team’s games with four starts … Recorded 27 total tackles including 13 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss … Credited with two quarterback hurries and one pass break-up … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Liberty (Nov. 14) … Recorded his first collegiate tackles including half a tackle for loss at North Carolina (Dec. 5) … Tallied seven tackles at Furman (Feb. 20) … Recorded a career-high nine tackles including seven solo stops with a TFL against The Citadel (March 13) ... Named to the 2020-21 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll and was named Academic All-Southern Conference.

2019 (Freshman): Did not see game action and is eligible for a redshirt ... Named to the 2019-20 Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joins the Catamount football team as a preferred walk-on after a stellar prep career at Murphy High … Was a two-time state champion (2016 & 2018) and three-time Smoky Mountain Conference champion as a prep … Twice named all-conference and All-Western North Carolina … Played wide receiver, defensive back, and quarterback as a senior during his prep career … Credited with 128 career tackles including seven tackles for loss while totaling 17 pass break-ups and 10 career interceptions … Finished with 57 career receptions for 907 yards, while also passing for 1,130 yards and rushing for 261 – recording 28 career total touchdowns ... High school coach was David Gentry.

Personal: Full name is Micah Thomas Nelson … Is the son of Becky and Thomas Nelson … Was born in Bristol, Va. … Has two younger siblings, Grace and Tyra … Father, Thomas, was an All-American football player at Emory & Henry College (1998) and a 2011 inductee into the Emory & Henry College Sports Hall of Fame.

3 Days Until Catamount Football Kickoff - Sterling & Dukes

It's now 3 days until the kickoff of Catamount football on Saturday,  August 30, 2025, against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in E.J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC. 

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

Today, we will highlight two players who wear #3, one on offense and one on defense: 

#3 Kha'leal Sterling

Position Wide Receiver
Height 5-9
Weight 170
Class Freshman
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Miami Central HS









Prior to Western Carolina: HeroSports had him as the No. 2 wide receiver prospect in the NCAA FCS … Listed as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … Originally committed to Pitt … As a junior, caught 26 passes for 609 yards and seven touchdowns … Also ran track as a prep.

#3  Samaurie Dukes

Position Safety

Height 5-11
Weight 185
Class Senior
Hometown Miami, Fla.
High School Miami HS








2025 (Senior): Named to the second-team Preseason All-Southern Conference as a defensive back.

2024 (Junior): Saw action in 10 of the team’s 12 games on the season with seven starts in the defensive secondary … Finished with 55 total tackles to rank third on the WCU squad, with 33 solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss with a quarterback hurry … Recorded at least two tackles in all 10 games he played … Tallied four pass breakups and had two interceptions … Tallied six tackles with three solo stops at NC State (Aug. 29) … Credited with a career-high 12 total tackles, including 10 solo stops, against Campbell (Sept. 7), his first double-digit tackle performance … Intercepted a pass with five tackles against The Citadel (Oct. 12) … Had seven stops, including four solo tackles, in the road win at Furman (Oct. 19) and eight tackles at ETSU (Nov. 9) … Added an interception to his eight-tackle performance at ETSU.

2023 (Sophomore): Played in nine of the team’s 11 games with seven starts in the defensive secondary … Finished with 29 total tackles including 20 solo stops and 2.5 tackles for a total of six yards of losses … Tallied four pass break ups and three interceptions … Recorded a tackle in all nine games he played including a season-high six twice – in the season-opener at Arkansas (Sept. 2) and in the road win at nationally-ranked Chattanooga (Oct. 7) … Credited with five solo stops in the road win at Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 16) … Had a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, and his first career interception in the home win over Charleston Southern (Sept. 23) … Intercepted two passes in the home win over ETSU (Nov. 11).

2022 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games on the season with three starts … Tallied 33 tackles with 21 solo stops and two tackles for loss … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener at Charleston Southern (Sept. 3), recording his first career tackle … Was an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground National Freshman of the Week after recording a then career-high nine tackles with four solo stops at Mercer (Oct. 8) … Recovered a fumble with two tackles at Furman (Oct. 15) … Posted six tackles with four solo stops against The Citadel (Oct. 22) … Had three tackles and a quarterback hurry against Wofford (Nov. 5) … Named to the 2022 Southern Conference All-Freshman team on defense.

Prior to Western Carolina: Joined the Catamount football team during the spring 2022 semester, participating in annual spring drills ... Recorded two interceptions during WCU's annual Spring Showcase scrimmage ... Played wide receiver and defensive back as a prep, while also returning punts and kickoffs on special teams ... Was the offensive MVP of the annual Private vs. Public High School All-Star Game, catching six passes for 115 yards and a touchdown ... Named All-Dade first-team by the Miami Herald.