catamount football | 2021 game notes - Amazon S3

2021 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL PAGE 1 at No. 19 Chattanooga

CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL | 2021 GAME NOTES

• CATAMOUNT QUICK FACTS • Location: ................................................. Cullowhee, N.C., 28723 ...................................................................................................Pronounced “KULL - uh - whee”

Founded: ...............................................................................1889 Enrollment: .......................................................................... 11,877 Nickname: ................................................................. Catamounts Colors: ..................................................................... Purple & Gold Stadium: ....................................... E.J. Whitmire Stadium (13,790) Field: .................................... Bob Waters Field (Artificial: Ironturf) Affiliation: ........... NCAA Div. I – Championship Subdivision (FCS) Conference: ....................................................................Southern Chancellor: ................................ Dr. Kelli R. Brown (Toledo, 1982) Athletics Director: .....................................Alex Gary (VCU, 2005)

FOOTBALL HISTORY: First Year of Football: ............................................................1931 Seasons of Football: ..............................................................87th All-Time / SoCon Record: .......... 347-519-23 (.403) / 116-191-3 (.380) NCAA Postseason Appearances (Div. I): ............................. 2 (1) Postseason Record (Div. I): ............................................3-2 (3-1) Best Finish: ...........1983 National Finalist (lost 43-7 to So. Illinois) Last Appearance: .................................................................. 1983 2020-21 Record: .................................1-8 (Home: 1-1 | Away: 0-7) 2020-21 SoCon Record (Finish): .... 1-5 (9th) (Home: 1-1 | Away: 0-4)

WCU FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF: Head Coach: ........................................Kerwin Bell (Florida, 1987) • Head Coaching Record at WCU: ................................. 0-4 (1st yr) • Overall Record: ......................................................93-46 (13 yrs) A S S I S T A N T C O A C H E S / S U P P O R T S T A F F Kade Bell ..................................................... Offensive Coord. / OL Justin Hinds .................................................Defensive Coord. / LB Kerry Webb ....................................................... SpTms Coord. / CB Chazmon Scales ..................................co-Defensive Coord. / OLB Rylan Wells ................... Assistant Coach / Recruiting Coord. / TEs Jon Cooper ....................................................Assistant Coach / OL J.J. Laster ....................................................Assistant Coach / WRs Larry Murphy ...............................................Assistant Coach / CBs Rudi Small ....................................................Assistant Coach / RBs Dennis Thomas ..............................................Assistant Coach / DL Jeff Burger ............................................... Volunteer Assistant / OL Cody Edwards ...........................Quality Control Coach – Defense Greg McGruder .......................... Quality Control Coach – Offense Todd Shealy ............................................. Director of Football Ops Trent Turknett ................................... Director of Player Personnel Ben Jacobs ...................................Director of Sports Performance Steven Honbarger ............................. Director of Sports Medicine Rob Reyburn ................................ Associate Head Athletic Trainer Mike Taylor ..................................... Athletics Equipment Manager Sandy Neuenschwander ...........Football Administrative Assistant

WESTERN CAROLINA MEDIA RELATIONS INFORMATION:Asst. AD/Media Relations (FB Contact): .................Daniel Hooker • Email Address: [email protected] • Office / Cell Phone: ................ (828) 227-2339 / (828) 508-2494Director of Media Relations (Secondary FB): ........ Steven Grandy • Email Address: ..................................... [email protected] of Media Relations: ...................................Denise Gideon • Email Address: .....................................dgideon@email.wcu.eduFootball Press Box Phone: ...................................... (828) 227-2116Athletics Mailing & Overnight Address: ..................WCU Athletics 92 Catamount Road – Ramsey Center Cullowhee, N.C. 28723

A WESTERN CAROLINA WIN WOULD:• Halt a six-game winless drought that dates back to last

spring as the Catamounts fell at Mercer (45-28) and ETSU (24-17) to end the 2020-21 schedule and have suffered four-straight losses to start the 2021 fall schedule;

• End WCU's four-game losing skid against nationally-ranked NCAA FCS competition dating back to 2017;

• Put the clamps on a 10 game road losing skid as WCU's first road victory since Nov. 2, 2019 at VMI (43-25);

• Represent the first victory at Western Carolina for first-year head coach KERWIN BELL.

A WESTERN CAROLINA LOSS WOULD:• Be a seventh-straight defeat for the Catamount football

team dating back to the spring of 2021 – and an 11th straight road loss dating back to 2019;

• Relegate the Catamounts to three-straight losses in the all-time series with Chattanooga – and back-to-back defeats on the road at Finley Stadium.

CATAMOUNT QUICK SLANTS:• Western Carolina’s 2021 roster includes a combined

43 players from the state of North Carolina ... South Carolina is second with 24, followed by Georgia (18), Florida (9), Alabama (6), Tennessee and Pennsylvania with three, Virginia (2), and one each from Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri and Ohio;

2021 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE / RESULTSDATE OPPONENT SITE TIME/RESULT TV NOTESSept. 4 EASTERN KENTUCKY CULLOWHEE L, 31-28 Nexstar/E+ TJ Jones had 146 yds offense, 2 TDs; missed 56-yd FG @horn

Sept. 11 at #4/4 Oklahoma Norman, Okla. L, 76-0 PPV S. Rattler threw 5 first-half TD passes; OK had 624 off. yds

Sept. 18 SAMFORD * (FW) CULLOWHEE L, 42-37 Nexstar/E+ WCU forced 5 turnovers, Raphael Williams with 2 TD catches

Sept. 25 at Gardner-Webb Boiling Springs, N.C. L, 52-34 ESPN+ GAWB scored games final 28 points; 1,202 yds of offense total

Oct. 2 at #19 Chattanooga * Chattanooga, Tenn. 1:30 pm ESPN3 WCU has dropped 10 of last 11 mtgs; last win was 45-7 (2017)

OCT. 9 MERCER * (HC) CULLOWHEE 3:30 PM ESPN3 WCU has dropped 5-straight after winning first two series mtgs

Oct. 23 at The Citadel * Charleston, S.C. 2:00 pm ESPN+ WCU halted a two-game series slide with a 21-14 home win in spring

Oct. 30 at Wofford * Spartanburg, S.C. 1:30 pm ESPN+ Four-consecutive series losses, last winning in Spartanburg in 2015

NOV. 6 FURMAN * CULLOWHEE 2:00 PM ESPN+ WCU looks to end 5-game series slide; last win @home in 2015

NOV. 13 ETSU * (BRBB) CULLOWHEE 2:00 PM ESPN+ Blue Ridge Border Battle; 5 of last 6 mtgs decided by 1 possession

Nov. 20 at VMI * Lexington, Va. 12:30 pm ESPN+ WCU leads the all-time series, 23-4 including a 10-3 road mark

* denotes Southern Conference game /// All times listed are Eastern

GAME #5: WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS (0-4, 0-1 SoCon) at CHATTANOOGA MOCS (1-2, 0-0 SoCon)Saturday, October 2, 2021 • 1:30 pm • ESPN3 • Chattanooga, Tenn. • Finley Stadium (20,668)

GAME COVERAGE:TV BROADCAST: TALENT: Chris Goforth, Scott McMahen & Dave KeylonRADIO: Catamount Sports NetworkTALENT: Gary Ayers, Daniel Hooker, Greg McLamb & Jeff BrysonONLINE AUDIO: CatamountSports.comTWITTER: @Catamounts, @CatamountsFBSERIES HISTORY: WCU trails, 17-29 (L–2) In Chattanooga: ..................................WCU trails, 7-16 (L–1); MR: UTC, 60-36 (2019) In Cullowhee: .................................... WCU trails, 10-13 (L–5); MR: UTC, 26-6 (2018)

WESTERN CAROLINAHead Coach: Kerwin BellRecord at WCU: 0-4, 1st yrCareer Record: 93-46, 13th yr

CHATTANOOGA – RV / 19Head Coach: Rusty WrightRecord at UTC: 10-10, 3rd yr Career Record: same

• Entering 2021, 17 Catamounts have indicated that they are making this season their final on the gridiron:

RB Kenny Benjamin, LB Trevor Childers, TE Owen Cosenke, DB Jaylen Floyd, OL Michael Harper,

LB Ty Harris, LB Ivan Hogans, TE Luke Hoggard,DB Nick Oelrich, DL Ricky Palao, WR Daquan Patten,

DB LA Rogers-Anderson, DB Braxton Richburg,NIC Curtis Roach, LB Kareem Taylor,

WR Mydreon Vines, and QB Rogan Wells;

• In a year full of transition, WCU enters 2021 with a new look on the field in uniform as well ... Beginning on July 1, 2021, Catamount Athletics entered a five-year part-nership with Nike and BSN SPORTS;

• WCU returns 18 out of a possible 25 starters between its offense, defense, and special teams ... That includ-ed NINE starters on defense, SIX on offense, and all THREE back on special teams in specialist starters ... Combined, WCU has 53 total returning letter winners from 2020-21 with 42 newcomer including 21 transfers and 21 true freshmen;

• A combined 17 WCU football players SHARE a com-bined seven LAST names – none of which are related:

DAVIS ............................................. Carlos (QB), Peyton (OL)HARRIS .........Christian (DL), Ethan (DB), Jacob (CB), Ty (LB)JONES ..................................Calvin (WR), Gabe (OL), TJ (RB)NELSON ............................................ Micah (DE), Tyree (RB)SCOTT ............................................. Caleb (TE), Meziah (QB)SMITH ......................................Demorian (RUSH), Tyler (OL)WILLIAMS .........................................CJ (WR), Raphael (WR)

WESTERN CAROLINA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS /// RAMSEY CENTER – 92 CATAMOUNT ROAD /// @CATAMOUNTS /// CATAMOUNTSPORTS.COM

CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL | 2021 GAME NOTESFOOTBALL CONTACT: Daniel Hooker /// OFFICE: 828.227.2339 /// CELL: 828.508.2494 /// EMAIL: [email protected]



THIS WEEK IN CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL /// SEPTEMBER 26 – OCT. 2:

27Monday

28Tuesday

29Wednesday

30Thursday

1Friday

2Saturday

26Sunday

WCU INTERVIEW POLICYThe Western Carolina Office of Athletics Media Rela-

tions will assist media personnel with interview requests of Western Carolina student-athletes, coaches and administrators. To arrange interviews, please contact DANIEL HOOKER, the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at least 24 hours in advance.

Head Coach Kerwin Bell will be available for interviews following each practice and following games. Other inter-views with Coach Bell must be set-up in advance and it is requested that the nature of the interview be submitted to WCU Media Relations in writing at least 24 hours prior.

Student-athletes will be available for interviews after practices through Wednesday. Unless special permission is granted well in advance, the cut-off time for student-athletes during game weeks will be Noon on Thursday.

WCU FOOTBALL PRACTICE POLICYWCU football practices in 2020 are CLOSED to the

public. Media members are asked to refrain from contact-ing student-athletes at their home or residence – and student-athletes’ phone numbers will not be released by the Media Relations Office. Out-of-town media may set up phone interviews to be conducted in the Department of Athletics. Coach Bell may be reached weekday morn-ings, however, it is asked that a specific interview time be scheduled through the Media Relations office.

POSTGAME INTERVIEWS The WCU locker room is CLOSED at the end of all games played. However, following a 10-minute “cooling off” period, Coach Kerwin Bell and requested players will be brought to the media room on the first floor of the Ramsey Center. The availability of the visiting locker room will be announced in the press box after conferring with the visiting SID. The visiting locker room is located in the back portion of the Jordan-Phillips Field House. A space for interviews will be available outside the locker room or up on the Field House patio, if available.

WORKING CREDENTIALSNewsprint and electronic media representatives plan-

ning to cover football games at Western Carolina University are asked to request in written form working credentials from WCU’s Media Relations Office. Season passes will be issued to those who cover the Catamounts on a permanent basis. Our limited working space in the press box will be assigned by priority to WCU beat writers, beat writers of the opponents, metropolitan media filing for deadline and specialty publications.

If time permits, credentials will be mailed. If not, cre-dentials can be picked up on game day (two hours prior to kickoff) at the media will call on the upper plaza of the Ramsey Center at the south end of the stadium (nearest the press box side of Whitmire Stadium OR the Media

Parking Lot with an attendant. Credentials will be issued only to those attending the game in a working capacity. Spouses, dates, children and other nonworkers will not be permitted in the press box.

PHOTOGRAPHERSCredentials for sideline photographers will be issued on

a first-come, first-serve basis with agencies covering the participating schools on a regular basis receiving priority. Free-lance photographers may request credentials on a game-by-game basis. All free-lance photographers must submit proofs featuring game or sideline action to the Media Relations Office no later than four days following the game. Each photographer must pick up a photo pass from the press box or media will call prior to the game.

NO PHOTOGRAPHERS OR MEDIA PERSONNEL AREPERMITTED WITHIN THE TEAM AREA AT ANY TIME

MEDIA PARKINGMedia parking for Western Carolina home football

games – BY PERMIT ONLY – is located in the St. David's Episcopal Church parking lot directly across the street and behind the press box of E.J. Whitmire Stadium on Forest Hills Road. The lot is identified and a media parking plac-ard must be displayed to gain admittance. The lot will be staffed by a member of the WCU Athletics Media Relations staff who will have a checklist of those authorized to park in the media lot.

PRESS RELEASES/STATISTICSThe WCU Media Relations Department produces a

weekly football release prior to each game during the season. Cumulative statistics will be updated as soon as possible after each contest. Media members may receive the releases and statistics by accessing the Athletics Department web site at www.CatamountSports.com.

Email service is available upon request. To be placed on Western Carolina’s E-mail list, media members are asked to contact the Office of Athletic Media Relations.

CATAMOUNTS ON THE WEBThe WCU football home page at CatamountSports.com

provides the latest information regarding the Catamounts, including updated statistics, a roster, game notes and press releases. Also on the department’s main site is information on all of WCU athletics programs, lodging, directions to campus and the latest local weather forecast.

For those unable to attend contests, the Catamount Sports Network will broadcast each game over the Internet utilizing Stretch Internet.

All the current data you need on the Catamounts is as close as your computer at CatamountSports.com.

Southern Conference football games will be streamed ESPN+ and the WatchESPN app.

Follow Catamount Athletics on Twitter: @CatamountsFollow Catamount Football on Twitter: @CatamountsFB

Catamount Sports Network2021 Football Affiliates:

105.7 FM / 540 AM WRGC ........ Sylva 104.9 FM / 1050 AM WFSC ........ Franklin 102.9 FM / 1310 AM WISE ........ Asheville 970 AM WYSE ....... Canton 95.3 FM WWCU ........ Cullowhee * on-the-air in fall 2021

Online at CatamountSports.com

A combined eight stations across North Carolina are set to carry football broadcasts of the

Catamount Sports Network (CSN) during the 2021 season ... CSN has also again partnered

with PrestoSports to provide unlimited streaming audio through the athletics web site,

CatamountSports.com.

2021 BROADCAST CREW (HOME)Play-by-Play: .......................................... Gary AyersColor Analyst: ................................... Greg McLambHost / Producer: ................................... Jeff Bryson

2021 BROADCAST CREW (ROAD)Play-by-Play: .......................................... Gary AyersColor Analyst: .................................. Daniel HookerHost / Producer: ................................... Jeff BrysonSideline Reporter: ............................. Greg McLamb

TV ANNOUNCERTELECONFERENCE:11:00 am MEETINGS:2:30 – 4:15 pmPRACTICE:4:30 – 6:30 pm

CSN PREGAME INTERVIEW:8:00 am MEETINGS:2:30 – 4:00 pmPRACTICE:4:30 – 6:30 pm

TRAVEL DAYNoon DepartureNo MediaAvailability

OFF DAY GAME DAYWestern Carolinaat Chattanooga1:30 pm (ESPN3)Chattanooga, Tenn.Bell & select players available after the game

TREATMENT11:30 AMMEETINGS:2:30 – 4:00 pmPRACTICE4:30 PM

WCU PRESSER:11:00 amMEETINGS:2:30 – 4:00 pmPRACTICE:4:30 pm - 6:30 pm



STORY LINES IN SATURDAY’S MEETING AT NO. 19 CHATTANOOGA:• LOOKING FOR STREAK SNAPPERS: Western Carolina enters Saturday's game looking

to end a four-game slide to start the fall 2021 season – and to halt a six-game winless drought that dates back to the home win over The Citadel on March 13, 2021 ... the Catamounts are also looking to end a 10 game road losing skid that extends to 2019 ... WCU's last road victory came in Lexington, Va., at VMI on Nov. 2, 2019 ... the Cata-mounts also look to end a 44 game road drought against FCS ranked teams;

• GETTING OFFENSIVE: Western Carolina's offense has eclipsed the 500-yard mark in each of its NCAA FCS games this fall including 650 yards at Gardner-Webb last Satur-day ... the Catamounts have run 83-or-more plays against like opponents including 97 against Samford and matched a school-record with 99 at Gardner-Webb last week;

• STRENGTH AGAINST STRENGTH: Saturday's match-up pits one of the SoCon's top offensive units against one of the league's best defenses ... WCU enters the weekend ranked third in the conference in total offense at 458.0 yards per game – an average that jumps to 551.3 yards per game against three NCAA FCS teams this season ... Chat-tanooga ranks second in the SoCon, limiting opponents to just 314.3 yards per game and just 19.3 points per game:

Rush OFF Pass OFF Rush DEF Pass DEF

Western Carolina 5th, 171.5 2nd, 286.5 8th, 216.5 9th, 299.5

Chattanooga 6th, 159.7 6th, 159.7 3rd, 97.0 5th, 217.3

• HOW'S THAT FOR SCHEDULING: Western Carolina's last FOUR road games against NCAA Football Championship Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competition dating back to the fi-nale of 2019 have come against nationally-ranked FBS teams ... WCU played at fourth-ranked Oklahoma last weekend in Norman ... WCU fell at fifth-ranked Alabama (Nov. 23, 2019), 66-3, and played two ranked opponents last fall – a 58-14 loss at No. 22 Lib-erty (Nov. 14, 2020) and a 49-9 defeat in-state at No. 17 North Carolina (Dec. 5, 2020) ... Since 2006, WCU has played seven previous nationally-ranked FBS opponents:

2021 at No. 4/4 Oklahoma L, 76-0 2020 at No. 17 North Carolina L, 49-9 2020 at No. 22 Liberty L, 58-14 2019 at No. 5 Alabama L, 66-3 2014 at No. 1 Alabama L, 48-14 2012 at No. 4 Alabama L, 49-0 2006 at No. 3 Florida L, 62-0

WESTERN CAROLINA VS. CHATTANOOGA – SERIES HISTORY:• Western Carolina and Chattanooga meet on the football gridiron for the 47th time in

the all-time series history with the Catamounts trailing, 17-29 ... the series dates back to 1973 and the two squads have met every year since, minus two (1974, 2020) ... In Chattanooga, the Mocs have won 16 of the 23 series meetings;

• WCU and Chattanooga did not met in the split 2020-21 season as the Mocs opted out of their final three games due to COVID concerns;

• WCU halted a series-long, eight-game losing skid in the series overall with a convinc-ing 45-7 win at Finley Stadium in 2017 ... WCU has dropped 10 of the last 11 meetings – and 14 of the last 17 overall dating back to 2006;

• WCU did win 5-of-9 meetings from 2000 through 2008 in the series ... the longest win streak for the Catamounts against the Mocs was four-straight (1991-94).

WESTERN CAROLINA VS. NATIONALLY-RANKED FCS TEAMS:• Since 1983, WCU is just 12-82-3 all-time against nationally-ranked NCAA FCS teams ...

the Catamounts have dropped four-straight against ranked competition since its last win in 2017;

• Nine of Western Carolina’s 12 wins against nationally-ranked competition have come at home as WCU is just 3-44-2 all-time on the road against nationally-ranked FCS teams ... Two of those three road wins came in 1983 ... WCU has lost 44 straight road games against nationally-ranked opponents, last winning away from home against a ranked FCS team at No. 12 Furman in 1984;

• The Catamounts snapped a 27-game winless drought vs. nationally-ranked teams with the dramatic 38-34 home win over then No. 17 Samford in 2017, WCU’s first over a ranked team since 2006;

• Two of Western Carolina’s last four games against nationally-ranked FCS competition have gone into overtime, both losses – the 2017 35-28 road loss at then No. 5 Wof-ford and at No. 25 ETSU, a thrilling triple-overtime defeat in the inaugural “Blue Ridge Border Battle” trophy game in Johnson City in 2018;

• WCU is 1-1 all-time against teams ranked No. 19 as Chattanooga is entering the game ... the Catamounts defeated No. 19 Eastern Kentucky in 2006 with a loss at No. 19 Mar-shall in 1991 ... the Catamounts are 0-3 all-time against UTC when the Mocs are ranked.

MORE ON WESTERN CAROLINA'S DROUGHTS:• Western Carolina's current 10-game road losing skid is tied for the FIFTH-longest ac-

tive winless drought in the NCAA FCS, matching a 10-game slide by Wagner (Northeast Conference) ... Mississippi Valley (SWAC) has the nation's longest ROAD losing streak at 18-straight games, followed by Texas Southern (SWAC, L–15), Youngstown State (MVFC, L–14), and LIU (NEC, L–12);

• WCU has dropped six-straight games dating back to last spring – currently tied for the SIXTH-longest drought in the NCAA FCS with Howard (MEAC) and Albany (CAA) ... Texas Southern has lost 19-straight games followed by Wagner (L–13), Lehigh (L–11), Missis-sippi Valley State (L–9) and North Alabama (L–8).

LAST TIME WE MET – CHATTANOOGA 60, WESTERN CAROLINA 36:• Chattanooga outscored WCU 31-to-14 in a wild second quarter to lead 37-21 at halftime

... the Catamounts were able to pull back to within one score, 44-36, in the third quar-ter but UTC pulled away with 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter;

• The two teams combined for 96 total points with 1,086 yards – 589 yards by Chat-tanooga and 497 yards by WCU – on 150 total plays;

• The Catamounts rushed for 423 yards in the road loss including 217 rushing yards by Connell Young with Caleb Ferguson scoring on a 69-yard fake punt rush ... WCU man-aged just 74 passing yards in the last meeting (12-of-23, 1 TD, 3 INTs, 3 sacks);

• Chattanooga's AILYM FORD ran for 195 yards and two touchdowns as the Mocs had a pair of 100-yard rushers.

NOTING CATAMOUNT GRADUATE TRANSFER QB ROGAN WELLS:• Fifth-year graduate transfer QB ROGAN WELLS threw for 427 yards at Gardner-Webb,

tying for the FOURTH-MOST passing yards in a single game in program history ... Wells matched Tyrie Adams who threw for 427 yards ironically against Gardner-Webb back in the 2016 season;

• Wells accounted for 540 yards of total offense (427 passing, 113 rushing) in the road loss at Gardner-Webb – the second-most in school history just behind Tyrie Adams record performance of 545 at Mercer (10/20/18) ... His 540 yards of total offense are the second-most in the SoCon this year (Liam Welch, Samford – 655 yds vs. ETSU) and the fifth-most by a player in the NCAA FCS this season;

• Wells became the first WCU quarterback to record consecutive 100-yard rushing per-formances since Tyrie Adams in the 2018 season (167 vs. Wofford, 104 at UNC) ... Wells ran for 113 yard at Gardner-Webb (9/25) and 120 yards against Samford (9/18);

• Wells eclipsed the 10,000-yard passing mark last weekend, entering the week with 10,091 career passing yards on 762-of-1,255 (60.7%) passing with 90 touchdowns ... Wells has thrown for over 1,100 yards at WCU through the first four games this fall;

• Wells romped 82 yards for a TD in the third quarter at Gardner-Webb ... His rush is the LONGEST by a player in the SoCon this season – and the year's second-longest rush from scrimmage in the NCAA FCS ... the 82-yard run TD rush was the longest by a Cata-mount QUARTERBACK in program history and ranks as WCU's ninth-longest run from scrimmage – the longest since 2016 (Detrez Newsome, 95 yard run vs. Chattanooga).

/// QUICK FACT COMPARISON ///SCHOOLS: WESTERN CAROLINA CHATTANOOGALOCATION: Cullowhee, N.C. Chattanooga, Tenn.FOUNDED: 1889 1886ENROLLMENT: 11,877 11,728NICKNAME: Catamounts MocsCONFERENCE: Southern (SoCon) Southern (SoCon)COLORS: Purple & Gold Navy, Old Gold, SilverHOME FIELD: E.J. Whitmire Stadium Finley StadiumCAPACITY: 13,790 20,668HEAD COACH: Kerwin Bell Rusty WrightOVERALL RECORD: 93-46 (13th yr) 10-10 (3rd year)RECORD AT SCHOOL: 0-4 (1st yr) sameWEBSITE: CatamountSports.com GoMocs.com



2 Aaron GETHERS DB GETH-thurs

4 KASON LINCKE QB KAY-suhn LINK-kuh

4 Cam McCUTCHEON DB mick - CUTCH uhn

6 Nick OELRICH DB OHUL - rich

7 Charles GADIE DB GADD - ee

9 MYDREON Vines WR MY - dree - on

9 KAREEM Taylor LB kuh - REEM

10 JaKobe QUILLEN WR QUILL - len

11 ROGAN Wells QB ROW - guhn

12 MEZIAH Scott QB mez - ZYE - uh

14 TOLER KEIGLEY WR TOLL - lurr KEY - glee

16 Brody PALHEGYI QB pal - HEE - gie

17 RAEKWON Heath TE RAY - quan

20 DRAMARIAN McNulty DB dre - MARR - e - uhn

21 ANDREAS Keaton DB on - DRE- us

22 MIKAI Stanley RB muh - KYE

25 JAIDEN Bond WR JAY - dunn

27 Trevor CHILDERS LB CHILL - durrs

30 MICAH Nelson DE MY - kuh

31 JERIUS Edwards NIC JAIR - e - us

32 MALIK Richardson RB muh - LEEK

42 JONTAVIOUS Shotwell DB john - TAY - vee - us

47 Neil ILENREY DB ILL - ren - ee

49 DEMORIAN Smith DE Goes by “Mo Smith”

51 Matthew BAIR OL like BEAR

58 Giovanni RICCIARDI LB rich - CHAR - dee

60 JOAQUIN LAYNO DL wa - KEEN LAY - no

68 TORRION Stephenson DL TORE - e - on

71 Austin GRUNDEN OL grr - RUN - den

79 AIDAN Alston OL AY - den

82 Miller DeARMOND WR dee - ARE - mond

84 Owen COSENKE TE co - SEEN - key

86 DAQUAN Patten WR DAY - kwan

89 Richard McCOLLUM K mick - CALL - um

91 JAQUARIUS Guinn DL jah - QUARE - e - us

95 LAQUAVION Haynes DL la - QUAY - vee - on

99 Ricky PALAO DL puh - LAY - oh

KERRY Webb AC like "Curry"

2021 PRONUNCIATION GUIDE:

LAST TIME OUT FOR WCU – GARDNER-WEBB 52, WESTERN CAROLINA 34:• Turnovers proved costly as Western Carolina dropped an offensive affair at Gardner-Webb 52-34 at Spangler Stadium ...

the Runnin' Bulldogs overcame two 10-point second half deficits and finished the game with 28 consectutive points to pull away for the win;

• The two teams combined for 1,202 yards including 650 yards on 99 plays for the Catamounts and 552 yards for Gardner-Webb in Saturday's game ... WCU's 99 plays TIED a school record (99 plays vs. Marshall, 1991);

• WR RAPHAEL WILLIAMS just missed his third 100-yard receiving performance of the season with 99 yards on 11 receptions, tied for the ninth-most in a single-game in program history;

• Western Carolina's defense forced FOUR turnovers on fumbles in the loss including one by K.J. MILNER on Gardner-Webb's first offensive play from scrimmage ... the defense has created 10 takeaways this season, though WCU's turnover margin is a –4 with 14 giveaways on offense.

NOTING THE CATAMOUNTS ENTERING WEEK FIVE – AT CHATTANOOGA:• WCU has two players ranked among the top 10 in the SoCon in rushing – QB ROGAN WELLS ranks sixth (69.2 yds/

gm) and RB TJ JONES ranks eighth (58.8 yds/gm) while ... the duo have WCU's three, 100-yard rushing games this season – Jones with 118 vs. EKU and Wells with a team-best 120 against Samford, 113 at Gardner-Webb;

• QB ROGAN WELLS ranks SECOND in the SoCon in passing average this season at 277.2 yards per game ... He is aver-aging 341.0 yards passing per game against NCAA FCS competition with six TDs ... Wells is second in the conference in total offensive production, averaging 346.5 yards per game through his first four outings;

• Redshirt freshman WR RAPHAEL WILLIAMS leads the SoCon in receptions per game (7.0) and ranks second in receiv-ing yards per game (89.5) ... Williams' 132 receiving yards vs. Samford, second-most in a game in the SoCon;

• Transfer LB KAREEM TAYLOR (35 total tackles, 8.8 per game) ranks tied for third in the SoCon ... DB JACOB HARRIS (10th-t, 7.0 tackles per game) and LB IVAN HOGANS (15th-t, 6.0) also rank among the league-leaders;

• KAREEM TAYLOR's scoop-and-score fumble recovery return for a touchdown was the THIRD by a Catamount de-fender over the past two seasons – RICKY PALAO returned a fumble for a score at EKU last fall and also Nigel Manns returned a fumble for a TD at North Carolina in the fall of 2020;

• True freshman DB ANDREAS KEATON's three interceptions through four games match the season-high of both Mi-chael Murphy (2017) and John Brannon III (2019) and are tied for the most in the SoCon;

• Keaton's two interceptions against Samford marked the first multiple INT game for a Catamount since JerMichael White recorded a pair of interceptions at Gardner-Webb on Sept. 14, 2018 ... Former Catamount Torez Jones set a school-record with FOUR interceptions in a single game, also at Gardner-Webb (Sept. 18, 2010);

• WCU's defense has posted four-or-more tackles for loss in each game this season ... the team recorded a season-high 9.0 tackles for loss against Samford, the most for the squad since also posting nine against ETSU on Nov. 9, 2019.

CATAMOUNT CAREER CHART CHASERS:• Returning for his fifth-year due to the COVID-19 exemption, Western Carolina senior linebacker TY HARRIS has shot

at etching his name in the Catamount football record books for career tackles ... With 324 career tackles, Harris now ranks 7TH in program history and is just 2 tackles shy of WCU’s career Top 5 and is just 16 away from second-place in WCU’s career ledgers (1st – Tom Bodine, 453 – 1991-94; 2nd – Ace Clark, 340 – 2011-14):

MISC. STATS / NOTESWESTERN CAROLINA 2021 OPENING DRIVES: OPP RESULT DETAILS

EKU FG .................... R. McCollum, 26-yd FG; 12 plays, 66 yds, 3:17

@OK PUNT ............... B. Dickerson, 21-yd punt; 6 plays, 24 yds, 2:15

SAM FUMBLE ....................T. Horne, 17 yd rec.; 6 plays, 33 yds, 2:11

@G-W PUNT ................ B. Dickerson, 34-yd punt; 3 plays, 4 yds, 0:45

@UTC ..................................................................................................

MER

@CIT

@WOF

FUR

ETSU

@VMI

WCU 2021 2ND HALF OPENING DRIVES: OPP RESULT DETAILS

EKU PUNT ................B. Dickerson, 38-yd punt; 3 plays, -4 yds, 1:39

@OK PUNT .............. B. Dickerson, 28-yd punt; 3 plays, -15 yds, 1:22

SAM PUNT ...............B. Dickerson, 39-yd punt; 5 plays, 14 yds, 2:34

@G-W TD .................... Rogan Wells, 82-yd rush; 3 plays, 98 yds, 1:12

@UTC ..................................................................................................

MER

@CIT

@WOF

FUR

ETSU

@VMI

WCU OFFENSE – 2021 BALL CONTROL STATS: OPP DRIVES 3&OUT 1ST DWNS TOP EKU .....................13 ...................... 2 .....................31 ................29:14 @OK .....................14 ...................... 7 ......................11 ................27:01 SAM .....................19 ...................... 4 .................... 24 ...............32:42 @G-W ..................... 17 ...................... 3 .................... 34 ...............34:58 @UTC ........................ MER ........................ @CIT ........................ @WOF ........................ FUR ........................ ETSU ........................ @VMI ........................

TOTAL DRIVES: ............. 633 & OUT DRIVES: ...........16

WCU DEFENSE – 2021 BALL CONTROL STATS: OPP DRIVES 3&OUT 1ST DWNS TOP EKU .....................12 ...................... 4 .................... 23 ...............30:46 @OK .....................14 .......................1 .....................31 ...............32:59 SAM ....................20 ...................... 4 ....................26 ................ 27:17 @G-W ..................... 17 ...................... 2 .....................21 ...............24:52 @UTC ........................ MER ........................ @CIT ........................ @WOF ........................ FUR ........................ ETSU ........................ @VMI ........................

TOTAL DRIVES: ............ 633 & OUT DRIVES: ...........11



• Harris ranked fourth in the SoCon in 2020-21 with an average of 9.9 tackles per game (19th in the NCAA) ... He ranked second in the league credited with 49 solo stops (5.4 per game, 38th in NCAA);

• Harris enters his fifth season also eyeing Western Carolina’s career Top 10 list for tackles for loss – he has 23.0, EIGHT tackles for loss shy of 10th place ... Harris is coming off a career-best 8.5 tackles for loss in the 2020-21 season, tied for fourth in the SoCon.

• Junior CB RONALD KENT JR. has recorded 23 pass break-ups over his first three seasons in Cullowhee, just outside WCU’s all-time top five … Kent enters the week ONE pass break-up shy of a fifth-place tie in WCU’s career record book.

CATAMOUNT LEGACIES ON 2021-22 FOOTBALL SQUAD:Western Carolina has two Catamount legacies – fathers and sons who played for the Purple & Gold – associated with Catamount football and the 2021 team:• DAQUAN PATTEN: a fifth-year redshirt senior WR who is the son of former All-SoCon Catamount receiver – and three-

time Super Bowl champion – David who had a 12-year professional career before returning to WCU as an assistant coach ... Daquan, who received a grant-in-aid scholarship during the first official team meeting in fall camp before the 2019 season, has 1,145 career receiving yards ... His father finished with 1,563 career receiving yards at WCU.

* Our deepest and heartfelt condolences on the untimely passing of David Patten on Sept. 2, 2021* DAQUAN PATTEN changed his number to No. 86 after the opening weekend of the season to

honor the memory of his father, who wore No. 86 in the NFL with both the New England Patriotsand New Orleans Saints ... Daquan had worn No. 6 his first four seasons in Cullowhee.

• CURTIS ROACH: the senior LB is the son of WCU Hall of Fame placekicker Kirk Roach, who was a four-time All-SoCon and three-time All-America selection ... A walk-on, Curtis was awarded a scholarship during fall preseason in early August 2020 ... the elder Roach has twice been listed on the Divisional Player / Coach ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame ... Kirk is WCU’s all-time leading scorer with 302 career points (89-90 PATs, 71-of-101 FGs).

CATAMOUNT HEAD COACHES IN DEBUT OUTINGS:• Western Carolina first-year head football coaches have combined to go 6-6-2 in their first games dating back to 1931 ...

SIX of WCU’s 14 head coaches all-time have started out their career at WCU with a victory ... WCU had three-straight head coaches – Kent Briggs (2002), Dennis Wagner (2008) and Mark Speir (2012) each win their opener dating back to 2002;

• WCU’s first-year head coaches are now 4-2 in first career games that occur at home;• Two WCU first-year head coaches matched-up with Eastern Kentucky – Dale Strahm’s 1989 squad opened up in Rich-

mond, Ky., against EKU and Kerwin Bell's squad played host to EKU in 2021;• Bob Waters – WCU’s all-time winningest head coach – posted the best-ever first season by going 9-1 in 1969, opening

the year with a victory:YEAR COACH RESULT OPPONENT SEASON1931 C.C. Poindexter W, 12-7 SYLVA INSTITUTE 4-41935 Ralph James L, 26-6 at Apprentice School 1-101939 James Whatley T, 0-0 at Guilford 1-6-11945 Marion McDonald L, 35-7 at High Point 1-31946 Tom Young T, 6-6 at High Point 6-3-11956 Dan Robinson W, 19-13 at Carson-Newman 1-91969 Bob Waters W, 20-17 CARSON-NEWMAN 9-11989 Dale Strahm L, 31-13 at Eastern Kentucky 3-7-11990 Steve Hodgin L, 67-0 at N.C. State 3-81997 Bill Bleil L, 17-10 LIBERTY 3-82002 Kent Briggs W, 23-3 at Liberty 5-62008 Dennis Wagner W, 35-0 SHORTER 3-92012 Mark Speir W, 42-14 MARS HILL 1-102021 Kerwin Bell L, 31-28 EASTERN KENTUCKY

2021 CATAMOUNT PRESEASON ACCOLADES:• Redshirt sophomore OL TYLER SMITH represented Western Carolina on the 2021 Preseason All-Southern Conference

team announced as the league converged on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville for the 2021 Football Kickoff and Media Day;• Smith's first-team selection is the first for a WCU offensive lineman since Zach Weeks collected first-team preseason

All-SoCon accolades prior to the 2018 season ... Smith is among five returning starters on the Catamount offense, leading three starters back up front ... WCU's lone selection on the preseason all-conference team marked its fewest since 2012 when LB Rock Williams garnered the squad's only preseason nod;

• WCU was picked NINTH in both the preseason polls from the league's head coaches and voting members of the media;• Five Catamounts landed on Phil Steele's Preseason All-Southern Conference teams as selected and announced by

the publication. Western Carolina put two players – QB ROGAN WELLS and DB RONALD KENT JR. – on the second team and three – OL TYLER SMITH, LB TY HARRIS, and LB CAMERON McCUTCHEON – on the third team.

WESTERN CAROLINA BIG PLAY TRACKER (30 YARDS OR MORE):82 yd rush TD by Rogan Wells, at Gardner-Webb58 yd pass Rogan Wells to Mydreon Vines, at Gardner-Webb52 yd pass TD Rogan Wells to Calvin Jones, vs. Samford46 yd rush by TJ Jones, vs. EKU40 yd pass Rogan Wells to Raphael Williams, vs. Samford40 yd rush by Rogan Wells, vs. Samford38 yd rush by Rogan Wells, vs. EKU33 yd pass Rogan Wells to TJ Jones, vs. Samford30 yd kickoff return by Terrence Horne, vs. Samford30 yd kickoff return by Calvin Jones, at Oklahoma

WESTERN CAROLINA – 2021 BIG PLAYS:– 22 plays of 20-or-more yards, 2 have gone for TDs –

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100 100+ EKU 5 1 1 – – – – – – @OK 3 1 – – – – – – – SAM 6 2 2 1 – – – – – @G-W – – – – – – – – – @UTC – – – – – – – – – MER – – – – – – – – – @CIT – – – – – – – – – @WOF – – – – – – – – – FUR – – – – – – – – – ETSU – – – – – – – – – @VMI – – – – – – – – – TOTAL 14 4 3 1 – – – – –

OPPONENT BIG PLAY TRACKER (30 YARDS OR MORE):79 yd rush TD by Donovan Jones (Gardner-Webb)78 yd int. return by Roy Baker (EKU)70 yd kickoff ret. by TJ Luther (Gardner-Webb)59 yd rush by Caleb Williams (Oklahoma)57 yd pass Caleb Williams to Jaden Knowles (Oklahoma)54 yd kickoff ret. by Montrell Washington (Samford)53 yd pass Bailey Fisher to Justin Franklin (Gardner-Webb)37 yd int. return by Bryson Washington (Oklahoma)46 yd pass Bailey Fisher to TJ Luther (Gardner-Webb)44 yd rush TD by DeMarcus Ware (Samford)43 yd pass Liam Welch to Ty King (Samford)43 yd pass Liam Welch to Jai'Rus Creamer (Samford)40 yd rush by Narii Gaither (Gardner-Webb)36 yd int. return by Jamari Brown (Gardner-Webb)36 yd pass Liam Welch to Kendall Watson (Samford)33 yd pass TD Liam Welch to Montrell Washington (Samford)32 yd rush by Kennedy Brooks (Oklahoma)31 yd pass Parker McKinney to Mo Edwards Jr. (EKU)30 yd int. return by Malachi Buckner (Gardner-Webb)

WESTERN CAROLINA OPPONENT – 2021 BIG PLAYS:– 25 big plays of 20-or-more yards, 4 have gone for TDs –

20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-89 90-100 100+ EKU 3 1 – – – 1 – – – @OK 6 2 – 2 – – – – – SAM 4 2 3 1 – – – – – @G-W – – – – – – – – – @UTC – – – – – – – – – MER – – – – – – – – – @CIT – – – – – – – – – @WOF – – – – – – – – – FUR – – – – – – – – – ETSU – – – – – – – – – @VMI – – – – – – – – – TOTAL 13 5 3 3 – 1 – – –

2021 BIG PLAY TRACKER

#86



WCU FOOTBALL MOURNS THE LOSS OF ASSISTANT COACH PEACOCK:• Western Carolina and Catamount Nation were saddened to learn of the passing of offensive line coach John Peacock

on Wednesday, Aug. 18 ... Known by his colleagues and student-athletes as a selfless, hard worker who was always upbeat and constantly humming or singing, Coach Peacock will be sorely missed. Catamount Athletics held a moment of silence in memory of Coach Peacock prior to its season-opener against Eastern Kentucky (Sept. 4);

• This season, the Catamount football team will wear a special memorial decal on the back of their helmets ... the black circle includes Coach Peacock's initials, "JP" and the word "GRIND" – a lasting reminder of Coach Peacock's approach to football and life.

QUICK RECAP OF THE 2020-21 FOOTBALL SEASON• Western Carolina finished the 2020-21 season with a 1-8 overall record including a 1-5 mark in Southern Conference

play ... WCU started the season 0-6 before upending The Citadel in Cullowhee on March 13 which ended an eight-game winless drought that dated back to the 2019 season ... the Catamounts were unable to sustain that momentum, dropping its final two games of the season at Mercer and at ETSU before the last two games were canceled;

• The Southern Conference – and most of the NCAA FCS – moved the 2020 league season and playoffs to the spring 2021 semester due to COVID-19 ... WCU was one of 17 NCAA FCS teams to play games in the 2020 fall ... WCU played three games and was one of FOUR teams from the SoCon to compete in the 2020 fall semester: The Citadel (4), Mercer (3), and Chattanooga (1);

• WCU played THREE nonconference road games in the fall semester – two against NCAA FBS opponents that were ranked inside the Top 25 with the third coming against EKU which opted to play its full, nine-game season in 2020.

CATAMOUNTS PLAYING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL:• WCU currently has one former football players active in the NFL entering the 2021 – KEION CROSSEN – and one on a

NFL practice squad as JOHN BRANNON joined the Carolina Panthers after being released by the LA Chargers;• Crossen is now with the New York Giants ... Entering his fourth professional season, Crossen recorded 42 tackles with

five passes defended in 2020 giving him 69 career stops and six break-ups;• Crossen has played in 43 regular-season games with four starts and played in five postseason games for the Patriots

and Texans, including Super Bowl LIII ... Crossen played six snaps on defense and 18 on special teams in the Patriots' victory against the Rams in the Super Bowl back in 2018 ... Crossen was a seventh-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2018 NFL draft;

• Brannon, a free-agent and Charlotte, N.C., native, was released by the Chargers on Aug. 31 after spending the 2020 season on the practice squad in LA, promoted to the active roster for a game at the end of the season ... Brannon had an interception in the 2021 preseason.

WCU FOOTBALL – DID YOU KNOW...?:• The 1983 Western Carolina football team was the FIRST Southern Conference team to play for the NCAA FCS (formerly

Div. I-AA) national championship.• Since 2005, WCU has faced four different teams a combined six times that have gone on to play for – or to win – either

the Football Championship (FCS) National Championship or Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) – or Bowl Championship Series (BCS) national championships:

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION FOOTBALL BOWL SUBDIVISION2005: Appalachian State – National Champion 2006: Florida – National Champion2006: Appalachian State – National Champion 2012: Alabama – National Champion2007: Appalachian State – National Champion 2013: Auburn – Runner-Up

YEAR RESULT OT OPPONENT (DATE)

1991 L, 27-24 2OT at Marshall (11/2)

1998 W, 331-24 2OT ETSU (9/26)

1999 L, 35-32 OT Samford (11/5)

2004 L, 26-20 OT at Gardner-Webb (9/25)

2006 L, 17-14 OT Chattanooga (11/14)

2006 L, 30-27 OT at The Citadel (11/21)

2008 L, 38-31 OT Georgia Southern (11/25)

2013 W, 27-24 OT Elon (10/26)

2017 L, 35-38 OT at #5 Wofford (10/7)

2018 L, 45-43 3OT at ETSU (10/27)

2019 W, 23-20 OT ETSU (11/9)

11 GAMES – 3-8 OVERALL (3-3 Home, 0-5 Road)

WESTERN CAROLINA'S OVERTIMERECORD SINCE 1977 (DIV. I)

CURRENT CATAMOUNTS CHASINGWCU CAREER RECORDS

CAREER PASS BREAK-UPS: 1. Willie Williams ............. 1990-92................ 41 +23 2. Trey Morgan .................2013-16 ................27 +4 3. DeNorris Burton .......... 1996-98 ............... 26 +3 4. Fred Davis ................... 1985-86 ............... 25 +2 5. Ahmad Green ..............2000-02 ...............24 +1 Eric Johnson ............... 1996-98 ................24 +1 Lee McCall .................. 1978-80 ................24 +1 –– RONALD KENT JR. ..........2017– ................23

CAREER TACKLES: 1. Tom Bodine ..................1991-94 ..............453 +129 2. Ace Clark ......................2011-14 ............. 340 +16 3. Daniel Riddle ................2013-17 ..............333 +9 4. Kenny Banks ............... 1990-94 .............. 331 +7 5. Eric Johnson ............... 1996-98 ............. 326 +2 Julius Grant ................. 1990-93 ............. 326 +2 7. TY HARRIS ...................2017– ..............324 8. Bernard Jones..............1981-84 ............. 320 Ricky Smith ................. 1977-80 ............. 320 10. Rock Williams .............. 2009-12.............. 319 11. Everett Spellman ......... 1984-87 .............. 314 12. Louis Cooper ................1981-84 .............. 312 13. Clyde Simmons ........... 1982-85 ..............307 14. Steve Yates .................. 1971-74 ............. 306

CAREER TACKLE FOR LOSS: 1. Michale Spicer ............2000-03 ........... 56.5 +34

8. Anthony Jenkins ......... 1997-99 ................37 +14.5 9. Derek Summerour ...... 1992-95 ................32 +9.5 10. John Scott ................... 1995-98 ................ 31 +8.5 –– TY HARRIS ...................2017– .............23.0



WHO TO WATCH FOR – CATAMOUNT OFFENSE

WHO TO WATCH FOR – CATAMOUNT DEFENSE#37 // TY HARRIS // 6-1 // SR // LB // DACULA, GA. // DACULA HS

#0 // T.J. JONES // 5-11 // JR. // RB // LAKELAND, FLA. // TUSCULUM

#2 // RAPHAEL WILLIAMS // 5-10 // R-FR. // WR // FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. // TUSCULUM

• AWARDS: Named to the Sophomore All-America team by HERO Sports ... Collected SoCon Defensive Player of the Week (2019) ... Second team All-Southern Conference by voting media ... 2021 Presesaon All-SoCon;• Led the Catamounts in tackles in both 2020-21 (90 tackles) and in 2019, (career-best 109 total hits) ... Ranked fourth in the Southern Conference in tackles in both 2019 and 2020-21;• Has 324 career tackles (7th in school history) with 167 solo stops and 23.0 tackles for loss including 6.0 sacks ... Recorded a pair of INTs in 2018 ... Has 15 career double-digit tackle games.

• Transferred to WCU from Tusculum after opening his collegiate career at Georgia Military College;

• Has 1,030 career rushing yards including 337 yards last year at Tuscu-lum and 458 rushing yards at Georgia Military ... Rushed for 16 career TDs ... Adds 419 career receiving yards and four scores;

• Accounted for 146 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in his WCU debut against Eastern Kentucky with 115 rushing yards and a score on the ground with 31 receiving yards and a TD ... Rattled off a 46-yard rush on his first touch for the Purple & Gold.

• Transferred to WCU from Tusculum College where he played in the spring season, helping the Pioneers to the South Atlantic Conference championship ... Caught 13 passes for 194 yards and a score at Tusculum in the spring season;

• Has recorded TWO, 100-yard receiving games at WCU – just missing his third with 99 yards at Gardner-Webb ... Caught a career-high 11 passes at Gardner-Webb which rank tied for 10th in the school record books;

• Enters the Gardner-Webb game with 41 career catches for 552 yards and a four touchdowns.

#21 // ANDREAS KEATON // 6-2 // FR // S // POWDER SPRINGS, GA // HILLGROVE HS

#1 // IVAN HOGANS // 6-2 // 5TH YR // LB // STOCKBRIDGE, GA // TUSCULUM

• Three-year varsity letterman at Hillgrove High ... All-region selection as a prep ... Finished with eight interceptions – three returned for touch-downs – as a prep;• Was third on the squad in his collegiate debut, recording eight tack-les against Eastern Kentucky ... Recorded WCU's first takeaway of the season with a leaping interception against the Colonels, adding a pass break-up;• FIFTH on the team with 16 tackles (9 solo stops) ... Leads the team, tied for first in the SoCon with THREE interceptions, two vs. Samford.

• Transferred to WCU in the summer of 2021 from Tusculum where he played in 36 career games for the Pioneers, amassing 256 career tackles including 115 solo stops and 29 tackles for loss with 8.5 sacks ... Named first-team All-South Atlantic Conference as a junior in 2019 and D2CCA All-Region second-team;• Posted nine stops with a pair of TFLs against Eastern Kentucky and eight tackles with two TFLs at No. 4 Oklahoma;• Third on the team with 25 tackles through four games ... Leads the squad with 4.0 tackles for loss including a sack.

#11 // ROGAN WELLS // 6-4 // GRAD. // QB // FORT MILL, S.C. // TUSCULUM

• Two-time Harlon Hill Trophy finalist, awarded to the top offensive player in the NCAA Division II ... Guided Valdosta State to the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship, earning MVP honors of the title game ... Dubbed Gulf South Conference Player of the Decade;• Has thrown for 1,023 yards on 86-of-159 passing with six TDs against NCAA FCS competition this year (vs. EKU, vs. Samford, at Gardner-Webb) ... Has averaged 341 passing yards in the three games;• Has passed for 10,091 career yards and 90 touchdowns while rush-ing for 2,309 yards including 100 yards in back-to-back games and 29 touchdowns, two for the Catamounts this season.

WESTERN CAROLINA – TOP RUSHING GAMES:Individual Single Game (All-Time):288 yards Detrez Newsome vs. Davidson 9/9/17277 yards Detrez Newsome vs. Chattanooga 10/28/16251 yards Brad Hoover vs. VMI 10/31/98243 yards Anthony James vs. Marshall 11/14/81243 yards Darrell Lipford vs. Presbyterian 10/4/75

Individual Single Game (This Season):120 yards Rogan Wells vs. Samford 9/18/21115 yards TJ Jones vs. Eastern Kentucky 9/4/21113 yards Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb 9/25/21

Team Single Game (All-Time):483 yards vs. Davidson 9/9/17464 yards vs. Newberry 10/30/93383 yards vs. Carson-Newman 1969

Team Single Game (This Season):226 yards vs. Eastern Kentucky 9/4/21182 yards vs. Samford 9/18/21

WESTERN CAROLINA – TOP PASSING GAMES:Individual Single Game (All-Time):474 yards David Rivers vs. Wofford 10/14/00433 yards Don Dalton vs. Emory and Henry 1969428 yards David Rivers vs. Tennessee Tech 11/18/00427 YARDS ROGAN WELLS AT GARDNER-WEBB 9/25/21427 yards Tyrie Adams vs. Gardner-Webb 9/10/16424 yards Tyrie Adams at Furman 9/29/18413 yards Jimmy Williams vs. Appalachian State 9/24/66410 yards David Rivers vs. Chattanooga 10/21/00

Individual Single Game (This Season):427 yards Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb 9/25/21321 yards Rogan Wells vs. Samford 9/18/21275 yards Rogan Wells vs. Eastern Kentucky 9/4/21

Team Single Game (All-Time):474 yards vs. Emory & Henry 1969474 yards vs. Wofford 10/14/00

Team Single Game (This Season):427 yards at Gardner-Webb 9/25/21321 yards vs. Samford 9/18/21

WESTERN CAROLINA – TOP RECEIVING GAMES:Individual Single Game (All-Time):235 yards Jon Reed vs. Appalachian State 11/18/89232 yards Craig Aiken vs. The Citadel 10/24/92212 yards Karnorris Benson vs. Mars Hill 9/21/13212 yards Eddie Cohen vs. Georgia Southern 9/29/07209 yards Jerry Gaines vs. Florida A&M 11/3/73

Individual Single Game (This Season):132 yards Raphael Williams vs. Samford 9/18/21122 yards Raphael Williams vs. Eastern Kentucky 9/4/2199 yards Raphael Williams at Gardner-Webb 9/25/21

CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – TOP PERFORMANCES



EASTERN KENTUCKYSaturday, Sept. 4

CULLOWHEEL, 31-28

at #4/4 OklahomaSaturday, Sept. 11

Norman, Okla.L, 76-0

at Gardner-WebbSaturday, Sept. 25

Boiling Springs, N.C.L, 52-34

at Chattanooga *Saturday, Oct. 2

Chattanooga, Tenn.1:30 pm | ESPN3

MERCER *Saturday, Oct. 9

CULLOWHEE3:30 pm | ESPN3

at The Citadel *Saturday, Oct. 23Charleston, S.C.2:00 pm | ESPN+

at Wofford *Saturday, Oct. 30Spartanburg, S.C.1:30 pm | ESPN+

FURMAN *Saturday, Nov. 6

CULLOWHEE2:00 pm | ESPN+

ETSU *Saturday, Nov. 13

CULLOWHEE2:00 pm | ESPN+

at VMI *Saturday, Nov. 20

Lexington, Va.12:30 pm | ESPN+

2021 NCAAFCS PLAYOFFS

Saturday, Nov. 27TBA

SAMFORD *Saturday, Sept. 18

CULLOWHEEL, 42-37

CULLOWHEE – EKU's Da’Joun Hewitt scored three rushing touchdowns, Patrick Nations kicked a fourth-quarter field goal, and Eastern Kentucky edged Western Carolina 31-28, spoiling the debut of Catamounts coach Kerwin Bell. The Catamounts pulled to within three points on a Rogan Wells keeper from the 1-yard line a two-point conversion pass to C.J. Williams with just over three minutes left. WCU missed a 56-yard field goal attempt to force overtime on its final possession. RB T.J. Jones rushed for 115 yards and a TD, adding 31 receiving yards and a score for WCU.

CULLOWHEE – DeMarcus Ware ran for 118 yards and three touchdowns, including the deciding score with 6:28 left in the game as Samford held off a second-half comeback by Western Carolina to earn a 42-37 victory in the Southern Conference opener for both teams. The Catamounts scored four straight touchdowns, two on touchdown passes from Rogan Wells and a third on a scoop-and-score early in the third quarter. Wells found Calvin Jones with a 52-yard score with 4:23 left to get within a touchdown of the lead.

BOILING SPRINGS, NC – Bailey Fisher led two third-quarter scoring drives and Gardner-Webb added an interception returned for another score, posting 21 unanswered points to gain the upper hand on Western Carolina 52-34. Fisher passed for 261 yards with two touchdowns. Gardner-Webb gained 291 yards on the ground with Narii Gaither rushing 22 times for 151 and two TDs and Donovan Jones gaining 102 with a touchdown. The teams erupted for a combined 42 points in the third quarter with Western Carolina taking a pair of 10 point leads in the frame.

The Mercer Bears come to Cullowhee as the opposition in Western Carolina’s 2021 Homecoming game. Last year, the Bears used a solid rushing attack that included eight different ball-carriers to hand the Catamounts a 45-28 defeat at Five Star Stadium. WCU has dropped five-straight games against the Bears in the all-time series, falling to 2-5 overall. One of the two victories in the series came in Cullowhee in a thrilling 24-21 win back in 2015.

NORMAN, Okla. — Spencer Rattler threw five touchdown passes, and No. 4 Oklahoma defeated Western Carolina 76-0. Oklahoma tied for its fifth-highest point total in school history. The Sooners led 62-0 after three quarters, and the fourth quarter was shortened to 12 minutes. Rattler completed 20 of 26 passes for 243 yards before resting in the second half of Oklahoma’s 10th straight victory. Jadon Haselwood caught two touchdown passes for the Soon-ers, who looked sharper after holding off Tulane 40-35 in their season opener a week earlier.

Last year’s meeting in Cullowhee was canceled when Wofford opted-out of its remaining spring schedule resulting in a no-contest. In the most recent meeting in Spartanburg, WCU QB Tyrie Adams threw a 69-yard TD pass on a toss-back reverse flea flicker on the game's first play. However, Adams was lost to a game-ending injury on the second offensive series and Wofford took advantage, limiting WCU to just 172 yards and four first downs in handing the Catamounts a 59-7 loss. Three Terriers rushed for 100+ yards and combined for five touchdowns.

WCU travels down I-26 for the age-old rivalry, Cat vs. Dog, when it squares-off against The Citadel at Johnson Hagood Stadium. WCU scored its lone win of the 2020-21 season against The Citadel, halting a six-game seasonal slide and a four-game winless drought against conference opponents with its win in Cullowhee a season ago. Donnavan Spencer rushed for 220 yards – the eighth-best single-game performance in WCU history – to key the 21-14 home win as WCU led 21-6 at intermission and stood tall against the ‘Dogs ground game in the second half.

Last year’s meeting in Cullowhee was canceled when Chattanooga opted-out of its remaining spring schedule resulting in a no-contest. In the most recent meeting, WCU amassed 497 yards of offense including 423 on the ground as the two squads combined for 96 total points in UTC’s 60-36 win. WCU closed to within one score, 44-36, in the third quarter, but the Mocs pulled away in the final stanza. The Catamounts trail in the all-time series, 17-29, though WCU’s most recent victory came on the road in a convincing 45-7 victory back in 2017.

Western Carolina hosts chromatic rival Furman in Cullowhee, site of the Catamounts last series win back in 2015. WCU has dropped five-straight to the Paladins in the series, trailing Furman 12-34-2 all-time. Last season, the Cata-mount defense had three interceptions and grabbed an early touchdown lead only to see the Paladins gallop to 533 yards of offense including 320 rushing and 213 passing in scoring 35-consecutive points in the winning effort.

The mountain-rivalry is rekindled in WCU’s final home game of 2021 as the Catamounts host ETSU in the “Blue Ridge Border Battle” with the traveling trophy again on the line. ETSU reclaimed “the Rock” with a 24-17 win at Greene Stadium in the spring of 2021. WCU won the most recent rivalry meeting in Cullowhee, outlasting the Bucs for a thrilling 23-20 overtime victory. The all-time series between WCU and ETSU now stands at 25-24-1 in favor of the Catamounts and each of the last three series meetings have been decided in one-possession games.

Western Carolina concludes the regular season portion of its schedule with a road trip to Lexington, Va., to face the defending Southern Conference champion VMI Keydets. Last season, VMI halted Western Carolina’s 17-game series winning streak which had dated back to 1991 with a 30-7 win over the Catamounts in Cullowhee – the first by the Keydets all-time, ending a 13-game road slide in the series. WCU leads the series, 23-4, all-time. Kickoff time adjusted to 12:30 pm due to daylight savings time and VMI's stadium not having lights.

Western Carolina looks to halt a 38-year drought of advancing to the NCAA postseason. The NCAA FCS Playoffs returns to 24 teams in the fall of 2021 after being reduced back down to 16 teams in 2020-21. WCU looks to make a return to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs for the first time since making a run to the national title game in 1983. The Southern Confer-ence regular season champion will garner the league’s automatic bid into the postseason field.

GAM

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2021 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON PREVIEW GAME-BY-GAME



WESTERN CAROLINAat chattanooga mocs

WCU Offense UTC 99 ...............................Scoring ............................. 63 24.8 .................... Points Per Game ....................21.0 100.......................... First Downs .......................... 57 1,832 ..................Total Yards Gained .................. 897 458.0 ...................Yards Per Game ..................299.0 686 .....................Rushing Yardage .................... 479 171.5 ............Rushing Average per Game ......... 159.7 1,146 .................... Passing Yardage .....................418 286.5 ..........Passing Average per Game ..........139.3 WCU Team Stats UTC 33–226 (56.5) ........... Penalties–Yards ........... 16–150 (50.0) 26/67, 39% .............3rd Down Conversion .............12/41, 29% 3/9, 33% ...............4th Down Conversion ............. 1/1, 100% WCU Defense UTC 201 ........................Points Allowed ....................... 58 50.2 ............. Points Allowed Per Game .............19.3 2,064 ................Total Yards Allowed .................. 943 516.0 ............Yards Allowed Per Game ............314.3 866 ................ Rushing Yards Allowed ................291 216.5............Rushing Average Allowed ............ 97.0 1,198 ................Passing Yards Allowed ...............652 299.5 ........... Passing Average Allowed ........... 217.3

HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS:2021 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS: 2021 CHATTANOOGA DEFENSIVE LEADERS:Tackles Leaders: GP–GS UA–AA = Total Avg. Kareem Taylor ............... 4–4 ..................19–16 = 35 ................ 8.8 Jacob Harris .................. 4–4 ...................11–17 = 28 .................7.0 Ivan Hogans .................. 4–3 ..................15–10 = 25 ................ 6.3 Ty Harris ........................ 4–2 ................... 14–9 = 23 ................ 5.8 Cameron McCutcheon ... 4–3 ..................10–12 = 22 ................ 5.5 Ronald Kent Jr. .............. 4–4 ......................8–9 = 17 .................4.3 Andreas Keaton ............ 4–4 ..................... 9–7 = 16 ................ 4.0 Micah Nelson ................ 4–4 ..................... 5–8 = 13 .................3.3 LA Rogers-Anderson ......4–1 .......................7–6 = 13 .................3.3 K.J. Milner ..................... 4–4 ...................... 3–8 = 11 ................ 2.8 Ricky Palao.................... 4–2 ..................... 2–8 = 10 ................ 2.5

TFL Leaders: Total Yds Ivan Hogans ..........................................4.0 ..................................8 K.J. Milner .............................................3.5 ..................................9

Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Three players tied .................................1.0 ..................................... Kareem Taylor, Ivan Hogans, Chris Morgan

Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Andreas Keaton .............................................................3 – 27 yds

Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Kareem Taylor / Rod Gattison....................................................... 1

Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total – Return Yds Five players tied ........................................................................... 1

Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Ty Boeck ..........................3 ....................18–10 = 28 .................9.3 Jerrell Lawson..................3 ......................16–3 = 19 ................ 6.3 Brando Dowdell ...............3 .................... 13 – 5 = 18 ................ 6.0 Kam Jones .......................3 ..................... 8 – 5 = 13 .................4.3 Jay Person .......................3 .......................7 – 4 = 11 .................3.7 Jordan Jones ...................3 ......................9 – 1 = 10 .................3.3 Rashun Freeman ..............3 ..................... 8 – 2 = 10 .................3.3 Ben Brewton ....................2 .......................5 – 3 = 8 ................ 4.0 CaMiron Smith .................3 .......................5 – 3 = 8 .................2.7 Devonn Maxwell ..............3 .......................5 – 2 = 7 ................ 2.3 Rue Lowery III .................3 ......................... 4–1 = 5 ..................1.7

TFL Leaders: Total Yds Devonn Maxwell ...................................5.0 ................................27 Ty Boeck ...............................................4.0 ................................ 17

Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Devonn Maxwell ...................................3.5 ................................24 Ty Boeck / Ben Brewton........................2.0

Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Brandon Dowdell ...........................................................3 – 42 yds

Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Jay Person ....................................................................................2

Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total Jay Person .................................................................................... 1

RUSHING GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/GAilym Ford 3 61 327 15 312 5.1 2 48 104.0Tyrell Price 3 28 162 7 155 5.5 1 33 51.7Gino Appleberry 2 9 28 1 27 3.0 0 7 13.5

PASSING GP Effic Cmp-Att-Int Pct Yds TD Lng Avg/GCole Copeland 2 91.2 31-56-3 55.4 271 1 25 135.5Drayton Arnold 1 87.1 11-26-2 42.3 147 1 28 147.0

RECEIVING GP No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G Reginald Henderson 3 17 171 10.1 2 21 57.0Tyron Arnett 3 7 76 10.9 0 28 25.3Chris James 3 5 46 9.2 0 15 15.3Ailym Ford 3 3 15 5.0 0 8 5.0Andrew Manning 3 2 20 10.0 0 14 6.7

PUNT RETURNS No. Yds Avg TD LongBrandon Dowdell 4 8 2.0 0 10

PUNTING No. Yds Avg Long TB FC I20 50+ BlkdJason Pierce 13 555 42.7 52 1 3 4 3 0

KICK RETURNS No. Yds Avg TD LongGino Appleberry 2 40 20.0 0 25

|------------- PATs -------------|SCORING TD FGs Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP Saf PointsAaron Sears 0 5-5 6-7 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 21Reginald Henderson 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 12Ailym Ford 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 12

TOTAL OFFENSE G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg/GAilym Ford 3 61 312 0 312 104.0Cole Copeland 2 60 3 271 274 137.0Tyrell Price 3 28 155 0 155 51.7Drayton Arnold 1 30 -14 147 133 133.0

ALL PURPOSE G Rush Rec PR KOR IR Tot Avg/GAilym Ford 3 312 15 0 0 0 327 109.0Reginald Henderson 3 0 171 0 0 0 171 57.0Tyrell Price 3 155 0 0 0 0 155 51.7Tyron Arnett 3 0 76 1 24 0 101 33.7

RUSHING GP–GS Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/GRogan Wells 4–4 43 352 75 277 6.4 2 82 69.2TJ Jones 4–2 51 237 2 235 4.6 3 46 58.8Kenny Benjamin 4–2 34 101 8 93 2.7 0 13 23.2

PASSING GP–GS Effic Cmp-Att-Int Pct Yds TD Lng Avg/GRogan Wells 4–4 106.9 102-188-7 54.3 1,109 6 58 277.2Carlos Davis 1–0 87.3 5-7-1 71.4 37 0 18 37.0

RECEIVING GP–GS No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G Raphael Williams 4–4 28 358 12.8 3 40 89.5Kenny Benjamin 4–2 19 138 7.3 1 15 34.5TJ Jones 4–2 16 145 9.1 1 33 36.2Calvin Jones 4–4 8 129 16.1 1 52 32.2Mydreon Vines 4–0 7 122 17.4 0 58 30.5

PUNT RETURNS No. Yds Avg TD LongDaquan Patten 5 62 12.4 0 28

PUNTING No. Yds Avg Long TB FC I20 50+ BlkdBrandon Dickerson 22 838 38.1 56 0 7 5 1 0

KICK RETURNS No. Yds Avg TD LongCalvin Jones 6 132 22.0 0 30Terrence Horne 5 106 21.2 0 30

|------------- PATs -------------|SCORING TD FGs Kick Rush Rcv Pass DXP Saf PointsRichard McCollum 0 5-5 10-10 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 25TJ Jones 4 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 24Raphael Williams 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0-0 0 0 18

TOTAL OFFENSE G Plays Rush Pass Total Avg/GRogan Wells 4 231 277 1,109 1,386 346.5TJ Jones 4 51 235 0 235 58.8Kenny Benjamin 4 34 93 0 93 23.2

ALL PURPOSE G Rush Rec PR KOR IR Tot Avg/GTJ Jones 4 235 145 0 0 0 380 95.0Raphael Williams 4 0 358 0 0 0 358 89.5Rogan Wells 4 277 -8 0 0 0 269 67.2Calvin Jones 4 0 129 0 132 0 261 65.2

2021 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS 2021 CHATTANOOGA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS



2021 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL

PERSONAL INFORMATION:BORN: June 15, 1965HOMETOWN: Mayo, Fla.ALMA MATER: Florida, 1987FAMILY: Bell and his wife Cosette Odom, have three children; Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, former walk-on, three-year starter at QB (1984-88); SEC Player of the Year (1984); First-Team All-SEC (1985) and Honorable mention All-America (1985, 1986)

uFlorida–Georgia Hall of Fame, 1996 inducteeuUniv. of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, 1997 inductee

MIAMI DOLPHINS (NFL), 7th-round draft pick (180), 1988ATLANTA FALCONS (NFL), 1988TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (NFL), 1989ORLANDO THUNDER (WLAF), 1991-92SACRAMENTO GOLD MINERS (CFL), 1993-94EDMONTON ESKIMOS (CFL), 1995INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (NFL), 1996-97TORONTO ARGONAUTS (CFL), 1998

uCFL East All-Star (1998)

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (CFL), 1999-2000TORONTO ARGONAUTS (CFL), 2000-01

COACHING EXPERIENCE:UNIV. OF FLORIDA, graduate assistant (1990)TORONTO ARGONAUTS, offensive coordinator (2000-01)TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH, head coach (2002-06)JACKSONVILLE UNIV., head coach (2007-15)

uPioneer Football League Coach of the Year (2008)

VALDOSTA STATE UNIV., head coach (2016-18)uGulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year (2018)uDon Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year (2018)uNCAA Division II National Champion (2018)

UNIV. OF SOUTH FLORIDA, offensive coordinator (2019)WESTERN CAROLINA UNIV., head coach (2021–)

An accomplished player who worked his way from walk-on to All-American to the National Football League, and a 12-year veteran head coach who won a combined four conference championships and the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship, KERWIN BELL was named the 14th head football coach at Western Carolina University by Director of Athletics Alex Gary on April 27, 2021.

Bell comes to Cullowhee having served as the offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida under head coach Charlie Strong in 2019. He most recently walked off the field as a head coach following the 2018 NCAA Division II national championship, leading the Valdosta State Blazers where he coached for three seasons, twice making playoff appearances.

uOver a 12-year head coaching career, Bell led the football programs at Valdosta State (2016-18) and Jackson-ville University (2007-15). He did this coming on the heels of a 13-year playing career in professional football that included several stops in the NFL and the Canadian Football League;

uBell served three seasons as the head coach at Valdosta State where he also guided the offense. He led the Blazers to a 27-7 record during his tenure including a school-record 15 straight victories, two Division II playoff appearances, and won both a conference and a national championship in 2018. He was named the 2018 Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year and the Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year after leading VSU to a 14-0 record – the first unbeaten season in program history that included a thrilling 49-47 vic-tory over Ferris State in the D-II National Championship game. Picked fifth in their conference in the preseason and the No. 3 seed entering the playoffs, the Blazers finished No. 1 nationally in the final AFCA Division II poll;

uBell’s 2018 offense led the nation in scoring (52.0 ppg), ranked second in first downs (341), and was fourth in total offense (523.9 ypg), red-zone offense (.901), and pass efficiency (167.37). The Blazers scored 728 points on the year, the most in NCAA Division II history, as they posted 7,334 yards (3,676 rushing/3,658 passing) and 7.9 yards per play on the year;

uWithin Bell’s system, VSU QB ROGAN WELLS finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing touchdowns (38) and points responsible for per game (21.4 ppg), 10th in passing yards (3,075), 12th in passing efficiency (160.6) and 25th in total offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732 yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns;

uBell led Valdosta State to runner-up conference finishes in his first two years guiding the program and went 8-3 with a playoff appearance in his first season at the helm in 2016 as the Blazers led the nation with 27 intercep-tions on defense;

uPrior to Valdosta, Bell led Jacksonville University for nine seasons, guiding the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program to a 66-35 record and three Pioneer Football League (PFL) championships. Serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as well as head coach, Bell was named the 2008 PFL Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award after leading the Dolphins to a 9-4 seasonal record and conference title;

uBell also led Jacksonville University to a school-best 10-1 record and conference championship in 2010 as the Dolphins led the nation in total (486 ypg) and scoring (42.2 ppg) offense. JU also posted a 9-2 overall mark and won a conference title in 2014;

uOriginally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he com-pleted over 57 percent of his 953 pass attempts for 7,585 yards and 56 touchdowns. A former walk-on, Bell concluded his collegiate career as the SEC Player of the Year in 1984 after leading Florida to a 9-1-1 record and a conference championship, and both a first-team All-SEC selection and All-America honorable mention in 1985, a season that saw the Gators earn the programs first-ever No. 1 national ranking in the Associated Press poll. Garnering a second honorable mention All-America honor in 1986, Bell was a 1987 team captain and earned the program’s Fergie Ferguson Award;

uBell was ranked the No. 26 Greatest Gator of all-time from the first 100 years of football at Florida in 2006 by The Gainesville Sun. Bell later served as a graduate assistant for the 1990 season under Steve Spurrier at Florida after earning a degree in psychology in 1987;

uBell was selected in the seventh round (pick No. 180) of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13-year professional career that saw stops with NFL teams in Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis as well as stops in the Canadian Football League ... Passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns in nine sea-sons in the CFL ... Also played in the World League of American Football (WLAF).

“Western Carolina is getting a good one in Kerwin Bell. If you look at his track record, he wins. He won the national championship at Valdosta State and will bring championships to Western Carolina.”

– Steve Spurrier, former Univ. of Florida and Univ. of South Carolina head coach



NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0 T.J. Jones RB 5-11 200 Jr. Lakeland, Fla. (Tusculum / GMC / Lake Gibson HS)

0 Jaylen Floyd DB 5-9 180 Sr. Miramar, Fla. (Lehigh / Miramar HS)

1 C.J. Williams WR 5-10 165 So. Gallion, Ala. (Alabama / Demopolis HS)

1 Ivan Hogans LB 6-2 220 5th Stockbridge, Ga. (Tusculum / Stockbridge HS)

2 Raphael Williams WR 5-10 160 R-Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Tusculum / Dillard HS)

2 Aaron Gethers CB 5-10 190 R-So. Blythewood, S.C. (Boston College / Bishop McDevitt HS)

3 Calvin Jones WR 5-10 175 Fr. Forest City, N.C. (East Rutherford HS)

3 Jacob Harris CB 6-1 190 Jr. Greer, S.C. (Independence CC / Greer HS)

4 Kason Lincke QB 6-1 195 Fr. Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian HS)

4 Cameron McCutcheon DB 6-3 195 Sr. Seneca, S.C. (Gardner-Webb / Seneca HS)

5 Carlos Davis QB 6-3 225 R-So. Baltimore, Md. (East Mississippi CC / Mergenthaler Vo-Tech HS)

5 Jayden Pauling DE 6-3 245 Jr. Raleigh, N.C. (Louisburg College / Millbrook HS)

6 Nick Oelrich DB 6-1 205 Gr. Newberry Fla. (Florida / Newberry HS)

7 Terrence Horne WR 5-7 180 So. Miami, Fla. (USF / Miramar HS)

7 Charles Gadie S 5-9 175 R-So. Douglasville, Ga. (Douglas County HS)

8 Kenny Benjamin RB 5-7 180 Gr. Lehigh Acres, Fla. (Valdosta State / Dunbar HS)

8 LA Rogers-Anderson NIC 6-0 215 Jr. Sumter, S.C. (Western Kentucky / Ridgeview HS)

9 Mydreon Vines WR 6-2 190 Sr. Greenville, N.C. (ECU / Tusculum / J.H. Rose HS)

9 Kareem Taylor LB 6-0 215 Gr. Rincon, Ga. (Kennesaw State / South Effingham HS)

10 JaKobe Quillen WR 6-3 200 Fr. Florence, S.C. (Wilson HS)

10 Willie Hampton DE 6-1 220 R-Jr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Garden City CC / American Heritage HS)

11 Rogan Wells QB 6-4 220 Gr. Fort Mill, S.C. (Tusculum / Fort Mill HS)

12 Meziah Scott QB 6-0 200 Fr. Petersburg, Va. (Petersburg HS)

12 Rod Gattison CB 5-11 185 So. Hartsell, S.C. (Georgia Military / Hartsell HS)

13 Keenan Hambrick WR 6-3 205 Fr. Athens, Ala. (Athens HS)

13 Ronald Kent Jr. CB 5-10 175 Jr. Harrisburg, Pa. (Harrisburg HS)

14 Toler Keigley WR 6-1 190 Fr. Pensacola, Fla. (Mobile Christian HS)

15 Solomon Butler WR 6-0 195 Fr. Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley HS)

16 Brody Palhegyi QB 5-9 180 Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)

17 Raekwon Heath TE 6-2 205 R-Jr. Columbia, S.C. (Independence CC / Irmo HS)

18 Clayton Bardall TE 6-3 230 R-So. Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS)

19 Branson Adams RB 5-9 180 Fr. Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

20 Dramarian McNulty CB 5-11 185 Fr. Brookhaven, Miss. (Niceville (Fla.) HS)

21 Andreas Keaton S 6-2 190 Fr. Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

22 Mikai Stanley RB 6-2 235 Fr. Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)

24 Quintin Talley S 6-0 190 Fr. Spartanburg, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

25 Jaiden Bond RB 5-9 180 Fr. Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

26 Tyree Nelson RB 5-10 200 Fr. Atlanta, Ga. (Mays HS)

27 Trevor Childers LB 6-1 215 5th Lincolnton, N.C. (East Lincoln HS)

28 Braxton Richburg WR 6-0 190 Gr. Hoschton, Ga. (ETSU / Tusculum / Mill Creek HS)

29 Willie Rice CB 6-0 185 Fr. St. Louis, Mo. (East Coweta (Ga.) HS)

30 Micah Nelson DE 6-3 235 R-Fr. Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

31 Jerius Edwards NIC 6-0 180 Fr. Carrollton, Ga. (Carrollton HS)

32 Malik Richardson NIC 6-4 210 R-Fr. Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood HS)

33 Curtis Roach NIC 6-1 200 R-Sr. Cumming, Ga. (South Forsyth HS)

34 Quenten Zanders RB 5-8 175 Jr. Shelby, N.C. (Cleveland CC / Crest HS)

35 Glenn Young RB 5-9 200 Fr. Fayetteville, N.C. (Trinity Christian HS)

36 Skylin Thomas NIC 5-10 195 So. Lenoir, N.C. (Hibriten HS)

37 Ty Harris LB 6-1 235 5th Dacula, Ga. (Dacula HS)

38 Brandon Dickerson P 5-11 195 So. Fort Mill, S.C. (Indian Land HS)

39 Brayden Blackmon TE 6-3 215 Fr. Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

40 Cory Hennings S 6-1 195 Fr. Matthews, N.C. (Weddington HS)

41 Caleb Scott TE 6-2 225 Fr. Black Mountain, N.C. (Owen HS)

42 Jontavious Shotwell S 5-11 185 R-So. Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)

44 Nigel Manns LB 6-1 225 Fr. Byron, Ga. (Peach County HS)

45 Ethan Harris DB 5-8 165 Fr. Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

46 Paxton Robertson K 6-0 200 Fr. Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)

47 Neil Ilenrey S 6-0 185 R-Fr. Alpharetta, Ga. (Johns Creek HS)

NO. NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

48 Luke Hoggard TE 6-0 230 R-Jr. Edenton, N.C. (North Carolina / Edenton HS)

49 Demorian Smith LB 6-0 220 Fr. Robersonville, N.C. (South Creek HS)

50 Alex McConnell OL 6-4 280 R-So. Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

51 Matthew Bair OL 6-3 285 5th Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS)

52 Antwann Fann DL 6-3 310 R-Fr. Perry, Ga. (Kennesaw State / Perry HS)

53 Caleb Fisher DL 6-3 230 Fr. Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

55 Kevin Thompson LS 5-10 185 So. Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

56 Griffin Sestili OL 6-3 295 R-Jr. Sewickley, Pa. (Temple / North Allegheny HS)

57 Tyler Anderson LB 6-0 225 Fr. Greensboro, N.C. (Northern Guilford HS)

58 Giovanni Ricciardi LB 6-0 225 Fr. Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

60 Joaquin Layno DL 5-10 280 R-Fr. Cherokee, N.C. (Cherokee HS)

61 Anthony Giansante OL 6-4 300 Fr. North Huntingdon, Pa. (Norwin HS)

62 Michael Harper OL 6-4 280 R-Jr. Wilkesboro, N.C. (Fork Union Military)

64 Colby Cross LS 5-11 190 Fr. Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

66 Gabe Jones OL 6-2 250 Fr. Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

67 Nick Hapeshis OL 6-1 250 Fr. Central, S.C. (Daniel HS)

68 Torrion Stevenson DL 6-1 330 R-So. Branchville, S.C. (Branchville HS)

69 Dillon Luther OL 6-3 300 So. Asheville, N.C. (Erwin HS)

70 Christian Coulter OL 6-5 335 So. Thomson, Ga. (Tusculum / Thomson HS)

71 Austin Grunden OL 6-2 250 Fr. Kannapolis, N.C. (A.L. Brown HS)

72 Blake Whitmore OL 6-2 285 R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS)

73 Samari Saddler OL 6-2 295 So. Cincinnati, Ohio (Eastern Michigan / Moeller HS)

74 Tyler Smith OL 6-8 300 R-So. Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County HS)

75 Caleb Carter OL 6-3 285 Fr. Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)

76 Nate Linkous OL 6-5 295 Fr. Cramerton, N.C. (Stuart W. Cramer HS)

77 Peyton Davis OL 6-2 290 Fr. Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

78 Garrett Bowman OL 6-4 280 R-So. Arab, Ala. (Arab HS)

79 Aidan Alston OL 6-2 270 R-Fr. Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS)

80 Shammond Hicks WR 5-10 180 Gr. Raleigh, N.C. (UNC Pembroke / Middle Creek HS)

81 Kendall Alford WR 5-10 185 R-Fr. Marietta, Ga. (Walton HS)

82 Miller DeArmond WR 6-1 175 Fr. Greer, S.C. (Greer HS)

83 Trae Churn TE 6-5 240 Gr. Columbia, S.C. (SC State / Blythewood HS)

84 Owen Cosenke TE 6-3 240 5th Aldie, Va. (Fork Union Military / John Champe HS)

85 Talon James TE 6-4 235 R-Jr. Fairview, N.C. (Univ. of Richmond / A.C. Reynolds HS)

86 Daquan Patten WR 5-6 180 R-5th Columbia, S.C. (Blythewood HS)

87 Dylan Abernethy WR 6-0 175 Fr. Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

88 Luke Sutton WR 5-8 170 Fr. Concord, N.C. (Cox Mill HS)

89 Richard McCollum K 5-9 180 R-So. Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)

90 Marlon Alexander DL 6-0 320 So. Smyrna, Tenn. (Gardner-Webb / Smyrna HS)

91 Jaquarius Guinn DL 6-2 280 Fr. Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

92 Darrius Bell DE 6-2 240 R-Fr. Gilbert, S.C. (Gilbert HS)

93 Chris Morgan DL 6-0 265 Fr. Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

94 Timothy Jamison DL 6-4 255 Jr. West Columbia, S.C. (Hutchinson CC / White Knoll HS)

95 Laquavion Haynes DE 6-4 220 Fr. Moultrie, Ga. (Colquitt County HS)

96 K.J. Milner DL 6-4 265 Jr. Hinesville, Ga. (Bradwell Institute)

97 Ronald Wilson DL 6-2 355 So. Mocksville, N.C. (Gardner-Webb / Davie County HS)

98 Christian Harris DL 6-3 285 R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C. (Baylor School)

99 Ricky Palao DL 6-2 285 5th Hoover, Ala. (Hoover HS)

Anthony Badgett CB 5-9 185 R-So. Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford HS)

Ajay Belanger WR 6-3 190 Fr. Green Cove Springs, Fla. (Tusculum / Clay HS)

Caleb Bradford OL 6-1 265 Fr. Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS)

Bryson Boyette OL 6-1 285 Fr. Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS)

Brady Elms P 6-4 170 Fr. Huntsville, Ala. (Huntsville HS)

Trevor Fournet LB 5-11 215 Fr. Cornelius, N.C. (Hough HS)

Bryson Grabowski QB 6-1 180 Fr. Copperhill, Tenn. (Copper Basin HS)

Elic Haddock LB 6-0 210 Fr. Greenville, N.C. (J.H. Rose HS)

Parish Metzger QB 6-0 190 Fr. Matthews, N.C. (David W. Butler HS)

WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2021 NUMERICAL ROSTER


CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL | 2021 GAME NOTESWESTERN CAROLINA TWO-DEEP – AT CHATTANOOGACATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD) QB 11 ROGAN WELLS 6-4 220 GR. 5 Carlos Davis 6-3 225 R-So. - OR - 4 Kason Lincke 6-1 195 Fr. RB 0 TJ JONES 5-11 205 JR. - OR - 8 KENNY BENJAMIN 5-7 180 GR. WR 2 RAPHAEL WILLIAMS 5-10 160 R-FR. 7 Terrence Horne 5-7 180 So. WR 1 CJ WILLIAMS 5-10 160 SO. 86 Daquan Patten 5-6 180 R-Sr. - or - 10 Jakobe Quillen 6-3 200 Fr. WR 3 CALVIN JONES 5-10 175 FR. 9 Mydreon Vines 6-2 190 Sr. - or - 13 Keenan Hambrick 6-3 205 Fr. TE 18 CLAYTON BARDALL 6-3 225 R-SO. 84 Owen Cosenke 6-3 235 Sr. LT 74 TYLER SMITH 6-8 300 R-SO. 50 Alex McConnell 6-4 275 R-So. LG 73 SAMARI SADDLER 6-2 295 SO. 79 Aidan Alston 6-2 270 R-Fr. C 72 BLAKE WHITMORE 6-2 285 R-FR. 56 Griffin Sestili 6-3 295 R-Jr. RG 62 MICHAEL HARPER 6-4 280 R-JR. 52 Antwann Fann 6-3 310 R-Fr. RT 70 CHRISTIAN COULTER 6-5 335 SO. 75 Caleb Carter 6-3 285 Fr.

CATAMOUNTS DEFENSE (4–2–5) DE 96 KJ MILNER 6-4 265 JR. 53 Caleb Fisher 6-3 230 Fr. NOSE 99 RICKY PALAO 6-2 270 SR. 90 Marlon Alexander 6-0 320 So. DT 91 JAQUARIUS GUINN 6-2 295 FR. 93 Chris Morgan 6-0 265 Fr. BNDT 30 MICAH NELSON 6-3 200 R-FR. 5 Jayden Pauling 6-3 245 Jr. LB 37 TY HARRIS 6-1 245 SR. 58 Giovanni Ricciardi 6-0 225 Fr. LB 9 KAREEM TAYLOR 6-0 215 GR. 27 Trevor Childers 6-1 215 Sr. LB 1 IVAN HOGANS 6-2 220 SR. 8 L.A. Rogers-Anderson 6-0 200 Jr. CB 13 RONALD KENT JR. 5-10 165 JR. 2 Aaron Gethers 5-10 185 R-So. S 21 ANDREAS KEATON 6-2 190 FR. 7 Charles Gadie 5-9 175 R-So. S 3 JACOB HARRIS 6-1 195 SO. 6 Nick Oelrich 6-1 205 Gr. CB 4 CAM McCUTCHEON 6-3 195 SR. - OR - 12 ROD GATTISON 5-11 180 SO.

CATAMOUNTS SPECIAL TEAMS KO 46 PAXTON ROBERTSON 6-0 200 FR. - OR - 89 RICHARD MCCOLLUM 5-9 170 R-SO.

PK 89 RICHARD MCCOLLUM 5-9 170 R-SO. - OR - 46 PAXTON ROBERTSON 6-0 200 FR. P 38 BRANDON DICKERSON 5-11 195 SO. 46 Paxton Robertson 6-0 200 Fr. H 38 BRANDON DICKERSON 5-11 195 SO. 88 Luke Sutton 5-8 180 Fr. LS 55 KEVIN THOMPSON 5-10 210 SO. 64 Colby Cross 6-0 215 Fr. KOR 3 CALVIN JONES 5-10 170 FR. - AND - 7 TERRENCE HORNE 5-7 180 SO. PR 6 DAQUAN PATTEN 5-6 185 R-SR. 3 Calvin Jones 5-10 170 Fr.

RETURNED A PUNT FOR A TD: WCU: .................................................. Angelo Brown at Chattanooga – Oct. 13, 2007 (27 yards) Opp: .................................................Montrell Washinton of Samford – Nov. 16, 2019 (59 yards)

RETURNED A KICKOFF FOR A TD: WCU: .......................................... Detrez Newsome at South Carolina – Nov. 19, 2016 (93 yards) Opp: .............................................Davion Ross of Eastern Kentucky – Nov. 21, 2020 (94 yards)

RETURNED AN INTERCEPTION FOR A TD: WCU: .......................................................... John Brannon vs. Mercer – Aug. 31, 2019 (23 yards) Opp: ..............................................Jamari Brown of Gardner-Webb – Sept. 25, 2021 (36 yards)

SCORED ON A FUMBLE RECOVERY: WCU: .......................................................Kareem Taylor vs. Samford (16 yards) – Sept. 18, 2021 Opp: ......................................................Ugonna Akoh of Presbyterian (73 yards) – Oct. 3, 2015

RECORDED A SAFETY: WCU: ...................................................................................... TEAM vs. Samford – Oct. 24, 2015 Opp: ..............................................Jerrell Lawson of Chattanooga (sack/safety) – Oct. 13, 2018

BLOCKED A PUNT: WCU: ..........................................................................Quintin Talley at Mercer – March 20, 2021 Opp: ........................Sean-Thomas Faulkner & Bradley Carter of The Citadel (2) – Nov. 3, 2018

BLOCKED A F IELD GOAL ATTEMPT: WCU: .............................................................................Jayden Pauling, vs. ETSU – Nov. 9, 2019 Opp: ............................................................. Chauncy Haney, North Greenville – Sept. 14, 2019

HAD A 100-YARD RUSHER: WCU: ............................................. Rogan Wells (14–113 yds) at Gardner-Webb – Sept. 25, 2021 Opp: ............. Narii Gaither (151 yds) and Donovan Jones (102 yds) of Gardner-Webb – Sept. 25, 2021

HAD A 100-YARD RECEIVER: WCU: .....................................................Raphael Williams (8-for-132) vs. Samford – Sept. 18, 2021 Opp: ........................................................TJ Luther of Gardner-Webb (119 yds) – Sept. 25, 2021

TEAMMATES RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS IN THE SAME GAME: WCU: ........................................... Tyrie Adams (12-for-106 yds) & Connell Young (14-for-105 yds) .......................................................................................at Gardner-Webb – Sept. 14, 2018 Opp: ...................................... Narii Gaither (22-for-151 yds) and Donovan Jones (6-for-102 yds) ......................................................................................of Gardner-Webb – Sept. 25, 2021

TEAMMATES HAD 100 RECEIVING YARDS IN THE SAME GAME: WCU: .................................................Daquan Patten (5-for-103) and Donnavan Spencer (2-for-110) .......................................................................................................... at VMI – Nov. 2, 2019 Opp: ................................... Jackson Beerman (5 for 102 yds) and Jacquez Jones (5 for 10 yds) ...................................................................................of Eastern Kentucky – Nov. 21, 2020

TEAMMATES HAD 100 YDS RUSHING AND RECEIVING IN THE SAME GAME: WCU: .................................................................................... Rogan Wells (16–120 rushing yds) & ................................................ Raphael Williams (8-for-132) – vs. Samford – Sept. 18, 2021 Opp: .............. Narii Gaither (22 rushes for 151 yds) & Donovan Jones (6 rushs for 102 yds) and ........................................ TJ Luther (6 rec. for 119 yds) of Gardner-Webb – Sept. 25, 2021

THREW AT LEAST FOUR TOUCHDOWN PASSES: WCU: .................................................................. Tyrie Adams (4) at No. 25 ETSU – Oct. 27, 2018 Opp: ........................................Spencer Rattler of No. 4 Oklahoma (5, 1st half) – Sept. 21, 2021

PLAYER SCORED AT LEAST FOUR TOUCHDOWNS: WCU: ..............................................Donnavan Spencer vs. ETSU – Oct. 14, 2017 (4 rushing TDs) Opp: ................................Alonzo Booth of EKU – Nov. 21, 2020 (3 rushing TDs, 1 receiving TD)

PLAYER KICKED AT LEAST FOUR FIELD GOALS: WCU: .............................................................Joshua Gibson at VMI – Oct. 21, 2017 (4-for-4 FGs) Opp: ....................................................................... Ray Early of Furman – Nov. 16, 2013 (6 FGs)

TEAM SCORED AT LEAST 50 POINTS: WCU: .................................................................................................52 vs. VMI – Sept. 22, 2018 Opp: ................................................................................ 52 by Gardner-Webb – Sept. 25, 2021

TEAM SCORED AT LEAST 30 POINTS IN A HALF: WCU: ........................................................................................ 31 vs. VMI (2nd) – Sept. 22, 2018 Opp: .......................................................................35 by Gardner-Webb (2nd) – Sept. 25, 2021

TEAM SCORED AT LEAST 25 POINTS IN A QUARTER: WCU: ................................................................................... 28 vs. Davidson (1st) – Sept. 9, 2017 Opp: ........................................................................28 by Gardner-Webb (3rd) – Sept. 25, 2021

TEAM WAS SHUTOUT: WCU: ..........................................................................by No. 4 Oklahoma (76-0) – Sept. 11, 2021 Opp: ........................................................................................... Shorter (35-0) – Aug. 28, 2008 SoCon Opp: .............................................................................................Wofford (24-0) – Nov. 5, 2005

WESTERN CAROLINA – THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED



CATAMOUNT OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD) 2021: RUSH: 5th, 171.5 yds/gm PASS: 2nd, 286.5 yds/gm TOTAL: 3rd, 394.0 yds/gm SCORING: 6th, 24.8 ppg 3RD DWN: 7th, 38.8% QB 11 ROGAN WELLS 6-4 220 GR. Grad transfer (Tusculum / Valdosta St) ... 2x Harlon Hill Trophy finalist ... MVP of 2018 NCAA D-II Nat'l Chmp Gm ... 10,091 pass, 90 TDs; 2,309 rush, 29 TDs 5 Carlos Davis 6-3 215 R-S0. 5-7-1 @Okla., 27 rush yds, fumble ... 1 TD pass @ETSU 20-21 ... @Fort Scott CC: 60% comp. rate, 833 yds & 7 TDs ... 256 rush yds, 3 TDs ... 2-star as prep - or - 4 Kason Lincke 6-1 195 Fr. 1 career GP, @UNC in 2020 ... 3-for-3 passing, 21 yds; 17 rushing yds ... Dual-threat QB ... 3 yrs @PaceHS in Fla., finished at Mobile (Ala.) Christian

RB 0 T.J. JONES 5-11 205 JR. 2x transfer; Rushed 118 – 795 yards and 13 TDs, 23 rec. for 274 yds, 3 TDs between Tusculum and GMC; CAR: 170–1,030 yds, 16 TDs; 39–419, 4 TDs - OR - 8 KENNY BENJAMIN 5-7 180 GR. 30 career GP @Valdosta St; CAR: 68 rush, 357 yds, 1 TD ... 94 rec.,903 yds, 10 rec. TDs ... 48 kick returns, 1,056 yds ... On VSU 2018 Nat'l Champ tm

WR 2 RAPHAEL WILLIAMS 5-10 160 R-FR. 5 GP in the spring 2021 season @Tusculum, 13 rec., 194 yards and a TD ... CAR: 41 rec., 552 yds, 4 TDs ... 11 rec., @GAWB ... 100 yd rec. gms: 2 7 Terrence Horne 5-7 180 So. 20 GP @USF; CAR: 22 rec., 144 yds, 3 TDs ... 14 kick returns, 418 yds, 2 TDs – both coming in 2018 – AAC Sp Tms POTW, 2 KO rets for TDs @GaTech

WR 1 CJ WILLIAMS 5-10 160 SO. Transfer from Alabama (DNP), tremendous speed ... Originally committed to Army West Point ... CAR: 3 rec., 41 yds ... 2-star recruit out of HS 86 Daquan Patten 5-6 180 R-Sr. 36 GP, 25 GS ... 95 rec., 1,145 yds, 7 TDs ... 1,706 car. all-purpose yds ... WCU Legacy – son of David Patten, wearing #86 to honor memory - or - 10 Jakobe Quillen 6-3 200 Fr. 12 GP, 2 GS ... 7 rec., 78 yds ... 1st career rec. @UNC ... 4-yr prep starter – 104 rec., 1,662 yds, 21 TDs in high school

WR 3 CALVIN JONES 5-10 175 FR. 13 GP, 6 GS at WR – 32 rec., 327, 2 TDs ... Led WCU, 24 rec., 198 yds, 1 TD in 20-21 // 4-yr varsity LW as prep – 2,437 rush yds, 30 TDs, 71 rec., 1,428 yds 9 Mydreon Vines 6-2 190 Sr. 2x transfer (ECU, Tusculum) – 29 GP in 2017-19 @ECU ... 19 rec., 236 yds, TD @ECU ... DNP @Tusculum last spring ... 7 recs., 122 yds @WCU - or - 13 Keenan Hambrick 6-3 205 Fr. 12 GP, 1 GS at WR ... 9 rec., 74 yds ... 1st rec. came @EKU ... Career-best 4 catches, 42 yds @SAM in spring ... 3-star recruit as prep

TE 18 CLAYTON BARDALL 6-3 225 R-SO. CAR: 27 GP, 21 rec, 301 yds, 3 TDs ... 1st rec = 1st career TD vs. NGU (game-winner) ... Career-best 4–74 vs.SAM in 2019 ... 2018-19 SoCon Acad. Honor Roll - OR - 84 OWEN COSENKE 6-3 235 SR. CAR: 39 GP, 32 GS ... 66 rec, 720 yds, 11 TDs (8 TD 2018) ... Named 3rd Tm AP All-America in '18, 2nd Tm Phil Steele FR All-America in '17

LT 74 TYLER SMITH 6-8 300 R-SO. CAREER: 30 GP, 26 GS – started all 12 in 2019 ... 4 GP before redshirt in 2018 ... Played both RT & LT in 20-21 ... PRE All-SoCon in 2021 50 Alex McConnell 6-4 275 R-So. OL & spent time as TE in spring ... 10 GP ... 2x All-Conf as prep – once on OL, once on DL

LG 73 SAMARI SADDLER 6-2 295 SO. Transfer from Eastern Michigan during fall camp ... Played DL at EMU but prefers OL ... Redshirt in 2018, DNP in 2019 ... Started @GAWB 79 Aidan Alston 6-2 270 R-Fr. Came to WCU as a defensive lineman, converted to OL in spring 2021 ... 3 career GP in 2020

C 72 BLAKE WHITMORE 6-2 285 R-FR. 11 GP, 4 GS on OL and SPTM ... Preferred walk-on ... Started 1st 4 gms of 2021 @center in place of Matt Bair... All-Cap7 Conf. as OL as prep senior 56 Griffin Sestili 6-3 295 R-Jr. Transfer from Temple where he played three seasons, mostly on SPTM ... 1 GP, reserve on OL @center ... Missed OKLA, SAM, GAWB gms

RG 62 MICHAEL HARPER 6-4 280 R-JR. Returned from injury suffered in preseason camp ... 22 GP, 8 GS ... Adds experience to a young and depleted offensive line 52 Antwann Fann 6-3 310 R-Fr. Transferred to WCU from Kennesaw State ... Played in one game at Kennesaw, taking a redshirt ... 3-star recruit as prep ... Missed SAM game

RT 70 CHRISTIAN COULTER 6-5 335 SO. Transfer from Tusculum ... 14 GP over 2 yrs at TU, 11 GS at right tackle ... 4 GP, 4 GS @WCU 75 Caleb Carter 6-3 275 Fr. DNP in 2020-21 ... Mid-semester enrollee at WCU prior to the 2020 season ... Made debut @OKLA ... 4GP ... 2-yr prep varsity LW on both OL and DL

CATAMOUNT DEFENSE (4–2–5) 2021: RUSH: 8th, 216.5 yds/gm PASS: 9th, 299.5 yds/gm TOTAL: 9th, 516.0 yds/gm SCORING: 9th, 50.2 ppg 3RD DWN: 5th, 42.9% DE 96 K.J. MILNER 6-4 265 JR. 30 GP, 25 GS on DL ... 82 career tckls, 12.5 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 PBU ... 2 FR in 2019 ... Career-best 2.5 TFLs @GAWB 53 Caleb Fisher 6-3 230 Fr. True freshman, was impressive during fall camp ... 4 GP, 8 tckls, 2.0 TFL ... Two-way as prep – DE and TE ... Honorable mention All-Region

NOSE 99 RICKY PALAO 6-2 270 SR. CAREER: 34 GP, 10 GS ... 73 tckls, 8.0 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 PBU ... FR for TD @EKU ... Was on Alabama 7-A champ tm at Hoover HS, tallied a sack in title gm 90 Marlon Alexander 6-0 320 So. @WCU: 4 GP, 5 tckls, 1.5 TFLs ... Transfer from Gardner-Webb – 4 GP in 2021, 14 tckls, 2.0 TFLs ... 2-star prospect as prep ... 2-time All-Region selection

DT 91 JAQUARIUS GUINN 6-2 295 FR. 12 GP, 6 GS ... 25 tckls (12 solo) ... 20-21 SoCon All-FR Tm // Named S.Carolina (SCFCA) 5-A All-State as SR ... 3-star (247Sports) and 2-star (Rivals) 93 Chris Morgan 6-0 265 Fr. 10 GP ... 13 tckls (2 solo) ... 1.5 TFL, 1.0 sack – 0.5 @OKLA, 0.5 @GAWB ... Career-best three tackles @GAWB - or - 94 Timothy Jamison 6-4 260 Jr. 10 GP, 21 tckls (7 solo) ... Transfer from Hutchinson CC – 6 GP, 6 tckls, TFL ... OLB as prep

BNDT 30 MICAH NELSON 6-3 200 R-FR. 13 GP, 8 GS ... 40 tckls ... CH: 9 tckls vsCIT, spring 2021 ... Walk-on ... 2x All-WNC ... WR (57 rec., 907 yds), DB, QB (1,130 pass yds) as prep 5 Jayden Pauling 6-3 245 Jr. Sidelined in 2020-21 due to injury ... PRE All-SoCon in 2020-21 ... Moved to stand-up DE ... 15 GP, 7 GS, 57 tckls, 11.5 TFL ... Led NCAA w/ 5 FF in 2019

LB 37 TY HARRIS 6-1 245 SR. CAREER: 47 GP, 33 GS – 324 tckls, 167 solo, 23.0 TFL, 6.0 sacks ... 2 INTS in 2018 ... Soph. AA TM by HERO Sprts in 2018 ... Dbl-digit tckls 15x 58 Giovanni Ricciardi 6-0 225 Fr. 9 GP as reserve on defense, SpTms ... Credited with 2 tckls (2 solo) ... Made debut @UNC in 2020.

LB 9 KAREEM TAYLOR 6-0 215 GR. @WCU: 4GP, 35 tckls ... Transfer (Kennesaw St & Shorter Coll.) ... 2x All-Big South 2nd-tm, JR & SR ... 92 tckls in 17GP in 2 yrs @KnSt ... 104 tckls @Shorter 27 Trevor Childers 6-1 215 Sr. CAREER: 47 GP, 15 GS ... 178 tckls, 78 solo, 10.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, INT @EKU ... 7th in SoCon in 2019 (8.2 tackles/gm) ... CH: 16 vs. SAM ... Dbl-digit tckls 7x

LB 1 IVAN HOGANS 6-2 220 SR. @WCU: 4GP, 25 tckls, 4 TFL ... Transfer (Tusculum) – 36 GP @TU, 256 tckls (115 solo), 29 TFL, 8.5 sacks ... 2x 1st-tm All-South Atlantic in 2018 & 2019 8 L.A. Rogers-Anderson 6-0 200 Jr. @WCU: 10 GP, 7 GS ... 36 tckls (26 solo), 4.0 TFL, PBU ... Transfer from Western Kentucky where he played 2 seasons (2016, 2017)

CB 13 RONALD KENT JR. 5-10 165 JR. CAREER: 35 GP, 31 GS ... 140 tackles ... 23 PBU (12 as FR in 2018, 6th in WCU records) ... STATS FCS Jerry Rice Award Semifinalist, SoCon All-FR in 2018 2 Aaron Gethers 5-10 185 R-So. Boston Coll. transfer ... 11GP, 8GS ... 26 tckls ... INT & FR @EKU // 4GP @BC, one TFL as R-Fr. in 2019 ... No. 2 CB in Penn, 3-star (247Sports), 2-star (Rivals)

S 21 ANDREAS KEATON 6-2 190 FR. True freshman – 4 GP, 4 GS ... 16 tckls, 3 INTs // 3-yr prep LW ... 8 INTs, 3 rtrnd for TDs as prep ... 37 PBUs, 4 FR, 2 FF ... 248 tckls as prep, 3 sacks 7 Charles Gadie 5-9 170 R-So. DNP @GAWB; 25 GP, 4 GS; 34 tckls, 20 solo, FF ... 2-time All-Region, first-team as prep senior ... Listed as 2-star recruit by both Rivals & 247Sports

S 3 JACOB HARRIS 6-1 195 JR. 11 GP, 62 tckls (24 solo), INT ... Transfer from Independence CC in Kansas ... 2-star (247Sports) as a prep at Greer HS, North-South All-Star and All-Region 6 Nick Oelrich 6-1 205 Gr. Grad transfer from Florida ... Graduated from the M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Construction Management ... 23 GP @UF, 9 tckls ... 2x SEC Fall Academic

CB 4 CAM McCUTCHEON 6-3 195 SR. @WCU: 4GP, 19 tckls (10 solo), TFL, 2 PBU, INT ... Transfer (Gardner-Webb) ... 25 GP @GAWB, 87 tckls (63 solo) ... Phil Steele PRE All-SoCon (3rd tm) - OR - 12 ROD GATTISON 5-11 180 SO. 10 GP, 1 GS, 33 tckls (26 solo), INT @FUR ... Transfer (Georgia Military) ... Prior to WCU: 11GP @GMC, 14 tckls (10 solo), 3 PBU, INT, FR ... PREP: 5 INTs as SR

CATAMOUNT SPECIAL TEAMS 2021: FGS: 4th-t, 5-6, 83.0% PUNT: 5th, 37.0 net PUNT RET: 1ST, 15.5 yds KO: 7th, 38.8 net KO RET: 7th, 19.4 avg.

PK 89 RICHARD McCOLLUM 5-9 170 R-SO. 23 GP; 33-of-34 on PATs, 10-for-14 FGs (63 pts) ... 45 yd FG @SAM... 39 CAR KO, 52.3 yds per KO ... 2018-19 SoCon Acad. Honor Roll ... Hit 51-yd FG as prep - OR - 46 PAXTON ROBERTSON 6-0 200 FR. FGs: 2-of-2, 52-yd FG @EKU ... 34 punts, 39.5 avg; 4, 50+, 12–I20, Lng 58 yds ... SoCon All-FR in 20-21 ... 45-of-47 PATS and five FGs in 2019 as prep

P 38 BRANDON DICKERSON 5-11 195 SO. 15 GP ... Missed spring due to injury ... 84 career punts, 37.4 avg ... 22 punts downed I-20, 3 punts 50+ ... Long punt, 59 yds (2019) 46 Paxton Robertson 6-0 200 Fr. FGs: 2-of-2, 52-yd FG @EKU ... 34 punts, 39.5 avg; 4, 50+, 12–I20, Lng 58 yds ... SoCon All-FR in 20-21 ... 45-of-47 PATS and five FGs in 2019 as prep



#4 KASON LINCKE .......................................QB2021 Cmp Att Int Pct Yards TD Long Sack - Yds...................................................................SEASON ................................................

2020-21 Cmp Att Int Pct Yards TD Long Sack - Ydsat North Carolina ..................................... 3 3 0 100.0 21 0 12 0 - 0SEASON ..............................................3 3 0 100.0 21 0 12 0 - 0

CAREER ...................................... 3 3 0 100.0 21 0 12 0 - 0

#5 CARLOS DAVIS ........................................QB2021 Cmp Att Int Pct Yards TD Long Sack - Ydsat #4 Oklahoma ....................................... 5 7 1 71.4 37 0 18 0 - 0SEASON ..............................................5 7 1 71.4 37 0 18 0 - 0

2020-21 Cmp Att Int Pct Yards TD Long Sack - Ydsat Samford ...............................................0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 - 0at ETSU .....................................................1 1 0 100.0 44 1 44 0 - 0SEASON .............................................. 1 1 0 100.0 44 1 44 0 - 0

CAREER ...................................... 6 8 1 75.0 81 1 44 0 - 0

WESTERN CAROLINA – INDIVIDUAL CAREER PASSING STATS

#11 ROGAN WELLS .......................................QB2021 Cmp Att Int Pct Yards TD Long Sack - YdsEastern Kentucky................................... 24 44 2 54.5 275 1 24 1 - 3at #4 Oklahoma ......................................16 29 0 55.2 86 0 21 4 - 19Samford .................................................25 57 3 43.9 321 3 52 3 - 18at Gardner-Webb ................................... 37 58 2 63.8 427 2 58 3 - 14SEASON .......................................... 102 188 7 54.3 1,109 6 58 11 - 68

2020-21 (@TUSCULUM) Cmp Att Int Pct Yards TD Long Sack - Yds

SEASON ...........................................117 189 3 61.9 1,852 15 78

2019 (@VALDOSTA STATE) Cmp Att Int Pct Yards TD Long Sack - Yds

SEASON .......................................... 213 297 4 71.7 2,650 19 69


SEASON ......................................... 209 364 4 57.4 3,075 38 88


SEASON ...........................................121 217 3 55.8 1,405 12 47

CAREER .................................. 762 1,255 21 60.7 10,091 90



#0 T.J. JONES .................... RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgEastern Kentucky............. 17 115 0 115 1 46 6.8at #4 Oklahoma .................4 12 2 10 0 6 2.5Samford ........................... 16 55 0 55 1 8 3.4at Gardner-Webb ............. 15 55 0 55 1 13 3.9SEASON ....................... 52 237 2 235 3 46 4.5

2020-21 (@Tusculum)SEASON ....................... 62 344 7 337 5 45 5.4

2019 (@Georgia Military)SEASON ....................... 56 – – 458 8 93 8.2

2018 (@Georgia Military)DID NOT SEE GAME ACTIONSEASON ...........................

CAREER .................170 1,030 16 93 6.1

#1 C.J. WILLIAMS .............. WR2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgEastern Kentucky............... 1 4 0 4 0 4 4.0SEASON ..........................1 4 0 4 0 4 4.0

#3 CALVIN JONES ............. WR2020-21Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat Liberty ................................1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0at Furman ...............................1 6 0 6 0 6 6.0at Samford ..............................1 13 0 13 0 13 13.0at Mercer ................................1 14 0 14 0 14 14.0SEASON ............................. 4 33 0 33 0 14 8.3

#4 KASON LINCKE .............QB2020-21Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat North Carolina ...................8 24 7 17 0 9 2.1SEASON ............................. 8 24 7 17 0 9 2.1

#5 CARLOS DAVIS ..............QB2020-21Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat Samford ..............................1 3 0 3 0 3 3.0at #4 Oklahoma .....................5 17 0 17 0 7 3.4SEASON ............................. 6 20 0 20 0 7 3.3

#8 KENNY BENJAMIN ........ RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgEastern Kentucky..............11 38 2 36 0 13 3.3at #4 Oklahoma .................6 11 1 10 0 4 1.7Samford .............................8 9 2 7 0 2 0.9at Gardner-Webb ...............9 43 3 40 0 12 4.4SEASON ....................... 34 101 8 93 0 13 2.7

2019 (@Valdosta State)SEASON ......................... 2 7 3 4 0 7 0.6

2018 (@Valdosta State)SEASON ........................15 103 1 26 7.4

2017 (@Valdosta State)SEASON ........................ 17 158 0 21 17.6

CAREER .................. 68 357 1 26 5.4

#11 ROGAN WELLS .............QB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgEastern Kentucky...............8 72 5 67 1 38 8.4at #4 Oklahoma .................5 1 24 -23 0 1 -4.6Samford ........................... 16 140 20 120 0 40 7.5at Gardner-Webb ............. 14 139 26 113 1 82 8.1SEASON ....................... 43 352 75 277 2 82 6.4

2020-21 (@Tusculum)SEASON ....................... 32 100 2 25 20.0

2019 (@Valdosta State)SEASON ....................... 85 702 6 70 63.8

2018 (@Valdosta StateGame No Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgSEASON ......................136 732 11 81 52.3

2017 (@Valdosta StateGame No Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgSEASON ...................... 116 498 8 39 55.3

CAREER .................... 412 2,309 29 82 5.6

#12 MEZIAH SCOTT ............QB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg

SEASON ...........................

#16 BRODY PALHEGYI ........QB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg

SEASON ...........................

#19 BRANSON ADAMS ....... RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat #4 Oklahoma .................3 13 0 13 0 7 4.3at Gardner-Webb ...............3 13 0 13 0 7 4.3SEASON ......................... 6 26 0 26 0 7 4.3

#22 MIKAI STANLEY ........... RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg AvgEastern Kentucky............... 1 4 0 4 0 4 4.0at #4 Oklahoma .................5 17 0 17 0 7 3.4SEASON ......................... 6 21 0 21 0 4 3.5

2020-21Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat Liberty ...............................2 6 0 6 0 5 3.0at EKU .................................... 7 30 0 30 0 11 4.3at North Carolina .................. 11 51 5 46 0 16 4.2at Furman ..............................3 15 0 15 0 11 5.0at Samford .............................6 37 0 37 0 21 6.2VMI ........................................3 12 6 6 1 7 2.0The Citadel ............................8 65 0 65 1 18 8.1at Mercer ................................1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0at ETSU ..................................4 17 0 17 0 7 4.3SEASON ........................... 45 233 11 222 2 21 4.9

CAREER ...................51 254 11 243 2 21 4.8

WESTERN CAROLINA – INDIVIDUAL CAREER RUSHING STATS

#25 JAIDEN BOND ............. RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg

SEASON ...........................

2020-21DID NOT RECORD STATSSEASON ...............................

CAREER ......................

#26 TYREE NELSON ........... RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat #4 Oklahoma ................. 1 1 0 1 0 1 1.0SEASON ..........................1 1 0 1 0 1 1.0

2020-21Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat Samford .............................3 6 2 4 0 6 1.3SEASON ............................. 3 6 2 4 0 6 1.3

CAREER .................... 4 7 2 5 0 6 1.2

#34 QUENTEN ZANDERS .... RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg

SEASON ...........................

#35 GLENN YOUNG ............ RB2021Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg

SEASON ...........................

#88 LUKE SUTTON ............ WR2020-21Game No Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avgat EKU .....................................1 0 1 -1 0 0 -1.0SEASON ..............................1 0 1 -1 0 0 -1.0

CAREER .....................1 0 1 -1 0 0 -1.0



#0 T.J. JONES .................... RB2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky..........................3 31 1 18at #4 Oklahoma ............................2 10 0 8Samford ........................................5 53 0 33at Gardner-Webb ..........................6 51 0 16SEASON .................................. 16 145 1 33

2020-21 (@Tusculum)SEASON .................................. 18 243 3 56

2019 (@Georgia Military)SEASON ................................... 5 31 0 12

2018 (@Georgia Military)DID NOT SEE GAME ACTION

CAREER ........................... 39 419 4 56

#1 C.J. WILLIAMS .............. WR2021Game No Yds TD Longat #4 Oklahoma ............................2 28 0 21at Gardner-Webb ...........................1 13 0 13SEASON ....................................3 41 0 21

2020 (@Alabama)DID NOT SEE GAME ACTION

#2 RAPHAEL WILLIAMS ..... WR2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky..........................8 122 0 24at #4 Oklahoma .............................1 5 0 5Samford ........................................8 132 2 40at Gardner-Webb ......................... 11 99 1 22SEASON ................................. 28 358 3 40

2020 (@Tusculum)SEASON .................................. 13 194 1 51

CAREER ............................41 552 4 51

#3 CALVIN JONES ............. WR2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky..........................2 19 0 11at #4 Oklahoma ............................2 2 0 5Samford .........................................1 52 1 52at Gardner-Webb ..........................3 56 0 26SEASON ....................................8 129 1 52

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat Liberty .......................................1 0 0 0at EKU ...........................................4 28 0 10at North Carolina ...........................1 12 0 12at Furman ......................................1 7 0 7at Samford .................................... 7 62 1 28VMI ...............................................2 11 0 9The Citadel ....................................1 3 0 3at Mercer ......................................5 45 0 19at ETSU .........................................2 30 0 28SEASON ................................. 24 198 1 28

CAREER ........................... 32 327 2 52

#7 TERRENCE HORNE ....... WR2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky..........................2 15 0 9at #4 Oklahoma .............................1 0 0 0Samford .........................................1 17 0 17at Gardner-Webb ..........................3 22 0 13SEASON ....................................7 54 0 17

2020 (@USF)SEASON ....................................4 -1 0 10

2019 (@USF)SEASON ....................................8 76 2 24

2018 (@USF)SEASON ....................................3 15 1 8

CAREER ........................... 22 144 3 24

#8 KENNY BENJAMIN ........ RB2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky..........................6 56 0 15at #4 Oklahoma ............................6 34 0 12Samford ........................................3 22 0 11at Gardner-Webb ..........................4 26 1 13SEASON .................................. 19 138 1 15

2019 (@Valdosta State)SEASON .................................. 14 121 2 27

2018 (@Valdosta State)SEASON ................................. 40 444 7 44

2017 (@Valdosta State)SEASON .................................. 21 200 0 43

CAREER ........................... 94 903 10 44

#9 MYDREON VINES ......... WR2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky...........................1 4 0 4at #4 Oklahoma .............................1 5 0 5Samford ........................................3 27 0 13at Gardner-Webb ..........................2 86 0 58SEASON ....................................7 122 0 58

2019 (@ECU)SEASON ................................... 5 42 0 13

2018 (@ECU)SEASON .................................. 12 155 1 71

2017 (@ECU)SEASON ....................................2 39 0 34

CAREER ........................... 26 358 1 71

#10 JAKOBE QUILLEN ....... WR2021Game No Yds TD Longat #4 Oklahoma .............................1 8 0 8Samford ........................................2 17 0 14SEASON ....................................3 25 0 14

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat North Carolina ...........................1 3 0 3at Samford .....................................1 6 0 6at Mercer .......................................1 21 0 21at ETSU ..........................................1 23 0 23SEASON ....................................4 53 0 23

CAREER ............................. 7 78 0 23

#13 KEENAN HAMBRICK ... WR2021Game No Yds TD Long........................................................SEASON ......................................

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat EKU ...........................................2 14 0 10at Furman ......................................1 6 0 6at Samford ....................................4 42 0 14The Citadel ...................................2 12 0 8SEASON ................................... 9 74 0 14

CAREER ............................. 9 74 0 14

#17 RAEKWON HEATH .........TE2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky...........................1 13 0 13at #4 Oklahoma .............................1 2 0 2SEASON ....................................2 15 0 13

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat Samford ....................................3 65 0 47VMI ...............................................2 14 0 10The Citadel ...................................4 18 0 6at ETSU .........................................3 55 1 30SEASON .................................. 12 152 1 47CAREER ............................14 167 1 47

#18 CLAYTON BARDALL ....... TE2021Game No Yds TD LongEastern Kentucky...........................1 15 0 15at #4 Oklahoma .............................1 2 0 2Samford .........................................1 9 0 9SEASON ....................................3 26 0 15

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat Liberty .......................................1 9 1 9at EKU ............................................1 40 0 40at North Carolina ...........................1 13 0 13at Samford ....................................4 42 1 34VMI ...............................................2 8 0 4at ETSU ..........................................1 44 1 44SEASON .................................. 10 156 3 44

2019Game No Yds TD LongNorth Greenville ............................1 6 1 6Gardner-Webb ...............................1 9 0 9Furman ..........................................1 2 0 2Samford ........................................4 74 0 28at Alabama ....................................1 28 0 28SEASON ....................................8 119 1 28

CAREER .................................. 21 301 4 44

WESTERN CAROLINA – INDIVIDUAL CAREER RECEIVING STATS



WESTERN CAROLINA – INDIVIDUAL CAREER RECEIVING STATS

#19 BRANSON ADAMS ....... RB2021Game No Yds TD Longat #4 Oklahoma .............................1 3 0 3at Gardner-Webb ...........................1 4 0 4SEASON ....................................2 7 0 4

#22 MIKAI STANLEY ................ RB2020-21Game No Yds TD LongVMI ................................................1 8 0 8at Mercer .......................................1 -1 0 0at ETSU ..........................................1 9 0 9SEASON ....................................3 16 0 9CAREER ............................. 3 16 0 9

#26 TYREE NELSON ........... RB2021Game No Yds TD Longat #4 Oklahoma .............................1 18 0 18SEASON .................................... 1 18 0 18

2020-21Game No Yds TD LongDID NOT RECORD STATSSEASONCAREER ..............................1 18 0 18

#39 BRAYDEN BLACKMON ......TE2021Game No Yds TD Long........................................................SEASON ......................................

#48 LUKE HOGGARD...........TE2021Game No Yds TD Long........................................................SEASON ......................................

#80 SHAMMOND HICKS ... WR2021Game No Yds TD Long..........................................SEASON

2020 (@UNC Pembroke)SEASON .................................. 14 161 4 48




CAREER ........................... 69 898 8 79

#81 KENDALL ALFORD ...... WR2021Game No Yds TD Long

SEASON ......................................

#82 MILLER DeARMOND ... WR2021Game No Yds TD Long

SEASON ......................................

#84 OWEN COSENKE .............TE2021Game No Yds TD Longat Gardner-Webb ..........................3 23 0 12SEASON ....................................3 23 0 12

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat Liberty ......................................5 56 0 30at EKU ............................................1 4 0 4at North Carolina ..........................2 44 0 40at Furman ......................................1 4 0 4SEASON ................................... 9 108 0 40

2019Game No Yds TD LongMercer ..........................................6 63 1 16North Greenville ............................1 15 0 15at Chattanooga.............................3 30 1 17Gardner-Webb ...............................1 8 0 8at The Citadel ...............................2 13 0 9at Wofford ......................................1 19 0 19Furman ..........................................1 3 0 3at VMI ............................................1 21 0 21ETSU ..............................................1 18 0 18Samford .........................................1 10 0 10at Alabama ...................................4 46 0 17SEASON ................................. 22 246 2 21

2018Game No Yds TD LongNewberry .......................................1 7 0 7at Gardner-Webb ..........................2 24 1 15VMI ...............................................3 55 1 23at Furman .....................................2 22 2 13at Samford ....................................3 36 1 21at Mercer ......................................2 8 1 5at #25 ETSU..................................6 66 2 25#14 Wofford ..................................2 13 0 8at North Carolina ..........................2 30 0 25SEASON ................................. 23 261 8 25

2017Game No Yds TD Longat Hawai’i .....................................3 28 0 14#17 Samford..................................2 24 0 21at #5 Wofford ................................1 16 0 16ETSU ..............................................1 3 1 3at VMI ............................................1 5 0 5at North Carolina ...........................1 6 0 6SEASON ................................... 9 82 1 21

CAREER ................................. 66 720 11 40

#86 DAQUAN PATTEN ....... WR2021Game No Yds TD Longat #4 Oklahoma .............................1 6 0 6at Gardner-Webb ..........................3 47 0 25SEASON ....................................4 53 0 25

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat Liberty ......................................2 24 0 14at Furman ......................................1 5 0 5at Samford .....................................1 8 0 8VMI ...............................................2 55 0 44SEASON ................................... 6 92 0 44

2019Game No Yds TD LongMercer ..........................................6 74 1 33North Greenville ......................... 12 82 0 11at Chattanooga.............................2 5 0 5Gardner-Webb ..............................2 2 0 5at The Citadel ...............................9 98 0 36at Wofford .....................................2 9 0 6Furman .........................................3 35 0 18at VMI ...........................................5 103 1 42ETSU .............................................2 11 0 9Samford ........................................2 7 0 9at Alabama ...................................1 7 0 7SEASON ................................. 46 433 2 42

2018Game No Yds TD LongNewberry ......................................4 92 0 51at Gardner-Webb ..........................3 9 1 3VMI ............................................... 7 81 1 32at Furman .....................................6 159 2 50at Samford ....................................2 11 0 7at Mercer ......................................5 62 0 36at #25 ETSU..................................3 40 1 29The Citadel ...................................3 80 0 48#14 Wofford ..................................3 19 0 8at North Carolina ..........................3 14 0 10SEASON ................................. 39 567 5 51

CAREER ........................... 95 1,145 7 51

#87 DYLAN ABERNETHY ... WR2021Game No Yds TD Long

SEASON ......................................

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat Liberty .......................................1 10 0 10at EKU ............................................1 5 0 5at Mercer ......................................2 15 0 8at ETSU .........................................3 25 0 11SEASON ....................................7 55 0 11

CAREER ............................. 7 55 0 11

#88 LUKE SUTTON ............WR2021Game No Yds TD Long

SEASON ......................................

2020-21Game No Yds TD Longat Liberty ......................................2 7 0 6at Furman ......................................1 13 0 13at Samford ....................................2 5 0 4The Citadel ...................................2 8 0 6at Mercer ......................................2 -1 0 4SEASON ................................... 9 32 0 13

CAREER ............................. 9 32 0 13



DYLAN ABERNETHYReceptions ....................................3, at ETSU (20-21)Receiving Yards ...................25 yds, at ETSU (20-21)

BRANSON ADAMSRushes ...............3, twice – at Gardner-Webb (2021)Rushing Yards ....... 13 yds, twice – at Gardner-Webb (2021)Receptions ..........1, twice – at Gardner-Webb (2021)Receiving Yards ....... 4 yds, at Gardner-Webb (2021)

KENDALL ALFORDReceptions ................................................................Receiving Yards ........................................................

CLAYTON BARDALLReceptions ...................... 4, 2x – at Samford (20-21)Receiving Yards ....................... 74, SAMFORD (2019)Receiving TDs .............2, 2x: MR – at Liberty (2020)Long Reception ................... 44 yds, at ETSU (20-21)

KENNY BENJAMINRushes ................................................ 11, EKU (2021)Rushing Yards ................................... 36, EKU (2021) Receptions .........6, twice – MR: at Oklahoma (2021)Receiving Yards ..........................56 yds, EKU (2021)

BRAYDEN BLACKMONReceptions ................................................................Receiving Yards ........................................................

JAIDEN BONDRushes ......................................................................Rushing Yards ...........................................................Receptions ................................................................Receiving Yards ........................................................

OWEN COSENKEReceptions ............... 6, 2X: MR – MERCER (2019)Receiving Yards ................... 66, at #25 ETSU (2018)Long Reception .... 40 yds, at North Carolina (2020)Receiving TDs .... 2, twice: MR – at #25 ETSU (2018)

CARLOS DAVISCompletions ..........................5, at Oklahoma (2021)Passing Yards ...................... 44 yds, at ETSU (20-21)Passing TDs .................................. 1, at ETSU (20-21)Rushes ...................................3, at Oklahoma (2021)Rushing Yards ............... 27 yds, at Oklahoma (2021)

MILLER DeARMONDReceptions ................................................................Receiving Yards ........................................................

KEENAN HAMBRICKReceptions ...............................4, at Samford (20-21)Receiving Yards .................... 42, at Samford (20-21)Longest Reception...........14 yds, at Samford (20-21)

RAEKWON HEATHReceptions ........................... 4, THE CITADEL (20-21)Receiving Yards .................... 65, at Samford (20-21)Receiving TDs ............................... 1, at ETSU (20-21)Longest Reception.......... 47 yds, at Samford (20-21)

BRANDON DICKERSONPunts .............................. 10, 2x – MR: at EKU (2020)Long Punt ....................... 59 yds, at NC State (2019)

PAXTON ROBERTSONKickoffs ....... 7, twice; MR – at Gardner-Webb (2021)Touchbacks ..........................................3, EKU (2021)Long FG Made .......................52 yds, at EKU (2020)Punts ..........................................8, at Furman (2021)Long Punt ......................... 55 yds, at Furman (2021)

CURTIS ROACHTwo-Point Conversion ....... 1, at Chattanooga (2019)Fake FG Rush ............ 11 yds, at Chatanooga (2019)

RICHARD MCCOLLUMKickoffs ................................................ 9, VMI (2018)Field Goals Made .... 2, 4x – MR: at Gardner-Webb (2021)Long FG Made ................. 45 yds, at Samford (2021)Long FG Attempted ........... 51 yds, at Liberty (2020)PATS Made ......................4, at Gardner-Webb (2021)ACTIVE Consecutive PATs ..................................... 24

KEVIN THOMPSONTackles ............................. 1, GARDNER-WEBB (2019)

– WCU SPECIALISTS –SHAMMOND HICKS

Receptions ................................................................Receiving Yards ........................................................

TERRENCE HORNEReceptions ......................3, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Receiving Yards ..... 22 yds, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Kickoff Return Yards ................48, SAMFORD (2021)

TALON JAMESReceptions ................................................................Receiving Yards ........................................................

CALVIN JONESRushes ..................................1, 4x; at Mercer (20-21)Rushing Yards .......................... 14, at Mercer (20-21)Receptions ............................... 7, at Samford (20-21)Receiving Yards .................... 62, at Samford (20-21)Kickoff Return Yards ................88, at Mercer (20-21)Punt Return Yards .................... 12, at Mercer (20-21)

T.J. JONESRushes ................................................17, EKU (2021)Rushing Yards ...................................115, EKU (2021)Receptions ......................6, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Receiving Yards .......................53, SAMFORD (2021)100-yd Rushing Games ............................................1

TOLER KEIGLEYReceptions ................................................................Receiving Yards ........................................................

KASON LINCKECompletions ..................3, at North Carolina (2020)Passing Yards ...............21, at North Carolina (2020)Rushes ...........................8, at North Carolina (2020)Rushing Yards ............... 17, at North Carolina (2020)

TYREE NELSONRushes .................................... 3, at Samford (20-21)Rushing Yards ..........................4, at Samford (20-21)Receptions ............................. 1, at Oklahoma (2021)Receiving Yards .............18 yds, at Oklahoma (2021)Kickoff Return Yds ...................83, at Mercer (20-21)

DAQUAN PATTENReceptions ....................... 12, N. GREENVILLE (2019)Receiving Yards ..................... 159, at Furman (2018)100-yard Receiving Games ..................................... 2Long Reception ...............51 yds, NEWBERRY (2018)Receiving TDs ............................2, at Furman (2018)Punt Returns ........................................ 3, VMI (2018)Punt Return Yds ........37 yds, CHATTANOOGA (2018)All-Purpose Yards ....219 yds, N. GREENVILLE (2019)

JAKOBE QUILLENReceptions .............. 1, 5x – MR: at Oklahoma (2021)Receiving Yards ......................... 23, at ETSU (20-21)

CATAMOUNT CAREER, SINGLE-GAME HIGHS – OFFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS (AT WCU)

MIKAI STANLEYRushes .......................... 11, at North Carolina (2020)Rushing Yards ....................65, THE CITADEL (20-21)Long Rush ........................21 yds, at Samford (20-21)Rushing TDs ........ 1, twice: MR: THE CITADEL (20-21)Receptions ..................... 1, 3x – MR: at ETSU (20-21)Receiving Yards .....................9 yds, at ETSU (20-21)

LUKE SUTTONReceptions ................. 2, 4x – MR: at Mercer (20-21)Receiving Yards ...................... 13, at Furman (20-21)

MYDREON VINESReceptions .................................3, SAMFORD (2021)Receiving Yards ............86, at Gardner-Webb (2021)

ROGAN WELLSCompletions ................. 37, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Pass Attempts ...............58, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Passing Yards ............. 427, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Passing TDs ...............................3, SAMFORD (2021)Rushes ..................................... 16, SAMFORD (2021)Rushing Yards ........................ 120, SAMFORD (2021)

CJ WILLIAMSReceptions .............................2, at Oklahoma (2021)Receiving Yards ............28 yds, at Oklahoma (2021)

RAPHAEL WILLIAMSReceptions ..................... 11, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Receiving Yards ..................... 132, SAMFORD (2021)Receiving TDs ............................2, SAMFORD (2021)100-yd Receiving Games ........................................ 2



MARLON ALEXANDERTackles ....................2, twice – MR: SAMFORD(2021)Tackles for Loss ...................... 1.0, SAMFORD (2021)

TYLER ANDERSONTackles ......................................................................Tackles for Loss ........................................................

DARRIUS BELLTackles ................................. 8, THE CITADEL (20-21)Tackles for Loss .................. 1.0, at Oklahoma (2021)

TREVOR CHILDERSTackles ..................................... 16, SAMFORD (2019)TFL ............................................ 2.0, MERCER (2019)Sacks ........................... 1.0, 2x – MR: at UNC (2020)Interceptions .................................. 1, at EKU (2020)Double-Digit Tackle Gms ........................................ 6

JERIUS EDWARDSTackles ......................................................................Tackles for Loss ........................................................

CALEB FISHERTackles .......................................5, SAMFORD (2021)Tackle for Loss ........................2.0, SAMFORD (2021)

JAYLEN FLOYDTackles .................................................3, EKU (2021)

CHARLES GADIETackles ...................................8, at Oklahoma (2021)

ROD GATTISONTackles .................................................7, VMI (20-21)Interceptions ............................ 1, at Furman (20-21)

AARON GETHERSTackles ..................4, 3x – MR: THE CITADEL (20-21)Interceptions .................................. 1, at EKU (2020)Pass Breakups .................................... 3, VMI (20-21)

JAQUARIUS GUINNTackles .......................................5, at Mercer (20-21)Tackle for Loss ..................................... 1, EKU (2021)Sacks ................................... 0.5, at Samford (20-21)

WILLIE HAMPTONTackles ......................................8, at Furman (20-21)Tackles for Loss .................... 1.0, at Samford (20-21)Sack ...................................... 1.0, at Samford (20-21)Pass Breakup .................. 1, 2x – MR: Mercer (20-21)Fumbles Forced .....1, 2x – MR: THE CITADEL (20-21)

ETHAN HARRISTackles ......................................................................Tackles for Loss ........................................................

JACOB HARRISTackles .................................... 10, at Furman (20-21)Tackle for Loss .......1.0, 2x – MR: at Samford (20-21)Sack ....................................... 1.0, at Furman (20-21)Interceptions ............................ 1, at Furman (20-21)Double-Digit Tackle Gms .........................................1

TY HARRISTackles ...................................... 17, SAMFORD (2019)Tackle for Loss ................................4.0, ETSU (2019)Sacks ................................ 1.5, 2x – MR: VMI (20-21)Interceptions ........ 1, twice: MR – at Samford (2018)Fumble Recovery ............ 1, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Double-Digit Tackle Gms .......................................15

LAQUAVION HAYNESTackles ..................................... 7, at Samford (20-21)Tackle for Loss ..................................1.0, VMI (20-21)

IVAN HOGANSTackles .................................................9, EKU (2021)Tackle for Loss ....2.0, twice – MR: at Oklahoma (2021)

TIMOTHY JAMISONTackles ......................................5, at Furman (20-21)Blkd Kick (PAT) ......................1, THE CITADEL (20-21)

ANDREAS KEATONTackles .................................................8, EKU (2021)Interceptions .............................2, SAMFORD (2021)Pass Break-up ...................................... 1, EKU (2021)

RONALD KENT JR.Tackles ................................... 9, at #25 ETSU (2018)Tackle for Loss ................1.0, CHATTANOOGA (2018)Pass Breakups ................4, at Gardner-Webb (2018)Interceptions .................1, twice – SAMFORD (2021)Fumbles Forced ..................... 1, THE CITADEL (2018)Fumble Recovery ..............................1, at VMI (2019)

JOAQUIN LAYNOTackles ......................................................................Tackle for Loss ..........................................................

NIGEL MANNSTackles ....................................... 3, at Liberty (2020)Fumble Recovery ............1, at North Carolina (2020)Touchdowns ...................1, at North Carolina (2020)

CAMERON McCUTCHEONTackles ................................... 7, at Oklahoma (2021)Interceptions ..............................1, SAMFORD (2021)Pass Break-Up ....................... 1, at Oklahoma (2021)

K.J. MILNERTackles ........ 7, twice; MR – at Gardner-Webb (2021)Sack ..................1.0, 2X: MR - N. GREENVILLE (2019)Tackle for Loss: ............2.5, at Gardner-Webb (2021)Pass Break-Up ....................1,CHATTANOOGA (2018)Fumble Recovery ... 1, twice; MR – at Gardner-Webb (2021)

CHRIS MORGANTackles .......3, twice – MR: at Gardner-Webb 92021)Tackles for Loss ..0.5, twice – MR: at Oklahoma (2021)

MICAH NELSONTackles ................................. 9, THE CITADEL (20-21)Tackles for Loss ....................1, THE CITADEL (20-21)

NICK OELRICHTackles ...................3, twice – MR: SAMFORD (2021)

RICKY PALAOTackles ..................................11, THE CITADEL (2018)Tackles for Loss ..............1.5, CHATTANOOGA (2018)Sacks .............................1.0, CHATTANOOGA (2018)Fumble Recovery ............................ 1, at EKU (2020)Touchdowns ................................... 1, at EKU (2020)Double-Digit Tackle Gms .........................................1

JAYDEN PAULINGTackles ...................... 8, 2X: MR – SAMFORD (2019)TFL ................................................2.5, at VMI (2019)Sacks ......................................2.0, SAMFORD (2019)Fumbles Forced .........................3, SAMFORD (2019)Fumble Recovery ..............................1, at VMI (2019)Blocked FG .........................................1, ETSU (2019)

GIOVANNI RICCIARDITackles .............. 1, twice – MR: at Oklahoma (2021)

WILLIE RICETackles .......................................2, SAMFORD (2021)

MALIK RICHARDSONTackles ......................................................................Tackle for Loss ..........................................................

CURTIS ROACHTackles ...........................8, at North Carolina (2020)Tackles for Loss ......................1.0, DAVIDSON (2017)Interceptions ............................ 1, at Furman (20-21)Fumble Recovery ............... 1, at Chattanooga (2017)Rushing Yds ......................11, at Chattanooga (2019)Scoring ....................... 2 pts, at Chattanooga (2019)

LA ROGERS-ANDERSONTackles .......................................8, SAMFORD (2021)Tackle for Loss ............ 1.0, 3x – MR: at ETSU (20-21)

DEMORIAN SMITHTackles ......................................1, at Alabama (2019)

TORRION STEVENSONTackles .......................................6, SAMFORD (2019)Tackles for Loss ................0.5, at The Citadel (2019)

QUINTIN TALLEYTackles ............................8, 2x – MR: at UNC (2020)Blocked Kick .............................. 1, at Mercer (20-21)

KAREEM TAYLORTackles .......................... 12, at Gardner-Webb (2021)TFL .......................................... 1.0, SAMFORD (2021)FF / FR............................................SAMFORD (2021)Double-Digit Tackle Gms ........................................ 3

SKYLIN THOMASTackles ...................................... 1, at Furman (20-21)

CATAMOUNT CAREER, SINGLE-GAME HIGHS – DEFENSE (AT WCU)



CULLOWHEE – Trailing by three in the waning moments of the 2021 season-opener, Western Carolina moved into field goal range on a pair of Rogan Wells completions to Raphael Williams to set up second-year freshman placekicker Paxton Robertson for a game-tying field goal. However, his career-long attempt of 56 yards fell just short of the crossbar as Eastern Kentucky held on for the 31-28 victory at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Wells threw for 275 yards and a touchdown while adding 67 yards and a score on the ground in opening his fifth season on the gridiron, the first at WCU. Williams led eight WCU receivers with eight catches for a game-high 122 yards including 31 coming on the final drive. Running back TJ Jones rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown, adding 31 receiving yards and a second score while backfield counterpart Kenny Benjamin caught six passes for 56 yards and 36 yards on the ground.

EKU tailback Da'Joun Hewitt rushed for 76 yards and three scores to lead the way for the Colonels who earned their second-straight victory over WCU after ending the 2020 fall season with win in Richmond, Ky. Quarterback Parker McKinney completed 20-of-28 passes for 238 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the win as Mo Edwards Jr., caught six passes for 103 yards and a nine-yard touchdown.

In a game that saw 860 yards of total offense, it was special teams that ultimately was the deciding factor in the season-opener for both teams. EKU's Patrick Nations hit what proved to be a game-winning 21-yard field goal with 11:09 remaining in the fourth quarter to push the Colonels up 11, 31-20.

WCU also saw a pair of impressive first-quarter drives end in field goals as Richard McCollum split the uprights twice from 26 and 34 yards away as the Catamounts took an early 6-0 lead.

But the biggest of the turning points in the game occurred just before halftime.With the Catamounts leading 13-7 after a Wells-to-Jones touchdown hook-up, WCU was again driving

inside the final five minutes of the opening half and had moved inside the Colonel 20-yard line. Wells looked to fire a pass into the left flat, but his receiver turned to the inside leaving the defender – Roy Baker – in a perfect position for the interception. EKU cashed in the 78-yard interception return four plays later on Hewitt's second scoring plunge from a yard out to give the visitors a 14-13 lead at intermission.

EKU pulled ahead by eight, 21-13, midway through the third quarter before Jones capped a nine-play, 92-yard scoring drive for the Catamounts with a two-yard romp to pull WCU back within a point, 21-20, before Hewitt's third touchdown gave the Colonels a 28-20 lead headed to the final frame, setting up the finish.

NORMAN, OK – Spencer Rattler threw for 243 yards and five touchdowns in the first half as fourth-ranked Oklahoma rebounded from a sluggish season opener against Tulane, downing Western Carolina 76-0 on Saturday night at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Rattler finished 20-for-26 and added four carries for 29 yards despite one sack. Jadon Haselwood caught four passes for 19 yards and two touchdowns while Mario Williams had four catches for 49 yards and a score. Jaden Knowles and Todd Hudson both rushed for two scores for the Sooners.

Catamount QB Rogan Wells finished 16-for-29 with 86 yards passing while back-up Carlos Davis went 5-for-7 with 37 yards and an interception. Kenny Benjamin led the team with six receptions for 34 yards as 13 different Catamounts recorded a reception. Defensively, Ivan Hogans and Charles Gadie both finished with a team-best eight tackles, Hogans posting a pair of TFLs including a sack.

After the Catamounts opening drive stalled following a 21-yard reception by C.J. Williams, Oklahoma got on the board on a seven-yard pass from Rattler to Haselwood. Gabe Brkic tied a career-high with a 56-yard field goal to give the Sooners a 10-0 lead at the 6:56 mark. Oklahoma added a 20-yard touchdown pass from Rattler to Eric Gray for a 17-0 lead after the opening quarter.

A Kennedy Brooks 1-yard touchdown run opened the second quarter and gave the Sooners a 24-0 lead. Oklahoma capitalized on a failed fourth down conversion for WCU with a four-yard touchdown pass from Rattler to Mike Woods to lead 31-0 with just over 12 minutes left in the half. The Sooners added a 10-yard touchdown pass from Rattler to Mario Williams and a Ratter pitch-and-catch to Jadon Haselwood from six yards out to cap a 28 point second quarter for a 45-0 lead at halftime.

Knowles capped off Oklahoma's first drive of the second half with a one-yard rush, but the key play in the drive was a 59-yard run scamper by backup quarterback Caleb Williams from the Sooner 25-yard line to the WCU 16. Zach Schmit added a 46-yard field goal at the 8:15 mark to give the hosts a 55-0 lead. Knowles added a 29-yard touchdown run with 3:43 remaining in the frame. Hudson Todd added two fourth quarter rushing touchdowns of six and two yards for the game's final score.

Oklahoma outgained WCU offensively 624-to-178 on the day as the Catamounts threw for 123 yards and rushed for 55. The Sooners threw for 347 yards, adding 277 on the ground.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 ScoreEastern Kentucky 7 7 14 3 31 Record: (1-0)Western Carolina 6 7 7 8 28 Record (0-1)

Scoring Summary:1st 11:43 WCU Richard McCollum 26 yd field goal – 12-66 yds – 3:17 EKU 0 WCU 3 9:13 WCU RichardMcCollum 34 yd field goal – 5-50 yds – 1:10 EKU 0 WCU 6 4:56 EKU Da'Joun Hewitt,Da'Joun 3 yd run (Nations kick) – 10-75 yds – 4:17 EKU 7 WCU 62nd 6:42 WCU Jones,TJ 18 yd pass from Wells, Rogan (McCollum kick) – 8-52 yds – 3:29 EKU 7 WCU 13 0:19 EKU Hewitt,Da'Joun 1 yd run (Nations,Patrick kick), 4-7 yds – 1:28 EKU 14 WCU 133rd 7:20 EKU Edwards Jr., Mo 9 yd pass from McKinney,Parker (Nations kick) – 5-57 yds – 2:13 EKU 21 WCU 13 4:17 WCU Jones,TJ 2 yd run (McCollum,Richard kick), 9-92 yds – 2:57 EKU 21 WCU 20 2:20 EKU Da'Joun Hewitt, 18 yd run (Nations kick) – 5-72 yds – 1:50 EKU 28 WCU 204th 11:09 EKU Patrick Nations, 21 yd field goal – 10-46 yds – 4:01 EKU 31 WCU 20 3:18 WCU Rogan Wells, 1 yd run (Williams,CJ pass) – 13-79 yds – 4:27 EKU 31 WCU 28

EKU WCUFIRST DOWNS ................................................. 23 31RUSHES-YARDS (NET) ..................................... 37-123 38-226PASSING YDS (NET) ........................................ 238 275Passes Att-Comp-Int.............................................. 28-20-1 45-24-2TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS ....................... 65-361 83-501Fumble Returns-Yards ........................................... 1-19 0-0Punt Returns-Yards ................................................ 0-0 2-37Kickoff Returns-Yards ............................................ 2-43 2-32Interception Returns-Yards .................................... 2-78 1-0Punts (Number-Avg) .............................................. 6-39.7 3-37.3Fumbles-Lost ......................................................... 1-0 2-0Penalties-Yards ...................................................... 9-82 11-63Possession Time ................................................... 30:46 29:14Third-Down Conversions ...................................... 3 of 11 4 of 12Fourth-Down Conversions .................................... 0 of 0 1 of 2Red-Zone Scores-Chances .................................... 5-5 5-6Sacks By: Number-Yards ....................................... 1-3 0-0

RUSHING: EKU – Da'Joun Hewitt 22-78; Parker McKinney 11-35; Cord Sandberg 1-12; Kyeandre Magloire 2-7; TEAM 1-minus 9. WCU – TJ Jones 17-115; Rogan Wells 8-67; Kenny Benjamin 11-36; Mikai Stanley 1-4; CJ Williams.

PASSING: EKU – Parker McKinney 20-28-1-238. WCU – Rogan Wells 24-44-2-275; TEAM 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVING: EKU – Mo Edwards Jr. 5-89; Jaden Smith 5-56; Matt Wilcox Jr. 5-51; Da'Joun Hewitt 2-5; Ethan Bednarczyk 1-23; Dakota Allen; Bryant Johnson 1-5. WCU – Raphael Williams 8-122; Kenny Benjamin 6-56; TJ Jones 3-31; Calvin Jones 2-19; Terrence Horne 2-15; Clayton Bardall 1-15; Raekwon Heath 1-13; Mydreon Vines 1-4.

INTERCEPTIONS: EKU – Roy Baker 1-78; Jaden Woods 1-19; WCU – Andreas Keaton 1-0.FUMBLES: EKU – TEAM 1-0. WCU – TEAM 1-0; Wells,Rogan 1-0.SACKS (UA-A): EKU – Ubong Udom 1-0. WCU – None.TACKLES (UA-A): EKU – Matthew Jackson 8-3; Kyle Bailey 7-3; Eli Hairston 3-4; Kelton Dawson 4-0; Roland Walder 3-0; Joseph Sayles 2-1; Ubong Udom 2-1; Jaden Woods 2-1; Quinten Floyd 1-2; Kmare Carey 2-0; Kaleb Lundy 2-0; Madison Norris 2-0; Roy Baker 1-1; Davion Ross 1-1; Ryan Jackson 0-2; John Blunt, Jr. 1-0; Nic Cheeley 1-0; Bryant Johnson 1-0; Elijah Ford 1-0; Jadyn Bost 1-0; Josh Hayes. WCU – Kareem Taylor 6-4; Ivan Hogans 6-3; Andreas Keaton 7-1; Jacob Harris 2-4; Micah Nelson 2-3; Jaylen Floyd 3-0; LA Rogers-Anderson 1-2; Ronald Kent Jr. 1-2; Trevor Childers 0-3; Jayden Pauling 1-1; Jaquarius Guinn 0-2; Marlon Alexander 0-2; Mydreon Vines 1-0; Ricky Palao 1-0; Nick Oelrich 1-0; TJ Jones 1-0; Cameron McCutcheon 1-0; Aaron Gethers 1-0; Ty Harris 1-0; KJ Milner 1-0; Kenny Benjamin 1-0; Rod Gattison 1-0;Morgan,Chris 0-1.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 ScoreWestern Carolina 0 0 0 0 0 Record: (0-2)No. 4/4 Oklahoma 17 28 17 14 76 Record: (2-0)

Scoring Summary:1st 10:28 OK Haselwood,Jadon 7 yd pass from (Brkic,Gabe kick) – 8-70 yds – 2:17 WCU 0 OK 7 6:56 OK Brkic,Gabe 56 yd field goal – 5-33 yds – 1:44 WCU 0 OK 10 5:04 OK Gray,Eric 20 yd pass from (Brkic,Gabe kick) – 3-58 yds – 0:57 WCU 0 OK 172nd 14:57 OK Brooks,Kennedy 1 yd run (Brkic,Gabe kick) – 10-65 yds – 3:19 WCU 0 OK 24 12:58 OK Woods,Mike 4 yd pass from (Brkic,Gabe kick) – 4-31 yds – 1:04 WCU 0 OK 31 8:11 OK Williams,Mario 10 yd pass from (Brkic,Gabe kick) – 10-78 yds – 3:28 WCU 0 OK 38 1:54 OK Haselwood,Jadon 6 yd pass from (Brkic,Gabe kick) – 7-60 yds – 2:56 WCU 0 OK 453rd 11:52 OK Knowles,Jaden 1 yd run (Schmit,Zach kick) – 8-75 yds – 3:08 WCU 0 OK 52 8:15 OK Schmit,Zach 46 yd field goal, 5-10 yds – 2:15 WCU 0 OK 55 3:43 OK Knowles,Jaden 29 yd run (Schmit,Zach kick), 2-50 yds – 0:56 WCU 0 OK 624th 10:42 OK Hudson,Todd 6 yd run (Schmit,Zach kick), 6-73 yds – 6:11 WCU 0 OK 69 1:36 OK Hudson,Todd 2 yd run (Schmit,Zach kick) – 6–25 yds – 3:14 WCU 0 OK 76

WCU OKLAFIRST DOWNS ................................................. 11 31RUSHES-YARDS (NET) ..................................... 27-55 38-277PASSING YDS (NET) ........................................ 123 347Passes Att-Comp-Int.............................................. 36-21-1 38-27-0TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS ....................... 63-178 76-624Fumble Returns-Yards ........................................... 0-0 0-0Punt Returns-Yards ................................................ 0-16 0-20Kickoff Returns-Yards ............................................ 3-79 0-0Interception Returns-Yards .................................... 0-0 1-37Punts (Number-Avg) .............................................. 8-35.2 1-57.0Fumbles-Lost ......................................................... 4-2 1-0Penalties-Yards ...................................................... 4-30 6-61Possession Time ................................................... 27:01 32:59Third-Down Conversions ...................................... 3 of 15 8 of 12Fourth-Down Conversions .................................... 1 of 3 1 of 1Red-Zone Scores-Chances .................................... 0-0 9-9Sacks By: Number-Yards ....................................... 2-7 4-19

RUSHING: WCU – Carlos Davis 3-27; Mikai Stanley 5-17; Branson Adams 3-13; Kenny Benjamin 6-10; Jones,TJ 4-10; Tyree Nelson 1-1; Rogan Wells 5-minus 23. OK – Eric Gray 9-74; Caleb Williams 4-60; Kennedy Brooks 6-48; Jaden Knowles 4-37; Spencer Rattler 4-29; Todd Hudson 9-25; Jeremiah Hall 1-6; TEAM 1-minus 2.PASSING: WCU – Rogan Wells 16-29-0-86; Carlos Davis 5-7-1-37; OK – Spencer Rattler 20-26-0-243; Caleb Williams 5-10-0-84; Ralph Rucker 2-2-0-20.RECEIVING: WCU – Kenny Benjamin 6-34; CJ Williams 2-28; TJ Jones 2-10; Calvin Jones 2-2; Tyree Nelson 1-18; Jakobe Quillen 1-8; Daquan Patten 1-6; Mydreon Vines 1-5; Raphael Williams 1-5; Branson Adams 1-3; Clayton Bardall 1-2; Raekwon Heath 1-2; Terrence Horne 1-0. OK – Mario Williams 4-49; Jadon Haselwood 4-19; Cody Jackson 3-31; Jackson Sumlin 3-19; Jaden Knowles 2-65; Brayden Willis 2-51; Mike Woods 2-8; Eric Gray 1-20; Marvin Mims 1-19; Brian Darby 1-16; Jeremiah Hall 1-16; Drake Stoops 1-13; Austin Stogner 1-13; Carsten Groos 1-8.INTERCEPTIONS: WCU –none. OK – Brys Washington, 1-37.FUMBLES: WCU – Kenny Benjamin 1-0; Carlos Davis 1-1; Rogan Wells 1-0; Calvin Jones 1-1. OK – Marvin Mims 1-0.SACKS (UA-A): WCU – Ivan Hogans 1-2; Jayden Pauling 0.5-3; Chris Morgan 0.5-2. OK – Perrion Winfrey 1.5-5; Isaiah Thomas 1-7, Isaiah Coe 1-3; Reggie Grimes 0.5-4.TACKLES (UA-A): WCU – Ivan Hogans 4-4; Charles Gadie 4-4; Jacob Harris 4-3; Cam McCutcheon 3-4; Ronald Kent Jr. 2-2; Ty Harris 2-2; Kareem Taylor 1-3; Andreas Keaton 0-4; Nick Oelrich 3-0; Quintin Talley 2-1; Rod Gattison 2-0; KJ Milner 1-1; Jayden Pauling 1-1; Trevor Childers 1-1; Chris Morgan 0-2; Carlos Davis 1-0; Gio Ricciardi 1-0; Caleb Fisher 1-0; Darrius Bell 1-0;Aaron Gethers 1-0; Micah Nelson 1-0; LA Rogers-Anderson 1-0; Marlon Alexander 0-1; Jaylen Floyd 0-1. OK – Danny Stut-sman 7-1; Del Turner-Yell 3-0; Isaiah Thomas 2-1; Shane Whitter 2-1; DJ Graham 2-1; Brian Asamoah 1-2; Damond Harmond 1-2; Brys Washington 1-2; Jalen Redmond 2-0; Justin Broiles 2-0; Jaden Davis 2-0; Jordan Kelley 2-0; Ethan Downs 2-0; Perrion Winfrey 1-1; Isaiah Coe 1-1; Jordan Mukes 1-1; Jeremiah Criddell 1-1; DaShaun White 1-1; Kelvin Gilliam 1-1; Josh Ellison 0-2; Caleb Kelly 1-0; Bryan Mead 1-0; Billy Bowman 1-0; Joshua Eaton 1-0; LaRon Stokes 1-0; Latrell McCutchin 1-0.

GAME TWO • SAT., SEPT. 11, 2021 • NORMAN, OKLA. (83,538)

WESTERN CAROLINA 0#4/4 OKLAHOMA 76

GAME ONE • SAT., SEPT. 4, 2021 • CULLOWHEE (9,647)

EASTERN KENTUCKY 31WESTERN CAROLINA 28



CULLOWHEE – Trailing 21-3 early in the second quarter, Western Carolina stormed back with 28-straight points to seize a 10-point, 31-21, lead late in the third stanza in Saturday's Family Weekend matchup with Samford. However, the Bulldogs rallied with three-consecutive scores in building an 11-point edge and then held off a late Catamount comeback attempt to escape E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field with a 42-37 win in the first Southern Conference game of the season.

Saturday's game was marred by a two-hour lightning delay midway through the first quarter and a persistent drizzle that peppered the proceedings much of the afternoon. All told, the two teams combined for 188 total plays – 97 by WCU and 91 for Samford – with a combined 1,030 yards of offense including 527 by Samford and 503 by the home squad.

Catamount fifth-year transfer quarterback Rogan Wells amassed 441 yards of total offense includ-ing 321 passing and a game-high 120 on the ground in the loss. Wells finished 25-of-57 with a trio of touchdowns including two to Raphael Williams who finished with a game-high 132 yards receiving on eight catches. Running back TJ Jones added 108 total yards with 55 yards and a two-yard touchdown rush on the ground and five catches for 53 through the air.

Samford QB Liam Welch threw for 352 yards on 27-of-48 passing for 352 yards and one touchdown while tailback DeMarcus Ware rushed for 118 yards and three scores including the deciding score late in the fourth quarter. Montrell Washington accounted for 187 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, one on a 33-yard reception in the second quarter and an eight-yard reverse early in the fourth quarter that put the Bulldogs ahead for good.

WCU's defense turned Samford (2-1, 1-0 SoCon) over five times on Saturday including four intercep-tions and a scoop-and-score on a sack-fumble midway through the third quarter. The unit also forced a pair of three-and-outs on Samford's final two possessions to give the Catamounts a chance in the waning moments of the game.

Samford turned the ball over three times on its first three possessions of the second half with the Catamounts cashing in two for scores including the Taylor scoop-and-score and TJ Jones punching it in from two yards out after Keaton's second INT. Williams danced his way across the back of the end zone on a 27-yard pitch-and-catch with Wells to push the Catamounts ahead, 31-21, before Welch led Samford back with three-consecutive scores to set the stage for the final push in the fourth quarter.

Richard McCollum scored seven points for WCU on Saturday, splitting the uprights from 25 yards out to put WCU on the board early in the second quarter while tacking on four PATs.

BOILING SPRINGS, NC – Turnovers proved costly on Saturday night as Western Carolina dropped an offensive affair at Gardner-Webb, falling 52-34 at Spangler Stadium. The Runnin' Bulldogs overcame two 10-point second half deficits and finished the game with 28-consectutive points to pull away for the victory in nonconference play.

The two teams combined for 1,202 yards including 650 yards on 99 plays for the Catamounts and 552 yards for Gardner-Webb in Saturday's game.

Catamount graduate transfer quarterback Rogan Wells finished with 540 yards of total offense including a season-best 427 yards passing on 37-of-58 passing with two touchdowns and his second-consecutive 100-yard rushing performance with 113 yards on the ground including an 82-yard touchdown romp that gave WCU its first of two, 10-point third quarter leads, 27-17.

Wells later found Raphael Williams for one of his game-high 11 receptions for a six-yard touchdown that again handed the Catamounts a 10-point cushion, 34-24. However, Gardner-Webb responded by closing the game with 28-straight points including a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the third quarter in pulling away for the victory.

Williams finished with 99 receiving yards, just missing his third 100-yard game of the season. Run-ning back TJ Jones finished with 106 total yards including 55 yards and a score on the ground and six catches for 51 receiving yards. Forest City, N.C., native Calvin Jones finished with three catches for 56 yards while tailback Kenny Benjamin hauled in a 13-yard TD pass as a part of four catches for 26 yards.

Richard McCollum accounted for 10 points with a pair of field goals including a season-long 40 yarder and four PATs.

For Gardner-Webb (2-2), a pair of running backs hit the 100-yard plateau on the ground as Narii Gaither ran for 151 yards and a touchdown and Donovan Jones eclipsed the century mark with 102 yards and a pair of TDs including a game-sealing 79-yard rush late in the fourth quarter.

Western Carolina's defense forced four turnovers on fumbles in the loss. Transfer linebacker Kareem Taylor paced the Catamounts with 11 tackles, his second double-digit tackle effort of the season. Jacob Harris was credited with nine tackles including half a tackle for loss while Ty Harris had eight stops and recovered a fumble. Defensive end K.J. Milner finished with seven total hits including a team-best 2.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery on the GWU's first offensive play.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 ScoreSamford 14 7 7 14 42 Record: (2-1, 1-0 SoCon)Western Carolina 0 10 21 6 37 Record (0-3, 0-1 SoCon)

Scoring Summary:1st 6:09 SAM Ware,DeMarcus 44 yd run (Williams kick) – 2-48 yds – 0:29 SAM 7 WCU 0 0:00 SAM Ware,DeMarcus 4 yd run (Williams kick) – 5-14 yds – 1:19 SAM 14 WCU 02nd 11:24 WCU Richard McCollum 25 yd field goal – 10-67 yds – 3:09 SAM 14 WCU 3 10:29 SAM Washington,Mont 33 yd pass from Welch,Liam (Williams kick) – 4-75 yds – 0:55 SAM 21 WCU 3 0:27 WCU Raphael Williams 14 yd pass from Rogan Wells (McCollum kick) – 7-68 yds – 0:50 SAM 21 WCU 103rd 10:17 WCU Kareem Taylor 16 yd fumble recovery (McCollum kick) SAM 21 WCU 17 8:52 WCU TJ Jones 2 yd run (McCollum kick) – 2-2 yds – 0:29 SAM 21 WCU 24 3:52 WCU Raphael Williams 27 yd pass from Rogan Wells (McCollum kick) – 9-78 yds – 2:48 SAM 21 WCU 31 1:32 SAM Welch,Liam 2 yd run (Williams kick) – 9-42 yds – 2:11 SAM 28 WCU 314th 10:41 SAM Washington,Mont 8 yd run (Williams kick) – 6-89 yds – 2:09 SAM 35 WCU 31 6:27 SAM Ware,DeMarcus 4 yd run (Williams kick) – 9-80 yds – 2:27 SAM 42 WCU 31 4:32 WCU Calvin Jones 52 yd pass from Rogan Wells (pass intcpt) – 7-78 yds – 1:49 SAM 42 WCU 37

SAM WCUFIRST DOWNS ................................................. 26 24RUSHES-YARDS (NET) ..................................... 43-175 40-182PASSING YDS (NET) ........................................ 352 321Passes Att-Comp-Int.............................................. 48-27-4 57-25-3TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS ....................... 91-527 97-503Fumble Returns-Yards ........................................... 1-9 1-16Punt Returns-Yards ................................................ 2-5 2-9Kickoff Returns-Yards ............................................ 5-128 4-93Interception Returns-Yards .................................... 3-19 4-27Punts (Number-Avg) .............................................. 8-39.0 8-43.2Fumbles-Lost ......................................................... 1-1 3-1Penalties-Yards ...................................................... 7-75 11-75Possession Time ................................................... 27:17 32:43Third-Down Conversions ...................................... 6 of 16 11 of 24Fourth-Down Conversions .................................... 0 of 0 1 of 2Red-Zone Scores-Chances .................................... 4-5 3-4Sacks By: Number-Yards ....................................... 3-18 1-3

RUSHING: SAM – DeMarcus Ware 26-118; Liam Welch 9-26; Jay Stanton 6-16; Montrell Washington 2-15. WCU – Rogan Wells 16-120; TJ Jones 16-55; Kenny Benjamin 8-7.PASSING: SAM– Liam Welch 27-48-4-352. WCU – Rogan Wells 25-57-3-321.RECEIVING: SAM – Michael Vice 5-60; Jai'Rus Creamer 4-76; Kendall Watson 3-66; Montrell Washington 3-45; DeMarcus Ware 3-11; Ty King 2-47; Chandler Smith 2-27; JR Tran-Reno 2-11; Jay Stanton; A.J. Toney 1-5. WCU – Raphael Williams 8-132; TJ Jones 5-53; Mydreon Vines 3-27; Kenny Benjamin 3-22; Jakobe Quillen 2-17; Calvin Jones 1-52; Terrence Horne 1-17; Bardall,Clayton 1-9; Rogan Wells 1-minus 8.INTERCEPTIONS: SAM – Noah Martin 1-19; Chris Edmonds 1-0; Wade White 1-0 WCU – Andreas Keaton 2-27; Came McCutcheon 1-0; Ronald Kent Jr. 1-0.FUMBLES: SAM – Liam Welch 1-1. WCU – TJ Jones 2-0; Terrence Horne 1-1.SACKS (UA-A): SAM – Tay Berry 0-1; Nick Jackson 0-1; Lamar Anderson 1-0; Joseph Mera 1-0. WCU – Kareem Taylor 1-0.TACKLES (UA-A): SAM – Trimarcus Cheeks 6-3; Nathan East 6-2; Lamar Anderson 5-1; Seth Simmer 3-3; Coutrell Plair 3-2; Nelson Jordan 2-3; Armond Lloyd 2-3; Sylvaughn Turner 3-1; Wade White 3-1; Josiah Cotton 3-0; Joseph Mera 2-1; Nick Jackson 1-2; Noah Martin 0-3; Jordan Oladokun 2-0; Tay Berry 1-1; Torrence Pollard 1-1; JT May 1-1; Braeden Royal 1-0; Jonathan Moore 1-0; Kourtlan Marsh 1-0; Chandler Smith 1-0; Liam Welch 1-0; Thomas Neville 0-1; Dakota Chapman. WCU – Ty Harris 5-5; Kareem Taylor 5-5; Rogers-Anderson 4-4; Ivan Hogans 3-3; Ronald Kent Jr. 3-3; Jacob Harris 2-4;Micah Nelson 2-4; Came McCutcheon 3-2; Caleb Fisher 1-4; Ricky Palao 1-4; Nick Oelrich 2-1; Rod Gattison 2-0; Jayden Pauling 2-0; Willie Rice 2-0; Marlon Alexander 1-1; Calvin Jones 1-1; Andreas Keaton 1-1; Quintin Talley 0-2; Nigel Manns 1-0; Paxto Robertson 1-0; Kevin Thompson 1-0; Chris Morgan 1-0; Charles Gadie 1-0; TJ Jones 1-0; K.J. Milner 0-1; Curtis Roach 0-1; Timothy Jamison 0-1; Demorian Smith 0-1; Trevor Childers 0-1; Jaquarius Guinn 0-1.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 ScoreWestern Carolina 3 17 14 0 34 Record (0-4)Gardner-Webb 10 7 28 7 52 Record (2-2)

Scoring Summary:1st 12:37 WCU McCollum 38 yd field goal – 5-13 yds – 1:34 WCU 3 GWU 0 09:10 GWU McKAY, A. 25 yd field goal – 9-67 yds – 3:27 WCU 3 GWU 3 00:02 GWU LUTHER, T.J. 6 yd pass from FISHER, B. (McKAY kick) – 9-56 yds – 2:42 WCU 3 GWU 102nd 09:16 WCU McCollum 40 yd field goal – 4 plays, -3 yards, TOP 1:33 WCU 6 GWU 10 04:55 WCU K. Benjamin 13 yd pass from Rogan Wells (McCollum kick) – 6-58 yards – 2:38 WCU 13 GWU 10 02:40 GWU FISHER, B. 8 yd run (McKAY, A. kick) – 7-70 yds – 2:08 WCU 13 GWU 17 00:26 WCU TJ Jones 3 yd run (McCollum kick) – 11-79 yds – 2:09 WCU 20 GWU 173rd 11:06 WCU Rogan Wells 82 yd run (McCollum kick) – 3-98 yds – 1:03 WCU 27 GWU 17 09:40 GWU GAITHER, N. 18 yd run (McKAY, A. kick) – 3-30 yds – 1:17 WCU 27 GWU 24 08:09 WCU R. Williams 6 yd pass from Rogan Wells (McCollum kick) – 7-83 yds – 1:26 WCU34 GWU 24 06:21 GWU THOMAS, D. 5 yd pass from FISHER, B. (McKAY, A. kick) – 6-66 yds – 1:40 WCU 34 GWU 31 01:46 GWU JONES, D. 6 yd run (McKAY, A. kick) – 4-90 yds – 1:31 WCU 34 GWU 38 01:02 GWU BROWN, J. 36 yd interception (McKAY, A. kick) WCU 34 GWU 454th 02:09 GWU JONES, D. 79 yd run (McKAY, A. kick) –2-83 yds – 1:03 WCU 34 GWU 52

WCU GWUFIRST DOWNS ................................................. 34 21RUSHES-YARDS (NET) ..................................... 41-223 40-291PASSING YDS (NET) ........................................ 427 261Passes Att-Comp-Int.............................................. 58-37-2 22-14-0TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS ....................... 99-650 62-552Fumble Returns-Yards ........................................... 1-2 0-0Punt Returns-Yards ................................................ 0-0 0-0Kickoff Returns-Yards ............................................ 5-68 5-153Interception Returns-Yards .................................... 0-0 2--34Punts (Number-Avg) .............................................. 3-32.7 3-46.3Fumbles-Lost ......................................................... 4-3 4-4Penalties-Yards ...................................................... 7-58 4-32Possession Time ................................................... 34:58 24:52Third-Down Conversions ...................................... 8 of 16 4 of 10Fourth-Down Conversions .................................... 0 of 2 0 of 1Red-Zone Scores-Chances .................................... 4-7 6-6Sacks By: Number-Yards ....................................... 1-5 3-14

RUSHING: WCU – Rogan Wells 14-113; TJ Jones 14-55; Kenny Benjamin 9-40; Branson Adams 3-13; Toler Keigley 1-2. GWU – GAITHER, N. 22-151; JONES, D. 6-102; FISHER, B. 9-28; FRANKLIN, J. 1-10; GRAHAM, J. 1-1; TEAM 1-minus 1. PASSING: WCU – Rogan Wells 37-58-2-427. GWU – FISHER, B. 14-22-0-261. RECEIVING: WCU – Raphael Williams 11-99; TJ Jones 6-51; Kenny Benjamin 4-26; Calvin Jones 3-56; Daquan Patten 3-47; Owen Cosenke 3-23; Terrence Horne 3-22; Mydreon Vines 2-86; CJ Williams 1-13; Branson Adams 1-4. GWU – LUTHER, T.J. 6-119; FRANKLIN, J. 2-70; THOMAS, D. 2-23; GAITHER, N. 1-29; JORDAN, J. 1-8; GRAHAM, J. 1-6; SKANES, Q. 1-6. INTERCEPTIONS: WCU – None. GWU – BROWN, J. 1-36; BUCKNER, M. 1-minus 70. FUMBLES: WCU – Rogan Wells 2-1; TJ Jones 1-1; Daquan Patten 1-1. GWU – JORDAN, J. 1-1; BUCKNER, M. 1-1; GAITHER, N. 1-1. SACKS (UA-A): WCU – K.J. Milner 0-1; Chris Morgan 0-1. GWU – CLARK, K. 1-0; BASS, B. 1-0; COMSTOCK, T.J. 1-0. TACKLES (UA-A): WCU – Kareem Taylor 7-4; Jacob Harris 3-6; Ty Harris 6-2; K.J. Milner 1-6; Cameron McCutcheon 3-3; Ricky Palao 0-4; Ronald Kent Jr. 2-1; Chris Morgan 0-3; Quintin Talley 2-0; Nick Oelrich 1-1; Rod Gattison 1-1; Caleb Fisher 0-2; LA Rogers-Anderson 1-0; Willie Hampton 1-0; Demorian Smith 1-0; Andreas Keaton 1-0; Jaquarius Guinn 1-0; Ivan Hogans 1-0; Nigel Manns 0-1; Paxton Robertson 0-1; Trevor Childers 0-1; Willie Rice 0-1; Micah Nelson 0-1. GWU – McRAINEY, W. 12-5; COMSTOCK, T.J. 7-3; BUCKNER, M. 5-3; WILLIAMS, D. 5-3; THOMAS, A.J. 4-1; CLARK, K. 4-1; BOOKER, T. 3-2; FREEMAN, G. 2-3;TURNER, Jn. 2-3; BROWN, J. 3-1; BASS, B. 3-1; JACKSON, C. 1-2; BAILEY, K. 0-3; WAGNER, H. 0-3; ARRINGTON, T. 2-0; GRIER, D. 2-0; FRENCH, T. 0-2; MITCHELL, J. 1-0; ROBINSON, M. 1-0; FISHER, B. 1-0; OUSLEY, R. 1-0.

GAME FOUR • SAT., SEPT. 25, 2021 • BOILING SPRINGS, NC (5,689)

WESTERN CAROLINA 34GARDNER–WEBB 52

GAME THREE • SAT., SEPT. 18, 2021 • CULLOWHEE (9,060)

SAMFORD 42WESTERN CAROLINA 37

2021 Western Carolina FootballWestern Caro. Overall Team Statistics (as of Sep 30, 2021)

All games

Team Statistics WCU OPPSCORING 99 201 Points Per Game 24.8 50.2 Points Off Turnovers 20 66FIRST DOWNS 100 101 R u s h i n g 32 38 P a s s i n g 57 50 P e n a l t y 11 13RUSHING YARDAGE 686 866 Yards gained rushing 771 936 Yards lost rushing 85 70 Rushing Attempts 146 158 Average Per Rush 4.7 5.5 Average Per Game 171.5 216.5 TDs Rushing 5 17PASSING YARDAGE 1146 1198 C o m p - A t t - I n t 107-196-8 88-136-5 Average Per Pass 5.8 8.8 Average Per Catch 10.7 13.6 Average Per Game 286.5 299.5 TDs Passing 6 9TOTAL OFFENSE 1832 2064 Total Plays 342 294 Average Per Play 5.4 7.0 Average Per Game 458.0 516.0KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 14-272 12-324PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 5-62 5-46INT RETURNS: #-Yards 5-27 8-100KICK RETURN AVERAGE 19.4 27.0PUNT RETURN AVERAGE 12.4 9.2INT RETURN AVERAGE 5.4 14.3FUMBLES-LOST 13-6 7-5PENALTIES-Yards 33-226 26-269 Average Per Game 56.5 67.2PUNTS-Yards 22-838 18-746 Average Per Punt 38.1 41.4 Net punt average 36.0 38.0KICKOFFS-Yards 21-1254 35-2185 Average Per Kick 59.7 62.4 Net kick average 36.0 41.8TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 3 0 : 5 9 2 8 : 5 93RD-DOWN Conversions 26/67 21/49 3rd-Down Pct 39% 43%4TH-DOWN Conversions 3/9 1/2 4th-Down Pct 33% 50%SACKS BY-Yards 4-15 11-54MISC YARDS 0 0TOUCHDOWNS SCORED 12 27FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS 5-6 4-4ON-SIDE KICKS 0-0 0-0RED-ZONE SCORES (12-17) 71% (24-25) 96%RED-ZONE TOUCHDOWNS (8-17) 47% (22-25) 88%PAT-ATTEMPTS (10-10) 100% (27-27) 100%ATTENDANCE 18707 89227 Games/Avg Per Game 2/9354 2/44614 Neutral Site Games 0/0

Score by Quarters 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT TotalWestern Caro. 9 34 42 14 0 99Opponents 48 49 66 38 0 201

2021 Western Carolina FootballWestern Caro. Overall Individual Statistics (as of Sep 30, 2021)

All games

Rushing gp-gs att gain loss net avg td lg avg/gWells,Rogan 4 - 4 43 352 75 277 6.4 2 82 69.2Jones,TJ 4 - 2 51 237 2 235 4.6 3 46 58.8Benjamin,Kenny 4 - 2 34 101 8 93 2.7 0 13 23.2Davis,Carlos 1 - 0 3 27 0 27 9.0 0 14 27.0Adams,Branson 3 - 0 6 26 0 26 4.3 0 7 8.7Stanley,Mikai 4 - 0 6 21 0 21 3.5 0 7 5.2Williams,CJ 4 - 2 1 4 0 4 4.0 0 4 1.0Keigley,Toler 3 - 0 1 2 0 2 2.0 0 2 0.7Nelson,Tyree 3 - 0 1 1 0 1 1.0 0 1 0.3Total 4 146 771 85 686 4.7 5 82 171.5Opponents 4 158 936 70 866 5.5 17 79 216.5

Passing gp-gs effic comp-att-int pct yds td lg avg/gWells,Rogan 4 - 4 106.89 102-188-7 54.3 1109 6 58 277.2Davis,Carlos 1 - 0 87.26 5-7-1 71.4 37 0 18 37.0TEAM 3 - 0 0.00 0-1-0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0Total 4 105.64 107-196-8 54.6 1146 6 58 286.5Opponents 4 153.19 88-136-5 64.7 1198 9 57 299.5

Receiving gp-gs no. yds avg td lg avg/gWilliams,Raphae 4 - 4 28 358 12.8 3 40 89.5Benjamin,Kenny 4 - 2 19 138 7.3 1 15 34.5Jones,TJ 4 - 2 16 145 9.1 1 33 36.2Jones,Calvin 4 - 4 8 129 16.1 1 52 32.2Vines,Mydreon 4 - 0 7 122 17.4 0 58 30.5Horne,Terrence 4 - 1 7 54 7.7 0 14 13.5Patten,Daquan 4 - 1 4 53 13.2 0 25 13.2Williams,CJ 4 - 2 3 41 13.7 0 21 10.2Bardall,Clayton 4 - 4 3 26 8.7 0 15 6.5Quillen,Jakobe 4 - 0 3 25 8.3 0 14 6.2Cosenke,Owen 2 - 0 3 23 7.7 0 12 11.5Heath,Raekwon 3 - 0 2 15 7.5 0 13 5.0Adams,Branson 3 - 0 2 7 3.5 0 4 2.3Nelson,Tyree 3 - 0 1 18 18.0 0 18 6.0Wells,Rogan 4 - 4 1 -8 -8.0 0 0 -2.0Total 4 107 1146 10.7 6 58 286.5Opponents 4 88 1198 13.6 9 57 299.5

Punt Returns no. yds avg td lgPatten,Daquan 5 62 12.4 0 28Total 5 62 12.4 0 28Opponents 5 46 9.2 0 21

Interceptions no. yds avg td lgKeaton,Andreas 3 27 9.0 0 22McCutcheon,Came 1 0 0.0 0 0Ronald Kent Jr. 1 0 0.0 0 0Total 5 27 5.4 0 22Opponents 8 100 12.5 1 78

Kick Returns no. yds avg td lgJones,Calvin 6 132 22.0 0 30Horne,Terrence 5 106 21.2 0 30Adams,Branson 2 22 11.0 0 22Nelson,Tyree 1 12 12.0 0 12Total 14 272 19.4 0 30Opponents 12 324 27.0 0 70

Fumble Returns no. yds avg td lgHarris,Ty 1 2 2.0 0 2Taylor,Kareem 1 16 16.0 1 16Total 2 18 9.0 1 16Opponents 2 28 14.0 0 19


All games

PATScoring td fg kick rush rcv pass dxp saf ptsJones,TJ 4 - - - - - - - 24Williams,Raphae 3 - - - - - - - 18McCollum,Richar - 3-3 6-6 - - - - - 15Wells,Rogan 2 - - - - 1-2 - - 12Richard McCollum - 2-2 4-4 - - - - - 10Benjamin,Kenny 1 - - - - - - - 6Taylor,Kareem 1 - - - - - - - 6Jones,Calvin 1 - - - - - - - 6Williams,CJ - - - - 1 - - - 2Robertson,Paxto - 0-1 - - - - - - 0Total 12 5-6 10-10 - 1 1-2 - - 99Opponents 27 4-4 27-27 - - - - - 201

Total Offense g plays rush pass total avg/gWells,Rogan 4 231 277 1109 1386 346.5Jones,TJ 4 51 235 0 235 58.8Benjamin,Kenny 4 34 93 0 93 23.2Davis,Carlos 1 10 27 37 64 64.0Adams,Branson 3 6 26 0 26 8.7Stanley,Mikai 4 6 21 0 21 5.2Williams,CJ 4 1 4 0 4 1.0Keigley,Toler 3 1 2 0 2 0.7Nelson,Tyree 3 1 1 0 1 0.3Total 4 342 686 1146 1832 458.0Opponents 4 294 866 1198 2064 516.0

Field Goals fg pct. 01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 lg blkMcCollum,Richar 3-3 100. 0-0 2-2 1-1 0-0 0-0 34 0Robertson,Paxto 0-1 0.0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 0Richard McCollum 2-2 100. 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-1 0-0 40 0

FG Sequence Western Caro. OpponentsEastern Ky. (26),(34),56 (21)Oklahoma - (56),(46)Samford (25) -Gardner-Webb (38),(40) (25)

Numbers in (parentheses) indicate field goal was made.

Punting no. yds avg lg tb fc i20 50+ blkDickerson,Brand 19 740 38.9 56 0 6 4 1 0Brandon Dickerson 3 98 32.7 36 0 1 1 0 0Total 22 838 38.1 56 0 7 5 1 0Opponents 18 746 41.4 57 0 9 4 3 0

Kickoffs no. yds avg tb ob retn net ydlnRobertson,Paxto 14 817 58.4 5 0Paxton Robertson 7 437 62.4 2 0Total 21 1254 59.7 7 0 27.0 36.0 29Opponents 35 2185 62.4 18 1 19.4 41.8 23


All games

All Purpose g rush rcv pr kr ir total avg/gJones,TJ 4 235 145 0 0 0 380 95.0Williams,Rapha 4 0 358 0 0 0 358 89.5Wells,Rogan 4 277 -8 0 0 0 269 67.2Jones,Calvin 4 0 129 0 132 0 261 65.2Benjamin,Kenny 4 93 138 0 0 0 231 57.8Horne,Terrence 4 0 54 0 106 0 160 40.0Vines,Mydreon 4 0 122 0 0 0 122 30.5Patten,Daquan 4 0 53 62 0 0 115 28.8Adams,Branson 3 26 7 0 22 0 55 18.3Williams,CJ 4 4 41 0 0 0 45 11.2Nelson,Tyree 3 1 18 0 12 0 31 10.3Keaton,Andreas 4 0 0 0 0 27 27 6.8Davis,Carlos 1 27 0 0 0 0 27 27.0Bardall,Clayton 4 0 26 0 0 0 26 6.5Quillen,Jakobe 4 0 25 0 0 0 25 6.2Cosenke,Owen 2 0 23 0 0 0 23 11.5Stanley,Mikai 4 21 0 0 0 0 21 5.2Heath,Raekwon 3 0 15 0 0 0 15 5.0Keigley,Toler 3 2 0 0 0 0 2 0.7Total 4 686 1146 62 272 27 2193 548.2Opponents 4 866 1198 46 324 100 2534 633.5

2021 Western Carolina FootballWestern Caro. Overall Defensive Statistics (as of Sep 30, 2021)

All games

Tackles Sacks Pass defense Fumbles blkd

## Defensive Leaders gp-gs ua a tot tfl/yds no-yds int-yds brup qbh rcv-yds ff kick saf

9 Taylor,Kareem 4-4 19 16 35 1.5-4 1.0-3 . . 2 1-16 1 . .3 Harris,Jacob 4-4 11 17 28 0.5-0 . . . . . . . .1 Hogans,Ivan 4-3 15 10 25 4.0-8 1.0-2 . 1 . . . . .37 Harris,Ty 4-2 14 9 23 2.0-5 . . . 1 1-2 . . .21 Keaton,Andreas 4-4 9 7 16 . . 3-27 2 . . . . .4 McCutcheon,Came 3-2 7 6 13 1.0-1 . 1-0 1 . . . . .30 Nelson,Micah 4-4 5 8 13 1.0-3 . . . 1 . . . .8 LA Rogers-Anderson 4-1 7 6 13 1.0-2 . . . . . . . .96 Milner,K.J. 4-4 3 8 11 3.5-9 0.5-2 . . 1 1-0 . . .99 Palao,Ricky 4-2 2 8 10 0.5-0 . . . . . . . .6 Oelrich,Nick 4-0 7 2 9 . . . . . . . . .7 Gadie,Charles 3-2 5 4 9 . . . 1 . . . . .13 Ronald Kent Jr. 2-2 5 4 9 1.0-3 . 1-0 1 . 1-0 . . .53 Fisher,Caleb 4-0 2 6 8 2.0-6 . . . 2 . . . .13 Kent Jr.,Ronald 2-2 3 5 8 0.5-1 . . . . . . . .24 Talley,Quintin 3-0 4 3 7 . . . . . . . . .27 Childers,Trevor 4-0 1 6 7 0.5-1 . . . . . . . .12 Gattison,Rod 4-0 6 1 7 . . . . . . 1 . .93 Morgan,Chris 4-1 1 6 7 1.0-5 1.0-5 . . 1 . . . .4 Cameron McCutcheon 1-1 3 3 6 . . . . . . . . .5 Pauling,Jayden 3-0 4 2 6 0.5-3 0.5-3 . . . . . . .90 Alexander,Marlo 3-1 1 4 5 1.5-1 . . 1 . . . . .0 Floyd,Jaylen 2-0 3 1 4 . . . . . . . . .91 Guinn,Jaquarius 3-3 1 3 4 1.0-3 . . . . . . . .29 Rice,Willie 3-0 2 1 3 . . . . . . . . .49 Smith,Demorian 3-0 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . .3J Jones,Calvin 4-4 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . .2 Gethers,Aaron 2-1 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . .44 Manns,Nigel 4-0 1 1 2 . . . . . . . . .0J Jones,TJ 4-2 2 . 2 . . . . . . . . .38 Thompson,Kevin 4-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . .10 Willie Hampton 1-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . .33 Roach,Curtis 4-0 . 1 1 . . . . . . . . .94 Jamison,Timothy 4-0 . 1 1 . . . . 2 . . . .92 Bell,Darrius 1-0 1 . 1 1.0-1 . . . . . . . .58 Ricciardi,Giova 2-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . .5D Davis,Carlos 1-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . .9V Vines,Mydreon 4-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . .8B Benjamin,Kenny 4-2 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . .46 Paxton Robertson 1-0 . 1 1 . . . . . . . . .46 Robertson,Paxto 3-0 1 . 1 . . . . . . . . .72 Whitmore,Blake 2-2 . . . . . . . . 1-0 . . .90 Marlon Alexander 1-1 . . . . . . . 1 . . . .

Total 4 155 152 307 24-56 4-15 5-27 7 11 5-18 2 . .Opponents 4 194 108 302 23-88 11-54 8-100 16 17 6-28 10 . .

2021 Western Carolina FootballWestern Caro. Game Superlatives (as of Sep 30, 2021)

All games

INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS

Rushes 17 Jones,TJ vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)Yards Rushing 120 Rogan Wells vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)TD Rushes 1 Jones,TJ vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)

1 Wells,Rogan vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)1 TJ Jones vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)1 TJ Jones at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)1 Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)

Long Rush 82 Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Pass attempts 58 Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Pass completions 37 Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Passing 427 Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)TD Passes 3 Rogan Wells vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Pass 58 Rogan Wells at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Receptions 11 Raphae Williams at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Receiving 132 Raphae Williams vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)TD Receptions 2 Raphae Williams vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Reception 58 Mydreon Vines at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Field Goals 2 McCollum,Richar vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)

2 Richard McCollum at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Long Field Goal 40 Richard McCollum at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Punts 8 Dickerson,Brand at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

8 Brand Dickerson vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punting Avg 43.2 Brand Dickerson vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Punt 56 Brand Dickerson vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punts inside 20 4 Brand Dickerson vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Punt Return 28 Patten,Daquan vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)Long Kickoff Return 30 Jones,Calvin at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

30 Terrence Horne vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Tackles 11 Kareem Taylor at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Sacks 1.0 Hogans,Ivan at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

1.0 Kareem Taylor vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Tackles For Loss 2.5 K.J. Milner at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Interceptions 2 Andreas Keaton vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)


All games

TEAM GAME HIGHS

Rushes 41 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Rushing 226 vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)Yards Per Rush 5.9 vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)TD Rushes 2 vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)

2 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Pass attempts 58 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Pass completions 37 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Passing 427 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Per Pass 7.4 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)TD Passes 3 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Total Plays 99 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Total Offense 650 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Per Play 6.6 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Points 37 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Sacks By 2 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)First Downs 34 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Penalties 11 vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)

11 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Penalty Yards 75 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Turnovers 5 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Interceptions By 4 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punts 8 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

8 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punting Avg 43.2 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Punt 56 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punts inside 20 4 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Punt Return 28 vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)


All games

OPPONENT INDIVIDUAL GAME HIGHS

Rushes 26 Ware,DeMarcus, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Yards Rushing 151 GAITHER, N., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)TD Rushes 3 Hewitt,Da'Joun, vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)

3 Ware,DeMarcus, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Rush 79 JONES, D., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Pass attempts 48 Welch,Liam, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Pass completions 27 Welch,Liam, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Yards Passing 352 Welch,Liam, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)TD Passes 5 Rattler,Spencer, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Long Pass 57 Williams,Caleb, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Receptions 6 LUTHER, T.J., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Receiving 119 LUTHER, T.J., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)TD Receptions 2 Haselwood,Jadon, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Long Reception 57 Knowles,Jaden, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Field Goals 1 Nations,Patrick, vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)

1 Schmit,Zach, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)1 Brkic,Gabe, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)1 McKAY, A., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)

Long Field Goal 56 Brkic,Gabe, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Punts 8 Porcellato,Brad, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punting Avg 57.0 Turk,Michael, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

57.0 FISHER, B., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Long Punt 57 Turk,Michael, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

57 FISHER, B., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Punts inside 20 2 Porcellato,Brad, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Punt Return 21 Mims,Marvin, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Long Kickoff Return 70 LUTHER, T.J., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Tackles 17 McRAINEY, W., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Sacks 1.5 Winfrey,Perrion, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Tackles For Loss 2.0 COMSTOCK, T.J., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)

2.0 BASS, B., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Interceptions 1 Woods,Jaden, vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)

1 Baker,Roy, vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)1 Washington,Brys, at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)1 Martin,Noah, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)1 White,Wade, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)1 Edmonds,Chris, vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)1 BUCKNER, M., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)1 BROWN, J., at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)


All games

OPPONENT TEAM GAME HIGHS

Rushes 43 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Yards Rushing 291 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Yards Per Rush 7.3 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)TD Rushes 5 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

5 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Pass attempts 48 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Pass completions 27 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

27 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Yards Passing 352 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Yards Per Pass 11.9 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)TD Passes 5 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Total Plays 91 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Total Offense 624 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Yards Per Play 8.9 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Points 76 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Sacks By 4 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)First Downs 31 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Penalties 9 vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)Penalty Yards 82 vs Eastern Ky. (Sep 04, 2021)Turnovers 5 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Interceptions By 3 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punts 8 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Punting Avg 57.0 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)Long Punt 57 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

57 at Gardner-Webb (Sep 25, 2021)Punts inside 20 2 vs Samford (Sep 18, 2021)Long Punt Return 21 at Oklahoma (Sep 11, 2021)

2021 Western Carolina FootballWestern Caro. Red-Zone Results (as of Sep 30, 2021)

All games

Western Caro. Inside Opponent Red-Zone

Times Times Total Rush Pass FGs Failed to score inside RZ

Date Opponent Score In RZ Scored Pts TDs TDs TDs Made FGA Down Int Fumb Half Game

Sep 04, 2021 EASTERN KY. L 28-31 6 5 28 3 2 1 2 0 0 1 0 0 0Sep 11, 2021 at Oklahoma L 0-76 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Sep 18, 2021 SAMFORD L 37-42 4 3 17 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0Sep 25, 2021 at Gardner-Webb L 34-52 7 4 24 3 1 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 0

Totals 17 12 69 8 4 4 4 0 1 3 1 0 012 of 17 (70.6%)

Opponents Inside Western Caro. Red-Zone

Times Times Total Rush Pass FGs Failed to score inside RZ

Date Opponent Score In RZ Scored Pts TDs TDs TDs Made FGA Down Int Fumb Half Game

Sep 04, 2021 EASTERN KY. L 28-31 5 5 31 4 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0Sep 11, 2021 at Oklahoma L 0-76 9 9 63 9 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Sep 18, 2021 SAMFORD L 37-42 5 4 28 4 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0Sep 25, 2021 at Gardner-Webb L 34-52 6 6 38 5 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Totals 25 24 160 22 14 8 2 0 0 1 0 0 024 of 25 (96.0%)

2021 Western Carolina FootballWestern Caro. Combined Team Statistics (as of Sep 30, 2021)

All games

Date Opponent Score Att.Sep 04, 2021 EASTERN KY. L 28-31 9647Sep 11, 2021 at Oklahoma L 0-76 83538

* Sep 18, 2021 SAMFORD L 37-42 9060Sep 25, 2021 at Gardner-Webb L 34-52 5689

Rushing gp-gs att gain loss net avg td lg avg/gWells,Rogan 4 - 4 43 352 75 277 6.4 2 82 69.2Jones,TJ 4 - 2 51 237 2 235 4.6 3 46 58.8Benjamin,Kenny 4 - 2 34 101 8 93 2.7 0 13 23.2Davis,Carlos 1 - 0 3 27 0 27 9.0 0 14 27.0Adams,Branson 3 - 0 6 26 0 26 4.3 0 7 8.7Stanley,Mikai 4 - 0 6 21 0 21 3.5 0 7 5.2Williams,CJ 4 - 2 1 4 0 4 4.0 0 4 1.0Keigley,Toler 3 - 0 1 2 0 2 2.0 0 2 0.7Nelson,Tyree 3 - 0 1 1 0 1 1.0 0 1 0.3Total 4 146 771 85 686 4.7 5 82 171.5Opponents 4 158 936 70 866 5.5 17 79 216.5

Passing gp-gs effic comp-att-int pct yds td lg avg/gWells,Rogan 4 - 4 106.89 102-188-7 54.3 1109 6 58 277.2Davis,Carlos 1 - 0 87.26 5-7-1 71.4 37 0 18 37.0TEAM 3 - 0 0.00 0-1-0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0Total 4 105.64 107-196-8 54.6 1146 6 58 286.5Opponents 4 153.19 88-136-5 64.7 1198 9 57 299.5

Receiving gp-gs no. yds avg td lg avg/gWilliams,Raphae 4 - 4 28 358 12.8 3 40 89.5Benjamin,Kenny 4 - 2 19 138 7.3 1 15 34.5Jones,TJ 4 - 2 16 145 9.1 1 33 36.2Jones,Calvin 4 - 4 8 129 16.1 1 52 32.2Vines,Mydreon 4 - 0 7 122 17.4 0 58 30.5Horne,Terrence 4 - 1 7 54 7.7 0 14 13.5Patten,Daquan 4 - 1 4 53 13.2 0 25 13.2Williams,CJ 4 - 2 3 41 13.7 0 21 10.2Bardall,Clayton 4 - 4 3 26 8.7 0 15 6.5Quillen,Jakobe 4 - 0 3 25 8.3 0 14 6.2Cosenke,Owen 2 - 0 3 23 7.7 0 12 11.5Heath,Raekwon 3 - 0 2 15 7.5 0 13 5.0Adams,Branson 3 - 0 2 7 3.5 0 4 2.3Nelson,Tyree 3 - 0 1 18 18.0 0 18 6.0Wells,Rogan 4 - 4 1 -8 -8.0 0 0 -2.0Total 4 107 1146 10.7 6 58 286.5Opponents 4 88 1198 13.6 9 57 299.5

Field Goals fg pct. 01-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 lg blkMcCollum,Richar 3-3 100.0 0-0 2-2 1-1 0-0 0-0 34 0Robertson,Paxto 0-1 0.0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0 0Richard McCollum 2-2 100.0 0-0 0-0 1-1 1-1 0-0 40 0

PATScoring td fg kick rush rcv pass dxp saf ptsJones,TJ 4 - - - - - - - 24Williams,Raphae 3 - - - - - - - 18McCollum,Richar - 3-3 6-6 - - - - - 15Wells,Rogan 2 - - - - 1-2 - - 12Richard McCollum - 2-2 4-4 - - - - - 10Benjamin,Kenny 1 - - - - - - - 6Jones,Calvin 1 - - - - - - - 6Taylor,Kareem 1 - - - - - - - 6Williams,CJ - - - - 1 - - - 2Total 12 5-6 10-10 - 1 1-2 - - 99Opponents 27 4-4 27-27 - - - - - 201

Score by Quarters 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT TotalWestern Caro. 9 34 42 14 0 99Opponents 48 49 66 38 0 201

Record: Overall Home Away NeutralAll games 0-4 0-2 0-2 0-0Conference 0-1 0-1 0-0 0-0Non-Conference 0-3 0-1 0-2 0-0

Team Statistics WCU OPPFIRST DOWNS 100 101 R u s h i n g 32 38 P a s s i n g 57 50 P e n a l t y 11 13RUSHING YARDAGE 686 866 Rushing Attempts 146 158 Average Per Rush 4.7 5.5 Average Per Game 171.5 216.5 TDs Rushing 5 17PASSING YARDAGE 1146 1198 C o m p - A t t - I n t 107-196-8 88-136-5 Average Per Pass 5.8 8.8 Average Per Catch 10.7 13.6 Average Per Game 286.5 299.5 TDs Passing 6 9TOTAL OFFENSE 1832 2064 Average Per Play 5.4 7.0 Average Per Game 458.0 516.0KICK RETURNS: #-Yards 14-272 12-324PUNT RETURNS: #-Yards 5-62 5-46INT RETURNS: #-Yards 5-27 8-100FUMBLES-LOST 13-6 7-5PENALTIES-Yards 33-226 26-269PUNTS-AVG 22-38.1 18-41.4TIME OF POSSESSION/Game 3 0 : 5 9 2 8 : 5 93RD-DOWN Conversions 26/67 21/494TH-DOWN Conversions 3/9 1/2

Interceptions no. yds avg td lgKeaton,Andreas 3 27 9.0 0 22McCutcheon,Came 1 0 0.0 0 0Ronald Kent Jr. 1 0 0.0 0 0

Punting no. yds avg lg tb fc i20 50+ blkDickerson,Brand 19 740 38.9 56 0 6 4 1 0Brandon Dickerson 3 98 32.7 36 0 1 1 0 0

Punt Returns no. yds avg td lgPatten,Daquan 5 62 12.4 0 28Total 5 62 12.4 0 28Opponents 5 46 9.2 0 21

Kick Returns no. yds avg td lgJones,Calvin 6 132 22.0 0 30Horne,Terrence 5 106 21.2 0 30Adams,Branson 2 22 11.0 0 22Nelson,Tyree 1 12 12.0 0 12Total 14 272 19.4 0 30Opponents 12 324 27.0 0 70

All Purpose g rush rcv pr kr ir total avg/gJones,TJ 4 235 145 0 0 0 380 95.0Williams,Raphae 4 0 358 0 0 0 358 89.5Wells,Rogan 4 277 -8 0 0 0 269 67.2Jones,Calvin 4 0 129 0 132 0 261 65.2Benjamin,Kenny 4 93 138 0 0 0 231 57.8Total 4 686 1146 62 272 27 2193 548.2Opponents 4 866 1198 46 324 100 2534 633.5

Total Offense g plays rush pass total avg/gWells,Rogan 4 231 277 1109 1386 346.5Jones,TJ 4 51 235 0 235 58.8Benjamin,Kenny 4 34 93 0 93 23.2Davis,Carlos 1 10 27 37 64 64.0Adams,Branson 3 6 26 0 26 8.7Total 4 342 686 1146 1832 458.0Opponents 4 294 866 1198 2064 516.0

Tackles Sacks Pass defense Fumbles blkd## Defensive Leaders gp-gs ua a tot tfl/yds no-yds int-yds brup qbh rcv-yds ff kick saf9 Taylor,Kareem 4-4 19 16 35 1.5-4 1.0-3 . . 2 1-16 1 . .3 Harris,Jacob 4-4 11 17 28 0.5-0 . . . . . . . .1 Hogans,Ivan 4-3 15 10 25 4.0-8 1.0-2 . 1 . . . . .37 Harris Ty 4 2 14 9 23 2 0 5 1 1 2

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