2022 Catamount Football Digital Game Day Program - vs. The Citadel (10/22/22)

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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Stadium Game Day Information...................................... 6-7 Scouting Western Carolina................................................. 8 A Look at Today’s Opponent: The Citadel.........................10 Western Carolina Numerical Roster..................................13 The Citadel Numerical Roster...........................................15 WCU vs. The Citadel – Two-Deep.....................................16 WCU vs. The Citadel – 2022 Stat Comparison................20 Looking Back: Last Time We Met.................................... 22 WCU 2022 Season Preview by Game.............................. 26 WCU Head Football Coach, Kerwin Bell....................29-30 WCU Football Coaching Staff........................................... 34 WCU Football Support Staff............................................. 36 Football Team Photo........................................................ 38 WCU Athletics Director Alex Gary............................... 40-41

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

FEATURE: Honoring the 1972 Catamounts....................... 44 WCU Athletics Department Staff................................ 43, 48 Meet the 2022 Catamounts..................................... 50-58 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band....................64-65 Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor................................69 Catamount Cheerleaders.................................................. 71 Catamount Football – Postseason Teams........................ 72 2022 WCU Dance Team................................................... 75 Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium...................... 78 The Southern Conference................................................80 WCU Football Honored Numbers..................................... 82 History of the Victory Bell................................................. 82 NCAA Officials Signals...................................................... 84

EXTRA POINTS, the official game program and online digital program for Western Carolina Catamount Football, is a publication of the WCU Athletics Media Relations Office.

Editorial content, layout and design has been provided

by Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Daniel Hooker (WCU, 2001).

Special thanks to the staffs of both WCU Athletics Media Relations and Todd Charles. Photography provided by Ashley Evans, Charlie Bulla, Sam Wallace and various student assistants in the Western Carolina Public Relations Department; WCU PR retiree, Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; Jason Hall of Valleytown Photo; Phil Polito, Paul Setliff, and WCU students, Spencer Douglas and Jared Draney. Printing is by the WCU Print Shop.

Advertising sales for EXTRA POINTS are administered by Chad Gerrety and Ric Sisler. To advertise, contact WCU Athletics at (828) 227-2767 or (828) 227-2038.

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E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM POLICIES AND INFORMATION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Outside alcohol and alcoholic beverages are prohibited in E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Also, containers and/or coolers are also prohibited in the stadium. Alcoholic beverages will be sold within Whitmire Stadium with two points of sale on either side of the stadium and one point of sale on Paws Porch. Must be 21 years of age and present valid ID at the time of purchase and may only purchase one (1) alcoholic beverage per valid ID with the ID holder present at the time of transaction. Sales will begin when gates open 90 minutes prior to kickoff and close at the end of the third quarter.

FIELD REGULATIONS: No one is allowed on the playing field before, during, or after the game without proper credentials (Zone 1 & 2; Pregame Recruit).

Fans will also be ejected for throwing any objects in the stadium.

UMBRELLAS: Umbrellas are not permitted in the seating area of Whitmire Stadium.

No umbrellas will be allowed through the stadium gates.

GATE INSPECTION / CLEAR BAG POLICY: Western Carolina University has implemented a "Clear Bag Policy" – ALL parcels, bags and alike are subject to inspection upon entry into E.J. Whitmire Stadium. All alcoholic beverages, outside food and beverages, and other items not permitted in the stadium must be discarded prior to entering the stadium. See Page 7 for more info.

GAME TIMES: All game times are subject to change. WCU will publicize any game time changes through its social media channels (@catamounts) and website, CatamountSports.com. Ticket refunds will NOT be made available because of a change in kickoff times.

ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS: Unapproved and unsanctioned artificial noisemakers (air horns, cowbells, etc.) are not permitted in E.J. Whitmire Stadium as per Southern Conference rules. However, in accordance with SoCon regulations, sanctioned noisemakers such as "Thunder Sticks" or "Bam-Bams" are permissible. Fans are asked to be considerate and allow your neighbor to enjoy the game. Please keep portable radios at a low volume.

LOST AND FOUND: If you find an item, please return it to an usher. To recover a lost item, please visit the check bag location near the main entrances of either side of the stadium to make a proper ID of the lost item.

MERCHANDISE: Catamount apparel and game day merchandise from the WCU Bookstore can be found at stands on both sides of the stadium. Merchandise is also available anytime at CatamountSports.com, or also at the WCU Bookstore located near the center of the WCU campus.

CONCESSION STANDS: Concession stands by Catamount Dining are located on the main concourse on both the East and West sides of the stadium serving a variety of drink products from Pepsi and many other items. Concession stands do accept credit cards, and there are also cash-only drink and snack lines available. Other concession options include Bojangles and snacks from Tubby's Caramel Corn & More.

CHANCELLOR'S BOX, PRESS BOX & CAMERA DECKS: No one is allowed in the Chancellor's box, press box, camera decks, Paws Porch, Catamount Corner, or field level without proper credentials (Zone 1 & 2). Those not adhering to this policy will be escorted out of the stadium.

COVID PROTOCOLS / FACE COVERINGS: Catamount Athletics and WCU continues to encourage the use of face coverings while in densely populated areas during game day activities. Physical distancing, washing of hands and using hand sanitizer remain common practice recommendations to help stop the spread viruses including COVID-19.

STADIUM RE-ADMITTANCE: There is no re-admittance policy at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Once you enter the stadium, you must purchase another ticket to re-enter.

TICKETS FOR CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL: Tickets for WCU football games can be purchased at the WCU Athletics Ticket Office Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Tickets can be purchased on game day beginning at 10:00 am at the Northwest ticket booth near the main entrance – or anytime online at CatamountSports.com.

GATE 4

GATE 3 TICKET SALES

PRESS BOX

AA

BB

CC

DD

EE

A

B

C

D

E

FF

GG

F

G

TICKET SALES

GATE 2

20

30

40

50

40

30

20

10

20

30

40

50

40

30

20

10

MM

LL

K

J

I

KK

JJ

II

WEST STANDS

1 TE GA

GENERAL WILL CALL

H GATE 6

RAMSEY REGIONAL ACTIVITY CENTER

Football • Cheer • Dance • Visiting Team

L

THE PURPLE ZONE

GATE 7

Chairback Reserved

Visiting Team Player Pass

Bench Back Reserved

WCU Student Section

General Admission Bleacher

Bleacher Reserved

Family Zone

Pride of the Mountains Marching Band

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

Good sportsmanship must be an integral part of every sport sponsored by WCU. The ethical environment of the university must assert and reflect primacy of human dignity, must encourage growth and achievement, and must insist on respect in all interpersonal relations.

WCU students and fans must be held accountable for their use of profane and vulgar language, banners, posters, signs, flags, treatment of opponents, and treatment of officials.

In respect to NCAA policies, WCU is held accountable for the actions of its fans.

THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CODE OF SPECTATOR CONDUCT Southern Conference teams shall be supported with enthusiasm and dedication, for strong spectator support is a vital part of the experience of college competition.

Therefore, we urge Southern Conference students, alumni and friends to cheer their teams to victory while upholding those ideals our colleges and universities have nurtured during the long history of the Southern Conference.

CATAMOUNT CORNER

PLAYER PASS ENTRANCE

VISITING TEAM SIDELINE

PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS MARCHING BAND

Behavior by fans that does not meet this standard and which has the potential of harming the reputation of the institution or any of its units is prohibited.

We expect good sportsmanship from players and coaches. They have a right to expect the same from spectators.

GATE 5

CATAMOUNT CORNER ENDZONE

PAWS PORCH

JORDAN-PHILLIPS FIELDHOUSE

10

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

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MEDIA WILL CALL

WESTERN CAROLINA SIDELINE

VISITING TEAM LOCKER ROOM

TICKET SALES

TICKET SALES

10

EMERGENCY VEHICLE ENTRANCE ONLY

It is the policy of Western Carolina University that all fans at athletic sporting events must maintain the highest degree of credibility and decorum possible.

All fans must make every attempt to conduct themselves in a manner as not to embarrass the institutions by their actions.

REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE: Requests for assistance should be directed to stadium ushers, located at every ramp throughout the stadium.

FIRST AID / EMERGENCY SERVICES: First aid tents are located on the concourse level of both sides of Whitmire Stadium. Local physicians and emergency medical personnel are also in attendance at all WCU football games and can be paged through the public address system in the press box. An oxygen-equipped ambulance is in the stadium during the games.

For games where forecasted temperatures are high, misting cooling stations for spectators will be made available on the concourse level.

EAST STANDS

WESTERN CAROLINA CODE OF FAN CONDUCT

WCU Player Pass

Our spectators should be courteous and judicious in choice of expression, and should exhibit good manners and kindness to all others.

The scoreboard will reflect the quality of the teams in competitions while the kind of support given by the spectators will reveal the character of Southern Conference fans.

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SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA u

Western Carolina opens the home stretch in league play where THREE of its final FOUR regularseason games will be played in Cullowhee, beginning Saturday with the 2022 HEROES DAY game against The Citadel ... Following next week's bye, the Catamounts are at home for Homecoming on Nov. 5 with the regular-season finale against Chattanooga on Nov. 19; u

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In consecutive weeks, Western Carolina has had a freshman listed as an honorable mention for the FedEx Ground FCS National Freshman of the Week announced by Stats Perform ... LB SAMAURIE DUKES was listed after his career-high nine tackle performance at No. 12 Mercer (Oct. 8) with WR CENSERE LEE recognized after his five-catch, 164 yard and two touchdown outing at Furman (Oct. 15);

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ALL-TIME SERIES. . . . . . . . . WCU TRAILS, 19-26-1 In Cullowhee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 11-12 In Charleston, SC. . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 8-14 Current Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU, W–2 Longest WCU Win Streak:. . . . 4 games (1993-96) Largest Margin of Victory. . . WCU, 27 pts (1983) Longest WCU Losing Skid:. . . 5 games (2004-08) Total Series Points. . . . . . . . WCU 1,014 / CIT 1,119 WCU Average Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.04 ppg The Citadel Average Points . . . . . . . . . . . 24.33 ppg

LAST 10 SERIES MEETINGS (4-6): Oct. 23, 2021 March 13, 2021 Oct. 12, 2019 Nov. 3, 2018 Nov. 4, 2017 Oct. 1, 2016 Sept. 12, 2015 Oct. 25, 2014 Sept. 14, 2013 Oct. 13, 2012

Charleston, S.C. Cullowhee Charleston, S.C. Cullowhee Charleston, S.C. Cullowhee Charleston, S.C. Cullowhee Cullowhee Charleston, S.C.

W, 45-31 W, 21-14 L, 35-17 L, 38-24 W, 31-19 L, 37-14 L, 28-10 W, 29-15 L, 28-21 L, 45-31

13 different Catamounts have recorded touchdowns this season ... Wide receivers TERRENCE HORNE, CENSERE LEE, and DAVID WHITE JR. lead the way with FOUR scores apiece; QB CARLOS DAVIS LEADS the SoCon with 261.5 passing yards per game and 285.3 yards of total offense per game ... WR RAPHAEL WILLIAMS ranks third with 66.7 receiving yards and fifth with 5.1 receptions per game, while WHITE is averaging 48.4 yards per game (10th);

Western Carolina's defense LEADS the SoCon in sacks entering the weekend with 25 total for 154 yards of losses – the 25 sacks are tied for the second-most in the NCAA FCS this season ... 12 different Catamount defenders have recorded at least half a sack this year ... LB EJ PORTER leads the team with 4.5 sacks, just ahead of DE KJ MILNER with 4.0 sacks; A two-time SoCon Special Teams Player of the Week this season, PK RICHARD McCOLLUM saw his impressive school-record streak of 85-consecutive made PAT attempts come to a close with a fourth-quarter block at Furman ... McCollum is 11-of-13 on field goals this season, ranking second in the SoCon with his 11 successful FGs, his 84.6% success rate, and his 62 points scored (8.9 pts/gm); Head coach KERWIN BELL secured his 100th career victory in WCU's 38-17 win over VMI on Oct. 1 ... Bell is currently 100-53 including a 7-11 in his second year at WCU ... Bell had a 66-35 record at Jacksonville from 2007-15 and was 27-7 with a national championship at Valdosta State from 2016-18.

WIDE RECEIVER #10 CENSERE LEE

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INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES

Western Carolina enters the week ranked second in the SoCon – and 18th nationally – with an average of 34.6 points per game ... the Catamounts LEAD the SoCon and are THIRD in NCAA FCS with an average of 528.1 yards of total offense per game including the top-rated passing attack (341.9 yds/gm, 5th in FCS) and the third-best rushing attack (186.3 yds/gm, 26th in FCS);

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WCU has won two-straight over the Bulldogs including the most recent game in Cullowhee – a 21-14 victory in the altered COVID-19 Spring 2021 season and last year in Charleston, 45-31;

A FAMILIAR FACE: In his seventh season on staff in Charleston, The Citadel wide receivers coach BRIAN RUCKER played at Western Carolina from 2000-03 and was an assistant coach on staff in 2006-07 after also serving as a student assistant ... Rucker also worked in WCU's academic enhancement program ... Rucker caught 44 passes for 558 yards and two TDs at TE, averaging 12.68 yards;

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NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES: Today is Heroes Day in Cullowhee as WCU and the Catamount Nation salute all military personnel – both active and veterans – all civil servants and emergency management personnel including police, fire, and EMS ... Today's game features a special game ball delivery as parachuters from the All Veteran Group glide to the playing surface at Bob Waters Field as a part of today's special pregame festivities;

Western Carolina and The Citadel meet for 47th time on the football gridiron on Saturday ... the Catamounts trail in the all-time series 19-26-1 overall – but have a chance to even the series in games played in Cullowhee as today is the 24th meeting in Jackson County with The Citadel holding a slim, 12-11, edge ... WCU seek's third-straight series win for the first-time since 2001-03; u

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The Catamounts have dropped two-straight entering Saturday's home date with The Citadel – it's the first time this season WCU has lost consecutive games ... the Catamounts play just their third home game on Saturday, perfect in their first two with wins over Presbyterian and VMI;

WESTERN CAROLINA / THE CITADEL

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

WCU HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL

LINEBACKER #8 VA LEALAIMATAFAO

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A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: THE CITADEL

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The Citadel comes to Cullowhee amidst a four-game losing skid since upsetting then No. 8/9 ETSU in its Southern Conference opener back on Sept. 10 in Charleston ... Among the four-game slide for the Bulldogs are a pair of shutout losses – at Mercer (17-0) and at FBS-foe Appalachian State (49-0) – it was the first time since 2010 that The Citadel suffered consecutive shutout losses (L, 20-0 at Georgia Southern, 10/23/10 and 35-0 to Wofford on 10/30/10) ... the Bulldogs are 1-5 overall and like WCU, are 1-3 in league play; u

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Saturday's match-up against Western Carolina in Cullowhee represents the second of back-toback road games for the Bulldogs before The Citadel returns home for three-straight ahead of the annual "Military Classic of the South" at VMI on Nov. 19; The Citadel was picked to finish eighth in the SoCon preseason coaches poll and was last in the media tabulations in the 2022 preseason;

The 2022 Bulldog roster features 11 graduate transfers – the most for The Citadel under head coach BRENT THOMPSON; Entering the week, The Citadel finds itself at the bottom of the Southern Conference in scoring offense, having mustered just 96 total points over its first six games – averaging a league-low 9.3 points per game, tied for 119th out of 123 NCAA FCS teams ... Offensively, the 'Dogs are averaging just 265.7 yards per game (8th in the SoCon) including 173.7 (5th) rushing yards and 92.0 (9th) yards per game through the air; u

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The Bulldogs scored a walk-off win in its lone tally of the season as kicker COLBY KINTNER drilled a 39-yard field goal as time expired to upend the nationally-ranked ETSU Buccaneers ... it was the first walk-off win for the Bulldogs since a 37-yard Jacob Godek field goal at FBS-foe Georgia Tech back in 2019;

Traditionally a ball-control offense, the Bulldogs have managed jut 86 first downs on the season – a stat that ranks 118th out of 123 NCAA FCS football teams – BUT – The Citadel ranks FOURTH in the NCAA in time of possession, averaging north of 35 minutes per game;

Junior LB HASAN BLACK ranks FIFTH in the SoCon in tackles this season, averaging 8.0 stops per game with a team-best 3.0 sacks and an average of 1.33 tackles for loss per game; Senior defensive back DESTIN MACK (pictured below) was a preseason first-team All-Southern Conference selection after finishing last year with a SoCon-high tying five interceptions ... Mack has two picks this season to date ... Junior OL TEREIS DRAYTON (pictured below), junior DL CARSON HATCHETT, and LB MARQUISE BLOUNT were each second-team honorees in the preseason; ABOUT HEAD COACH BRENT THOMPSON: Is in his seventh season at The Citadel, taking over in 2016 after two seasons as the offensive coordinator in Charleston ... Under Thompson, the Bulldogs have ranked in the Top 10 in rushing offense in each of his previous six seasons including fourth nationally in 2021 at 268.3 yards per game; u Thompson put together the best season of any first-year head coach in program history in 2016, following up a 2015 SoCon Championship with a 10-2 record and 8-0 mark in league play ... The record marked the most wins for a first-year coach at The Citadel and earned Thompson SoCon Coach of the Year honors; u Thompson served as the offensive coordinator at Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, N.C., from 20102013 before following head coach Mike Houston (2014-15) to Charleston ahead of the 2014 season ... At L-R, Thompson was part of operating the triple-option offensive attack that led NCAA Division II in rushing in 2013, averaging 370.9 yards per game – and set the NCAA record for all divisions in rushing yards in a season with 5,563 in advancing to the D-II National Championship Game.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN #53 TEREIS DRAYTON

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

ABOUT THE CITADEL SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS

QUICK FACTS:

Location:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charleston, S.C. Founded:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1842 Enrollment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,767 Colors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Infantry Blue & White Conference:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Southern (SoCon) Facility (Capacity):. . . . . . Johnson Hagood (11,427) President:. . . . . . . . . Gen. Glenn M. Walters (USMC) Athletics Director:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Capaccio Senior Woman Administrator:. . . . . Kevicia Brown Head Coach:. . . . . . . . Brent Thompson (Norwich, '98) Record at CIT:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33-42 (7th yr) Overall Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Same Basic Offense: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Triple Option Basic Defense:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multiple

2022 SCHEDULE / RESULTS:

Sept. 1

at Campbell

L, 29-10

Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Oct. 1

#8/9 ETSU * at #20 Mercer * at Appalachian State

W, 20-17 L, 17-0 L, 49-0

Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Nov. 12 Nov. 19

FURMAN * at Wofford * at Western Carolina * SAMFORD * CHATTANOOGA * VIRGINIA–LYNCHBURG at VMI *

L, 21-10 L, 31-16 2 pm 2 pm 2 pm 2 PM Noon

HEAD COACH BRENT THOMPSON

DEFENSIVE BACK #7 DESTIN MACK

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2022 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0

T.J. Jones

RB

5-11

205

Sr.

Lakeland, Fla. (Tusculum / GMC / Lake Gibson HS)

43

Camury Reid

RB

5-11

185

Fr.

Gastonia, N.C. (Forestview HS)

0

Jaylen Floyd

S

5-9

180

Gr.

Miramar, Fla. (Lehigh / Miramar HS)

44

Antarron Turner

LB

6-2

245

Fr.

Kannapolis, N.C. (A.L. Brown HS)

1

Desmond Reid

RB

5-8

170

Fr.

Hollywood, Fla. (Miramar HS)

45

Justin Wallace

DL

6-3

235

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Killian HS)

1

Cameron McCutcheon CB

6-3

200

5th

Seneca, S.C. (Gardner-Webb / Seneca HS)

46

Paxton Robertson

K

6-0

205

So.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)

2

Raphael Williams

WR

5-10

165

R-So.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Tusculum / Dillard HS)

47

Blue Monroe

LB

6-1

235

Fr.

Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)

2

Rod Gattison

CB

6-0

190

Jr.

Hartsell, S.C. (Georgia Military / Hartsell HS)

48

Brady Elms

P

6-4

175

R-Fr.

3

Calvin Jones

WR

5-10

190

So.

Forest City, N.C. (East Rutherford HS)

49

Payton McCracken

WR

6-0

170

Fr.

3

Jacob Harris

S

6-1

195

Jr.

Greer, S.C. (Independence CC / Greer HS)

49

Corbin Shirley

K

5-10

155

Fr.

Seneca, S.C. (Seneca HS)

4

Kason Lincke

QB

6-0

200

R-Fr.

Mobile, Ala. (Mobile Christian HS)

50

Jayelin Davis

LB

6-0

230

So.

North Augusta, S.C. (Morgan State / GMC / Fox Creek HS)

4

C.J. Williams

CB

5-10

170

So.

Gallion, Ala. (Alabama / Demopolis HS)

51

Aaron Sanez

OL

6-2

295

Fr.

5

Carlos Davis

QB

6-3

225

Jr.

Baltimore, Md. (East Mississippi CC / Mergenthaler Vo-Tech HS)

52

Antwann Fann

OL

6-3

320

R-So.

Raleigh, N.C. (Wakefield HS) Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS) Perry, Ga. (Kennesaw State / Perry HS)

5

Mateo Sudipo

S

6-1

205

R-So.

Wake Forest, N.C. (Coastal Carolina / Wake Forest HS)

53

EJ Porter

LB

6-1

245

Jr.

6

Terrence Horne Jr.

WR

5-8

185

Jr.

Miami, Fla. (USF / Miramar HS)

55

Kevin Thompson

LS

5-10

185

Jr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

6

K.J. Milner

DL

6-4

265

Sr.

Hinesville, Ga. (Bradwell Institute)

56

Richard Garrett

DL

6-4

230

Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS)

7

David White Jr.

WR

6-4

200

Jr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Valdosta State / Westside HS)

57

Tyler Anderson

LB

6-0

225

R-Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Northern Guilford HS)

7

Hayward McQueen III LB

6-1

195

Fr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (TRU Prep Academy)

58

Giovanni Ricciardi

LB

6-0

220

So.

Clemmons, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

8

Jalynn Williams

5-10

205

Jr.

St. Petersburg, Fla. (Toledo / St. Petersburg HS)

59

Anthony Joseph

LB

5-9

195

Fr.

Winter Garden, Fla. (West Orange HS)

RB

Atlantic Beach, Fla. (Coastal Carolina / The Bolles School)

8

Va Lealaimatafao

LB

6-1

230

Jr.

San Antonio, Texas (Cisco College / Warren HS)

60

Joaquin Layno

DL

5-10

295

R-So.

9

Cole Gonzales

QB

6-0

190

Fr.

Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic HS)

61

Hudson Jones

OL

6-2

280

Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (Charlotte Christian)

Cherokee, N.C. (Cherokee HS) Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

9

Micah Nelson

DE

6-3

255

R-So.

Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

63

Peyton Davis

OL

6-2

305

R-Fr.

10

Censere Lee

WR

5-11

160

Fr.

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)

64

Colby Cross

LS

6-0

220

R-So.

10

Taurus Dotson Jr.

CB

5-11

200

Sr.

Miami, Fla. (Valdosta State / Northwestern HS)

66

Derek Simmons

OL

6-6

320

So.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Abilene Christian / Fletcher HS)

11

Ajay Belanger

TE

6-3

245

Jr.

Green Cove Springs, Fla. (Tusculum / Clay HS)

67

Dalton Tomlison

OL

6-4

325

5th

Beaver, Ohio (UMass / Iowa Western CC / Eastern HS)

11

Caleb Fisher

DL

6-3

235

So.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

70

Christian Coulter

OL

6-5

320

Jr.

Thomson, Ga. (Tusculum / Thomson HS)

12

Brody Palhegyi

QB

5-10

180

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)

71

Cade McClellan

OL

6-3

295

Fr.

Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)

12

Ken Moore Jr.

CB

5-10

155

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus HS)

72

Blake Whitmore

OL

6-2

295

R-So.

Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS)

13

Jaylin Terzado

WR

6-0

170

Fr.

Overtown, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic HS)

73

Samari Saddler

OL

6-2

320

Jr.

13

Tanner Cromer

DL

6-4

250

So.

Cincinnati, Ohio (Ellsworth CC / Reading HS)

74

Tyler Smith

OL

6-8

310

R-Jr.

Laurinburg, N.C. (Scotland County HS)

14

De’Andre Tamarez

WR

5-11

165

Fr.

Overtown, Fla. (Carol City HS)

75

Caleb Carter

OL

6-3

295

So.

Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

Cincinnati, Ohio (Eastern Michigan / Moeller HS)

14

Nick Louis

S

6-2

200

Jr.

Miami, Fla. (Independence CC / North Miami HS)

76

Nate Linkous

OL

6-5

295

R-Fr.

Cramerton, N.C. (Stuart W. Cramer HS)

15

Corey Reddick Jr.

RB

5-10

170

Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

77

Neyland Walker

OL

6-5

305

R-Fr.

Canton, N.C. (Charleston Southern / Pisgah HS) Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)

15

Ja’morri Downing

S

6-0

190

Fr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan HS)

78

Evan Carney

OL

6-3

290

Fr.

16

Parish Metzger

QB

6-0

200

R-Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (David W. Butler HS)

79

Aidan Alston

OL

6-2

295

R-So.

16

Marquis Lymon

S

5-10

205

Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

80

Ryan Sims

WR

5-8

160

Fr.

Southern Pines, N.C. (Pinecrest HS) Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Ft. Lauderdale HS)

17

Samuel Cornett

QB

6-6

225

Fr.

Woodstock, Ga. (Frederick Douglass (Ky.) HS)

81

Ca’Lique Cunningham WR

5-9

180

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

18

Malik Knight

WR

6-2

170

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

82

Nate Abraham

WR

5-9

160

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Providence Day School)

19

Toler Keigley

WR

6-1

190

R-Fr.

Pensacola, Fla. (Mobile Christian HS)

83

AJ Colombo

WR

5-8

165

Fr.

Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)

20

Ed Jones IV

LB

6-1

205

So.

Arlington, Texas (Cisco College / Martin HS)

84

Bryce Yaggi

WR

6-0

195

R-Fr.

Waxhaw, N.C. (Marvin Ridge HS) Fairview, N.C. (Univ. of Richmond / A.C. Reynolds HS)

21

Andreas Keaton

S

6-2

200

So.

Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove HS)

85

Talon James

TE

6-4

235

R-Jr.

22

Branson Adams

RB

5-9

185

So.

Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

86

Clayton Bardall

TE

6-3

235

Jr.

24

Samaurie Dukes

CB

5-10

185

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Miami HS)

87

Cade Snotherly

WR

6-0

195

R-Fr.

Cumming, Ga. (North Forsyth HS) Ramseur, N.C. (Emory & Henry / Eastern Randolph HS)

25

Darian Anderson Jr.

CB

5-10

160

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Dade Christian School)

88

Antoine Bell

WR

6-4

215

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Berry Academy)

26

Jeremiah Noel

S

6-0

185

Fr.

Opa-Locka Fla. (Miami Killian HS)

89

Richard McCollum

K

5-9

175

R-Jr.

Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)

27

Skylin Thomas

LB

5-10

205

R-So.

Lenoir, N.C. (Hibriten HS)

90

Marlon Alexander

DL

6-0

300

Jr.

28

Jordy Lowery

CB

5-11

190

Fr.

Bartow, Fla. (Bartow HS)

91

Jaquarius Guinn

DL

6-2

280

So.

Smyrna, Tenn. (Gardner-Webb / Smyrna HS) Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

29

Jhamari Pierre-Louis

S

5-11

185

Fr.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

92

Brandon Smiley

DL

6-2

300

Fr.

Durham, N.C. (Palmetto Prep)

30

Justin McMullen

CB

5-10

170

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)

93

Chris Morgan

DL

6-0

285

So.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

31

Joshua McMullen

CB

5-10

170

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Booker T. Washington HS)

94

Timothy Jamison

DL

6-4

255

Jr.

West Columbia, S.C. (Hutchinson CC / White Knoll HS)

32

Malik Richardson

DE

6-4

225

R-So.

Sumter, S.C. (Lakewood HS)

95

Desmond Barkley

DL

6-2

345

So.

Stockbridge, Ga. (Troy / Stockbridge HS)

33

Jaiden Bond

RB

5-9

185

So.

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

96

Isaac McLellan

DE

6-2

220

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

34

Quenten Zanders

RB

5-8

175

Sr.

Shelby, N.C. (Cleveland CC / Crest HS)

97

Caleb Bradford

DL

6-1

280

R-Fr.

35

Christian Murphy

LB

6-1

220

Fr.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)

98

Wisdom Simms

DL

6-3

310

Fr.

36

Brandon Benjamin

RB

5-9

220

So.

Fort Myers, Fla. (Missouri State / Dunbar HS)

99

Ronald Wilson

37

Lee Campbell

S

6-0

205

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Queen City Prep / Vance HS)

38

Brandon Dickerson

P

5-11

190

Sr.

Indian Land, S.C. (Indian Land HS)

Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS) China Grove, N.C. (South Rowan HS)

DL

6-3

318

R-So.

Juan Allen

WR

5-10

140

Fr.

Mocksville, N.C. (Gardner-Webb / Davie County HS) Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

Anthony Badgett

CB

5-9

190

Jr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford HS)

39

Brayden Blackmon

TE

6-3

230

So.

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

Bryson Grabowski

QB

6-1

180

R-Fr.

40

Cory Hennings

S

6-1

210

R-Fr.

Matthews, N.C. (Weddington HS)

Don Robinson III

CB

5-10

170

Fr.

Copperhill, Tenn. (Copper Basin HS)

41

Caleb Scott

LB

6-2

240

So.

Black Mountain, N.C. (Owen HS)

Cam Rog

WR

6-4

190

Fr.

Wake Forest, N.C. (Rolesville HS)

42

Jayion McMillan

S

5-9

185

Fr.

Chapel Hill, N.C. (Ahop Christian Leadership Academy)

Chris Van Kleeck

LB

6-0

200

Fr.

Winston-Salem, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

Winston-Salem, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

| 13

w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

14 |

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

THE CITADEL – 2022 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

0

Andy Davis

LB

6-0

200

Sr.

Canton, Ga. (Creekview HS)

59

Alex Dure

OL

6-2

295

Fr.

Lake Butler, Fla. (Union County HS)

2

Thomas Wyatt

LB

6-3

220

Fr.

McKeesport, Pa. (McKeesport HS)

60

Walker Merritt

OL

6-2

270

So.

Powdersville, S.C. (Powdersville HS)

3

Melvin Ravenel

DB

6-3

175

RFr.

Goose Creek, S.C. (Goose Creek HS)

61

JR Raub

OL

6-1

275

Fr.

Brooklet, Ga. (Southeast Bulloch HS)

4

Dominick Poole

DB

6-0

175

So.

Randleman, N.C. (Randleman HS)

62

Hayes Swillen

OL

6-2

250

Fr.

Easley, S.C. (Wren HS)

5

Chris Beverly

DB

5-10

181

Sr.

Tallahassee, Fla. (Wakulla HS)

63

Cole England

OL

6-4

245

RFr.

Laurens, S.C. (Laurens HS)

6

Hasan Black

LB

6-2

225

Sr.

Wyoming, Ohio (Wyoming HS)

64

Garrett Bonneville

OL

6-3

260

RFr.

Bluffton, S.C. (May River HS)

7

Destin Mack

DB

6-0

190

Sr.

Macon, Ga. (Tattnall Square HS)

65

Sawyer Whitman

OL

6-1

285

Fr.

Gaffney, S.C. (Gaffney HS)

8

Brian Horn

LB

6-1

195

Gr.

Columbia, S.C. (Westwood HS)

66

Jordan Marks

DL

5-10

280

RFr.

Alpharetta, Ga. (Centennial HS)

9

Ethan Greenwood

QB

6-0

180

Fr.

Baldwin, N.Y. (Kellenberg Memorial HS)

67

Connor Nickles

OL

5-11

255

RFr.

Abbeville, S.C. (Abbeville HS)

Travon Wallace

DB

6-0

190

Gr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (NC Central / Atlantic Coast HS)

68

Ernie Greenwood

OL

6-2

300

RFr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (South Pointe HS)

10

NAME

NAME

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

11

Ahmad Green

QB

5-10

175

RFr.

Baltimore, Md. (May River HS)

69

Phillip Collins

DL

5-11

265

RFr.

Aiken, S.C. (Aiken HS)

12

Kam White

WR

6-1

190

Gr

Rome, Ga. (Jacksonville State / Coosa HS)

70

Zach Blanchard

OL

6-2

285

So.

Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

13

Peyton Derrick

QB

6-2

200

Gr.

Conway, S.C. (Wofford / Conway HS)

71

Cameron Moewe

OL

6-4

250

So.

Jacksonville. Fla. (Bishop Kenny HS)

14

Tripp Williams

QB

6-1

215

Fr.

Charleston, S.C. (Philip Simmons HS)

72

Josh Greenwood

DL

6-1

240

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (South Pointe HS)

15

Avery Dixon

DB

6-1

170

Fr.

Concord, Va. (Rustburg HS)

73

John Hewlett

DL

6-0

260

RFr.

Beaufort, S.C. (Thomas Heyward Academy)

16

Varney Layman

QB

6-1

192

RFr.

Concord, N.C. (Cox Mill HS)

74

Ethan Goyette

OL

6-3

235

So.

Stafford, Va. (Mountain View HS)

17

Carson Walter

DB

6-0

204

Gr.

Fayetteville, Ga. (Birmingham-Southern / Trinity Christian HS)

75

Hi’keem Elmore

DL

5-10

265

Jr.

Orangeburg, S.C. (Edisto HS)

18

Graeson Underwood

QB

6-0

225

RSo.

Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork HS)

76

Wheeler Johnson

DL

6-2

275

Fr.

Washington, N.C. (Washington HS) St. Petersburg, Fla. (Northeast HS)

19

Jay Graves-Billips

A-Back

5-11

185

RFr.

Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul’s Episcopal HS)

77

Steven Duff

OL

6-2

250

Fr.

20

Michael McDowell

DL

6-1

215

Sr.

Boiling Springs, S.C. (Boiling Springs HS)

78

Bryson Peppers

OL

6-1

250

RFr.

Greenwood, S.C. (Greenwood HS)

21

Caleb Deveaux

DB

6-1

213

Sr.

Waxhaw, N.C. (Marvin Ridge HS)

79

Carson Arnold

DL

6-3

230

Fr.

Charleston, S.C. (Oceanside Collegiate)

22

JJ Hudson

A-Back

5-11

185

Fr.

Anderson, S.C. (Navy Prep / T.L. Hanna HS)

80

Landon Owens

WR

6-2

195

RFr.

Monroe, Ga. (Prince Avenue Christian)

23

Logan Billings

B-Back

6-0

200

Jr.

Spartanburg, S.C. (Boiling Springs HS)

81

Christian Hilton

WR

6-1

205

Fr.

Granville, Ohio (Granville HS)

24

Wilson Hendricks III

DB

6-1

200

Jr.

Travelers Rest, S.C. (Travelers Rest HS)

82

Ha’Keem Monroe

WR

6-3

185

Fr.

Tampa, Fla. (Lennard HS)

25

Noah Alberry

DB

5-11

175

RSo.

Spartanburg, S.C. (Dorman HS)

83

Tyson Trottier

WR

6-3

195

So.

Lexington, S.C. (River Bluff HS)

26

Braden Walker

B-Back

6-0

215

Jr.

Lexington, S.C. (River Bluff HS)

84

Alex Sloan

TE

6-3

219

Gr.

Saratoga, Calif. (Holy Cross / Rumsom-Fair Haven HS)

27

Cooper Wallace

A-Back 5-10

195

Jr.

Florence, S.C. (West Florence HS)

85

Steele Judy

LS

5-9

215

Jr.

Moncks Corner, S.C. (Berkeley HS)

28

Nkem Njoku

A-Back

5-9

195

Gr.

Hampton, Ga. (St. Pius X Catholic HS)

86

Jack McCall

LS

5-8

165

Fr.

Columbia, S.C. (Hammond HS)

29

Elijah Bass

LB

6-0

220

RFr.

Stafford, Va. (Colonial Forge HS)

87

Ben Barnes

K

5-10

185

Fr.

Medina, Ohio (Buckeye HS)

30

Joseph Poole

DB

6-2

175

So.

Easley, S.C. (St. Joseph’s Catholic HS)

88

Tyler Cherry

WR

6-1

195

So.

Piedmont, S.C. (Wren HS)

31

Cale Williams

DB

6-0

195

Fr.

Canton, Ga. (Creekview HS)

89

Ben Steele

P

5-8

155

So.

Wake Forest, N.C. (Heritage HS)

32

Orlando Jones

B-Back 5-10

242

Gr.

Fredericksburg, Va. (SMU / Riverbend HS)

90

James Platte

P

5-11

170

So.

Aiken, S.C. (South Aiken HS)

33

Tyler Long

195

Jr.

St. Petersburg, Fla. (St. Petersburg HS)

91

Deonte Stackhouse

DL

6-5

247

RFr.

Mullins, S.C. (Creek Bridge HS) Concord, N.C. (Northwest Cabarrus HS)

DB

6-0

34

Sam Llewellyn

B-Back

5-11

199

Sr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)

92

KJ Pierce

DL

6-1

310

So.

35

Chase Burton

WR

6-2

190

Fr.

Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS)

93

Chris Iverson

DL

6-0

285

RFr.

Richmond, Va. (Life Christian Academy)

36

Desmond Boatwright B-Back 5-10

190

Fr.

Hopkins, S.C. (Blythewood HS)

94

Zach Sterr

K/P

6-2

230

Gr.

Galloway, N.J. (Duquesne / AbsegamiHS) Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (Ponte Vedra HS)

37

Nai’Ryan Bookert

WR

6-3

206

RFr.

Moncks Corner, S.C. (St. John’s Christian Academy)

95

Andrew Lewis

LB

6-5

195

Jr.

38

Hayden Johnson

A-Back

5-11

185

So.

York, S.C. (Clover HS)

96

Josh Adado

DL

6-2

255

Gr.

Holt, Mich. (Northwood HS)

39

Ricky Conway

A-Back 5-10

180

Gr.

Lindenhurst, N.Y. (Long Island HS)

97

Ben Brockington

OL

6-1

278

Jr.

Orangeburg, S.C. (Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS)

40

Johnny Crawford III A-Back

5-8

180

Fr.

Moore Haven, Fla. (Clewiston HS)

98

Jay Smith

DL

6-1

270

Gr.

Charleston, S.C. (West Ashley HS)

41

Kyler Estes

6-2

220

Gr.

Tallahassee, Fla. (North Florida Christian HS)

99

Colby Kintner

K

6-2

210

Jr.

Windermere, Fla. (Olympia HS)

42

Corey Ibrahim

A-Back 5-10

196

Fr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Myrtle Beach Collegiate)

A-Back

5-9

150

Fr.

Soperton, Ga. (Treutlen County HS)

43

Je’Mazin Roberts

LB

6-2

240

So.

Milledgeville, Ga. (John Milledge Academy)

Waverly Brooks

DL

6-2

260

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)

44

Carson Hatchett

DL

6-3

260

Jr.

Blountstown, Fla. (Blountstown HS)

Justice Gilliard

DB

6-1

170

Fr.

Yorktown, Va. (Grafton HS)

45

Drew Beard

DB

5-9

160

So.

Lexington, S.C. (River Bluff HS)

Jack Grider

QB

6-0

186

Fr.

Dillon, S.C. (Dillon HS)

46

Rett Russell

LB

6-3

205

Gr.

Acworth, Ga. (Wofford / Allatoona HS)

Tanner Johnson

LB

6-0

200

Fr.

Lexington, S.C. (Lexington HS)

LB

Tim Blair

47

Jay Lagroon

LB

6-3

200

Jr.

Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS)

Wilson Long

TE

6-3

190

Fr.

Roswell, Ga. (Fellowship Christian)

48

Saul Diaz

LB

6-3

230

Jr.

Blythewood, S.C. (Hammond HS)

Skylar Mack

LB

6-1

210

Jr.

Orangeburg, S.C. (Spring Valley HS)

49

Marquise Blount

LB

6-3

223

Gr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Vance HS)

Kaiser Maimaiti

P

6-3

195

So.

Sugar Land, Texas (Clements HS)

50

Jackson Dorris

LB

6-1

200

So.

Simpsonville, S.C. (Southside Christian)

Sammy Montiel

QB

6-0

185

So.

Beaumont, Calif. (Diamond Ranch HS)

52

Jamal Camp

OL

6-2

289

Gr.

Cumming, Ga. (Georgia Tech / South Forsyth HS)

Andrew Oliver

DB

6-0

210

Fr.

Lake Oswego, Oregon (Lakeridge HS)

53

Tereis Drayton

OL

6-2

280

Jr.

Charleston, S.C. (James Island HS)

Will Ramey

WR

6-1

175

So.

Charleston, S.C. (Philip Simmons HS)

55

Bryson Jones

OL

6-1

265

So.

Greenwood, S.C. (Emerald HS)

Miles Scott

LB

6-1

205

So.

Greenville, S.C. (Eastside HS)

56

Josh Cole

LB

6-3

215

Fr.

Roswell, Ga. (Fellowship Christian School)

Alex Shirley

LS

6-0

215

So.

Greenville, S.C. (Eastside HS)

57

Mike Bartilucci

OL

6-1

280

RFr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Fletcher HS)

58

Maurice Bonneau Jr.

LB

6-1

225

Fr.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)

Hayden Vasquez

QB

6-1

207

Fr.

West Columbia, S.C. (Palmetto Prep Academy)

Dom Tarantino

WR

6-3

190

Fr.

Ellijay, Ga. (Gilmer HS)

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

| 15

w 2022 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART

THE CITADEL – DEPTH CHART

CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD) QB

RB

- or -

5 9 0 8 1

WR

WR

6-3 6-0 5-11 5-10 5-8

225 190 205 205 170

JR. Fr. SR. Jr. Fr.

QB

13 11

PEYTON DERRICK Ahmad Green

6-2 5-10

200 175

GR. R-Fr.

A-BACK

27 19

COOPER WALLACE Jay Graves-Billips

5-10 5-11

195 185

JR. R-Fr.

2 83

RAPHAEL WILLIAMS AJ Colombo

5-10 5-8

165 165

R-SO. Fr.

B-BACK

- or -

28 39 40

NKEM NJOKU Ricky Conway Johnny Crawford III

5-9 5-10 5-8

195 180 180

GR. Gr. Fr.

- or -

6 19 14

TERRENCE HORNE JR. Toler Keigley De'Andre Tamarez

5-8 6-1 5-11

185 180 165

JR. R-Fr. Fr.

B-BACK

34 32

SAM LLEWELLYN Orlando Jones

5-11 5-10

199 242

SR. Gr.

WR

7 10

DAVID WHITE JR. Censere Lee

6-4 5-11

200 160

JR. Fr.

WR

81 82

CHRISTIAN HILTON Ha'Keem Monroe

6-1 6-3

205 185

FR. Fr.

TE 86 11

CLAYTON BARDALL AJay Belanger

6-3 6-3

235 245

JR. Jr.

TE

97 84

BEN BROCKINGTON Alex Sloan

6-1 6-3

278 219

JR. Gr.

LT 74 75

TYLER SMITH Caleb Carter

6-8 6-3

300 295

R-JR. So.

LT

71 63

CAMERON MOEWE Cole England

6-4 6-4

250 245

R-FR. R-Fr.

LG

77 76

NEYLAND WALKER Nate Linkous

6-5 6-5

305 295

R-FR. R-Fr.

LG

55 65

BRYSON JONES Sawyer Whitman

6-1 6-1

265 285

SO. Fr.

C 72 73 - or 51

BLAKE WHITMORE Samari Saddler Aaron Sanez

6-2 6-2 6-2

295 320 295

R-SO. Jr. Fr.

C

57 70

MIKE BARTILUCCI Zach Blanchard

6-1 6-2

280 285

R-FR. So.

RG 67 52

DALTON TOMILSON Antwann Fann

6-4 6-3

325 320

5TH R-So.

RG

70 65

ZACH BLANCHARD Sawyer Whitman

6-2 6-1

285 285

SO. Fr.

RT

70 78

CHRISTIAN COULTER Evan Carney

6-5 6-3

320 290

JR. Fr.

RT

53 74

TEREIS DRAYTON Ethan Goyette

6-2 6-3

280 245

JR. So.

DE

6 50

KJ MILNER Jayelin Davis

6-4 6-0

265 230

SR. Jr.

DE

44 20

CARSON HATCHETT Michael McDowell

6-3 6-1

260 215

SO. R-So.

NOSE

90 99

MARLON ALEXANDER Ronald Wilson

6-0 6-3

320 318

JR. R-So.

NT 92 75

KJ PIERCE Hi'keem Elmore

6-1 5-10

310 265

R-FR. Jr.

DT

91 93

JAQUARIUS GUINN Chris Morgan

6-2 6-0

280 285

SO. So.

DT

98 96

JAY SMITH Josh Adado

6-1 6-2

270 255

GR. Gr.

BNDT

9 94

MICAH NELSON Timothy Jamison

6-3 6-4

255 255

R-SO. Jr.

SAM

8 46

BRIAN HORN Rett Russell

6-1 6-3

195 205

SR. Gr.

LB - OR -

53 8

EJ PORTER VA LEALAIMATAFAO

6-1 6-1

245 230

JR. JR.

MIKE

41 43

KYLER ESTES Je'Mazin Roberts

6-2 6-2

220 240

GR. So.

LB

7 20

HAYWARD McQUEEN III Ed Jones IV

6-1 6-1

195 205

FR. So.

MO

6 0

HASAN BLACK Andy Davis

6-3 6-0

235 200

JR. Jr.

LB

0 24

JAYLEN FLOYD Samaurie Dukes

5-9 5-10

180 185

GR. Fr.

WILL

49 2

MARQUISE BLOUNT Thomas Wyatt

6-3 6-3

223 220

GR. Fr.

CB

2 4

ROD GATTISON C.J. Williams

6-0 5-10

190 170

JR. So.

CB

7 3

DESTIN MACK Melvin Ravenel

6-0 6-3

190 175

JR. R-Fr.

S

21 37

ANDREAS KEATON Lee Campbell

6-2 6-0

190 205

SO. Fr.

FS

5 17

CHRIS BEVERLY Carson Walter

5-10 6-0

181 204

SR. Gr.

S

5 3

MATEO SUDIPO Jacob Harris

6-1 6-1

205 195

R-SO. Jr.

CB

1 10

CAMERON McCUTCHEON Taurus Dotson Jr.

6-3 5-11

195 200

5TH Sr.

SS

10 21

TRAVON WALLACE Caleb Deveaux

6-0 6-1

190 213

GR. Sr.

CB

4 31

DOMINICK POOLE Cale Williams

6-0 6-0

175 195

SO. Fr.

KO

46 89

PAXTON ROBERTSON Richard McCollum

6-0 5-9

205 175

SO. R-Jr.

PK

89 46

RICHARD MCCOLLUM Paxton Robertson

5-9 6-0

175 205

R-JR. So.

KO

99 94

COLBY KINTNER Zach Sterr

6-2 6-2

210 230

SO. Gr.

P

38 46

BRANDON DICKERSON Paxton Robertson

5-11 6-0

190 205

SR. So.

PK

99 94

COLBY KINTNER Zach Sterr

6-2 6-2

210 230

SO. Gr.

H

38 9

BRANDON DICKERSON Cole Gonzales

5-11 6-0

190 190

SR. Fr.

P

90 94

JAMES PLATTE Zach Sterr

5-11 6-2

170 230

SO. Gr.

LS

55 64

KEVIN THOMPSON Colby Cross

5-10 5-11

185 220

JR. R-So.

H

86 45

JACK McCALL Drew Beard

5-8 5-9

165 160

FR. So.

KOR - AND - or -

6 24 8

TERRENCE HORNE SAMAURIE DUKES Jalynn Williams

5-8 5-10 5-10

185 185 205

JR. FR. Jr.

LS

85 77

STEELE JUDY Alex Shirley

5-9 6-0

215 215

R-SO. So.

KOR - AND -

19 27

JAY GRAVES-BILLIPS COOPER WALLACE

5-11 5-10

185 195

R-FR. JR.

PR

83 8

AJ COLOMBO Jalynn Williams

5-8 5-10

165 205

FR. Jr.

PR

4 80

DOMINICK POOLE Landon Owens

5-11 6-2

175 195

SO. R-Fr.

CATAMOUNTS DEFENSE (4–2–5)

CATAMOUNTS SPECIAL TEAMS

16 |

BULLDOGS OFFENSE (TRIPLE OPTION)

CARLOS DAVIS Cole Gonzales TJ JONES Jalynn Williams Desmond Reid

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

BULLDOGS DEFENSE (MULTIPLE)

BULLDOGS SPECIAL TEAMS

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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WESTERN CAROLINA vs. the citadel bulldogs 2022 THE CITADEL INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

2022 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING

Desmond Reid TJ Jones Jalynn Williams Carlos Davis

PASSING

Carlos Davis Cole Gonzales

RECEIVING

GP–GS 6–1 6–6 6–0 6–6

Att 63 55 31 53

Gain 482 275 148 240

GP–GS Effic 6–6 145.90 5–1 191.70

Loss 29 0 3 97

Cmp-Att-Int 132-196-12 45-60-2

Net 453 275 145 143

Avg 7.2 5.0 4.7 2.7

Pct 67.3 75.0

Yds 1,569 685 TD 3 1 0 4 1

GP–GS 7–6 6–0 6–6 7–7 5–4

No. 36 26 23 18 17

Yds 467 253 143 339 150

Avg 13.0 9.7 6.2 18.8 8.8

AJ Colombo

No. 12

Yds 117

Avg 9.8

TD 0

TD 0 0

Long 39 30

Raphael Williams Jalynn Williams TJ Jones David White Jr. Ajay Belanger

PUNT RETURNS KICK RETURNS

No. 14 4

Yds 321 70

Avg 22.9 17.5

PUNTING

No. 19

Yds 840

Avg Long 44.2 61

SCORING

TD 0 4 4 4

FGs 11-13 0-0 0-0 0-0

Terrence Horne Jalynn Williams

Brandon Dickerson

TB 2

FC 5

Kick 29-30 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rcv 0 0 0 0

Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

G 6 5 6

Plays 249 79 63

Rush 143 61 453

Pass 1,569 685 0

Total 1,712 746 453

Avg/G 285.3 149.2 75.5

ALL PURPOSE

G 6 7 6

Rush 453 0 145

Rec 86 203 253

PR 0 0 11

KOR 0 321 70

IR 0 0 0

Desmond Reid Terrence Horne Jalynn Williams

TD 14 5

Lng 75 69

Long 69 30 17 75 18

TOTAL OFFENSE Carlos Davis Cole Gonzales Desmond Reid

Long Avg/G 58 75.5 22 45.8 24 24.2 24 23.8 Avg/G 261.5 137.0 Avg/G 66.7 42.2 23.8 48.4 30.0

2022 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP–GS UA–AA = Total Avg. Andreas Keaton..............7–7.................. 32–17 = 49..................7.0 Va Lealaimatafao............7–1....................14–19 = 33.................. 4.7 Hayward McQueen.........7–1....................12–16 = 28................. 4.0 Mateo Sudipo.................7–6.................... 19–9 = 28................. 4.0 KJ Milner.........................7–7...................10–12 = 22...................3.1 EJ Porter.........................7–6..................... 14–7 = 21................. 3.0 Micah Nelson..................7–7.................... 11–10 = 21................. 3.0 Ed Jones IV.....................7–6.................... 14–6 = 20................. 2.9 Jacob Harris....................5–1....................8–12 = 20................. 4.0 Rod Gattison...................7–4.....................12–6 = 18................. 2.6 Cam McCutcheon...........7–7..................... 12–5 = 17..................2.4 TFL Leaders: Total Yds EJ Porter................................................5.5................................ 29 KJ Milner................................................5.0.................................27 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds EJ Porter................................................4.5.................................27 KJ Minler................................................4.0................................ 26 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Andreas Keaton.................................................................... 2 – 45 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Nine players tied........................................................................... 1 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total – Return Yds Four players tied........................................................................... 1

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

RUSHING

GP 6 6 6 5 4

Peyton Derrick Sam Llewellyn Cooper Wallace Logan Billings Ahmad Green

PASSING

Peyton Derrick Ahmad Green

Att 62 56 43 35 22

GP 6 4

RECEIVING

Gain 193 182 226 184 86

Effic 108.2 114.3

GP 6 6 3 4

TD 0 0 1 0 0

Pct 48.2 50.0

Yds 377 175

Avg 11.2 12.6 13.0 21.3

TD 1 0 2 0

No. Dominick Poole

Yds 3

Avg 58

TD 19.3

Avg 20.2 15.0

TD 0 0

Long 27 20

KICK RETURNS

No. 17 2

Yds 343 30

Blkd 1

PUNTING

No. 28

Yds 1,052

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 62 24 24 24

SCORING

TD 0 2 1

FGs 5-5 0-0 0-0

James Platte

Avg Long 37.6 63

TB 0

FC 10

Kick 5-6 0-0 0-0

Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rcv 0 0 0

Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0

G 6 4 5

Plays 118 50 35

Rush 136 60 183

Pass 377 175 0

Total 513 235 183

Avg/G 85.5 58.8 36.6

ALL PURPOSE

G 6 6 5 6

Rush 94 162 183 180

Rec 101 45 0 0

PR 0 0 0 0

KOR 343 30 0 0

IR 0 0 0 0

HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS:

WCU Offense CIT 242..............................Scoring.............................. 56 34.6..................... Points Per Game...................... 9.3 188........................... First Downs........................... 86 3,689..................Total Yards Gained................ 1,590 527.0....................Yards Per Game...................265.0 1,296................... Rushing Yardage...................1,038 185.1.............Rushing Average per Game..........173.0 2,393................... Passing Yardage.....................552 341.9............Passing Average per Game............92.0 WCU Team Stats CIT 58–636 (90.9)............ Penalties–Yards............35–268 (44.7) 36/92, 39%..............3rd Down Conversion.............28/92, 30% 4/12, 33%...............4th Down Conversion............ 10/21, 48% WCU Defense CIT 242........................Points Allowed.......................164 34.6.............. Points Allowed Per Game..............27.3 2,787..................Total Yards Allowed................2,269 398.1..............Yards Allowed Per Game............ 378.2 1,292............... Rushing Yards Allowed............. 1,059 184.6.............Rushing Average Allowed............176.5 1,495................Passing Yards Allowed.............. 1,210 213.6............. Passing Average Allowed............201.7

TD 3 1

Lng 36 34

Long 29 36 19 34

TOTAL OFFENSE

Jay Graves-Billips Cooper Wallace Logan Billings Sam Llewellyn

Long Avg/G 26 22.7 16 30.0 56 27.0 32 36.6 38 15.0 Avg/G 62.8 43.8 Avg/G 18.7 16.8 30.3 37.3

Long 50

I20 9

50+ 3

Blkd 0

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 20 12 6

|------------- PATs -------------|

Colby Kintner Tyler Cherry Four players tied Peyton Derrick Ahmad Green Logan Billings

Avg/G 89.9 74.9 79.8

Avg 2.2 3.2 3.8 5.2 2.7

Yds 112 101 91 149

50+ 5

Tot 539 524 479

Net 136 180 162 183 60

No. 10 8 7 7

Ricky Conway Jay Graves-Billips Tyler Cherry Christian Hilton

Jay Graves-Billips Cooper Wallace I20 7

Loss 57 2 64 1 26

Cmp-Att-Int 27-56-4 14-28-0

PUNT RETURNS

Long 39

|------------- PATs -------------|

Richard McCollum David White Jr. Censere Lee Terrence Horne Jr.

20 |

TD 3 2 0 0

Tot 538 237 183 180

Avg/G 89.7 39.5 36.6 30.0

2022 THE CITADEL DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Hasan Black......................6................... 22–26 = 48................. 8.0 Chris Beverly.....................6..................... 9–23 = 32................. 5.3 Destin Mack......................6..................... 21–10 = 31................. 5.2 Kyler Estes........................6...................... 9–22 = 31................. 5.2 Carson Hatchett................6......................14–17 = 31................. 5.2 Dominick Poole.................6......................16–11 = 27..................4.5 Travon Wallace..................5.....................13–10 = 23..................4.6 KJ Pierce...........................6.......................5–14 = 19................. 3.2 Brian Horn.........................6........................8–11 = 19................. 3.2 Thomas Wyatt...................6.......................5–13 = 18................. 3.0 Jay Smith..........................6......................... 4–7 = 11.................. 1.8 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Hasan Black...........................................8.0.................................38 Thomas Wyatt........................................1.5....................................3 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Hasan Black...........................................3.0................................ 32 Carson Hatchett.....................................1.0.................................. 12 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Destin Mack............................................................................2 – 11 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Kyler Estes..................................................................................... 1 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total Destin Mack / Dominick Poole / Steele Judy................................. 1

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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LOOKING BACK: LAST TIME WE MET WESTERN CAROLINA 45, THE CITADEL 31 2ND

3RD

4TH

FINAL

WESTERN CAROLINA

7

24

0

14

45

THE CITADEL

3

7

14

7

31

ATTENDANCE: 8,411

SCORING SUMMARY: QTR 1st

2nd

3rd

4th

4th

TIME 12:28 3:07 14:22 12:11 7:57 3:41 0:00 8:12 1:05 7:03 2:16 1:12

PLAY WCU – Calvin Jones 7 yd pass from Carlos Davis (McCollum kick) CIT - Colby Kintner 45 yd field goal WCU - Kenny Benjamin 1 yd run (McCollum kick) WCU - TJ Jones 40 yd pass from Carlos Davis (McCollum kick) WCU - R. Williams 10 yd pass from Carlos Davis (McCollum kick) CIT - Logan Billings 2 yd run (Colby Kintner kick) WCU - McCollum 22 yd field goal CIT - Jaylan Adams 3 yd run (Colby Kintner kick) CIT - Logan Billings 2 yd run (Colby Kintner kick) WCU - TJ Jones 30 yd run (McCollum kick) WCU - TJ Jones 53 yd run (McCollum kick) CIT - Darique Hampton 1 yd run (Colby Kintner kick)

DRIVE SUMMARY 6 plays, 64 yards, 2:32 12 plays, 42 yards, 5:54 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:45 2 plays, 40 yards, 0:18 7 plays, 59 yards, 2:54 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:16 14 plays, 89 yards, 3:36 1 plays, 3 yards, 0:04 10 plays, 84 yards, 4:40 7 plays, 67 yards, 2:49 3 plays, 61 yards, 0:19 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:04

WCU 7 7 14 21 28 28 31 31 31 38 45 45

CIT 0 3 3 3 3 10 10 17 24 24 24 31

Quarterback CARLOS DAVIS threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns on 31-of-40 passing while rushing for 22 yards in scoring WCU's its first victory of the 2021 season. Davis earned SoCon Offensive Player of the Week plaudits after guiding the Catamounts to the victory as WCU amassed 577 yards of offense on 78 plays in the winning effort.

Catamount tailback TJ JONES rushed for 132 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns on the ground to pace WCU's offense. RAPHAEL WILLIAMS caught 12 passes for 147 yards and a score to pace eight receivers with catches, three posting receiving touchdowns in Charleston.

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

FIRST DOWNS Rushing Passing Penalty RUSHING Rushing Att Yds per rush Rushing TDs Yards Gained Yards Lost PASSING Comp-Att

WCU 26 7 18 1 176 38 4.6 3 209 33 401 31-40-1

CIT 18 11 6 1 177 57 3.1 4 198 21 197 8-18-0

Yds per pass Passing TDs TOTAL YARDS Plays Fumbles–Lost Interceptions PENALTIES TURNOVERS TIME OF POSS. 3RD DOWN CONV. 4TH DOWN CONV. FGS MADE

10.0 3 577 78 2–1 1 5–41 1 28:20 7 of 19 0 of 1 1 for 1

10.9 0 374 75 1–1 0 7–55 1 31:40 5 of 15 3 of 5 1 for 1

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: PASSING Carlos Davis, WCU Jaylan Adams, CIT

31-40-1 5-10-0

401 yds, 3 TDs 126 yds

RUSHING TJ Jones, WCU 15 carries, 132 yds, 2 TDs Kenny Benjamin, WCU 14 carries, 49 yds, 1 TD Jaylan Adams, CIT 22 carries, 57 yds, TD Logan Billings, CIT 13 carries, 54 yds, 2 TDs Joe Douglas, CIT RECEIVING Raphael Williams, WCU TJ Jones, WCU Raleigh Webb, CIT

3 carries, 29 yds 12 rec.

3 rec.

4 rec.

147 yds, TD 73 yds, TD 144 yds

DEFENSIVE LEADERS:

Western Carolina and then first-year head coach KERWIN BELL earned the first victory of the 2021 season – and the first under Bell at the helm of the Catamount program – with the 45-31 road triumph at The Citadel. Bell was presented with a game ball during the postgame celebration in the locker room

by WCU Director of Athletics Alex Gary.

22 |

AT THE CITADEL

TEAM STATS:

JOHNSON HAGOOD STADIUM – CHARLESTON, SC SAT., OCT. 23, 2021 1ST

WESTERN CAROLINA

TACKLES Kareem Taylor, WCU Ricky Palao, WCU Ivan Hogans, WCU W. Hendricks Chris Beverly, CIT Andy Davis, CIT

10 tckls (7ua, 3a, 2 TFL) 9 tckls (7ua, 2a, TFL) 7 tckls (6ua, 1a, 2 TFL) 13 tckls (9ua, 4a, TFL) 7 tckls (5ua, 2a, TFL, FR) 6 tckls (6ua)

SACKS Ricky Palao / Ivan Hogans 1 sack apiece none

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DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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2022 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON GAME-BY-GAME

26 |

GAME 1 GAME 2 GAME 3 GAME 4 GAME 5

VMI * Saturday, Oct. 1 CULLOWHEE W, 38-17

GAME 6

at #12/12 Mercer * Saturday, Oct. 8 Macon, Ga. L, 49-6

GAME 7

at Furman * Saturday, Oct. 15 Greenville, S.C. L, 47-40

GREENVILLE, SC – Dominic Roberto ran for 252 yards and two touchdowns, Tyler Huff threw for three scores and Furman outlasted Western Carolina's fourth-quarter rally to score a 47-40 win at Paladin Stadium. WCU freshman Cole Gonzales came off the bench to complete 12-of-16 passes for 253 yards and two scores. He hit Censere Lee for 42- and 69-yard scores in the final frame, pulling WCU to within 44-40. Furman added a field goal with 1:06 left. Gonzales then found Lee on the final play of the game, but he was tackled at the 5-yard line as time ran out.

GAME 8

THE CITADEL * Saturday, Oct. 22 CULLOWHEE 2:00 pm – ESPN+

The Catamounts look to make it three-in-a-row in the series against The Citadel as the Bulldogs come to Cullowhee on “Heroes Day.” Quarterback Carlos Davis had a career day, passing for 401 yards and three touchdowns while running back TJ Jones amassed 205 total yards including 132 on the ground last fall as WCU scored its first victory under head coach Kerwin Bell, halting a six-game seasonal slide. WCU looks to end a two-game drought in 2022 as it hosts the ground-attack of the Bulldogs.

GAME 9

BIRMINGHAM – Western Carolina amassed 456 yards of total offense including 310 yards through the air and 156 rushing yards but was held out of the endzone in settling for a career-best four Richard McCollum field goals as No. 21/22 Samford handed the Catamounts a league-opening 35-12 setback at Seibert Stadium. Bulldog QB Michael Hiers finished 24-of-30 for 292 passing yards with four touchdown passes to four different receivers while tossing his first interception of the season.

at No. 21/22 Samford * Saturday, Sept. 24 Birmingham, Ala. L, 35-12

WOFFORD * Saturday, Nov. 5 CULLOWHEE 2:00 pm – Nexstar/E3

Following its bye week, Western Carolina hosts Wofford in Cullowhee. WCU ended a four-game series slide against the Terriers with a convincing 41-21 win in Spartanburg, S.C., in 2021. WR Raphael Williams caught a WCU singlegame school-record 16 passes for 177 yards and two TDs in the victory. Wofford leads the all-time series, 15-28.

The early-November match-up is the first in Cullowhee since 2018 after COVID cancelled the 2020 series meeting.

GAME 10

CULLOWHEE, NC – Western Carolina shook off a sluggish offensive start to match a school-record for points and set a program record with a balanced 766 yards of total offense in cruising to a 77-21 home-opening victory over Presbyterian. Five different quarterbacks orchestrated scoring drives with freshman Cole Gonzales tossing three TD passes and scoring one on the ground with three Catamounts – running backs Desmond Reid and Corey Reddick and wide receiver De'Andre Tamarez – scoring twice, while Reid rushed for 175 yards. WCU had seven sacks defensively.

PRESBYTERIAN Saturday, Sept. 17 CULLOWHEE W, 77-21

at ETSU * Saturday, Nov. 12 Johnson City, Tenn.

1:00 pm – ESPN+

The mountain-rivalry is rekindled in WCU’s final road game of 2022 as the Catamounts visit defending SoCon champion ETSU in the “Blue Ridge Border Battle” with the traveling trophy again on the line. ETSU retained “the Rock” with a 56-35 win in Cullowhee in 2021. The all-time series now stands even at 25-25-1 with three of the last four series meetings decided in one-possession games including a pair of overtime games.

GAME 11

ATLANTA – Carlos Davis threw a pair of first quarter touchdowns as Western Carolina jumped out to an early 14-7 lead, but four turnovers proved costly as Georgia Tech used a strong ground attack and four-consecutive touchdowns including a 14-point second quarter to upend the upset-minded Catamounts 35-17 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Western Carolina outgained Georgia Tech 390-to-343 in total offensive yards in the loss, with the Catamounts losing a fumble and tossing three interceptions to thwart the upset bid.

at Georgia Tech Saturday, Sept. 10 Atlanta, Ga. L, 35-17

CHATTANOOGA * Saturday, Nov. 19 CULLOWHEE 1:00 pm – ESPN+

Western Carolina concludes the regular-season portion of its 2022 schedule by hosting one of the league’s favorites, Chattanooga, at Whitmire Stadium. The Mocs have won three-straight over WCU with victories in 11 of the past 12 meetings overall. The last two series meetings – 2019 and 2021 – were both played in Chattanooga with the Nov. 19 match-up marking the first in Cullowhee since 2018 after COVID cancelled the 2020 series meeting.

POSTSEASON

CHARLESTON, SC – Western Carolina raced out to a 31-7 lead over Charleston Southern and held on for its first season-opening road win in 20 years with the 52-38 win at Buccaneer Field. QB Carlos Davis amassed 461 yards of total offense including a career-high 433 passing yards and a school-record six touchdown passes to six different players – 5 receivers, one running back. It was the second career 400-yard passing game for Davis. Dating back to last season, the Catamounts have won five of their last six games overall that includes four-straight road games.

at Charleston Southern Saturday, Sept. 3 Charleston, S.C. W, 52-38

2022 NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS Saturday, Nov. 26 TBA

Western Carolina looks to halt a 39-year drought of advancing to the NCAA postseason. 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 FIRST SoCon team to play for the national title. The Southern Conference regular season champion will garner the league’s automatic bid into the postseason field.

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

CULLOWHEE, NC – Carlos Davis threw four touchdown passes and the Western Carolina defense came up with three turnovers for a 38-17 win over VMI. Davis found four different receivers and was 30-of-44 passing for 336 yards with two interceptions. Raphael Williams had six catches for 103 yards, including a 69-yard connection for the final touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Jalynn Williams hauled in 10 passes for 94 yards. The Catamounts hauled down Keydet quarterbacks seven times to go with a pair of interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

MACON, GA – No. 12 Mercer scored touchdowns on six of its nine drives in the opening half en route to 49-6 victory over Western Carolina at Five Star Stadium. Fred Payton threw three touchdowns passes and Mercer held the Southern Conference’s top-scoring team to a pair of field goals. Two Catamount quarterbacks – Carlos Davis and Cole Gonzalez – combined for 175 yards passing with four interceptions, two made by the Bears’ Isaac Dowling, while Western Carolina was held to 74 rushing yards on 31 carries.

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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28 |

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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head coach >>>>>>>>>>>>

KERWIN BELL >>> second season <<<

PERSONAL INFORMATION: BORN: HOMETOWN: ALMA MATER: FAMILY:

June 15, 1965 Mayo, Fla. Florida, 1987 Wife, Cosette Odom; 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 AllAmerica (1985, 1986) u

Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame, 1996 inductee

u

Univ. of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, 1997 inductee

MIAMI DOLPHINS (NFL), 7th-round draft pick (180), 1988 ATLANTA FALCONS (NFL), 1988 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (NFL), 1989 ORLANDO THUNDER (WLAF), 1991-92

An accomplished player who worked his way from walkon 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 entered the 2021 season with 97 career victories between his three coaching stops.

Western Carolina rebounded from a six-game slide to start Bell's first season in Cullowhee in 2021 by winning four of its final five games to finish the Southern Conference slate at 4-4. After being picked ninth in the preseason, the Catamounts finished tied for fourth in the league SoCon standings, defeating both teams amongst the tie including a 43-42 win over Furman in Cullowhee and a 52-24 win over defending conference champion VMI to end the regular-season.

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 victory 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 D–II poll.

Bell’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.

Within Bell’s system, VSU sophomore quarterback 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

SACRAMENTO GOLD MINERS (CFL), 1993-94 EDMONTON ESKIMOS (CFL), 1995 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (NFL), 1996-97 TORONTO ARGONAUTS (CFL), 1998 u

CFL East All-Star (1998)

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (CFL), 1999-2000 TORONTO 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) u

Pioneer Football League Coach of the Year (2008)

VALDOSTA STATE UNIV., head coach (2016-18) u u u

Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year (2018) Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year (2018) NCAA Division II National Champion (2018)

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

Bell came 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.

Over a 12-year head coaching career, Bell led the football programs at Valdosta State (2016-18) and Jacksonville 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.

Bell 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 CoHeroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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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.

He also led Jacksonville 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.

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.

Additionally, senior offensive linemen Jeremy King was the runner-up for the Gene Upshaw Award presented to the most outstanding Division II lineman.

Before taking over the Jacksonville program, Bell led Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla., for six seasons (2001-06), earning a Florida 2B state title in 2005 and runnerup finish in 2006. His coaching career began in earnest at the end of his professional playing career as he served as the offensive coordinator for two seasons while still a player for the Toronto Argonauts (2000-01).

Bell 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.

Bell led VSU 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 interceptions on defense.

Prior 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.

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Originally from Mayo, Fla., Bell was a quarterback at the University of Florida from 1983-87 where he completed 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

He was selected in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13-year professional career that saw stops with the NFL teams in Miami, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Indianapolis as well as stops in the Canadian Football League, where he passed for 19,538 yards and 101 touchdowns in nine seasons, and the World League of American Football (WLAF).

Married in 1986 while both students at Florida, Bell and his wife, Cosette, have three children: sons Kade and Kolton, and a daughter, Kenzley.

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 FOOTBALL COACHING STAFF

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KADE BELL

CHAZMON SCALES

CHRIS NORRIS

BRIAN COCHRAN

JEREMY DARVEAU

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR / QBS

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR / SAFETIES

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR

ASSISTANT COACH / DEFENSIVE LINE

ASSISTANT COACH / OFFENSIVE LINE

CODY EDWARDS

JJ LASTER

LARRY MURPHY

RUDI SMALL

RYLAN WELLS

ASSISTANT COACH / LINEBACKERS

ASSISTANT COACH / WIDE RECEIVERS

ASSISTANT COACH / CORNERBACKS

ASSISTANT COACH / RUNNING BACKS

ASSISTANT COACH / TIGHT ENDS

GREG McGRUDER

DEAIRUS WHITNEY

TODD SHEALY

TRENT TURKNETT

SYDNEY SPEARS

QUALITY CONTROL COACH – OFFENSE

QUALITY CONTROL COACH – DEFENSE

DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS

DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL

DIRECTOR OF ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF

Jeff Burger

Landon Brown

Jacob Floyd

Ethan Harris

Dante Johnson

Dylan Quick

Klein Sawtelle

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Volunteer Assistant Coach

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

Student Assistant

MIKE TAYLOR HEAD ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT MANAGER

BEN JACOBS

AUSTIN DAVIS

BAILEY FORST

CONNOR OWENS

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE & NUTRITION

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SPORTS PERFORMANCE

ASSISTANT SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

ASSISTANT SPORTS PERFORMANCE COACH

WCU ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT STUDENT ASSISTANTS TJ Earle, Eli Lautzenheiser, Josh Martinez, Trey Pickard, Andrue Smith, Cole Watkins

WCU FOOTBALL VIDEO ASSISTANTS

Adam Bobo, Jonathan Daniels, Carter Honeycutt Matthew Horne, Bryson Jusko, Bradley Krpejs, Josh Stapelton

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – SPORTS MEDICINE STAFF

STEVEN HONBARGER

ROB REYBURN

HALEY BENNINGTON

JULIA DANIEL

AURORA GOUJON

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATE HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER FOOTBALL

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TYLER SPAIN

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LINDSEY BARTLE

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL

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ALEX GARY

WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Alex Gary, a former student-athlete on the Western Carolina University baseball team was dubbed the next director of the Catamount athletics program in late February 2020. Gary had most recently served as senior associate athletics director for development at Oregon State University.

WCU Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced the selection of Gary on Friday, Feb. 28 to serve as director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special conference call meeting earlier in the day. The appointment, which is effective May 1, follows a national search conducted by a 15-member committee working with the assistance of the North Carolina-based executive search consulting firm Collegiate Sports Associates.

During his first couple of years as the Athletics Director at WCU, Gary successfully navigated the department through the COVID-19 pandemic while also overseeing the hiring of 50 employees including three high-profile sport head coaches – men's basketball head coach Justin Gray; Kerwin Bell, head football coach; and Alan Beck, head baseball coach.

Gary was appointed to the 2022-23 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee, officially beginning his appointment on Sept. 1, 2022 with a term running through Aug. 31, 2027. He was also appointed to the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee. His four-year term on that committee also began Sept. 1, 2022, and continues through Aug. 31, 2026.

Prior to coming to Cullowhee, Gary served as senior associate director of athletics and the department’s chief development officer at Oregon State beginning in September 2017. He previously served as associate athletics director for development and external relations at the University of Maryland from 2014 until 2017. He also has held development positions at the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Gary’s professional experience in major collegiate athletics conferences, such as the Pac-12 and Big Ten,

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combined with his personal familiarity with WCU as a former student-athlete make him a perfect fit to take over the helm of the Catamount athletics program, Brown said.

“I asked the search committee to identify an extraordinary leader to guide the Catamount athletics program into the next era and who will provide our coaches and professional staff with the resources necessary to help our student-athletes enjoy the same level of success on the fields and courts of competition that they have had in the classroom in recent years,” she said.

“The committee has found exactly that in Alex Gary,” Brown said. “To borrow some terminology from the sport that Alex once played while representing the Catamounts, this hire is a grand slam homerun and one that touches all of the bases.”

A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, who grew up in Charlotte, Gary was an outfielder on the WCU baseball team from 2001 until 2004, earning Southern Conference Player of the Week honors in March 2004. During his junior year of 2003, he was a member of WCU’s regular season and Southern Conference Tournament

championship baseball team and participated in the NCAA regionals held in Wilson.

“I have a strong affinity and love for WCU. Three groomsmen in my wedding came from my time in Cullowhee as a three-year student athlete. WCU had an immeasurable impact on my life, and I welcome the opportunity to come back in a leadership capacity,” Gary said.

“My personal experience as a former student-athlete at WCU deepens my understanding of this institution and what is needed to advance Catamount Athletics.

I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to help develop student-athletes during a critically important time in their lives, especially at a place where I spent those same significant years,” he said.

At Oregon State, he has been a member of the executive leadership team responsible for the athletics department’s $85 million budget, 150 employees and more than 500 student-athletes. He oversees the 16-member athletics development team, which raised nearly $26 million in 2019, a record for the Beavers’ athletics program.

That fundraising effort included a $3.5 million sports performance center renovation, $2.3 million women’s locker room renovation, and $2.6 million baseball stadium expansion.

During his stint at the University of Maryland, Gary chaired a committee focused on the financial sustainability of the athletics department, and he led annual giving growth in the Terrapin Club by 22 percent in 2015 and 13 percent in 2016. As a member of the development team at the University of Michigan from 2010 until 2014, he worked closely with the university’s athletics department, raising $12.8 million to support the Wolverines’ athletics program’s capital and endowment needs. He began his career in 2009 as assistant director of annual giving at UNC Charlotte.

“Western Carolina University’s growth and development over the past decade have been impressive. WCU athletics has the ability to assist in that growth by raising the competitive bar across the 16 sports,” Gary said.

“Research has proven that high-level athletics performance is symbiotic with university success, allowing the university to increase its visibility and further its mission.

I am confident in my ability to lead what may not be the most important room in the house, but potentially the most visible.”

He earned a degree in business administration in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University and his

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master’s degree in business administration at UNC Charlotte in 2009.

Gary was selected from a slate of more than 40 qualified candidates for the position after an initial narrowing of a larger list of possibilities, said Ivy Gibson, WCU associate general counsel and chair of the athletics director search committee. Six candidates were interviewed by the search committee off-site in Charlotte.

“We had a very strong pool of candidates with a vast array of professional and personal experiences in the profession of athletics administration,” Gibson said. “I think that Alex Gary’s track record in athletics fundraising in particular will be a tremendous asset as the university begins to work toward implementation of some of the construction and renovation projects proposed in the recent athletics facilities master planning process.”

Brown appointed the search committee on Dec. 18 and set an ambitious and accelerated timetable to find a permanent successor for Randy Eaton, who served as WCU’s athletics director from Dec. 14, 2011, until Dec. 10, 2019. Mike Byers, WCU vice chancellor of administration and finance, managed the athletics department until Gary officially took over the helm in May 2020.

Gary and the former Katie Mavis of Saint Joseph, Mich., were married in a mountain-top ceremony in Oregon on Aug. 28, 2020. The couple has one daughter, Gianna.

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS SENIOR STAFF

ALEX GARY

KYLE PIFER

ASHLEIGH SIMMONS

CHAD GERRETY

JULIE MILLER

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

DEPUTY ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

ASSOC. AD FOR STUDENT SUCCESS / SWA

ASSOC. AD FOR EXTERNAL OPERATIONS

ASSOC. AD FOR DEVELOPMENT / CATAMOUNT CLUB

TRAVIS CHANDLER

DANIEL HOOKER

AMANDA MURCHIE

DR. ALEXANDER MACAULAY

ASSISTANT AD FOR COMPLIANCE

ASSISTANT AD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS

ASSISTANT AD FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS

WCU FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT STAFF

Denise Gideon Director of Media Relations

Michael Gilbert

Athletics Ticketing and Marketing Assistant

Steven Grandy

Evan Ellis

Director of Media Relations

Director of Video Operations

Rory Jimerson

Mark Conlin

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Director of Athletic Facilities

Patrick Mullaney Assistant Director of Video Operations

Trey Fisher

Assistant Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Greg Camillone Director of Creative Media

Kim Jamison

Athletic Department Administrative Assistant

Tyler Pope

Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement

Arman Jones

Assistant Director of Academics for Football

Ric Sisler

Jonathan Sessoms

Haley Mitchell

Isaiah Lunsford

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

Assistant Director of Academic Support

Director of Athletics Ticketing

Academic Support Assistant

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WESTERN CAROLINA HONORS THE 1972 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL TEAM

The 1972 Western Carolina football team was ranked as high as No. 3 nationally in the Associated Press (AP) College Division Poll and finished 8th nationally overall in WCU's first season as an NCAA Division II Independent member. The '72 Catamounts defeated three (3) Top 10 nationally ranked teams, tied another, and though not a member of the league, won all three games against Southern Conference opponents, defeating Furman, The Citadel and Appalachian State.

The Catamounts' schedule was rated the "Most Difficult" among NCAA Division II teams and set WCU records for turnovers created and as they recovered 23 fumbles and intercepted 19 passes collectively. WCU finished 7-2-1 with a pair of three-game winning streaks.

Three members of the 1972 team became first-team All-America selections. Between players and coaches on the 1972 team, 10 individuals are members of WCU's Athletics Hall of Fame: Joe D'Alessandris, D'Alessandris, Mark Ferguson, Ferguson, Jerry Gaines, Gaines, David Rathburn, Rathburn, and Steve Yates – along with coaches Don Dalton, Dalton, Don Powers,, Bob Setzer, Powers Setzer, Johnny Wike and head coach Bob Waters, Waters, who was in his fourth season in Cullowhee.

Despite their accomplishments and national ranking, the 1972 Catamounts were denied a spot in the national playoff as they were in transition between the NAIA and NCAA membership and, therefore, were not eligible for postseason play.

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – CATAMOUNT CLUB / DEVELOPMENT STAFF

JULIE MILLER

MARK WARREN

LAUREN RHYNE

JP HILL

TAYLOR HOLMAN

ASSOCIATE AD FOR DEVELOPMENT / DIRECTOR OF THE CATAMOUNT CLUB

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, EVENTS, AND STEWARDSHIP

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

CATAMOUNTSPORTS.COM/CATAMOUNTCLUB

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF

Jeff Korte

Alan Beck

JD Mundy

Assistant Coach Baseball

Volunteer Assistant Coach Baseball

Jaylen Gore

Molly Bachand

Assistant Coach Baseball

Zack Freesman

Ryne Lightfoot

Megan Brown

Eileen Van Horn Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Director of Women's Basketball Operations

Tim Eckberg

Courtney Gunter Head Coach Women’s Golf

Chad Miller

Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Associate Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Bret Beaver

Jesse Norman

Daniel Haakenson

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Head Coach Women's Tennis

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Derek Beasley

Head Coach Baseball

Head Coach Cross Country / Track & Field

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Seth Graves

Director of Player Development – Baseball

Jayson Gee

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Associate Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Graduate Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Director of Men's Basketball Operations

Video Coordinator Men’s Basketball

Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Kiley Hill

Kendra Samuels-Eaton

Jordan Worrell

Madison Pack

Caitlyn Davis

Lauren Brooks

Hailey Schenk

Nick Whiting

Maryanne Kilgore Assistant Coach Women’s Soccer

Head Coach Softball

Jim Clift

Madison Armstrong

Gillian Urycki

Karen Glover

Taylor Svehla

Ashley Gasaway

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Video Coordinator Women's Basketball

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Cody Cohen

Justin Gray

Head Coach Cheerleading

Head Coach Volleyball

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Volleyball

Associate Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Softball

Assistant Coach Volleyball

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

0

0 Jaylen Floyd

S – 5-9 – 180 – Gr. Miramar, Fla.

Jacob Harris

S – 6-1 – 195 – Jr. Greer, S.C.

6

Calvin Jones

WR – 5-10 – 190 – So. Forest City, N.C.

6 KJ Milner

DE – 6-4 – 265 – Sr. Hinesville, Ga.

9 Micah Nelson

DE – 6-3 – 255 – So. Murphy, N.C.

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TJ Jones

RB – 5-11 – 205 – Sr. Lakeland, Fla.

3

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1

1 Cameron McCutcheon CB – 6-3 – 200 – 5th Seneca, S.C.

CJ Williams

CB – 5-10 – 170 – So. Gallion, Ala.

7 Hayward McQueen III

9

10

Cole Gonzales

QB – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. Ocala, Fla.

RB – 5-8 – 170 – Fr. Miami Gardens, Fla.

4

4

Terrence Horne Jr. WR – 5-8 – 185 – Jr. Miami, Fla.

Desmond Reid

LB – 6-1 – 195 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Taurus Dotson Jr. CB – 5-11 – 200 – Sr. Miami, Fla.

Kason Lincke

QB – 6-0 – 200 – R-Fr. Mobile, Ala.

7 David White Jr.

WR – 6-4 – 200 – Jr. Jacksonville, Fla.

10 Censere Lee

WR – 5-11 – 160 – Fr. Clearwater, Fla.

2 Rod Gattison

CB – 6-0 – 190 – Jr. Hartsville, S.C.

5 Mateo Sudipo

S – 6-1 – 205 – R-So. Wake Forest, N.C.

8 Va Lealaimatafao LB – 6-1 – 230 – Jr. San Antonio, Texas

11 Caleb Fisher

DE – 6-3 – 235 – So. Decatur, Ga.

2 Raphael Williams

WR – 5-10 – 165 – R-So. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

5 Carlos Davis

QB – 6-3 – 225 – Jr. Baltimore, Md.

8 Jalynn Williams RB – 5-10 – 205 – Jr. St. Petersburg, Fla.

11 Ajay Belanger

TE – 6-3 – 245 – Jr. Green Cove Springs, Fla.

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

12 Ken Moore Jr.

CB – 5-10 – 155 – Jr. Harrisburg, Pa.

15 Ja'Morri Downing S – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

19 Toler Keigley

WR – 6-1 – 190 – R-Fr. Pensacola, Fla.

26 Jeremiah Noel S – 6-0 – 185 – Fr. Opa-Locka, Fla.

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12 Brody Palhegyi

QB – 5-10 – 180 – R-Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

15 Corey Reddick Jr. RB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

20 Ed Jones IV

LB – 6-1 – 205 – So. Arlington, Texas

27 Skylin Thomas

LB – 5-10 – 205 – R-So. Lenoir, N.C.

13 Tanner Cromer

DL – 6-4 – 250 – So. Reading, Ohio

16 Marquis Lymon S – 5-10 – 205 – Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

21 Andreas Keaton S – 6-2 – 200 – So. Powder Springs, Ga.

28 Jordy Lowery

CB – 5-11 – 190 – Fr. Bartow, Fla.

13 Jaylin Terzado

WR – 6-0 – 170 – Fr. Overtown, Fla.

16 Parish Metzger

QB – 6-0 – 200 – R-Fr. Matthews, N.C.

22 Branson Adams RB – 5-9 – 185 – So. Greensboro, N.C.

29 Jhamari Pierre-Louis S – 5-11 – 185 – Fr. Delray Beach, Fla.

14 Nick Louis

S – 6-2 – 200 – Jr. Miami, Fla.

17 Samuel Cornett QB – 6-6 – 225 – Fr. Woodstock, Ga.

24 Samaurie Dukes CB – 5-10 – 185 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

30 Justin McMullen CB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

14 De'Andre Tamarez WR – 5-11 – 165 – Fr. Overtown, Fla.

18 Malik Knight

WR – 6-2 – 170 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

25 Darian Anderson Jr. CB – 5-10 – 160 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

31 Joshua McMullen CB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

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Available free throughout WNC or read online at smokymountainnews.com Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

32 Malik Richardson DE – 6-4 – 225 – R-So. Sumter, S.C.

38 Brandon Dickerson P – 5-11 – 190 – Sr. Indian Land, S.C.

44 Antarron Turner LB – 6-2 – 245 – Fr. Ocala, Fla.

49 Payton McCracken WR – 6-0 – 170 – Fr. Murphy, N.C.

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33 Jaiden Bond

RB – 5-9 – 185 – So. Boone, N.C.

39 Brayden Blackmon TE – 6-3 – 230 – So. Duncan, S.C.

45 Justin Wallace

DL – 6-3 – 235 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

50 Jayelin Davis

LB – 6-0 – 230 – Jr. North Augusta, S.C.

34 Quenten Zanders RB – 5-8 – 175 – Sr. Shelby, N.C.

40 Cory Hennings S – 6-1 – 210 – R-Fr. Matthews, N.C.

46 Paxton Robertson K/P – 6-0 – 205 – So. Knoxville, Tenn.

51 Aaron Sanez

OL – 6-2 – 295 – Fr. Clearwater, Fla.

35 Christian Murphy LB – 6-1 – 220 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

41 Caleb Scott

LB – 6-2 – 240 – So. Black Mountain, N.C.

47 Blue Monroe

LB – 6-1 – 235 – Fr. Concord, N.C.

52 Antwann Fann

OL – 6-3 – 320 – R-So. Perry, Ga.

36 Brandon Benjamin RB – 5-9 – 220 – So. Fort Myers, Fla.

42 Jayion McMillan S – 5-9 – 185 – Fr. Chapel Hill, N.C.

48 Brady Elms

P – 6-4 – 175 – R-Fr. Raleigh, N.C.

53 Ed Porter

LB – 6-1 – 245 – Jr. Atlantic Beach, Fla.

37 Lee Campbell

S – 6-0 – 205 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

43 Camury Reid

RB – 5-11 – 185 – Fr. Gastonia, N.C.

49 Corbin Shirley

PK – 5-10 – 155 – Fr. Seneca, S.C.

55 Kevin Thompson LS – 5-10 – 185 – Jr. Rock Hill, S.C.

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

56 Richard Garrett DL – 6-4 – 230 – Fr. Jacksonville, Fla.

63 Peyton Davis

OL – 6-2 – 305 – R-Fr. Mooresvile, N.C.

72 Blake Whitmore

OL – 6-2 – 295 – R-So. Raleigh, N.C.

78 Evan Carney

OL – 6-3 – 290 – Fr. Nashville, Tenn.

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57 Tyler Anderson

LB – 6-0 – 225 – R-Fr. Greensboro, N.C.

64 Colby Cross

LS – 6-0 – 220 – R-So. Mooresville, N.C.

73 Samari Saddler OL – 6-2 – 320 – Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio

79 Aidan Alston

OL – 5-8 – 295 – R-So. Southern Pines, N.C.

58 Giovanni Ricciardi LB – 6-0 – 220 – So. Clemmons, N.C.

66 Derek Simmons OL – 6-6 – 320 – So. Jacksonville, Fla.

74 Tyler Smith

OL – 6-8 – 310 – R-Jr. Laurinburg, N.C.

80 Ryan Sims

WR – 5-8 – 160 – Fr. Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

59 Anthony Joseph LB – 6-1 – 180 – Fr. Copperhill, Tenn.

67 Dalton Tomlison OL – 6-4 – 325 – 5th Beaver, Ohio

75 Caleb Carter

OL – 6-3 – 295 – So. Jacksonville, N.C.

81 Ca'Lique Cunningham WR – 5-9 – 180 – Fr. Rock Hill, S.C.

60 Joaquin Layno

DL – 5-10 – 295 – R-So. Cherokee, N.C.

70 Christian Coulter OL – 6-5 – 320 – Jr. Thomson, Ga.

76 Nathan Linkous

OL – 6-5 – 295 – R-Fr. Cramerton, N.C.

82 Nate Abraham

WR – 5-9 – 160 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

61 Hudson Jones

OL – 6-2 – 280 – Fr. Matthews, N.C.

71 Cade McClellan OL – 6-3 – 295 – Fr. Plant City, Fla.

77 Neyland Walker

OL – 6-5 – 305 – R-Fr. Canton, N.C.

83 AJ Colombo

WR – 5-8 – 165 – Fr. Waxhaw, N.C.

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MEET THE 2022 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

84 Bryce Yaggi

WR – 6-0 – 195 – R-Fr. Waxhaw, N.C.

90 Marlon Alexander DL – 6-0 – 320 – So. Smyrna, Tenn.

96 Isaac McLellan

Talon James

TE – 6-4 – 235 – R-Jr. Fairview, N.C.

91 Jaquarius Guinn DL – 6-2 – 280 – Fr. Clover, S.C.

97 Caleb Bradford

DL – 6-2 – 220 – Fr. Rock Hill, S.C.

DL – 6-1 – 280 – R-Fr. Canton, N.C.

Bryson Grabowski

Don Robinson III

QB – 6-1 – 180 – R-Fr. Copperhill, Tenn.

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CB – 5-10 – 170 – Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C.

86 Clayton Bardall TE – 6-3 – 235 – Jr. Cumming, Ga.

92 Brandon Smiley DL – 6-2 – 300 – Fr. Durham, N.C.

98 Wisdom Simms

87 Cade Snotherly

WR – 6-0 – 195 – R-Fr. Ramseur, N.C.

93 Chris Morgan

DL – 6-0 – 285 – So. Maiden, N.C.

Antoine Bell

WR – 6-4 – 215 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

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89 Richard McCollum K – 5-9 – 175 – R-Jr. Sanford, N.C.

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Timothy Jamison

Desmond Barkley

Juan Allen

Anthony Badgett

DL – 6-4 – 255 – Jr. Lexington, S.C.

DL – 6-2 – 345 – So. Stockbridge, Ga.

99 Ronald Wilson

DL – 6-3 – 310 – Fr. China Grove, N.C.

DL – 6-3 – 318 – R-So. Mocksville, N.C.

Cam Rog

Chris Van Kleeck

WR – 6-4 – 190 – Fr. Wake Forest, N.C.

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LB – 6-0 – 200 – Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C.

WR – 5-10 – 140 – Fr. Murphy, N.C.

CB – 5-9 – 190 – Jr. Greensboro, N.C.

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2022 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" MARCHING BAND

The students and staff of the 2022 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band are proud to present our 2022 production entitled, “Let It Burn” presented by B.H. Graning Landscapes, Inc. The directors, staff, student leadership team, and membership have worked incredibly hard to provide audiences with another unforgettable performance experience.

The "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band is poised to set new performance standards in 2022, while continuing to push boundaries of design innovation and entertainment at the collegiate level. In addition to their halftime support, B. H. Graning Landscapes, Inc. is making possible the opportunity for The Pride of the Mountains to be a member of the Marching Health team. Marching Health is a nationwide physical conditioning initiative that serves as a training program for students in the marching arts. Through our involvement, students are receiving instruction on preemptive techniques that will reduce injury, and build a stronger body. We look forward to a long relationship with Dr. Elliot Cleveland, founder of Marching Health and feel confident that this program will build longevity to our students’ physical health while teaching best practices for life long wellness.

This fall promises to again be one of the busiest on record with regard to recruitment performances. Beginning Saturday, September 24th, the band will perform for over 3,000 spectators in exhibition at the J.F. Byrnes High School, SC competition which showcases 30 of the upstate’s top high school bands. The 21st annual Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions takes place on Saturday, October 15th, when we welcome 27 high school bands from around the Southeast to our campus as well as our world- class evaluation panel assimilated from across the United States. The "Pride of the Mountains" will perform twice during this event for over 10,000 attendees.

We are also very pleased to announce that the "Pride of the Mountains" has been asked to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis, Ind. This is the most elite high school marching band competition in the world, and we feel honored to be invited to share our talents at such an esteemed venue. Lucas Oil Stadium will play host to this world class showcase of elite bands, and we cannot wait to participate in this celebration of the pageantry arts!

About our 2022 production… ”LET IT BURN”

Part 1 – JOY “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day.” – Henri Nouwen We begin our show with a testament to living our lives with Joy in our heart, and in our daily lives. “Firework” by Katy Perry gives us a reminder that life is a gift, and should be celebrated every day. Living each day with Joy is a choice. We have to make that choice, and try to envision ourselves as being the hero of our own life story. Who do we want to be? How can we get there? It begins with Joy, and knowing that our internal flame must be fanned by our own positive choices. “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven symbolically states this idea of the power of positivity. “The Heat Is On” by Glenn Frey, and “This Girl is On Fire” by Alicia Keys are spirited songs that help fuel our flame, and gives focus as to why we should all make Joy a part of our lives, every single day.

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Part 2 – LOVE & PASSION “Northing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.” – Georg W.F. Hegel It is so very important to begin with loving oneself, then focusing on what we can be passionate about in our lives. “Believe” by Cher is set in a ballad style that swells to an intense crescendo and encourages us to believe in ourselves. Our outstanding student vocalist, Ms. Kennedy Cox, will be featured and will certainly inspire you! “Love on Top”

by Beyonce’ pushes us forward and really let’s Kennedy shine with her amazing talent.

We must make ourself important, we must make our life passions a priority, and true happiness and fulfillment will follow.

Part 3 – ADVERSITY “We don’t develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.”

– Barbara De Angelis The pursuit of our purpose as people is always a challenging one. It is a difficult journey that is worth every step, because each step defines who we are. “Play with Fire” by Sam Tinnesz sets the tone as our percussion section is featured. Pushing our personal limits, and not being afraid to take chances along the way will help us to grow, but we will most certainly be faced with adversity. Our Gold Drumline and our Purple Drumline will demonstrate a musical and visual drum battle that represents the turmoil that we face, the conflicts we will deal with, and the coming to terms of moving through these difficult times, to be stronger in the end for it, and hopefully arriving with our own purpose defined.

Part 4 – PURPOSE “Let your passion burn brighter than your fears.” – Mark Anthony “Set Fire to the Rain” by Adele begins the final part of our show. It will once again feature Ms. Kennedy Cox, and will help to focus what we have learned. Living our life with Joy each day, loving ourselves and embracing our passion, and not being afraid to go through and grow from adversity in our life journey, will ultimately help us to arrive at our focused life purpose. As Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in our life are the day you were born, and the day you find out why.”

Once you find that purpose, fan that flame, fuel that fire, and set your heart and soul ablaze with meaning and Joy. Once you find it – “LET IT BURN!”

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"Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band Instructional Staff and Design Team

Dr. Jack Eaddy Matt Henley Trevor Bailey Doug Thrower Matt Henley Jon Henson

Jamey Thompson Bob Buckner Emily Lawson Katie Pacifico Billy Pacifico Ian Lewis Kris Harris Adrian Galvin Rebekah Chadderdon Bobby Richardson Matt Henley Tucker McGrew

Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Music Arranger Gold Drumline Director / Arranger Front Ensemble, Rhythm Section and Sound Design/Arranger Drill Designer Pregame Drill Designer Director of the Colorguard Colorguard Director Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Choreographer Colorguard Instructor Colorguard Instructor Purple Drumline Director / Arranger Front Ensemble Director

WESTERN CAROLINA FIGHT SONG

WESTERN CAROLINA ALMA MATER

Fight on! You Catamounts, Fight for purple and gold. Fight on to victory, True warriors bold. Wave the royal banner high, And let it fill the Western sky. So, fight on! you Catamounts, Fight to vic–to–ry!

Hail to thee, our Alma Mater; Faithful, kind, and true; Every son and every daughter Offers praise to you.

– CHORUS – Hail to the dearest spot of all; Hail to WCU! Light and life and fond devotion, All to thee are due.

Purple robes and colors golden, Streaming everywhere, Swell our hearts with pride for olden Days and friendships dear.

– CHORUS – Under shade trees’ friendly bowers, Voices, ever gay, Mingles with breath of flowers And the song birds’ lay.

– CHORUS – Shout aloud with one loud chorus, Voices clear and true, Lifted high in praise and honor, All for WCU! – CHORUS –

Western, Western, Go–Western!

Go—Cats!

Fight on! You Catamounts, Fight for purple and gold. Fight on to victory, True warriors bold. Wave the royal banner high, And let it fill the Western sky. So, fight on! you Catamounts, Fight to vic–to–ry!

Adopted in 1981, Western Carolina’s fight song was composed by members of the University faculty including

Mr. Dick Trevarthen.

Western Carolina and Catamount Athletics was saddened to learn of his passing this past August 2022

Heath Ballard Audio Production Director

STAFF COORDINATORS:

Jude Hahn, Brandon Rice, Keaton Shaw

2022 DRUM MAJORS:

Megan Newton (Head), Samantha Cannon, Cody Dalton, McKenzie Yazan

CAPTION COORDINATORS:

Andrew Brown, William Finigan, Gillian Robbins, Hannah Taylor, Katie Whitehouse

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DR. KELLI BROWN WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR

Western Carolina University is led by the Chancellor, the university’s chief administrative officer, with guidance and policy oversight from the Board of Trustees.

As one of the 16 universities in the University of North Carolina system, WCU also falls under the administration of the UNC system president and the Board of Governors, advised by the UNC Faculty Assembly.

As Provost, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs serves as the top administrator for academics and as the senior member of the Chancellor’s Executive Council: WESTERN CAROLINA EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Dr. Kelli R. Brown, Chancellor Dr. Richard Starnes, Provost / Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Mr. Michael T. Byers, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Mr. Alex Gary, Director of Athletics Mr. Craig Fowler, Chief Information Officer Mrs. Jamie T. Raynor, Vice Chancellor for Advancement Dr. H. Samuel Miller Jr., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Mr. Shea Browning, General Counsel Dr. Melissa Wargo, Chief of Staff Ms. Jessica Woods, Assistant to the Chancellor Dr. Kelli R. Brown is chancellor of Western Carolina University, a regional comprehensive university that serves more than 12,000 students with a wide range of bachelor’s degrees across the spectrum of arts and sciences disciplines and professional programs in business, education, health care, and engineering; more than 30 master’s degree and certificate programs; and five professional doctoral programs.

Dr. Brown took office as the 12th chancellor of WCU in July 2019, becoming the university’s first permanent female chancellor. She previously served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University. In July 2016, Chancellor

Brown was appointed interim president of Valdosta State University, a regional comprehensive university in southern Georgia. She served in that capacity until a permanent president took office in January 2017, after which she then returned to her position at Georgia College. In addition to her leadership at Georgia College, she has taught undergraduate and graduate students and has served in academic leadership roles at the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Illinois State University, and Western Illinois University.

Since her arrival at WCU, Chancellor Brown has highlighted several priorities that continue to enrich Western Carolina University’s profile and reputation: an institutional emphasis on quality and excellence; a commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence; and a focus on the university’s role as an engine of economic development for its communities. Under Chancellor Brown’s stewardship, WCU will continue to capitalize on the opportunity to be a thought leader in regards to how regionally engaged universities can maintain a student-centered focus, with high

levels of teaching innovation.

Chancellor Brown has received awards for her leadership. She is the former editor of the Journal of School Health and has served on five other editorial boards, including as an inaugural member of the Pedagogy in Health Promotion: The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning editorial board.

A published and funded author, she has written extensively on school and community partnerships, school health, and the use of community-based prevention marketing.

Chancellor Brown earned her doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; a master of science and education in public health degree and bachelor of science degree in public health services, both from the University of Toledo; and an associate in applied sciences degree in dental hygiene from Michael J. Owens Technical College in Toledo, Ohio.

Brown is originally from the Midwest, and she and her husband of more than 30 years, Dennis, live in Cullowhee.

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Your Asheville Sports Leader Two Pros & A Cup of Joe 6-9am The Dan Patrick Show 9am - Noon The Herd with Colin Cowherd Noon - 3pm The WISE Guys with Pat Ryan 3 - 6pm

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wisesportsradio.com

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS FRONT ROW (L-R): Hannah Wing, Airica Anderson, Caroline Lopp, Molly McAvoy, Sara, Grace Smith, Olivia Hawkins and Sarena Burrell MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Riley Ledford, Lindsey Mendzoa, Emma Shue, Kate Ammend, Marissa Clontz, Becca Kilpatrick, Kamdyn Anderson, Scotting Branning and Tiana Scarchilli BACK ROW (L-R): Isabella Fazio, Savannah Jones, Catie Osborne, Nathan Campbell, Riley Sanz, Kasi Jones and Makenna Shipley

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WESTERN CAROLINA’S POSTSEASON TEAMS

• 1949 •

North State Conference Champions Western Carolina had struggled through its first 15 seasons of football with only two winning seasons in two decades, but all that frustration was forgotten in 1949 when Coach Tom Young completed a four-year, post-World War II building program with an 8-2 regular season and the school’s first North State Conference championship and first postseason appearance.

The Cats, led by a stingy defense, won its first five games and allowed only two touchdowns in those victories. The only blemishes on the season were non-conference losses to Maryville (20-13) and Emory & Henry (27-26) as Western finished unbeaten in conference play.

The team was rewarded by a bid to play in the Smoky Mountain Bowl in Bristol, Va., where the Cats lost to West Liberty State.

Art Byrd, a 165-pound guard, was named to the Associated Press Little All-America Team, Western’s first AllAmerica selection. Linemen Buffalo Humphries and Hugh Constance along with backs Hugh “Pee Wee” Hamilton and Ralph McConnell joined Byrd on the All-North State Conference Team.

ART BYRD, a 165-pound two-way guard for the 1949 North State Conference championship team, was Western Carolina’s first All-America selection.

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• 1974 •

NCAA Division II Playoffs Coach Bob Waters, who saw a perfect season and a trip to the NAIA playoffs denied by a loss in the final game of the 1969 season, led WCU to its first NCAA postseason appearance the hard way five years later.

The 1974 Catamounts, playing in a sparkling new stadium, lost their season and stadium opener to visiting Murray State and struggled the next two weeks before establishing themselves as one of the nation’s top NCAA Division II teams.

After the season-opening loss, the Cats continued to struggle offensively for the next two weeks but did manage wins over Tennessee Tech (9-7) and Appalachian State (21-14) with outstanding defense. The offense, behind the running of freshman Darrell Lipford and passing of quarterback Jeff Walker to Jerry Gaines and Eagle Moss, found the right gear and the defense continued its great play. In the process, the Catamounts won nine in a row—including victories over top 10 teams Indiana State and Western Kentucky—and won a bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs where they lost a heartbreaker to No. 1 ranked Louisiana Tech, 10-7.

The 1974 Catamounts finished the season ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press College Division poll and their defense established team records that still stand to this day.

Most significant was allowing a mere nine touchdowns on the season (eight rushing and one passing) and only three over the last six games. Gaines and linebacker Steve Yates were first team All-America selections.

Linebacker STEVE YATES was leader and first team All-American on the 1974 team, which was WCU’s first to reach the NCAA playoffs, doing so at the NCAA Division II level.

• 1983 •

NCAA Division I-AA National Finalist Like the 1974 team, the 1983 Catamounts got off to a slow start by losing its first two games to Clemson and Wake Forest. After the two setbacks, WCU would go through the next 12 Saturdays unbeaten en route to the NCAA Division I-AA championship game – the first by a Southern Conference school.

The winning streak started in the third week of the season when WCU rallied from a 10-point deficit in the closing two minutes to defeat East Tennessee State, 17-16, and ended with a loss to Southern Illinois in the national championship game in Charleston, S.C. Despite the strong comeback in regular season play that produced an 8-2-1 record and No. 9 national ranking, Waters’ Cats barely made it into the I-AA playoffs. They proved their worthiness the next three weeks with comefrom-behind, heart-stopping wins over Colgate (24-23), Holy Cross (28-21) and Furman (14-7). The win over Furman was particularly pleasing as the teams had tied, 17-17, in the regular season, and allowed the Paladins to win the SoCon title as they had played and won one more league game due to a scheduling quirk. Over 5,000 WCU fans traveled to Greenville, S.C., for the rematch which was aired by CBS-TV. On the 1983 team, WCU had eight players named All-SoCon with head coach Bob Waters named Coach of the Year. Wide receiver Eric Rasheed and defensive back Tiger Greene selected All-America. Seven members of the ‘83 squad went on to play in the NFL and the team set an NCAA record for the most games played (15) in a season.

The 1983 Catamounts advanced to the NCAA I-AA championship game after its 14-7 upset at Furman. WCU was the first Southern Conference team to play for the national title.

Friends.

Family.

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We’re all in this together.

State Farm® has a long tradition of being there. That's one reason why I'm proud to support Western Carolina University.

Get to a better State®.

Charles Wolfe, Agent 180 Webster Road Sylva, NC 28779 Bus: 828-586-4026 charles.w.wolfe.bwll@statefarm.com

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1211009

State Farm, Bloomington, IL

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2022-23 DANCE TEAM FRONT ROW (L-R): Skylar Poulos, Naidelyn Cruz and Nicole Stauffer MIDDLE ROW (L-R): Matigan Rowe, Alex Henry, Kenzie Davis, Kimberly Hydrick, Alyssa Malgrat and Megan Normandin BACK ROW (L-R): Liv Wiesenhart, Samantha Harp, Bailey Burk, Julia Gerrer, Ashley Avant, Michelle Davis and Madison Tadlock

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BOB WATERS FIELD AT E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

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Construction Completed: June, 1974 West Side Stands Completed: August, 2003 Current Seating Capacity: 13,790 Playing Field: Bob Waters Field, Artificial Turf (IRONTURF) First game: Sept. 14, 1974 vs. Murray State (WCU lost 10-3) Dedicated: Oct. 5, 1974 vs. Morehead State (WCU won 31-12) Largest Attendance: 15,247 on Nov. 12, 1994 vs. Appalachian State

BOB WATERS

E.J. WHITMIRE

Construction of E.J. Whitmire Stadium was completed in 1974 at an initial cost of $1.66 million that was granted by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1971. The new facility, located on the southern-most expanse of the Western Carolina University campus, replaced Memorial Stadium and included the construction of the Jordan-Phillips Field House.

Dedicated on October 5, 1974, the Catamounts defeated Morehead State, 31-12, in their second game at the new facility.

Murray State won the first-ever game played on the artificial surface at Whitmire Stadium on September 14, 1974.

Over the years, Western Carolina has posted highlight victories at the facility including wins over nationally-ranked squads such as No. 2 Marshall in 1992; sixth-ranked Appalachian State in 1998 to regain the Old Mountain Jug; and over No. 2 Furman in 2006.

Goal posts have also been removed from the premises on several occasions. Brad Hoover set a stadium and school-record with 49 rushing attempts in 1998 as WCU upset Appalachian State, ending a 13-year losing skid its archrival. In 2004, Western Carolina again reclaimed the Jug, posting a dramatic, 30-27, come-frombehind win over the Apps, and the goalposts fell once again in what was the program’s 100th victory at Whitmire Stadium.

In 2006, Western Carolina’s defense recorded five interceptions and Darius Fudge rushed for 133 yards on offense to lead the Catamounts to a 41-21 victory over second-ranked Furman, setting the stage for another goalpost celebration.

The stadium has also hosted numerous television games over the years. One of the earliest came in 1978 as ABC showcased the Catamounts and Mountaineers from Cullowhee. Other broadcasts include ESPNU, SportSouth, Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast (CSS-TV) and most recently, the combined efforts of WLOS-TV and WMYA-TV in Asheville to air select WCU home games..

Currently with 13,790 seats, the football facility is located on the south end of the WCU campus and is bordered by the picturesque Cullowhee Creek on the west side; Jordan-Phillips Field House and WCU Weight Room on its north end; and the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center, which in addition to serving as the home venue for men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball also features the Dale and Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room, WCU Football Offices and Team Room as well as the athletic training / sports medicine facilities.

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BOB WATERS FIELD PLAYING SURFACE / FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: Western Carolina first installed AstroTurf on the playing surface in 1974. A similar product material was used in replacing the artificial surface several times. Following the facilities’ silver anniversary in 1999, a newer version of synthetic grass called AstroPlay was installed in 2000 for a cost of $1.2 million and was the surface that adorned Waters Field for the next eight years.

Amidst the 2008 season, the artificial surface was replaced by the Carolina Green Corporation which installed the Desso Challenge Pro 2 turf, a product of the overseas Desso Sports Systems. That surface remained until the summer of 2020 when Waters Field received a new surface. Designed by Woolpert, Inc., of Charlotte and executed by GeoSurfaces Southeast Inc., out of Mooresville, N.C., the group handled the removal and demolition of the old synthetic surface and replacing it with a new turf called “IronTurf” over a shock pad. The 2020 project also included resurfacing the perimeter immediately around the field and the addition of a new synthetic turf sled and practice area referred to as the “Hog Pit.” In 2002, the creation of a $93,000 Team Room complete with meeting and office space, as well as storage, was completed on the second floor of the Ramsey Center.

Prior to the 2003 season, more facility improvements and upgrades to the stadium were completed. A $3.1 million addition featured a 4,000-seat West Side grandstand seating area that included concessions and restroom facilities as well as new, updated lighting. The weight room in the Jordan-Phillips Field House was expanded, nearly doubling its previous capacity which also added a hospitality patio that overlooks the stadium on the north end zone. It also includes additional team meeting space, computer lab and visiting team locker room. The field house and East Side stands were also bricked to match the brickwork of the Ramsey Center and of the new West Side stands.

Also, on September, 16, 2006, the Dale & Diane Hollifield Football Locker Room facility located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center was dedicated. At a cost of $225,000, the 100-plus locker facility was expanded with beautiful, wooden lockers located throughout.

During the off-season prior to the 2010 campaign, a new Daktronics scoreboard with HD video screen were installed in the south

end zone – Ramsey Center end – of the facility. The state-of-the-art video screen measures 17-feet tall by 32-feet wide and includes a scoreboard with a matching score and time board adhered to the facade of the Jordan-Phillips Field House.

STADIUM BENEFACTORS AND NAMESAKES: Western Carolina’s football facilities are named after two prominent figures in Catamount Athletics. The late E.J. Whitmire, for whom the stadium is named, spent most of his adult life involved with the University. An educator, contractor, agriculturalist and public servant, Whitmire – from nearby Franklin, N.C. – served WCU for more than a quarter century with the attitude, leadership and “get it done” ability that made him successful in every walk of life.

Whitmire was on the WCU Board of Trustees from 1949-72 and was the driving force behind the University’s unparalleled period of growth. His tireless work served as the cornerstone of the structure that now bears his name. He was granted the Patron Award in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

In 1988, the playing surface where Robert Lee Waters made a name for himself in the coaching and administrative ranks while also putting WCU football in the national spotlight was dedicated in his honor and memory.

Bob Waters served as the University’s head football coach for 20 years and worked in a dual capacity as its athletics director for 15 years. During his tenure, he became the school’s winningest football coach with 116 victories, 13 winning seasons and top 10 national finishes at three different levels – NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I-AA, now FCS). He also had the privilege of coaching 13 national All-Americans and 36 All-Southern Conference players.

As athletics director, Waters directed the school’s rise from NAIA to NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I competition and move into the Southern Conference in 1976. He was also instrumental in the planning and constructing of Whitmire Stadium, Childress Field (baseball) and the Ramsey Center.

Waters died on May 29, 1989 following a six-year battle with amyotrophic lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was posthumously inducted into the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE The Southern Conference, which celebrates its 101st year in 2022, is a national leader in emphasizing the development of the studentathlete and in helping to build lifelong leaders and role models.

The Southern Conference has been on the forefront of innovation and originality in developing creative solutions to address issues facing intercollegiate athletics. From establishing the first postseason college basketball tournament (1921), to tackling the issue of freshman eligibility (1922), to developing women’s championships (1984), to becoming the first conference to install the 3-point shot in basketball (1980), the Southern Conference has been a pioneer.

The Southern Conference is the nation’s fifth-oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association. Only the Big Ten (1896), the Missouri Valley (1907), the Pac-12 (1915) and the Southwestern Athletic (1920) conferences are older in terms of origination.

Academic excellence has been a major part of the Southern Conference’s tradition. Hundreds of Southern Conference studentathletes have been recognized on CoSIDA Academic All-America and all-district teams. A total of 20 Rhodes Scholarship winners have been selected from conference institutions, most recently in 2012-13, when former Wofford volleyball player Rachel Woodlee earned the prestigious award.

The conference currently consists of 10 members in six states throughout the Southeast and sponsors 21 varsity sports and championships that produce participants for NCAA Division I Championships.

The Southern Conference offices are located in the historic Beaumont Mill in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A textile mill that was in operation from 1880 until 1999, Beaumont Mill was renovated in 2004 and today offers the league first-class meeting areas and offices as well as a spacious library for storage of the conference’s historical documents.

SOUTHERN CONFERENCE – MEMBERSHIP HISTORY On Feb. 25, 1921, representatives from 14 of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (SIAA) 30 members met at Atlanta’s Piedmont Hotel to establish the Southern Intercollegiate Conference. On hand at the inaugural meeting were officials from Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn), Clemson, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology (Georgia Tech), Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi A&M (Mississippi State), North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech) and Washington & Lee. Dr. S.V. Sanford of Georgia was chosen as acting chairman and N.W. Dougherty of Tennessee was named secretary. The decision to form a new athletic conference was motivated by the desire to have a workable number of conference games for each league member. With 30 schools in the SIAA by the early 1920s, it was

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2022 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS C / S Team

11 / 11 Mercer 8 / 10 Chattanooga 15 / 15 Samford RV / RV Furman Western Carolina The Citadel Wofford ETSU VMI

W 4 3 3 3 1 1 1 1 0

L

0 0 0 1 3 3 3 4 3

SOCON Pct Pts Opp 1.000 1.000 1.000 .750 .250 .250 .250 .200 .000

163 96 97 122 96 46 52 124 51

46 29 53 98 148 86 117 147 123

W 6 5 5 5 3 1 1 3 1

L

1 1 1 2 4 5 6 4 5

OVERALL Pct Pts Opp .857 .833 .833 .714 .429 .167 .143 .429 .167

287 175 157 210 242 56 81 213 107

115 94 131 152 242 164 194 157 209

C – Final FCS Coaches Poll; S – Final STATS FCS Top 25 Poll impossible to play every school at least once during the regular season and many schools went several years between playing some conference members. In addition, in 1920, the SIAA voted down proposed rules that an athlete must be in a college a year before playing on its teams and refused to abolish a rule permitting athletes to play summer baseball for money.

Play began in the fall of 1921, and a year later, six more schools joined the fledgling league, including Tulane (which had attended the inaugural meeting but had elected not to join), Florida, LSU, Mississippi, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. VMI joined in 1923 and Duke was added in 1929.

By the 1930s, membership in the Southern Conference had reached 23 schools. C.P. “Sally” Miles of Virginia Tech, president of the Southern Conference, called the annual league meeting to order on Dec. 9, 1932, at the Farragut Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn. There, it announced that 13 institutions west and south of the Appalachian Mountains were reorganizing as the Southeastern Conference.

Members of the new league included Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Florida, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Mississippi A&M, University of the South, Tennessee, Tulane and Vanderbilt.

According to the minutes of the meeting, Georgia’s Dr. Sanford stated that the division was made along geographical lines. Florida’s Dr. J.J. Tigert, acting as spokesman for the withdrawing group, regretted the move but believed it was necessary as the Southern Conference had grown too large. The resignations were accepted and the withdrawing schools formed the new league, which began play in 1933.

The SoCon continued with membership of 10 institutions, including Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, Virginia, VMI, Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee. The second major shift occurred some 20 years later. By 1952, the Southern Conference included 17 colleges and universities.

Another split occurred when seven schools – Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Wake Forest – departed to form the Atlantic Coast Conference, which began play in 1953. The revamped Southern Conference included members The Citadel, Davidson, Furman, George Washington, Richmond, VMI, Virginia Tech, Washington & Lee, West Virginia and William & Mary.

A third major shift occurred in 2012-13, when five members announced their departures and three schools were added. College of Charleston announced its decision to leave for the Colonial Athletic Association following the 2012-13 season, while Appalachian State (Sun Belt), Davidson (Atlantic 10), Elon (Colonial) and Georgia Southern (Sun Belt) announced they would depart following the 2013-14 campaign. At the Southern Conference’s 2013 spring meetings in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the league officially extended invitations to former members ETSU and VMI, as well as Mercer, to join the league for the 2014-15 academic year.

Today, the league continues to thrive with a membership that includes 10 institutions and a footprint that spans six states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Current league members are The Citadel, ETSU, Furman, Mercer, UNCG, Samford, Chattanooga, VMI, Western Carolina and Wofford.

W. CAROLINA

THE CITADEL

ETSU

FURMAN

MERCER

SAMFORD

CHATTANOOGA

VMI

WOFFORD

at Charleston Southern Sept. 3 – W, 31-28

at Campbell Sept. 1 – L, 29-10

MARS HILL Sept. 1 – W, 44-7

NORTH GREENVILLE Sept. 1 – W, 52-0

MOREHEAD STATE Aug. 27 – W, 63-13

#8 KENNESAW ST Sept. 1 – W, 27-17

WOFFORD * Sept. 3 – W, 31-0

at #22/19 Wake Forest Sept. 1 – L, 44-10

at Chattanooga * Sept. 3 – L, 31-0

at Georgia Tech Sept. 10 – L, 35-17

#8/9 ETSU Sept. 10 – W, 20-17

at The Citadel * Sept. 10 – L, 20-17

at Clemson Sept. 10 – L, 35-12

at Auburn Sept. 3 – L, 42-16

at #2 GEORGIA Sept. 10 – L, 33-0

at Eastern Illinois Sept. 10 – W, 38-20

BUCKNELL Sept. 10 – W, 24-14

ELON Sept. 10 – L, 26-0

PRESBYTERIAN Sept. 17 – W, 77-21

at #20 Mercer * Sept. 17 – L, 17-0

FURMAN * Sept. 17 – L, 27-14

at #18 ETSU * Sept. 17 – W, 27-14

THE CITADEL * Sept. 17 – W, 17-0

at Tennessee Tech Sept. 17 – W, 33-28

NORTH ALABAMA Sept. 17 – W, 41-14

CORNELL Sept. 17 – L, 28-22

at Virginia Tech Sept. 17 – L, 27-7

at #21 Samford * Sept. 24 – L, 35-12

at App State Oct. 1 – L, 49-0

at Robert Morris Sept. 24 – W, 45-3

at Charleston Southern Sept. 24 – W, 24-19

at Gardner-Webb Sept. 24 – W, 45-14

WESTERN CAROLINA * Sept. 24 – W, 35-12

at Illinois Sept. 22 – L, 31-0

at Western Carolina * Oct. 1 – L, 38-17

at Kennesaw State Sept. 24 – L, 24-22

VMI * Oct. 1 – 3:30 pm

FURMAN * Oct. 8 – L, 21-10

#10 CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 1 – L, 24-16

#16 SAMFORD * Oct. 1 – L, 34-27

at Wofford * Oct. 1 – W, 42-7

at Furman * Oct. 1 – W, 34-27

at ETSU Oct. 1 – W, 24-16

ETSU * Oct. 8 – L, 44-21

#13 MERCER * Oct. 1 – L, 42-7

at #12 Mercer * L, 49-6

at Wofford * Oct. 15 – L, 31-16

at VMI * Oct. 8 – W, 44-21

at The Citadel * Oct. 8 – W, 21-10

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 8 – W, 49-6

WOFFORD * Oct. 8 – W, 28-14

VMI * Oct. 15 – W, 41-13

at #9 Chattanooga * Oct. 15 – L, 41-13

at #13 Samford * Oct. 8 – L, 28-14

at Furman * L, 47-40

at Western Carolina * Oct. 22 – 2 pm

at #11 Mercer * Oct. 15 – L, 55-33

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 15 – W, 47-40

ETSU * Oct. 15 – W, 55-33

at ETSU * Oct. 22 – 2:30 pm

MERCER * Oct. 22 – 1:30 pm

FURMAN * Oct. 22 – 1:30 pm

THE CITADEL * Oct. 15 – W, 31-16

THE CITADEL * Oct. 22 – 2 pm

SAMFORD * Oct. 29 – 2 pm

SAMFORD * Oct. 22 – 3:30 pm

at VMI * Oct. 22 – 1:30 pm

at Chattanooga * Oct. 22 – 1:30 pm

at The Citadel * Oct. 29 – 1 pm

at Furman * Oct. 29 – 2 pm

MERCER * Oct. 29 – 1:30 pm

ETSU * Oct. 29 – 1:30 pm

WOFFORD * Nov. 5 – 2 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 5 – 2 pm

at Wofford * Oct. 29 – 1:30 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 29 – 2 pm

at VMI * Oct. 29 – 1:30 pm

VMI * Nov. 5 – 3 pm ET

at The Citadel * Nov. 5 – 2 pm

at Samford * Nov. 5 – 3 pm

at Western Carolina * Nov. 5 – 2 pm

at ETSU * Nov. 12 – 1 pm

VA. UNIV. LYNCHBURG Nov. 12 – 2 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 12 – 1 pm

at Mercer * Nov. 12 – 3 pm

FURMAN * Nov. 12 – 3 pm

at Chattanooga * Nov. 12 – 12:30 pm

SAMFORD * Nov. 12 – 1:30 pm

at Wofford * Nov. 12 – 1:30 pm

VMI * Nov. 12 – 1:30 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

at VMI * Nov. 19 – TBA

at Mississippi State Nov. 19 – TBA

WOFFORD * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

at Samford * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

MERCER * Nov. 19 – 1 pm ET

at Western Carolina * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

THE CITADEL * Nov. 19 – TBA

at Furman * Nov. 19 – 1 pm

Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

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WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS #14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) Kirk Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the Southern Conference’s – first, three-time All-America Selection (1984, 1986 and 1987) ... He additionally was the first player in league history to be a four-

#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75) Jerry Gaines was an Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors

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time, first team All-SoCon selection (1984-87), an

accomplishment which has since been duplicated just three other times ... Continues to rank as Western

Carolina’s all-time scoring leader with 302 points ...

He connected on 71-of-101 (70.3-percent) field goals

in his career and only missed one extra point, making 89-of-90 (98.9-percent) .... Roach also still holds the distinction of being the highest Catamount taken in

in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... Set WCU records with 3,449 career receiving yards,

a 20.6 average yards per reception for his career and 15 games with over 100 receiving yards ...

Only the second WCU football player to have his jersey retired.

Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

the NFL draft, selected in the fifth round overall by the Buffalo Bills in 1987 ... Was listed on the 2019 College Football Hall of Fame divisional ballot.

Inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame in 1996; his jersey

was honored at WCU in 2006 and he was inducted into the Southern Conference Hall of Fame in 2021.

#41 • BRAD HOOVER (1996-99)

#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49)

Brad Hoover starred at tailback for the Catamounts from 1996 through 1999 before playing 10 seasons for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. Affectionally known as "Hoov," Hoover ranks third in Western Carolina football history with 3,616 career rushing yards, trailing just secondplace Detrez Newsome (3,728 yards from 2014-17) and all-time leader Darrell Lipford, (4,089 yards from 1974-77). His career tally includes a WCU single-season record of 1,663 rushing yards in 1998 which came on a single-season best 331 carries.

Hoover's 708 career rushes additionally rank him third in program history, finishing fourth with a 5.10 career rushing average and tied for eighth with 23 scores on the ground. During his recordsetting 1998 season, Hoover keyed an upset of archrival Appalachian State by rushing for 195 yards on a school single-game record 49 carries. WCU upended the second-ranked Mountaineers 23-6 in Cullowhee, returning the "Old Mountain Jug" to Cullowhee. Hoover was a 2008 inductee into Western Carolina's Athletics Hall of Fame and a two-time All-SoCon selection at running back.

Art Byrd was the first football All-America selection at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ...

41 54

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Heroes Day – vs. The Citadel

Helped the Catamounts to an 8-2 regular-season mark in 1949 and their first North State Conference title ... That team additionally holds the

distinction of being WCU’s first team to earn a

postseason bid, playing in the Smoky Mountain Bowl (Bristol, Va.) ... Byrd sas the first Western Carolina student-athlete to have a jersey and number retired.

Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

HISTORY OF THE VICTORY BELL Western Carolina continues a tradition resumed in 2009, returning the “Victory Bell” – a mounted, transportable bell that rings the football team’s arrival for pre-game and also accompanies the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band and the Catamount Cheerleaders in their pregame parades to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

Whereas the bell is a relatively new tradition, it is actually the re-birth of an old tradition on the WCU campus as is noted on the plaque which adorns the Alumni Bell Tower, the centerpiece in the quad. The tower houses the original “Victory Bell,” which hung in the old Madison Hall from 1904 until 1938 and was run to signal class periods.

After the building was torn down, the bell was mounted on a stone base between the Moore and former Joyner Building – which was destroyed by fire – and was rung in celebration of Catamount athletic victories.

The bell was later moved closer to the Old Student Union building before making its last active move in the late 1960s to the lawn of the Hinds University Center.

The bell and its traveling apparatus were designed and constructed by Mr. Ron Bumgarner, an assistant professor of engineering technology at Western Carolina, and several students in his class.

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Official Football Signals

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Igniting Dreams There’s no such thing as a small dream. And the more support our students have, the bigger they can dream, and the brighter everyone’s future becomes. Which is why the North Carolina Education Lottery is proud to have provided more than $602 million in funding for scholarships and grants to help make college opportunities a reality. Because we believe every student deserves the chance to see their dreams come true.

Visit NCLottery.com to learn more.

MUST BE 18 TO PLAY. Problem Gambling Helpline: 877-718-5543.

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