2024 Extra Points - Game Day Program

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TODAY'S GAME PRESENTED BY:

IN MEMORY OF

1954 – 2024

OOTLBUAMLNLI F T N U O M A CATA HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1974 NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFF CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL TEAM AND 50 YEARS OF WHITMIRE STADIUM

SEE PAGE 74

INSIDE Stadium Game Day Info / Clear Bag Policy.....................6-7

WCU Athletics Department Staff.................................43-44

Scouting Western Carolina.................................................8

WCU Coaching Staff.........................................................46

A Look at Today’s Opponent: Campbell........................... 10

Meet the 2024 Catamounts..................................... 50-58

Western Carolina Numerical Roster................................. 13

2024 Football Team Photo...............................................60

Campbell Numerical Roster.............................................. 15

"Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band................ 68-69

WCU vs. Campbell – Two-Deep...................................... 16

Dr. Kelli R. Brown, WCU Chancellor.................................71

WCU vs. Campbell– Stat Comparison..............................20

Catamount Football – Postseason Teams...................... 74

Looking Back: Last Time Out for WCU @NCST......... 22-23

The Southern Conference...............................................76

WCU 2024 Season Game-by-Game.................................26

Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium......................80

WCU Head Football Coach, Kerwin Bell................... 29-30

WCU Football Honored Numbers.....................................82

WCU Football Coaching Staff...........................................34

History of the Victory Bell.................................................82

WCU Football Support Staff..............................................36

NCAA Officials Signals......................................................84

WCU Athletics Director, Alex Gary.............................. 40-41

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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 Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations, Daniel Hooker (Western Carolina, 2001) with editorial assistance from Directors of Media Relations Greg Hartlage and Josh Ragsdale.

Special thanks to the previous staffs of WCU Athletics Media Relations and designer Todd Charles. Photography provided

by Ashley Evans, Charlie Bulla, Samuel Wallace and various student assistants in the Western Carolina Public Relations Department; WCU PR retiree, Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; Jason Hall of Valleytown Photo; additional photos from Phil Polito, Paul Setliff. Printing is by the WCU Print Shop in Cullowhee.

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.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR

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PARTNERS THESE BUSINESSES PURCHASED 20 OR MORE TICKETS TO TODAY’S GAME.

'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell | 5

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E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM POLICIES AND INFORMATION GAME TIMES:

All game times are subject to change. WCU will publicize any game time changes through its social media channels (X: @Catamounts, @CatamountsFB) and website, CatamountSports.com. Tickets and game day parking refunds will NOT be made because of a change in kickoff times.

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 points of sale on either side of the stadium and a point of sale on Paws Porch and Catamount Corner. Patrons must be 21 years of age and present valid ID at the time of purchase and may only purchase TWO (2) alcoholic beverages 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. Please drink responsibly.

GATE INSPECTION / CLEAR BAG POLICY:

Western Carolina University abides by 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.

UMBRELLAS:

Umbrellas ARE NOT PERMITTED in the seating area of Whitmire Stadium. No umbrellas will be allowed through the stadium gates.

Patrons may either leave their umbrella at the gate or return it to their vehicle prior to entering the stadium.

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.

ARTIFICIAL NOISEMAKERS:

Unapproved and unsanctioned artificial noisemakers (ie., air horns, cowbells, clappers, 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 when part of a game day promotion.

Fans are asked to be considerate and allow your neighbor to enjoy the game. Please keep portable radios at a low volume.

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 soft drinks from Pepsi including bottled water and Gatorade. Concession stands do accept credit cards, and there are also cash-only drink and snack lines available. Other concession options include the Bojangles chicken sandwiches and Sweet Tea, Tubby's Popcorn and More, and Betty's Funnel Cakes.

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.

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 levels on either side of the stadium.

LOST AND FOUND:

If you find an item, please return it to a Rhino game day 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 and online at www.bookstore.wcu.edu. Merchandise is also available anytime at CatamountSports.com through CatamountFanShop, or also at the WCU Bookstore located near the center of the WCU campus.

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.

REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE:

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

PREGAME TAILGATING:

Tailgating is only allowed in permissible lots. There are no grills or tents allowed in the North Baseball Parking Deck. NO GLASS is permitted in on-campus tailgating on football game days. Also, please note that there is NO POSTGAME TAILGATING ALLOWED.

TICKETS FOR CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL:

Tickets sales for Western Carolina Catamount football games can be purchased at the WCU Athletics Ticket Office Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm or by phone at (828) 227-2401. Tickets can be purchased on game day beginning at 9:00 am at the Northwest ticket booth near the main entrance – or Gate 1. Avoid the line and buy online anytime at CatamountSports.com.

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.

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

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.

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 raises the curtain on the home portion of its 2024 schedule on Saturday

afternoon looking to "White Out Whitmire" as the Catamounts host Campbell to kickoff the year-long celebration of 50 years of football at E.J. Whitmire Stadium ... WCU has won more than 50 percent of its home games overall since moving to the south side of the Cullowhee campus, posting three unbeaten seasons – 6-0-1 in 1983; 5-0 in 1986; and again 5-0 in 2015;; u

u

u

This weekend, WCU welcomes home over 200 football alumni from the past 50 years as part of the year-long celebration ... In addition to a pregame tailgate, those alum will be honored by decade during Saturday's halftime festivities; CHEERS TO 1974: Western Carolina also celebrates the accomplishments its 1974 Catamount football team that advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs on this the 50th anniversary of their run ... After failing to score a touchdown in its first game in its new stadium, the '74 Catamounts rattled off nine straight wins to earn a postseason berth ... the 1974 squad boasted one of – if not THE – best defensive unit in program history, only surrendering a school-record 87 total points with just NINE touchdowns and held six teams to single-digit point production;

WESTERN CAROLINA / CAMPBELL INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES

ALL-TIME SERIES. . . . . . . . . . . . WCU TRAILS, 0-2 In Cullowhee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU trails, 0-2 In Buies Creek. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Have not met Current Streak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WCU, L–2 Longest WCU Win Streak:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . n/a Largest Margin of Victory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . n/a Longest WCU Losing Skid: . . . . . . . 2 gms, current Total Series Points. . . . . . WCU 6 / CAMPBELL 27 WCU Average Points. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.0 ppg Campbell Average Points . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.5 ppg

ALL TIME SERIES MEETINGS (0-2):

"THE CATS" ARE BACK: For the first two games of 2024 – and as a part of the special "White Out Whitmire" uniform scheme AND honoring the 50th anniversary of E.J. Whitmire Stadium this year, the historic "The Cats" logo first used by Bob Waters on the Catamount football helmets returns this week ... a slightly larger "The Cats" logo will be on the right side of WCU's helmets in all-white, paying homage Waters' original logo;

u Western Carolina and Campbell officially meet for just the third time on the football gridiron, having

dropped both of the previous series meetings – though both came back in 1937 and 1939 ... Campbell denotes its football from 1925 through 1950 – minus the World War II years – as its "Junior College Era" ... Campbell's 1939 squad was denoted as having tied with Brevard and Belmont Abbey for the North Carolina state title that year;

u Following last Thursday's upset bid in the nationally-ranked battle with NC State, Western Carolina

advanced in both of this week's national polls ... On Monday, the Catamounts climbed three spots from 20th into 17th in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 ... On Tuesday, the Catamounts moved up two spots in this week's American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches Poll presented by Hudl, tipping the balance at No. 17 this week to mirror the media ranking;

Sept. 1, 1937

Cullowhee

L, 7-6

Sept. 1, 1939

Cullowhee

L, 20-0

WCU and the SoCon vs. the CAA: Western Carolina has played FOUR of the 16 current teams currently in the new-look Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) – Campbell (0-2); Elon (17-24-2); Maine (1-0); and North Carolina A&T (2-2); u The SoCon and CAA meet a combined SEVEN times on the football gridiron in 2024 ... This weekend, Western Carolina hosts Campbell and Wofford travels to Richmond for two of those games ... VMI lost to nationally-ranked William & Mary last week. u

u Reigning SoCon Offensive Player of the Year (media) a season ago, junior QB COLE GONZALES

headlined 10 Catamounts named to the preseason All-SoCon squads back at SoCon Football Media Day ... Gonzales was joined by offensive lineman BLAKE WHITMORE and AJ COLOMBO along with long snapper COLBY CROSS named to the first team while running back BRANSON ADAMS, offensive lineman DEREK SIMMONS, defensive lineman CURTIS FANN JR. and defensive backs SAMAURIE DUKES, ED JONES IV and CJ WILLIAMS were named to the league’s second team.;

u Western Carolina was picked third in the official preseason coaches poll, the highest predicted fin-

ish for the Catamounts since a third-place nod back in 2015 ... the 2024 third place preseason selection marks the sixth time since 1983 that WCU was picked at least third in the SoCon preseason poll by the head coaches;

u SATURDAY'S FAMILIAR FACES: Western Carolina and Campbell both have players on roster that

traded one uniform for the other here in 2024 through the transfer portal u Former WCU offensive lineman ANTWANN FANN is now playing for Campbell, making his Camel debut last Saturday ... Fann appeared in 13 games over the course of his career at WCU, battling injuries that moved him in and out of the lineup; u On the other side of the ledger, WCU gained graduate transfer DB QUEZ ROYAL from Campbell ... After starting at Fayetteville State, Royal played in nine games over two seasons in Buies Creek, recording 11 tackles with eight solo stops and a tackle for loss coming on a sack and recovered a fumble … Royal earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management at Campbell.

JUNIOR QB #9 COLE GONZALES

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WCU HEAD COACH KERWIN BELL

REDSHIRT SOPH. DB #0 KEN MOORE JR.

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EVERY MONDAY DURING FOOTBALL SEASON – 2968 Old Cullowhee Road 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell | 9

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A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: CAMPBELL CAMELS u CAMPBELL comes to Cullowhee on Saturday with a 0-1 record on the season after opening 2024

with a 41-24 road loss at Liberty in Lynchburg, Va. ... Campbell led the Flames 10-3 early in the second quarter and were tied just before the half before trailing at the break, 17-10 ... Liberty used four-straight scores after Campbell went ahead 10-7 to pull away from the win; u

u

CAMPBELL plays three-straight away from home before opening the home slate in Buies Creek on Sept. 21 ... the Fighting Camels have another road trip next weekend, traveling north to Kingston, RI to meet Rhode Island in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play; The Fighting Camels are looking for their first nonconference win since last September when they scored a road win over fellow Southern Conference foe The Citadel in Charleston, 59-7;

u CAMPBELL is in its 17th season of its modern era of football ... the Fighting Camels posted a 5-6

seasonal record a year ago in its first year as a member of the CAA ... Campbell was previously a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL, 2008-17) and the Big South Conference (2018-22) before moving to the new-look CAA;

u The Camels' offense is under the direction of redshirt sophomore QB CHAD MASCOE JR. who

completed 10-of-17 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown in the opener at Liberty … Mascoe Jr.'s 167.2 passing efficiency ranks third in the CAA and is 11th nationally in FCS through the opening weekend of action … Mascoe Jr. also leads the country with 18 yards per completion; u

Graduate student RB MARK BIGGINS carried the rock eight times for 81 yards with a touchdown plunge from a yard out against the Flames … Redshirt senior SINCERE BROWN led all receivers last weekend with five grabs for 126 yards including a 36-yard score;

u On the defensive side, redshirt junior JOJO PACE leads the Camels with 14 tackles which ranks

third in FCS … junior PAUL HUTSON III finished the opener credited with 11 stops with a half sack as senior CJ TILLMAN (pictured below) made 10 tackles and had a forced fumble for Campbell; u

Graduate student RB MARK BIGGINS carried the rock eight times for 81 yards with a touchdown plunge from a yard out against the Flames … Redshirt senior SINCERE BROWN led all receivers last weekend with five grabs for 126 yards including a 36-yard score;

u Three Camels were named Preseason All-CAA, including linebacker CJ TILLMAN (pictured below)),

wide receiver VJ WILKINS (honorable mention wide receiver and return specialist) and LS BOBBY CLEARY (honorable mention) ... Cleary was also named a preseason All-America selection at long=snapper, collecting third team honors from Stats Perorm FCS and fourth-team plaudits from Phil Steele; u

ABOUT CAMPBELL

SCOUTING THE FIGHTING CAMELS

QUICK FACTS:

Location:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buies Creek, N.C. Founded:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1887 Enrollment:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,000 Colors:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Orange & Black Conference: . . . . . . . . Coastal Athletic Assoc. (CAA) Facility (Capacity):. . . Barker-Lane Stadium (5,500)) President:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. J. Bradley Creed Athletics Director:. . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Bazemore SWA: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Wendt Head Coach:. . . . Braxton Harris (Mary Hardin-Baylor, '08) Record at CAMP:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-1 (1st yr) Overall Record: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13-29 (5th yr)

2024 SCHEDULE / RESULTS (0-1, 0-0): Aug. 31

at Liberty

Sept. 7

at #17/17 Western Carolina

L, 41-24 1 pm

Sept. 14

at Rhode Island *

6 pm

Sept. 21

STONY BROOK *

5 PM

SEPT. 28

DELAWARE STATE

2 PM

OCT. 5

NC CENTRAL

4 PM

Oct. 19

at William & Mary *

OCT. 26

NORTH CAROLINA A&T *

3:30 pm 4 pm

Nov. 2

at Elon *

2 pm

NOV. 9

RICHMOND *

Nov. 16

at Delaware *

1 pm

NOV. 23

TOWSON *

2 PM

3:30 PM

CAMPBELL was picked finish 11TH out of the 16 teams in the highly-competitive, 16-team Coasta Athletic Association (CAA), a league predicted to go to Villanova who received nine first-place votes;

u ABOUT CAMPBELL HEAD COACH BRAXTON HARRIS (pictured at right): He was named the third

had coach in Campbell's modern era of football – dating back to 2008 – back in January 2024 ...

Harris returned to Buies Creek after spending 2023 at Houston Christian where he led the Huskies to a 6-5 record for the first winning season in HCU program history ... Harris and the Camels come to Cullowhee lookin gto secure his first victory as Campbell head coach; u

u

In his first stop at Campbell, Harris served as associate head coach and linebackers coach for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, while also acting as the program's recruiting coordinator; Under Harris, the Camels hauled in the top signing class in the FCS in back-to-back seasons – a feat he matched in his first year at Houston Christian making him responsible for the top recruitin classes for three consecutive years in the NCAA FCS ... In December 2021, Harris and the Camels signed three of the Top 10 recruits in the NCAA FCS.

HEAD COACH BRAXTON HARRIS

SENIOR LINEBACKER #0 CJ TILLMAN

R-SO. WIDE RECEIVER #21 VJ WILKINS

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WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2024 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

0

AJ Colombo

WR

5-8

170

0

Ken Moore Jr.

CB

5-10

160

1

Zion Booker

WR

5-10

185

1

Mateo Sudipo

S

6-1

210

2

Branson Adams

RB

5-9

2

Micah Nelson

DE

6-3

3

Calvin Jones

WR

5-10

185

3

Samaurie Dukes

CB

5-10

185

4

De’Andre Tamarez

WR

5-11

165

4

C.J. Williams

CB

5-10

170

5

Jalynn Williams

RB

5-10

5

Hayward McQueen Jr. LB

6-1

6

Corey Reddick Jr.

RB

5-10

175

6

Curtis Fann Jr.

DL

6-3

255

7

Malik Knight

WR

6-2

185

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

Jr.

Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)

33

R-So.

Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus HS)

34

So.

Charlotte, N.C. (Julius Chambers HS)

R-Sr.

Pompano Beach, Fla. (Coastal Carolina / Wake Forest (NC) HS)

190

Jr.

265

R-Sr. R-Jr.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

Lee Campbell

S

6-0

Rashad Snow

CB

5-9

210

Jr.

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

160

Fr.

35

Christian Murphy

LB

6-1

215

R-So.

Homestead, Fla. (Homestead HS) Dania Beach, Fla. (Dillard HS)

36

Ja’morri Downing

S

6-0

195

R-So.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan HS)

Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

37

Cam Smith

DB

6-0

190

R-Fr.

New London, N.C. (North Stanly HS)

Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

38

Canden McGill

CB

5-11

185

Fr.

Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS)

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

39

Julian Quintero

S

6-0

200

Fr.

St. Augustine, Fla. (St. Augustine HS)

Jr.

Miami, Fla. (Miami HS)

40

Cory Hennings

S

6-1

210

R-Jr.

Matthews, N.C. (Weddington HS)

R-So.

Overtown, Fla. (Carol City HS)

41

Drew Hollifield

S

5-11

190

Fr.

Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS)

R-Sr.

Gallion, Ala. (Alabama / Demopolis HS)

42

Caden Robinson

TE

6-3

225

Fr.

Lake Junaluska, N.C. (Pisgah HS)

210

R-Sr.

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

44

Isaac McLellan

TE

6-2

240

R-So.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

200

Jr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (TRU Prep Academy)

45

Justin Wallace

DL

6-3

240

R-So.

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Killian HS)

R-So.

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

46

Paxton Robertson

K

6-0

215

Sr.

Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Catholic HS)

R-Sr.

Stillmore, Ga. (Akron / Emanuel County Institute)

47

Blue Monroe

LB

6-1

230

R-So.

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

R-So.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

48

Colby Cross

LS

6-0

230

R-Sr.

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

7

Ed Jones IV

S

6-1

200

Sr.

Arlington, Texas (Cisco College / Martin HS)

49

Corbin Shirley

K

5-10

180

R-So.

Seneca, S.C. (Seneca HS)

8

Taron Dickens

QB

5-11

180

R-Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)

50

Edwin Moore Jr.

DL

6-3

280

Fr.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

8

Jaquarius Guinn

DL

6-2

290

Sr.

Clover, S.C. (Clover HS)

51

Aaron Sanez

OL

6-2

300

R-So.

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)

9

Cole Gonzales

QB

6-0

195

Jr.

Ocala, Fla. (Trinity Catholic HS)

52

Manasseh Ripert

OL

6-4

310

Jr.

Lakeland, Fla. (Dodge City / Kentucky Christian / Lakeland HS) Waycross, Ga. (Ware County HS)

9

Darian Anderson Jr.

CB

5-10

160

R-So.

Miami, Fla. (Dade Christian School)

53

Zach Watson

OL

6-1

300

R-Fr.

10

Patrick Boyd Jr.

WR

5-10

170

R-Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

55

Secrea Algie

OL

6-5

305

Fr.

Snellville, Ga. (Brookwood HS)

10

Tahjae Mullix

DL

6-3

270

Jr.

Covington, Ga. (Western Illinois / Newton HS)

56

Mabry Bumgarner

LS

5-9

195

R-Fr.

Sylva, N.C. (Smoky Mountain HS)

11

Jefferson Boaz

QB

6-7

250

Jr.

Pilot Mountain, N.C. (North Carolina / East Surry HS)

57

Caleb Turner-Allen

DL

6-1

235

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Dr. Michael M. Krop HS)

11

Caleb Fisher

DL

6-3

230

R-Jr.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

58

Brett Gray

OL

6-3

300

Jr.

Vancouver, Wash. (Valparaiso / Skyview HS)

12

Brody Palhegyi

QB

5-10

180

R-Jr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Cardinal Gibbons HS)

58

Daimean Fernandez

LB

6-2

185

R-Fr.

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

12

Amarian Robinson

DB

5-10

175

Gr.

Akron, Ohio ( Youngstown State / Akron East HS)

59

Beady Waddell V

LB

6-0

215

Fr.

Summerville, S.C. (West Mecklenburg (N.C.) HS)

13

Santana Fleming

WR

5-10

170

R-Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Western HS)

60

Therion Cannon

OL

6-3

280

R-Jr.

Ridgeland, S.C. (UAB / Thomas Heyward HS)

13

Quez Royal

CB

6-1

180

R-Sr.

Fayetteville, N.C. (Campbell / South View HS)

62

Peyton Davis

OL

6-2

320

R-So.

Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman HS)

14

Nate Blair

QB

6-4

200

Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Episcopal School of Jacksonville)

63

Maddox Cowart

K

6-2

190

Fr.

Tampa, Fla. (Plant HS)

14

Armond Anderson

DB

6-2

215

Jr.

Lithonia, Ga. (St. Thomas Univ. / South Gwinnett HS)

65

Camden Myers

OL

6-3

265

Fr.

Irmo, S.C. (Dutch Fork HS)

15

Jai Boyd

WR

6-2

175

R-Fr.

Winnsboro, S.C. (Fairfield Central HS)

66

Derek Simmons

OL

6-6

325

Sr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Abilene Christian / Fletcher HS)

15

Antoine Williams

LB

5-10

205

R-Sr.

Birmingham, Ala. (Austin Peay / Pinson Valley HS)

67

Steven Hamby

OL

6-5

320

R-Fr.

Statesville, N.C. (Statesville HS)

16

James Tyre

WR

5-10

175

R-Fr.

Suwanee, Ga. (Lambert HS)

68

Dale Greene

OL

6-3

300

Fr.

Buford, Ga. (Buford HS)

16

Jordy Lowery

CB

5-11

190

R-So.

Bartow, Fla. (Bartow HS)

69

Caleb Williford

OL

6-6

315

Fr.

Buford, Ga. (Cherokee Bluff HS)

17

Bennett Judy

QB

6-3

200

R-Fr.

Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest HS)

71

Cade McClellan

OL

6-3

305

R-So.

Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)

17

Kenyon Partridge

DE

6-3

250

R-Fr.

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

72

Blake Whitmore

OL

6-2

310

R-Sr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS)

18

Isaiah Johnson

WR

6-0

180

Fr.

Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (Choctawhatchee HS)

73

Xavier Graham

OL

6-2

355

Sr.

Niceville, Fla. (UMass / Niceville HS)

18

Antarron Turner

LB

6-2

230

R-So.

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

74

Jordan Daniels

OL

6-5

325

R-Sr. Charlotte, N.C. (Akron / Charlotte / North Mecklenburg HS)

19

James Randle

WR

6-0

180

Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Mainland HS)

75

Caleb Carter

OL

6-3

310

R-Jr.

19

Chris Morgan

DL

6-0

270

Sr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

76

Nate Linkous

OL

6-5

300

R-Jr.

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

19

Isaac Lee

QB

6-3

175

Fr.

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

78

Evan Carney

OL

6-3

305

R-So.

Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)

20

Jalen Ibrahim

RB

5-9

190

So.

Franklinton, N.C. (Louisburg College / Franklinton HS)

81

Ca’Lique Cunningham WR

5-9

190

R-So.

Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

20

Wesley Scott

LB

6-0

215

Gr. Hobe Sound, Fla. (Tusculum / Keiser / Jupiter Christian HS)

82

Matthew Keener

WR

6-2

195

Fr.

Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS)

21

Jaiden Bond

RB

5-9

185

R-Jr.

Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

83

Austin Cunningham

WR

6-0

190

Fr.

West Columbia, S.C. (White Knoll HS)

21

Bo Simpson-Nealy

DB

5-10

180

R-Fr.

Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)

84

Brandon Poteat

WR

5-10

165

Jr.

Hillsborough, N.C. (Cedar Ridge HS)

22

Trey Ritch

TE

6-3

220

Fr.

Gainesville, Fla. (Santa Fe HS)

85

David Hulbert

TE

6-4

240

R-Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian School)

22

Jeno Junius Jr.

LB

5-11

200

R-Fr.

Hollywood, Fla. (Chaminade-Madonna HS)

86

Brayden Blackmon

TE

6-3

250

R-Jr.

Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

24

Brandon Benjamin

RB

5-9

220

R-Jr.

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

87

Jake Young

TE

6-3

240

R-So.

Waxhaw, N.C. (North Carolina / Marvin Ridge HS) Hopkins, S.C. (Lower Richland HS)

Jacksonville, N.C. (Southwest Onslow HS)

24

Zayveon Wells

DB

5-10

195

So.

Sumter, S.C. (Palmetto Prep Academy / Lakewood HS)

88

Jemarious Reaves

WR

6-1

185

Fr.

25

Marlin Cochran

RB

5-11

190

R-Fr.

Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern HS)

89

Bode Burns

TE

6-4

225

Fr.

Dunnellon, Fla. (Dunnellon HS)

25

Nicholas Kilpatrick

CB

6-0

180

Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (William Raines HS)

90

Jamichael Wilson

DL

6-3

340

Gr.

Chattanooga, Tenn. (Tusculum / Brainerd HS)

26

Na’Koma Simpson-NealyS

5-10

165

Fr.

Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)

91

Ugo Nosike

DL

6-2

295

R-So.

South Holland, Ill. (Eastern Michigan / Thornwood HS)

27

Joshua Collins

RB

6-1

200

Fr.

Bryson City, N.C. (Swain County HS)

92

Vanier Baptiste III

DL

6-3

270

Fr.

Fort Myers, Fla. (Dunbar HS)

27

Hasaan Sykes

CB

6-0

175

Fr.

Tucker, Ga. (Tucker HS)

93

Adrian Stone

DL

6-4

290

Fr.

Fort Myers, Fla. (North Fort Myers HS) Charlotte, N.C. (Julius L. Chambers HS)

28

Markel Townsend

RB

5-8

185

R-Fr.

Columbia, S.C. (A.C. Flora HS)

94

Jaden Meeks

DL

6-1

215

Fr.

29

Jhamari Pierre-Louis

S

5-11

190

R-So.

Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

95

Stephen Brantley

P

6-2

220

So.

Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS)

30

Richard Garrett

DL

6-4

245

R-So.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS)

96

Christian Lowery

K

5-11

185

Jr.

Acworth, Ga. (Cincinnati / Harrison HS)

31

Don Robinson III

CB

5-10

180

R-So.

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

97

Caleb Bradford

DL

6-1

265

R-Jr.

Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS)

32

Walter Gibson

DB

5-11

200

R-Sr.

Apex, N.C. (Apex HS)

98

Jackson Hensley

DL

6-4

260

Fr.

Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

32

Trevaughn Martinez

DB

5-10

175

R-Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)

99

Jordan Cardentey

DL

6-0

265

Fr.

Atlanta, Ga. (Creekside HS)

'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell | 13

w 2024 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

14 | 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell

w 2024 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

CAMPBELL FIGHTING CAMELS – 2024 NUMERICAL ROSTER NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

NO.

NAME

POS.

HT.

WT.

YR.

0

Davyn Reid

WR

5-10

190

R-So.

Mooresville, N.C. (Mooresville HS)

35

Ethan Quarshie

DL

6-2

230

Gr.

HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL) Snellville, Ga. (Brookwood HS)

0

CJ Tillman

LB

6-0

230

Sr.

Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond Senior HS

36

Semaj Jackson

S

5-10

175

Fr.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (American Heritage HS)

1

Mike Chandler II

QB

6-0

195

R-Sr.

Converse, Texas (Lamar / Judson HS)

37

Bobby Cleary

LS

6-1

235

Sr.

Slinger, Wisc. (Northern State / Slinger HS)

1

Lakeem Rudolph

LB

6-4

240

R-Sr.

Virginia Beach, Va. (Virginia Tech / Green Run HS)

38

Alex Crabb

K

5-8

190

Fr.

Ashburn, Va. (Briar Woods HS)

2

Chad Mascoe, Jr.

QB

6-1

225

R-So.

Kissimmee, Fla. (Osceola HS)

39

Bobby Walchak

LB

6-1

225

R-Jr.

Pottsville, Pa. (Penn State/ Pottsville Area HS)

2

Jonathan Melvin

LB

6-1

230

Gr.

Hampton, Va. (Penn / Kecoughtan HS)

41

Steven Mirabile

LS

5-10

240

R-So.

Garden City Park, N.Y. (New Hyde Park Memorial)

3

Paul Hutson III

DL

6-0

270

Jr.

Norfolk, Va. (Austin Peay / IMG Academy (Fla.)

43

Logan Livermon

LB

6-3

220

R-Jr.

Midlothian, Va. (Clover Hill HS)

3

Sammy Malignaggi

RB

5-9

205

R-Sr.

Nashua, N.H. (JMU / Buckingham Browne & Nichols (Mass.))

44

Michael Bowles

LS

5-9

190

R-Sr.

Augusta, Ga. (Aquinas HS)

4

Mark Biggins

RB

5-10

220

Gr.

Bayview, Calif. (Cal Poly / St. Ignatius HS)

45

Joshua Pierce

DL

6-5

255

R-Fr.

Detroit, Mich. (University Liggett School)

4

George Wilson

LB

6-4

230

R-Jr.

Virginia Beach, Va. (Florida State / Green Run HS)

46

Jack Brady

P

5-11

200

Gr.

Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida / Bolles School)

5

Keevan Bailey

CB

5-11

180

Gr.

Conyers, Ga. (Colorado State / Salem HS)

47

Aiden Bonde

K/P

5-8

165

R-Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Southeast Guilford HS)

5

Quentin Thomas

WR

6-1

200

R-Fr.

Stockbridge, Ga. (Georgia State / Eagles Landing HS)

48

Elias Foreman

TE

6-0

220

R-Jr.

South Walton, Fla. (Vernon HS)

6

Brandon Guzman

CB

5-11

185

R-Sr.

Pasadena, Calif. (Colorado State/ Charter Oak HS)

49

Carter Daughtry

K

6-0

210

R-Fr.

Erwin, N.C. (Triton HS)

6

Bryan Wilson

QB

5-11

205

Fr.

Corona, Calif. (Eleanor Roosevelt HS)

50

A'mari Wilson

DL

6-7

260

R-Fr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Fletcher HS)

7

Shannon Henry

WR

6-3

205

R-So.

Eureka, Calif. (Life Christian Academy)

51

MarQuis Roberts

LB

6-1

215

R-Jr.

Washington, D.C. (Flint Hill HS)

8

Brandon Fitez

WR

5-7

175

Gr.

Altamonte Springs, Fla. (The Master's Academy)

52

Vince Barefoot

LS

5-10

175

Fr.

Raleigh, N.C. (Millbrook HS)

8

Antoine Sampah

LB

6-2

230

R-Jr.

Woodbridge, Va. (LSU / Woodbridge HS)

52

Dante Jones

OL

6-5

305

R-Sr.

Jacksonville, N.C. (Northside HS)

9

Sincere Brown

WR

6-5

190

R-Sr.

Charleston, S.C. (South Florida / First Baptist School)

53

Tyrek Brown

LB

6-0

210

Fr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS) Fort Mill, S.C. (Catawba Ridge HS)

9

David Madzivanyika

DL

6-3

315

Gr.

Durham, N.C. / Hillside HS / Harvard)

54

Asa Johnson

DL

5-11

250

R-So.

10

Da'Quan Johnson

S

6-1

185

R-Sr.

Flomaton, Ala. (Duke / Flomaton HS)

55

Mason Merriwether

OL

6-3

320

So.

Inglewood, Calif. (Inglewood HS)

10

Alfredo Sotelo

QB

6-0

200

R-Fr.

Tucson, Ariz. (Salpointe Catholic)

56

Antwann Fann

OL

6-3

325

R-Sr.

Perry, Ga. (Western Carolina / Perry HS) Ontario, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio College / Ayala HS)

11

Aiden Valdez

TE

6-5

240

So.

Hacienda Heights, Calif. (Bishop Amat Memorial HS)

57

Jayden Colvin

OL

6-2

290

Jr.

12

Donavan Philord

DB

5-11

185

Fr.

Hialeah, Fla. (Norland HS)

60

Luke Bledsoe

OL

6-2

320

R-Fr.

Inglewood, Calif. (Inglewood HS)

13

Chaney Fitzgerald

WR

5-10

200

Jr.

Kernersville, N.C. (Glenn HS)

64

Christian Schliemann

OL

6-6

305

R-Fr.

Xanten, Germany (Charlotte / SSGX)

13

Isaiah Greene

CB

6-1

200

Gr.

Newark, N.J. (Central Connecticut St/ Newark Central HS)

65

Molik Mason

OL

6-8

300

R-So.

Auburn, Ala. (Auburn HS)

14

Rashawn Carr

LB

5-11

210

R-Fr.

Lawndale, Calif. (Leuzinger HS)

66

Freddie Pelling

OL

6-9

300

Jr.

Amthill, Bedfordshire, England (Hawai'i / NFL Academy)

14

Jed West

QB

6-2

190

Fr.

Waynesville, N.C. (Tuscola HS)

68

LeDell Finister

OL

6-6

320

R-So.

New Orleans, La. (Creekside HS)

15

Javonte Kinsey

TE

6-5

215

Sr.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Bowling Green / Sandalwood HS)

70

Ashton Allman

OL

6-5

295

Fr.

McArthur, Ohio (Vinton County HS)

16

Javian Drake

CB

5-10

170

Fr.

Rockingham, N.C. (Richmond Senior HS)

71

Jermaine Donaldson OL

6-4

295

R-Sr.

Voorhees, N.J. (Temple / Eastern Regional HS)

17

RJ Jackson

WR

6-0

200

R-Jr.

Albemarle, N.C. (Anson HS)

72

Donovan Thompson

OL

6-6

295

Fr.

Washington, D.C. (Meadowcreek HS)

18

Jojo Pace

LB

6-0

190

R-Jr.

Long Beach, Calif. (Iowa Wesleyan)

75

Dane Turney

OL

6-4

295

Fr.

Indianapolis, Ind. (Ben Davis HS)

19

Jalen Brooks

LB

5-11

230

R-Sr.

Knightdale, N.C. (North Carolina / Cardinal Gibbons HS)

76

Wing Green

OL

6-7

295

R-Sr.

Leesburg, Ga. (Georgia Tech / Lee County HS)

19

Allen Mitchell

RB

5-9

200

R-Fr.

St. Louis, Mo. (Lutheran St. Charles HS)

77

Jack O'Connor

OL

6-6

305

R-Jr.

Rancho Murieta, Calif. (Idaho State / Pleasant Grove HS) Washington Court House, Ohio (Miami Trace HS)

20

Malik Willis

CB

6-2

175

R-Fr.

West Palm Beach, Fla. (Inlet Grove Community HS)

78

Andrew Guthrie

OL

6-8

305

R-Fr.

21

VJ Wilkins

WR

5-10

185

R-So.

Pfafftown, N.C. (Reagan HS)

79

Jordan Weekes

OL

6-8

315

Fr.

Rabun Gap, Ga. (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee HS)

22

Ryan Bullard

RB

5-9

185

R-Fr.

Homestead, Fla. (Homestead HS)

80

Dawson Adams-Grenier TE

6-4

245

Jr.

Redondo Beach, Calif. (Houston Christian Bishop Gorman HS)

R-Sr. Sterling Heights, Mich. (Quincy Univ. / Utica Stevenson HS)

22

Jonathan Streeter

CB

5-11

165

R-Jr.

Cary, N.C. (Appalachian State / Panther Creek HS)

81

Hans Wisnewski

TE

6-4

245

23

Barry Tate

WR

5-10

170

R-Fr.

Greensboro, N.C. (Northeast Guilford HS)

84

Randall King

WR

6-2

200

Fr.

Rocky Mount, N.C. (Northern Nash HS)

24

JJ Cowan

RB

6-0

205

Fr.

Erwin, N.C. (Triton HS)

86

Adam McIntosh

TE

6-2

205

R-So.

Beaufort, N.C. (East Carteret HS)

25

Melvin Davis

RB

5-8

185

Gr.

Charlotte, N.C. (Mallard Creek HS)

87

Tyler Griffin

WR

6-0

175

Jr.

Fuquay-Varina, N.C. (Barton College / Holly Springs HS)

26

Kenneth Kelly

S

6-1

205

R-Fr.

Tallahassee, Fla. (Lincoln HS)

89

John Mark Shaw

TE

6-5

220

R-Fr.

Sanford, N.C. (UNC Pembroke / Leesville Road HS)

27

Idris Williams

S

6-1

175

R-So.

Plant City, Fla. (Lakeland Christian)

90

Connor Lytton

K

6-0

210

Sr.

Christiansburg, Va. (Boston College / Radford HS)

28

Christian Hunter

S

5-9

175

R-Jr.

Gastonia, N.C. (Mountain Island Charter)

91

Ebenezer Bedada

DL

6-5

255

R-Jr. Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Murray State / Clearwater Academy)

29

Dane Reed

CB

5-10

180

R-Fr.

Canoga Park, Calif. (Inglewood HS)

92

Raymond Macias

DL

6-1

295

R-Fr.

30

Riley Sullivan

K

6-4

180

R-Fr.

Lexington, N.C. (Barton / North Davidson HS)

94

Joseph Darkwa

DL

6-5

295

R-Sr. North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (Temple / Don Bosco Gymnasium)

31

Kado Felder

LB

6-1

220

Fr.

Fresno, Calif. (Washington Union HS)

95

Daniel Felton

DL

6-3

215

Fr.

Covina, Calif. (Bishop Amat HS)

Elizabeth City, N.C. (Northeastern HS)

32

Cornelius Davis

S

6-2

205

So.

Neptune Beach, Fla. (Fletcher HS)

97

Isaiah Potts

DL

6-1

305

R-Jr.

Fayetteville, N.C. (Charlotte / Pine Forest HS)

33

Zayvion McCluster

LB

6-1

215

R-Fr.

Largo, Fla. (Largo HS)

98

Mario Kljajic

DL

6-3

280

Jr.

Kingston, Pa. (College of the Canyons / WSC Prep HS)

34

Edric Weldon

LB

6-5

220

R-So.

Miami, Fla. (South Broward HS)

99

Elijah Hawk

DL

6-3

280

R-Jr. Pickerington, Ohio (Western Michigan/ Pickerington North HS)

'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell | 15

w 2024 CATAMOUNT EXTRA POINTS – GAME DAY PROGRAM w

WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART

CAMPBELL – DEPTH CHART FIGHTING CAMELS OFFENSE

CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD)

QB

2 1

CHAD MASCOE JR. Mike Chandler II

6-1 6-0

225 195

R-SO. R-Sr.

RB

- or -

4 3 19

MARK BIGGINS Sammy Malignaggi Allen Mitchell

5-10 5-9 5-9

220 205 200

GR. R-Sr. R-Fr.

R-JR. R-So.

WR

- or -

9 84 15

SINCERE BROWN Randall King Javonte Kinsey

6-5 6-2 6-5

190 200 215

R-SR. Fr. Sr.

170 180

JR. Fr.

WR

17 5

RJ JACKSON Quentin Thomas

6-0 6-1

200 200

R-JR. R-Fr.

5-10 5-11

170 165

R-FR. R-So.

JAKE YOUNG David Hulbert

6-3 6-4

240 220

R-SO. R-Fr.

WR - OR

21 8 13

VJ WILKINS BRANDON FITEZ Chaney Fitzgerald

5-10 5-7 5-10

185 175 200

R-SO. GR. Jr.

58 78

BRETT GRAY Evan Carney

6-3 6-3

300 290

JR. R-So.

TE

- or -

11 81 80

AIDEN VALDEZ Hans Wisnewski Dawson Adams-Grenier

6-5 6-4 6-4

240 245 245

SO. R-Sr. Jr.

LG

73 75

XAVIER GRAHAM Caleb Carter

6-2 6-3

330 300

SR. Sr.

LT

66 77

FREDDIE PELLING Jack O'Connor

6-9 6-6

300 305

JR. R-Jr.

C

72 62

BLAKE WHITMORE Peyton Davis

6-2 6-2

295 305

R-SR. R-Jr.

LG

52 75

DANTE JONES Dane Turney

6-5 6-4

305 295

R-SR. Fr.

RG

74 53

JORDAN DANIELS Zach Watson

6-5 6-1

310 265

R-SR. R-Fr.

C

52 57

MASON MERRIWETHER Jayden Colvin

6-3 6-2

320 290

SO. Jr.

RT

66 52

DEREK SIMMONS Manasseh Ripert

6-6 6-4

325 320

SR. Jr.

RG

78 56

ANDREW GUTHRIE Antwann Fann

6-8 6-3

305 325

R-FR. R-Sr.

RT

71 79

JERMAINE DONALDSON Jordan Weekes

6-4 6-8

295 315

R-SR. Fr.

QB

- or -

9 8 11

COLE GONZALES Taron Dickens Jefferson Boaz

6-0 5-11 6-7

195 180 250

JR. R-Fr Jr.

RB

- or -

2 6 25

BRANSON ADAMS Corey Reddick Jr. Marlin Cochran

5-9 5-10 5-11

190 175 190

JR. R-So. R-Fr.

WR–X

3 7

CALVIN JONES Malik Knight

5-10 6-2

180 170

WR–Y

0 18

A.J. COLOMBO Isaiah Johnson

5-8 6-0

WR–Z

13 4

SANTANA FLEMING De’Andre Tamarez

TE 87 85 LT

CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (4–2–5) DE

11 30

CALEB FISHER Richard Garrett

6-3 6-4

240 240

R-JR. R-So.

DT

19 10

CHRIS MORGAN Tahjae Mullix

6-0 6-3

270 270

SR. Jr.

DT

50 91

EDWIN MOORE JR. Ugo Nosike

6-3 6-2

265 295

FR. R-Jr.

BNDT

6 2

CURTIS FANN JR. Micah Nelson

6-3 6-3

255 265

R-SR. R-Sr.

WLB

5 15

HAYWARD McQUEEN JR. Antoine Williams

6-1 5-10

195 200

JR. R-Jr.

MLB

18 20

ANTARRON TURNER Wesley Scott

6-2 6-0

225 210

R-SO. Gr.

N

0 12

KEN MOORE JR. Amarian Robinson

5-10 5-10

160 170

R-SO. Gr.

CB

16 13

JORDY LOWERY Quez Royal

5-11 6-1

190 175

R-SO. R-Sr.

FS - OR -

3 21

SAMAURIE DUKES BO SIMPSON-NEALY

5-10 5-10

185 185

JR. SO.

ROVER

1 33

MATEO SUDIPO Lee Campbell

6-1 6-0

205 205

R-SR. Jr.

CB

4 27

C.J. WILLIAMS Hasaan Sykes

5-10 6-0

170 175

SR. Fr.

CATAMOUNTS SPECIAL TEAMS KO

46 96

PAXTON ROBERTSON Christian Lowery

6-0 5-11

215 185

SR. Jr.

PK

96 46

CHRISTIAN LOWERY Paxton Robertson

5-11 6-0

185 215

JR. Sr.

P

95 63

STEPHEN BRANTLEY Maddox Cowart

6-2 6-2

220 190

SO. Fr.

H

95 63

STEPHEN BRANTLEY Maddox Cowart

6-2 6-2

230 190

SO. Fr.

LS

48 32

COLBY CROSS Walter Gibson

6-0 5-11

230 200

R-SR. R-Sr.

KOR - AND -

0 3

A.J. COLOMBO CALVIN JONES

5-8 5-10

175 185

JR. R-JR.

PR

0 3

AJ COLOMBO Calvin Jones

5-8 5-10

175 185

JR. R-Jr.

16 | 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell

FIGHTING CAMELS DEFENSE DE

3 45

PAUL HUTSON Joshua Pierce

6-0 6-5

270 255

R-SO. R-Fr.

NT

97 92

ISAIAH POTTS Raymond Macias

6-1 6-1

305 295

R-JR. R-Fr.

RUSH 99 50

ELIJAH HAWK A'Mari WIlson

6-3 6-7

280 260

R-JR. R-Fr.

BUCK

19 33

JALEN BROOKS Zayvion McCluster

5-11 6-1

230 215

R-SR. R-Fr.

WILL

4 35

GEORGE WILSON Ethan Quarshire

6-4 6-2

230 220

R-JR. R-Jr.

MIKE

2 43

JONATHAN MELVIN Logan Livermon

6-1 6-3

230 220

GR. R-Jr.

SAM

0 1

CJ TILLMAN Lakeem Rudolph

6-0 6-4

230 240

SR. R-Sr.

CB

6 20

BRANDON GUZMAN Malik Willis

5-11 6-2

185 175

R-SR. R-Fr.

FS 18 26

JOJO PACE Kenneth Kelly

6-0 6-1

190 205

R-JR. R-Fr.

SS 10 14

DA'QUAN JOHNSON Rashawn Carr

6-1 5-11

185 210

R-SR. R-Fr.

CB

ISAIAH GREENE Keevan Bailey

6-1 5-11

200 180

GR. Gr.

13 5

FIGHTING CAMELS SPECIAL TEAMS PK 90

30

CONNOR LYTTON Riley Sullivan

6-0 6-4

210 180

SR. R-Fr.

PK 90

38

CONNOR LYTTON Alex Crabb

6-0 5-8

210 190

SR. Fr.

P 46

47

JACK BRADY Aiden Bonde

5-11 5-8

200 165

GR. R-Fr.

H

46

LS 37

41

JACK BRADY

5-11

200

GR.

BOBBY CLEARY Steven Mirable

6-1 5-10

235 240

SR. R-So.

KOR

21 9

VJ WILKINS Sincere Brown

5-10 6-5

185 190

R-FR. R-Sr.

PR

8 0

BRANDON FITEZ Davyn Reid

5-7 5-10

175 190

SR. R-So.

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WESTERN CAROLINA

vs. campbell fighting camels 2024 CAMPBELL INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

2024 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS RUSHING

GP 1 1 1

Att 6 7 3

GP 1 1

Effic 132.35 90.40

Cole Gonzales Branson Adams Taron Dickens

PASSING

Cole Gonzales Taron Dickens

RECEIVING

GP 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

AJ Colombo Malik Knight Jake Young Calvin Jones James Randle Marlin Cochran Branson Adams

PUNTING

Stephen Brantley

Cmp-Att-Int 22-35-0 2-5-0

Net 75 30 16

Avg 12.5 4.3 5.3

TD 0 1 0

Long Avg/G 50 75.0 17 30.0 12 16.0

RUSHING

GP 1 1 1

Att 8 10 2

Pct 62.9 40.0

Yds 211 30

TD 2 0

Lng 32 21

Avg/G 211.0 30.0

PASSING

GP 1 1

Effic 167.18 217.60

Avg/G 97.0 42.0 31.0 27.0 21.0 19.0 4.0

RECEIVING

Yds 97 42 31 27 21 19 4

Avg 10.8 14.0 10.3 5.4 21.0 9.5 4.0

TD 1 0 1 0 0 0 0

Long 25 32 13 7 21 10 4

No. –

Yds –

Avg –

TD –

Long –

No. – –

Yds – –

Avg – –

TD – –

Long – –

No. 5

Yds 154

Avg Long 38.5 42

AJ Colombo AJ Colombo Calvin Jones

Loss 6 4 2

No. 9 3 3 5 1 2 1

PUNT RETURNS KICK RETURNS

Gain 81 34 18

TB 0

FC 3

TD 1 1 1

Branson Adams AJ Colombo Jake Young

FGs 0-0 0-0 0-0

Kick 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rush 0-0 0-0 0-0

Rcv 0 0 0

Pass 0-0 0-0 0-0

TOTAL OFFENSE

G 1 1 1

Plays 41 8 7

Rush 75 16 30

Pass 211 30 0

Total 286 46 30

Avg/G 286.0 46.0 30.0

ALL PURPOSE

G 1 1 1

Rush 0 75 0

Rec 87 0 0

PR 0 0 0

KOR 0 0 0

IR 0 0 51

AJ Colombo Cole Gonzales Ken Moore Jr.

2024 WESTERN CAROLINA DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Samaurie Dukes..................... 1.................... 3–3 = 6.................6.0 CJ Williams............................. 1..................... 5–1 = 6.................6.0 Hayward McQueen Jr............ 1.................... 2–3 = 5.................5.0 Ken Moore Jr.......................... 1.................... 3–2 = 5.................5.0 Tahjae Mullix.......................... 1..................... 1–4 = 5.................5.0 Quez Royal............................. 1.................... 3–2 = 5.................5.0 Wesley Scott.......................... 1.................... 2–3 = 5.................5.0 Bo Simpson-Nealy................. 1.................... 3–2 = 5.................5.0 Antarron Turner...................... 1..................... 1–3 = 4................. 4.0 Jordy Lowery......................... 1.................... 3–0 = 3................. 3.0 Chris Morgan......................... 1..................... 1–2 = 3................. 3.0 Mateo Sudipo......................... 1..................... 2–1 = 3................. 3.0 TFL Leaders: Total Six players tied......................................1.0 Six players tied..................................... 0.5

Yds

Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Chris Morgan.........................................1.0................................... 4 Interceptions Leaders: Total – Return Yds Ken Moore Jr......................................................................... 1 – 51 Fumbles Forced Leader: Total Three players tied.........................................................................1 Hayward McQueen Jr., Mateo Sudipo, CJ Williams Fumbles Recovered Leader: None

20 | 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell

Total – Return Yds

Chad Mascoe Jr. Mike Chandler II

GP 1 1 1 1 1

Sincere Brown Hans Winsnewski Chaney Fitzgerald Mark Biggins Alden Valdez

PUNT RETURNS Brandon Fitez

50+ 0

Blkd 0

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 6 6 6

Avg/G 97.0 75.0 51.0

Loss 0 5 0

Cmp-Att-Int 10-17-0 1-1-0

Net 81 25 11

Avg 10.1 2.5 5.5

TD 1 0 0

Long Avg/G 64 81.0 8 24.0 8 11.0

Pct 58.8 100.0

Yds 180 14

TD 1 0

Lng 74 14

No. 5 1 1 2 2

Yds 126 35 16 9 8

Avg 25.2 35.0 16.0 4.5 4.0

TD 1 0 0 0 0

Long 74 35 16 8 9

No. 1

Yds 12

Avg 12.0

TD 0

Long 12

TD 0 0

Long 23 1

No. 2 1

Yds 35 1

Avg 17.5 1.0

PUNTING

No. 6

Yds 272

Avg Long 45.3 66

SCORING

TD 1 1 1 1

FGs 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Kick 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Jack Brady

TB 0

FC 2

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

Rcv 0 0 0 0

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

TOTAL OFFENSE

G 1 1 1

Plays 27 8 3

Rush 25 81 11

Pass 180 0 14

Total 205 81 25

Avg/G 205.0 81.0 25.0

ALL PURPOSE

G 1 1 1 1

Rush 0 81 6 0

Rec 126 9 0 35

PR 0 0 0 0

KOR 0 0 35 1

IR 0 0 0 0

Sincere Brown Mark Biggins VJ Wilkins Hans Wisnewski

HEAD–TO–HEAD TEAM COMPARISONS:

I20 3

Avg/G 180.0 14.0 Avg/G 126.0 35.0 16.0 9.0 8.0

50+ 1

Blkd 0

DXP Saf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Points 6 6 6 6

Tot 126 90 41 36

Avg/G 126.0 90.0 41.0 36.0

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

Mark Biggins Sincere Brown Connor Lytton Allen Mitchell Chad Mascoe Jr. Mark Biggins Mike Chandler II

Tot 97 75 51

Gain 81 30 11

KICK RETURNS VJ Wilkins Hans Wisnewski

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

SCORING

Cole Gonzales Taron Dickens Branson Adams

I20 1

Mark Biggins Chad Mascoe Jr. Mike Chandler II

WCU Offense CAMP 21................................ Scoring..............................24 21.0...................... Points Per Game....................24.0 16.............................First Downs............................13 361..................... Total Yards Gained................... 310 361.0.................... Yards Per Game................... 310.0 120.......................Rushing Yardage...................... 116 120.0........... Rushing Average per Game...........116.0 241.......................Passing Yardage..................... 194 241.0............Passing Average per Game.......... 194.0 WCU Team Stats CAMP 8–74 (74.0)................ Penalties–Yards...............9–86 (86.0) 5 / 13, 38.4%............3rd Down Conversion...........4 / 12, 33.3% 0 / 2, 0.0%..............4th Down Conversion............ 0 / 1, 0.0% WCU Defense CAMP 38..........................Points Allowed..........................41 38.0.............. Points Allowed Per Game............. 41.0 521.....................Total Yards Allowed...................533 521.0............. Yards Allowed Per Game............533.0 203.................Rushing Yards Allowed................279 203.0............Rushing Average Allowed...........279.0 318.................. Passing Yards Allowed................254 318.0............. Passing Average Allowed...........254.0

2024 CAMPBELL DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Tackles Leaders: GP UA–AA = Total Avg. Jojo Pace............................... 1...................5–9 = 14................14.0 Paul Hutson III........................ 1....................2–9 = 11................ 11.0 CJ Tillman.............................. 1...................5–5 = 10................10.0 Isaiah Greene......................... 1.................... 5–3 = 8.................8.0 Jalen Brooks.......................... 1..................... 1–6 = 7..................7.0 Logan Livermon..................... 1.....................3–4 = 7..................7.0 Brandon Guzman................... 1.................... 3–2 = 5.................5.0 Lakeem Rudolph.................... 1..................... 1–4 = 5.................5.0 Da'Quan Johnson.................. 1.................... 0–4 = 4................. 4.0 Raymond Macias.................... 1.................... 0–4 = 4................. 4.0 Joshua Pierce........................ 1.................... 0–4 = 4................. 4.0 Keevan Bailey........................ 1..................... 2–1 = 3................. 3.0 TFL Leaders: Total Yds Isaiah Porter...........................................1.0................................... 3 Paul Hutson III / Bobby Walchak........... 0.5 Sacks Leaders: Total Yds Paul Hutson III....................................... 0.5...................................1 Bobby Walchak..................................... 0.5 Interceptions Leaders: None

Total – Return Yds

Fumbles Forced Leader: Total CJ Tillman......................................................................................1 Fumbles Recovered Leader: Total Jalen Brooks..................................................................................1

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Friends.

Family.

Community.

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.

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LOOKING BACK FOR WCU: LAST TIME OUT #24 NC STATE – 38, #19/20 WESTERN CAROLINA – 21 2ND

3RD

4TH

FINAL

WESTERN CAROLINA

14

0

7

0

21

NC STATE

7

7

3

21

38

ATTENDANCE: 56,919

SCORING SUMMARY: QTR TIME

PLAY

DRIVE SUMMARY

1st 05:55

WCU – Jake Young 8 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (C. Lowery kick)

1 – 8 yds – TOP 0:08

2:39

NCST – KC Concepcion 17 yd pass from Grayson McCall (K. Vinesett kick)

0:05

WCU – AJ Colombo 12 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (C. Lowery kick)

2nd 12:03 3rd 08:00

WCU NCST 7

0

7 – 75 yds – TOP 3:16

7

7

6 – 75 yds– TOP 2:34

14

7

NCST – KC Concepcion 5 yd pass from Grayson McCall (K. Vinesett kick)

7 – 75 yds – TOP 3:02

14

14

NCST – Kanoah Vinesett 46 yd field goal

14 – 39 yds – TOP 6:52

14

17

04:36

WCU – Branson Adams 17 yd run (C. Lowery kick)

6 – 75 yds – TOP 3:24

21

17

4th 14:45

NCST – KC Concepcion 35 yd pass from Grayson McCall (K. Vinesett kick)

5 – 51 yds – TOP 0:47

21

24

6:33

NCST – Jordan Waters 7 yd run (K. Vinesett kick)

9 – 81 yds – TOP 5:31

21

31

1:50

NCST – Jordan Waters 50 yd run (K. Vinesett kick)

5 – 80 yds – TOP 2:28

21

38

QB COLE GONZALES (9) threw for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns including one to WR AJ COLOMBO (0) who caught a career-high nine passes for a career-best 97 yards and a late firstquarter, 12-yard touchdown catch. Colombo led seven Catamount receivers with receptions with TE JAKE YOUNG (87) recording his first receiving score as a Catamount with an eight-yard strike that opened the season's scoring.

RB BRANSON ADAMS (2) rushed for 30 yards and a 17 yard touchdown run that put the Catamounts ahead 21-17 late in the third quarter – a four-point edge the upset-minded FCS Catamounts carried into the final frame against the nationally-ranked FBS Wolfpack of NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium.

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

WCU 16 4 9 3 120 19 6.3 1 135 15 241 24-40-2

NCST 28 10 17 1 203 33 6.2 2 221 18 318 26-40-1

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 2 361 59 1–1 1 8–74 1 24:30 5 of 13 0 of 2 0 for 1

12.2 3 521 73 3–0 0 6–67 1 35:30 7 of 13 1 for 3 1 for 1

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: PASSING Cole Gonzales, WCU Grayson McCall, NCST

22-35-0 26-40-1

211 yds, 2 TDs 318 yds, 3 TDs

RUSHING Cole Gonzales, WCU 6 carries, 75 yds Branson Adams, WCU 7 carries, 30 yds, TD Jordan Waters, NCST 20 carries, 123 yds, 2 TD Hollywood Smothers, NCST 3 carries, 39 yds RECEIVING AJ Colombo, WCU Malik Knight, WCU KC Concepcion, NCST Justin Joly, NCST

9 rec.

3 rec.

9 rec.

5 rec.

97 yds, TD 42 yds 121 yds, 3 TDs 75 yds

DEFENSIVE LEADERS: WCU halted a two-game slide in the head-to-head series with mountain rival ETSU in last year's 2017, walk-off victory in Johnson City, Tenn. … the win was also WCU's first road win in the series since 2003 – though the series sat dormant from 2004-2015 ... the win was just the second for the Catamounts in the "Blue Ridge Border Battle," as WCU took possession of "the Rock" traveling trophy that was first introduced in the 2018 season for just the second time.

22 | 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell

AT NC STATE

TEAM STATS:

CARTER-FINLEY STADIUM – RALEIGH, N.C. THURS., AUG. 29, 2024 1ST

WESTERN CAROLINA

TACKLES Samaurie Dukes, WCU 6 tckls (3ua, 3a), TFL, PBU CJ Williams, WCU 6 tckls (5ua, 1a), TFL, FF Ken Moore Jr, WCU 5 tckls (3ua, 2a), INT Aydan White, NCST 7 tckls (6ua, 1a), PBU Donovan Kaufman, NCST 7 tckls (5 solo, 2a) Jayland Parker, NCST 7 tckls (2ua, 5a) SACKS Chris Morgan Isaiah Shirly

1 sack 1 sack

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WESTERN CAROLINA – 2024 SEASON-OPENER AT #24 N.C. STATE IN PHOTOS

Photos by: Charlie Bulla (WCU MarComm); Mark Haskett; Andy Padyk; and Samuel Wallace (WCU MarComm)

'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell | 23

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24 | 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell

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'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell | 25

at #24/22 NC State

WCU opens the home portion of its schedule with its lone home date in September, hosting instate foe Campbell at Whitmire Stadium. The game is the front end of a two-game home-and-home series between the two with the Catamounts visiting Buies Creek in 2025. The game ends an 85 year drought in the series as the Catamounts faced Campbell twice in 1937 and 1939 seasons – both wins by the Camels. Campbell restarted its football program after a 58 year hiatus back in 2008. WCU also opens its celebration of 50 years at Whitmire Stadium with the home opener.

at #18 Elon

Western Carolina rekindles an old Southern Conference, instate rivalry with the Elon Phoenix in mid-September with the first series meeting since 2013 – a 27-24 Catamount win in overtime in Cullowhee that snapped a seven-game series winless drought. WCU looks to halt a four-game road slide in the series, last winning at Elon in 2004. The two shared SoCon membership from 2003 through 2014. Coming off a 6-5 season in 2023, Elon was ranked 18th in the preseason NCAA FCS poll from Craig Haley and received votes in the HERO Sports preseason polling.

at #3 Montana

Catamount football makes its longest road trip in NCAA FCS competition (1,783 miles) – and the second longest in program history at any level – as it travels to Missoula, Mont., for a meeting with the 2023 national runner-up Montana Grizzlies at famed Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Montana finished 13-2 last season including a 9-0 record at home, champions of the Big Sky Conference. The meeting represents both the first between the Catamounts and Grizzlies on the football gridiron and the first for WCU against a Big Sky Conference opponent.

WOFFORD *

Following the bye week on Sept. 28, Western Carolina opens Southern Conference play with the first of back-toback home games against league teams from the Palmetto State when it hosts Wofford on Family Weekend. The Catamounts look for a fourth-straight series win over the Terriers after earning a hard-fought 28-25 win in Spartanburg last season, twice rallying from eight-point deficits and securing the go-ahead field goal midway through the fourth quarter. The last two meetings have been decided in one-possession games and a combined 10 points.

GAME 6

THE CITADEL *

The Citadel comes to Cullowhee on Heroes Day in the mid-October meeting, the 49th all-time in series history. WCU has won three of the last four series meetings, but looks to avenge a 34-21 defeat in the most recent meeting in Cullowhee in 2022. Last year, Desmond Reid rushed for five first-half touchdowns as the Catamounts built a 35-7 halftime lead. Cole Gonzales and Brody Palhegyi both tossed second half touchdown passes to AJ Colombo and De’Andre Tamarez on the way to the second-straight road victory in the series.

GAME 7

at #16 Furman *

Western Carolina visits chromatic rival Furman in mid-October in the “Battle for Purple Supremacy” in the Southern Conference. Last year in a battle of SoCon unbeatens, Furman put the game away with a 53 yard Tyler Huff touchdown rush on a third down play to extend its six-point advantage in the win. The Paladins won a shoot out in Greenville, S.C., back in 2022, 47-40, as WCU scored 20 points in the fourth quarter in rallying from a 24 point deficit to within one score. Furman has won seven of the last eight series meetings.

GAME 8

at Mercer *

Western Carolina looks to put the clamps on an eight-game losing skid in the series when it travels to Macon, Ga., to face the Mercer Bears on the final weekend of October. Last year, WCU committed six costly turnovers as Mercer built a pair of 21-point leads. WCU rallied to within three, but got no closer. In 2022, the then 12th-ranked Bears raced out to a 42-0 lead in Macon, scoring 21 points in both the first and second quarters in the 49-6 win. The Catamounts were unable to overcome five turnovers and werelimited to a season-low 249 yards of total offense.

In a match-up between two of the SoCon’s preseason favorites, Western Carolina hosts the Chattanooga Mocs on Homecoming weekend in Cullowhee. The Catamounts scored a walk-off 52-50 victory over the Mocs last season in a showdown between nationally-ranked foes, giving WCU its second-straight series win. Richard McCollum nailed a 32-yard game-winning, walk-off field goal just after UTC had pulled ahead 50-49 with just 53 seconds remaining. Desmond Reid ran for 211 yards on 15 carries (14.1 avg.) and Ed Jones IV returned an interception for a TD. Mountain-rivals Western Carolina and ETSU meet in the trophy game, the “Blue Ridge Border Battle,” in Johnson City, Tenn. WCU amassed 687 yards of offense in dominating the rivalry game 58-7 in Cullowhee last fall, scoring 55 unanswered points. The Catamounts claimed a dramatic 20-17 road win in the last meeting in Johnson City as Richard McCollum nailed a walk-off 33-yard field goal to reclaim “the Rock.” WCU leads the all-time series 27-25-1 with four of the last six series meetings decided in one-possession games including a pair of overtime games.

VMI *

Western Carolina hosts VMI on Senior Day and Hall of Fame Day in Cullowhee, looking to avenge last year’s road loss that in all likelihood denied the Catamounts a NCAA FCS playoff bid. WCU erased all but three points of a 17-point fourth quarter deficit behind back-up QB Brody Palhegyi after starter Cole Gonzales was injured in the first quarter. The Catamounts hold a commanding 25-5 lead in the all-time series including a 14-1 mark in games played in Cullowhee – but the Keydets have wins in two of the last four meetings – 30-7 in 2020 and 27-24 last year.

at Samford *

Saturday, Nov. 23 Birmingham, Ala. 3 pm ET / 2 pm CT

Western Carolina concludes the regular-season portion of its 2024 schedule by visiting the Samford Bulldogs in Birmingham, Ala., in late November. WCU snapped a five-game series winless drought with a convincing 30-7 win over the nationally-ranked Bulldogs in Cullowhee last season. The game endured a five-and-a-half-hour weather delay with WCU holding Samford scoreless over the final three quarters. The Catamounts are just 1-10 all-time on the road in the series and are mired in a 10 game losing skid with the program’s lone road win coming back in 1969.

2024 NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS Saturday, Nov. 30 TBA

Western Carolina looks to halt a 41-year drought of advancing to the NCAA postseason, looking to make a return to the NCAA D-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 championship. The Southern Conference regular season champion garners the league’s automatic bid into the postseason field. The 2024 FCS Championship game will be played at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

Saturday, Sept. 7 CULLOWHEE 1:00 pm

Saturday, Sept. 14 Elon, N.C. 6:00 pm

Saturday, Sept. 21 Missoula, Mont.

3 pm ET / 1 pm MT

Saturday, Oct. 5 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 12 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm

Saturday, Oct. 19 Greenville, S.C. 2:00 pm

GAME 9

#11 CHATTANOOGA *

GAME 10

Saturday, Oct. 26 Macon, Ga. 3:30 pm

at ETSU *

Saturday, Nov. 9 Johnson City, Tenn.

Noon

GAME 11

GAME 5

GAME 4

GAME 3

GAME 2

CAMPBELL

GAME 12

Thursday, Aug. 29 Raleigh, N.C. L, 38-21

RALEIGH, N.C. – No. 19/20 Western Carolina twice led by seven points and carried a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter agianst NCAA FBS #24/22 NC State before the Wolfpack scored 21-unanswered points in the final frame to escape with the 38-21 season-opening win at Carter-Finley Stadium. COLE GONZALES tossed TD passes to TE JAKE YOUNG and WR AJ COLOMBO, while BRANSON ADAMS scored on a 17-yard run. NC State got three receiving scores from Kevin "KC" Concepcion and two rushing TDs by Jordan Waters to pick up the win.

POSTSEASON

GAME 1

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Saturday, Nov. 16 CULLOWHEE 1:00 pm

26 | 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell

Saturday, Nov. 2 CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm

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'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell | 27

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28 | 'White Out Whitmire' – vs. Campbell

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

KERWIN BELL >>> fourth 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)

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 enters 2024 with 110 career victories between his three coaching stops, eclipsing the 100-win benchmark in the 2022 season with a home win over VMI in Cullowhee.

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.

In his encore season in 2022, Bell guided WCU to its best regular-season finish since 2017, finishing 6-5 overall after closing the year with three consecutive victories – scoring home wins over Wofford and nationally-ranked Chattanooga and a road victory at ETSU to reclaim the traveling rivalry trophy. The win over UTC also halted an eight-game slide against nationally-ranked NCAA FCS teams.

The Catamounts closed 2022 with a 4-4 mark in the SoCon for the second-straight season marking the first consecutive .500-or-better league finishes since the 2014 and 2015 campaigns.

Over the past three seasons – 2021, 2022, 2023 – Western Carolina has eclipsed the program record for most total offense, establishing a benchmark with 5,545 total yards to edge the 2022 (5,339) and 1983 teams (5,333).

WCU’s offensive has surpassed the 3,000 passing yard mark for just the fourth time in program history in 2023, throwing for 3,533 yards, second-most in a season ... WCU passed for a school-record 33 TDs in 2023. The Catamounts led the NCAA FCS in total offense, the only program to average over

500 yards per game at the season's end.

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 CoCoach of the Year after leading VSU to a 14-0 record – the first unbeaten season in program history that included a

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 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

Gulf South Conference Co-Coach of the Year (2018)

u

Don Hansen NCAA Division II Co-Coach of the Year (2018)

u

NCAA Division II National Champion (2018)

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

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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 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

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offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732 yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.

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

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 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.

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.

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 runner-up 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).

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 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.

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.

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 – 2024 FOOTBALL COACHES & STAFF

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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 coaches Justin Gray and Tim Craft; Craft; Kerwin Bell, Bell, head football coach; and Alan Beck, 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

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athletics conferences, such as the Pac-12 and Big Ten, 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 two children, daughter Gianna and son, Myles.

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS SENIOR STAFF

ALEX GARY

KYLE PIFER

ASHLEIGH SIMMONS

CHAD GERRETY

WES COGDILL

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

DEPUTY ATHLETICS DIRECTOR

ASSOC. AD FOR STUDENT SUCCESS / SWA

ASSOC. AD FOR EXTERNAL OPERATIONS

ASSOCIATE AD FOR DEVELOPMENT

DANIEL HOOKER

TRAVIS CHANDLER

AMANDA MURCHIE

KIMBERLY CHERRY-BECK

DR. ALEXANDER MACAULAY

ASSOCIATE AD FOR MEDIA RELATIONS

ASSISTANT AD FOR COMPLIANCE

ASSISTANT AD FOR BUSINESS OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE AD

WCU FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT STAFF

Greg Hartlage Director of Media Relations

Michael Gilbert Director of Athletics Ticket Operations

Mike Taylor

Head Athletics Equipment Manager

Josh Ragsdale Director of Media Relations

Ben Frederick

George Brown Director of Video Operations

Assistant Director of Video Operations

Tyler Pope

Director of Creative Media

Assistant AD of Marketing and Promotions

Ric Sisler

Director of Corporate Sponsorship

Ticket and Marketing Assistant

Director of Game Operations & Facilities

Director of Athletics Facilities & Grounds

Mark Conlin

Ashley McGee Game Operations & Facilities Assistant

Athletic Department Administrative Assistant

Andrue Smith

Christian Armstrong

Haley Mitchell

Adrian Eli-Stroop

Rheanna Elliot

Kaleb Ambrose

Director of Student-Athlete Development / WHEE CLIMB

Trey Fisher

Marlon Howard

Athletics Ticketing and Marketing Assistant

Head Athletics Equipment Manager

Trent Washer

Roman Uglehus

Senior Athletics Academic Advisor

Athletics Academic Advisor

Athletics Academic Advisor

Kim Jamison

Academic Support Graduate Assistant

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – CATAMOUNT CLUB / DEVELOPMENT STAFF

Wes Cogdill

Associate Athletic Director for Development

Victoria Ladd

Asst. Director of Development / Catamount Club

CJ Mitchell

Asst. Director of Development / Catamount Club

DONATE ONLINE AT:

CATAMOUNTSPORTS.COM/ CATAMOUNTCLUB

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WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF

Seth Graves

Nate Stocum

Gavin Mortenson

Head Coach Baseball

Assistant Coach Baseball

Jeff Korte

Dusty White Assistant Coach Baseball

Volunteer Assistant Coach Baseball

Director of Player Development – Baseball

Student Assistant Coach Baseball

Andre Gray

Andrew Brown

Adam Bullard

Jackson Simmons Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Chase Ridenour

Conner Anders

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant

Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant

Sydney Lowery

Corbin Huntley

Madison Thompson

Jeralynn Wells

Alan Beck

Associate Head Coach Men’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball

Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant

Connor Stark

Jonathan Tsipis

Alison Seberger

Danielle Rauch

Tim Eckberg

Anne Marie Covar Head Coach Women’s Golf

Chad Miller

Head Coach Women’s Soccer

Andrew Green Assistant Coach Women’s Soccer

Head Coach Softball

Jim Clift

Madison Armstrong

Bret Beaver

Jesse Norman

Daniel Haakenson

Gillian Urycki

Karen Glover

Taylor Svehla

Men's Basketball Graduate Assistant

Head Coach Men’s Golf

Head Coach Women's Tennis

Head Coach Women’s Basketball

Head Coach Cross Country / Track & Field

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Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Assistant Coach Track & Field

Assistant Coach Women’s Basketball

Head Coach Volleyball

Head Coach Cheerleading

Associate Head Coach Softball

Assistant Coach Volleyball

Tim Craft

Head Coach Men’s Basketball

AJ Stroop

Assistant Coach Cheerleading

Assistant Coach Softball

Ava Vlkovic

Assistant Coach Volleyball

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DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

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MEET THE 2024 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

0

0 AJ Colombo

WR – 5-8 – 170 – Jr. Waxhaw, N.C.

3 Calvin Jones

WR – 5-10 – 185 – R-Jr. Forest City, N.C.

6 Corey Reddick Jr.

Ken Moore Jr.

DB – 5-10 – 160 – R-So. Miami, Fla.

Mateo Sudipo

S – 6-1 – 210 – R-Sr. Pompano Beach, Fla.

RB – 5-9 – 190 – Jr. Greensboro, N.C.

Samaurie Dukes

De'Andre Tamarez WR – 5-11 – 165 – R-So. Overtown, Fla.

CB – 5-10 – 170 – R-Sr. Gallion, Ala.

RB – 5-10 – 210 – R-Sr. St. Petersburg, Fla.

6

7

7

8

CB – 5-10 – 185 – Jr. Miami, Fla.

Curtis Fann Jr.

9

9 Darian Anderson Jr. DB – 5-10 – 160 – R-So. Miami, Fla.

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Malik Knight

WR – 6-2 – 185 – R-So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

10 Patrick Boyd Jr.

WR – 5-10 – 170 – R-Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

4

Branson Adams

4

DL – 6-3 – 255 – R-Sr. Stillmore, Ga.

Cole Gonzales

Zion Booker

WR – 5-10 – 185 – So. Charlotte, N.C.

2

3

RB – 5-10 – 175 – R-So. West Palm Beach, Fla.

QB – 6-0 – 195 – Jr. Ocala, Fla.

1

1

5 CJ Williams

Ed Jones IV

LB – 6-1 – 200 – Sr. Arlington, Texas

10 Tahjae Mullix

DL – 6-3 – 270 – Jr. Covington, Ga.

Jalynn Williams

Taron Dickens

QB – 5-11 – 180 – R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

11 Jefferson Boaz

QB – 6-7 – 250 – Jr. PIlot Mountain, N.C.

2 Micah Nelson

DE – 6-3 – 265 – R-Sr. Murphy, N.C.

5 Hayward McQueen Jr. LB – 6-1 – 200 – Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

8 Jaquarius Guinn DL – 6-2 – 290 – Sr. Clover, S.C.

11 Caleb Fisher

DE – 6-3 – 230 – R-Jr. Decatur, Ga.

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MEET THE 2024 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

12

12

Brody Palhegyi

QB – 5-10 – 180 – R-Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Amarian Robinson DB – 5-10 – 175 – Gr. Akron, Ohio

15

15 Jai Boyd

WR – 6-2 – 175 – R-Fr. Winnsboro, S.C.

18 Isaiah Johnson

WR – 6-0 – 180 – Fr. Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

20 Wesley Scott

LB – 6-0 – 215 – Gr..

Hobe Sound, Fla.

Antoine Williams

LB – 5-10 – 205 – R-Sr. Birmingham, Ala.

18 Antarron Turner

LB – 6-2 – 230 – R-So. Ocala, Fla.

21 Jaiden Bond

RB – 5-9 – 185 – R-Jr. Boone, N.C.

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13 Santana Fleming

WR – 5-10 – 170 – R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

16 James Tyre

WR – 5-10 – 175 – R-Fr. Suwanee, Ga.

19 James Randle

WR – 6-0 – 180 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

21 Bo Simpson-Nealy DB – 5-10 – 180 – R-Fr. Altamonte Springs, Fla.

13 Quez Royal

DB – 6-1 – 180 – R-Sr. Fayetteville, N.C.

16 Jordy Lowery

CB – 5-11 – 190 – R-So. Bartow, Fla.

19 Chris Morgan

DL – 6-0 – 270 – Sr. Maiden, N.C.

22 Trey Ritch

TE – 6-3 – 220 – Fr. Gainesville, Ga.

14

14

Nate Blair

QB – 6-4 – 200 – Fr. Jacksonville, Fla.

Armond Anderson DB – 6-2 – 215 – Jr. Lithonia, Ga.

17

17 Bennett Judy

QB – 6-3 – 200 – R-Fr. Simpsonville, S.C.

Kenyon Partridge DE – 6-3 – 250 – R-Fr. Decatur, Ga.

20

19 Isaac lee

QB – 6-4 – 175 – Fr. Concord, N.C.

22 Jeno Junius Jr.

LB – 5-11 – 200 – R-Fr. Hollywood, Fla.

Jalem Ibrahim

RB – 5-9 – 190 – So. Franklinton, N.C.

24 Brandon Benjamin RB – 5-9 – 220 – R-Jr. Fort Myers, Fla.

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MEET THE 2024 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

24 Zayveon Wells

DB – 5-10 – 195 – So. Sumter, S.C.

28 Markel Townsend RB – 5-8 – 185 – R-Fr. Columbia, S.C.

33 Lee Campbell S – 6-0 – 210 – Jr. Charlotte, N.C.

39 Julian Quintero S – 6-0 – 200 – Fr. St. Augustine, Fla.

25 Marlin Cochran

RB – 5-11 – 190 – R-Fr. Miami, Fla.

29 Jhamari Pierre-Louis S – 5-11 – 190 – R-So. Delray Beach, Fla.

34 Rashad Snow

DB – 5-9 – 160 – Fr. Homestead, Fla.

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

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25 Nicholas Kilpatrick DB – 6-0 – 180 – Fr. Jacksonville, Fla.

30 Richard Garrett

DL – 6-4 – 245 – R-So. Jacksonville, Fla.

35 Christian Murphy LB – 6-1 – 215 – R-So. Dania Beach, Fla.

41 Drew Hollifield S – 5-11 – 190 – Fr. Shelby, N.C.

26 Na'koma Simpson-Nealy S – 5-10 – 165 – Fr. Altamonte Springs, Fla.

31 Don Robinson III

CB – 5-10 – 180 – R-So. Winston-Salem, N.C.

36 Ja'morri Downing S – 6-0 – 195 – R-So. Fort Laurderdale, Fla.

42 Caden Robinson TE – 6-3 – 225 – Fr. Lake Junaluska, N.C.

27 Joshua Collins

RB – 6-1 – 200 – Fr. Bryson City, N.C.

32 Walter Gibson

DB/LS – 5-11 – 200 – R-Sr. Apex, N.C.

37 Cam Smith

DL – 6-0 – 190 – R-Fr. New London, N.C.

44 Isaac McLellan

TE – 6-2 – 240 – R-So. Rock Hill, S.C.

27 Hasaan Sykes

DB – 6-0 – 175 – Fr. Tucker, Ga.

32 Trevaughn Martinez DB – 5-10 – 175 – R-Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

38 Canden McGill

DB – 5-11 – 185 – Fr. Shelby, N.C.

45 Justin Wallace

DL – 6-3 – 240 – R-So. West Palm Beach, Fla.

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MEET THE 2024 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

46 Paxton Robertson K – 6-0 – 215 – Sr. Knoxville, Tenn.

52 Manasseh Ripert OL – 6-4 – 310 – Jr. Lakeland, Fla.

58 Daimean Fernandez LB – 6-2 – 185 – R-Fr. Gastonia, N.C.

66 Derek Simmons OL – 6-6 – 325 – Sr. Jacksonville, Fla.

47 Blue Monroe

LB – 6-1 – 230 – R-So. Concord, N.C.

53 Zach Watson

OL – 6-1 – 300 – R-Fr. Waycross, Ga.

59 Beady Waddell V LB – 6-0 – 215 – Fr. Summerville, S.C.

67 Steven Hamby

OL – 6-5 – 320 – R-Fr. Statesville, N.C.

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48 Colby Cross

LS – 6-0 – 230 – R-Sr. Mooresville, N.C.

55 Secrea Algie

OL – 6-5 – 305 – Fr. Snellville, Ga.

60 Therion Cannon

OL – 6-3 – 280 – R-Jr. Ridgeland, S.C.

68 Dale Greene

OL – 6-3 – 300 – Fr. Buford, Ga.

49 Corbin Shirley

PK – 5-10 – 180 – R-So. Seneca, S.C.

56 Mabry Bumgarner LS – 5-9 – 195 – R-Fr. Sylva, N.C.

62 Peyton Davis

OL – 6-2 – 320 – R-So. Mooresville, N.C.

69 Caleb Williford OL – 6-6 – 315 – Fr. Buford, Ga.

50 Edwin Moore Jr. DL – 6-3 – 280 – Fr. Decatur, Ga.

57 Caleb Turner-Allen DL – 6-1 – 235 – Fr. Miami, Fla.

63 Maddox Cowart K – 6-2 – 190 – Fr. Tampa, Fla.

71 Cade McClellan

OL – 6-3 – 305 – R-So. Plant City, Fla.

51 Aaron Sanez

OL – 6-2 – 300 – R-So. Clearwater, Fla.

58 Brett Gray

OL – 6-3 – 300 – Jr. Vancouver, Wash.

65 Camden Myers OL – 6-3 – 265 – Fr. Irmon, S.C.

72 Blake Whitmore

OL – 6-2 – 310 – R-Sr. Raleigh, N.C.

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MEET THE 2024 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

73 Xavier Graham

OL – 6-2 – 355 – Sr. Niceville, Fla.

82 Matthew Keener WR – 6-2 – 195 – Fr. Pilot Mountain, N.C.

88 Jemarious Reaves WR – 6-1 – 185 – Fr. Hopkins, S.C.

94 Jaden Meeks

DL – 6-1 – 215 – Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

74 Jordan Daniels

OL – 6-5 – 325 – R-Sr. Charlotte, N.C.

83 Austin Cunningham WR – 6-0 – 190 – Fr. West Columbia, S.C.

89 Bode Burns

TE – 6-4 – 225 – Fr. Dunnellon, Fla.

95 Stephen Brantley P – 6-2 – 220 – So. Pilot Mountain, N.C.

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75 Caleb Carter

OL – 6-3 – 310 – R-Rr. Jacksonville, N.C.

84 Brandon Poteat WR – 5-10 – 165 – Jr. Hillsborough, N.C.

90 Jamichael Wilson DL – 6-3 – 340 – Gr. Chattanooga, Tenn.

96 Christian Lowery PK – 5-11 – 185 – Jr. Acworth, Ga.

76 Nathan Linkous

OL – 6-5 – 300 – R-Jr. Cramerton, N.C.

85 David Hulbert

TE – 6-4 – 240 – R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C.

91 Ugo Nosike

DL – 6-2 – 295 – R-Jr. South Holland, Ill.

97 Caleb Bradford

DL – 6-1 – 265 – R-Jr. Canton, N.C.

78 Evan Carney

OL – 6-3 – 305 – R-So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

86 Brayden Blackmon TE – 6-3 – 250 – R-Jr. Duncan, S.C.

92 Vainer Baptiste III DL – 6-3 – 270 – Fr. Lehigh Acres, Fla.

98 Jackson Hensley DL – 6-4 – 260 – Fr. Maiden, N.C.

81 Ca'Lique Cunningham WR – 5-9 – 190 – R-So. Rock Hill, S.C.

87 Jake Young

TE – 6-3 – 240 – R-So. Waxhaw, N.C.

93 Adrian Stone

DL – 6-4 – 290 – Fr. Fort Myers, Fla.

99 Jordan Cardentey DL – 6-0 – 265 – Fr. Atlanta, Ga.

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THE 2024 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS FOOTBALL TEAM

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2024 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" – MARCHING BAND The students and staff of the 2024 "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band are proud to present our 2024 production entitled, “Higher Ground.”

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 2024, while continuing to push boundaries of design innovation and entertainment at the collegiate level.

B.H. Graning Landscapes Inc., is again 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 lifelong wellness.

This fall promises to again be one of the busiest on record regarding recruitment performances. Beginning Saturday, Sept. 28, the band will perform for over 3,000 spectators in exhibition at the 50th annual Enka High School “Land of the Sky” Marching Band competition which showcases 30 of the top high school bands in the area. On Oct. 7, the band travels to Cobb County, Ga., to share their love of the pageantry arts with some of the best bands in the Southeast at their annual Cobb County Exhibition. The 23rd annual Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions takes place on Saturday, Oct. 19, when WCU welcomes 25 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 also been asked to perform in exhibition at the Bands of America Super Regional in St. Louis, Mo. on Oct. 26, 2024. This is an event filled with elite high school bands, and we feel honored to be invited to share our talents at such an esteemed venue.

And now, about our 2024 production . . . “HIGHER GROUND” Featuring the music of: Fitz and the Tantrums, Miley Cyrus, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Fleetwood Mac, Oleta Adams, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, and Creed Leaning into our nickname, “The Pride of the Mountains,” the WCU Marching Band's production, titled "Higher Ground," intricately weaves the metaphor of climbing a mountain with the challenges and triumphs of life.

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In part one, "The First Step," the band captures the excitement and optimism of embarking on a new journey, just like taking the first step on a mountain ascent or pursuing a dream. This section symbolizes the initial enthusiasm and hope that comes with starting something new.

Part two, "Lost and Alone," portrays the inevitable setbacks and moments of feeling adrift that parallel getting lost on a mountain. It emphasizes the importance of staying focused and persevering through difficult times to find the right path again, reflecting how in life, we may stumble but must keep moving forward. But we can always find our way with a little help from our friends.

"The Edge," as part three, represents the most perilous and daunting phase of the climb, where the challenge seems insurmountable. This section serves as a metaphor for facing our greatest fears and obstacles, highlighting the need to push through despite the difficulty, and the fear of failure.

Lastly, "The Summit," in part four, embodies the ultimate triumph and success after overcoming all hurdles to reach the peak of the mountain.

This segment symbolizes achieving one's goals and realizing that with determination and perseverance, even the highest summits can be conquered.

The over arching theme of “HIGHER GROUND”showcases that in life, like climbing a mountain, individuals can achieve their dreams and conquer any obstacle by staying resilient, focused, and never giving up. The show serves as a powerful reminder of the journey we all undertake, with its ups and downs, but ultimately rewarding those who persist and climb to their own personal "summit."

We are excited to embark on this journey with our members and our audience. No challenge is insurmountable. Just as a mountain looms tall and seemingly unconquerable, adopting a mindset of a determined climber, one can approach adversities with resilience.

We will persevere. We will not waver.

We will overcome.

We will reach our personal highest.

We will be victorious.

We are, the “Pride of the Mountains”!!!

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

Matt Henley

Dillon Ingle Tim Wise Doug Thrower Mike Bishop

Jamey Thompson Bob Buckner Katie Pacifico Billy Pacifico Anne (AJ) Junttila Dustin Leo

Interim Director of Athletic Bands Percussion Arranger Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Wind Music Arranger Front Ensemble, Rhythm Section and Sound Design/Arranger Visual Designer Pregame Visual Designer Color Guard Director Color Guard Choreographer Color Guard Instructor Audio Production Director

STAFF COORDINATORS: Madeline Heaton, Caden Hopkins, Michael Houtzer 2024 DRUM MAJORS: McKenzie Yazan (Head), Ashley Elliott, Joely Martin, Emilia Speulvada

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 in August 2022

CAPTION COORDINATORS: Elizabeth Bargher, Danny Strouther, Bryan Clingerman, Elizabeth Phillips, Erik Stauffer, Cayla McDonald SERVICE STAFF CHIEFS: Caroline Eagan, Katy Riggs, Rayne Woods, Ainsley Briggs, Gavin Franklyn, Skylar Wheeler, Davis Wheeler Shaun Brown, Atticus Boersma

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Wonder why.

Wander out. livewestern.wcu.edu

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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. Chris Williams, 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 Kelli R. Brown, Ph.D., is the 12th Chancellor of Western Carolina University, a regional comprehensive university that serves nearly 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. She became the University’s first permanent woman chancellor when she took office in July 2019.

Since her arrival, Chancellor Brown has highlighted several priorities: an institutional emphasis on quality and excellence; a commitment to access, affordability, inclusive excellence and student success; and a focus on the University’s role as an engine of economic development for its communities. Under Chancellor Brown’s leadership, WCU has continued to capitalize on the opportunity to be a thought leader regarding how regionally engaged universities can be student focused, with a high level of teaching innovation and a large connection with the surrounding region. Business North Carolina magazine has

seen the impact Chancellor Brown has on the university and region and has included her on their Power List of the state’s most influential leaders four separate times.

Throughout her time at Western, Chancellor Brown has spearheaded several major capital projects on campus. In 2021, the state-of-the art, Apodaca Science Building, was completed to replace the university’s 1970-era Natural Science Building. The following year in 2022, “The Rocks”, a collection of three freshman residence halls were opened with an emphasis on building student community. Later that year, WCU completed its new energy production facility, replacing the campus’ century-old steam plant.

Additionally, she has overseen the implementation of the highly successful NC Promise tuition reduction program and the innovative Catamount Commitment financial aid program. Each program has had a tangible impact on the reduction of student debt.

Chancellor Brown serves on numerous regional boards including Harris Regional Hospital/Swain Community Hospital, NC Arboretum, Givens Estates, Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and is Chair of North Carolina Campus Compact — a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change, and strengthening democracy. Nationally,

she is a member of ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge President’s Council (nonpartisan mission is student registration and turnout) and a member of ACE Women’s Network Executive Council.

Before coming to WCU, Chancellor Brown served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University. In July 2016, she 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. 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.

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

Chancellor Brown is originally from the Midwest, and she and her husband of 35 years, Dennis, live in Cullowhee.

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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.

• 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 total touchdowns on the season (eight rushing and one passing) and only three over the last six games. WCU held four opponents out of the endzone and intercepted a combined 21 passes. JERRY GAINES and linebacker STEVE YATES were first team All-America selections.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN THE 2024 SEASON

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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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 AllSoCon 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.

Pepsi is a proud sponsor of Western Carolina University

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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE The Southern Conference, which celebrates its 103rd year in 2024, 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

2024 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS C / S Team

W

L

SOCON Pct Pts Opp

W

L

OVERALL Pct Pts Opp

RV / 23 Mercer The Citadel Wofford 17 / 19 Chattanooga ETSU 2 / 2 Furman RV / – Samford VMI 17 / 17 WESTERN CAROLINA

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

.000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000

1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1

1.000 1.000 1.000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

63 22 21 3 10 0 29 7 21

10 21 20 69 38 76 38 41 38

C – FCS Coaches Poll; S – STATS Perform 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

W. CAROLINA

THE CITADEL

ETSU

FURMAN

MERCER

SAMFORD

CHATTANOOGA

VMI

WOFFORD

at #24/22 NC State Aug. 29 – L, 38-21

at Charleston Southern Aug. 31 – W, 22-21

at Appalachian State Aug. 31 – L, 38-10

at #6 Ole Miss Aug. 31 – L, 76-0

PRESBYTERIAN Aug. 29 – W, 63-10

at West Georgia Aug. 31 – L, 38-29

at #15 Tennessee Aug. 31 – L 69-3

at #15/16 William & Mary Aug. 29 – L, 41-7

at Gardner-Webb Aug. 29 – W, 21-20

CAMPBELL Sept. 7 – 1 pm

SOUTH CAROLINA ST Sept. 7 – Noon

UVA-WISE Sept. 7 – 5:30 pm

CHARLESTON SOU. Sept. 7 – 6 pm

at Bethune-Cookman Sept. 7 – 3 pm

at Florida Sept. 7 – 6 pm

at Georgia State Sept. 7 – 7 pm

BUCKNELL Sept. 7 – 1:30 pm

at Richmond Sept. 7 – 3:30 pm

at Elon Sept. 14 – 6 pm

NORTH GREENVILLE Sept. 14 – Noon

#2 NORTH DAKOTA ST Sept. 14 – 5:30 pm

STETSON Sept. 14 – 2 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Sept. 14 – 6 pm

ALABAMA STATE * Sept. 14 – 6 pm

MERCER * Sept. 14 – 6 pm

at Georgia Tech Sept. 14 – 3:30 pm

WILLIAM & MARY Sept. 14 – 6 pm

at Montana Sept. 21 – 3 pm ET

at Mercer * Sept. 21 – 6 pm

at Elon Sept. 21 – 6 pm

at William & Mary Sept. 21 – 6 pm

THE CITADEL * Sept. 21 – 6 pm

at Furman * Sept. 28 – 1 pm

PORTLAND STATE * Sept. 28 – 7 pm

NORFOLK STATE Sept. 21 – 1:30 PM

MERCER * Sept. 28 – 1:30 pm

WOFFORD * Oct. 5 – 2:30 pm

ETSU * Sept. 28 – 2 pm

at The Citadel * Sept. 28 – 2 pm

SAMFORD * Sept. 28 – 2 pm

at ETSU * Sept. 28 – 1:30 pm

VMI * Oct. 5 – 2 pm

at ETSU * Oct. 5 – 3:30 pm

at Samford * Oct. 5 – 3 pm ET

at Western Carolina * Oct. 5 – 2:30 pm

THE CITADEL * Oct. 12 – 2:30 pm

FURMAN * Oct. 5 – 2 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 5 – 3:30 pm

at The Citadel * Oct. 5 – 2 pm

PRINCETON Oct. 12 – 3:30 pm

at ETSU * Oct. 12 – 2:30 pm

at Furman * Oct. 12 – 2 pm

at Wofford * Oct. 12 – 1:30 pm

VMI * Oct. 12 – 1:30 pm

at Furman * Oct. 19 – 2 pm

at Western Carolina * Oct. 12 – 2:30 pm

SAMFORD * Oct. 12 – 3:30 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Oct. 12 – 2 pm

at Samford * Oct. 19 – 3 pm

MERCER * Oct. 19 – 2 pm

WOFFORD * Oct. 12 – 1:30 pm

THE CITADEL * Oct. 19 – 1:30 pm

at Chattanooga * Oct. 19 – 1:30 pm

at Mercer * Oct. 26 – 3:30 pm

at VMI * Oct. 19 – 1:30 pm

at Wofford * Oct. 26 – 2 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 19 – 2 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Oct. 26 – 3:30 pm

at The Citadel * Oct. 26 – 1 pm

VMI * Oct. 26 – 4 pm

at Chattanooga * Oct. 26 – 4 pm

ETSU * Oct. 26 – 2 pm

CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 2 – 2:30 pm

SAMFORD * Oct. 26 – 2 pm

at Mercer * Nov. 2 – 3 pm

at VMI * Nov. 2 – 1:30 pm

ETSU * Nov. 2 – 3 pm

WOFFORD * Nov. 2 – 2 pm

at Western Carolina * Nov. 2 – 2:30 pm

FURMAN * Nov. 2 – 1:30 pm

at Samford * Nov. 2 – 3 pm ET

at ETSU * Nov. 9 – Noon

CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 9 – 2 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 9 – Noon

WOFFORD * Nov. 9 – 2 pm

at VMI * Nov. 9 – 1:30 pm

TENNESSEE TECH Nov. 9 – 2 pm

at The Citadel * Nov. 9 – 2 pm

MERCER * Nov. 9 – 1:30 pm

at Furman * Nov. 9 – 2 pm

VMI * Nov. 16 – 1 pm

at Wofford * Nov. 16 – 1:30 pm

FURMAN * Nov. 16– Noon

at ETSU * Nov. 16 – Noon

WOFFORD * Nov. 11 – 2 pm

at Chattanooga * Nov. 16 – 12:30 pm

SAMFORD * Nov. 16 – 1:30 pm

at Western Carolina * Nov. 16 – 1 pm

THE CITADEL * Nov. 16 – 1:30 pm

at Samford * Nov. 23 – 3 pm ET

at Clemson * Nov. 23 – TBA

at VMI * Nov. 23 – Noon

at Mercer * Nov. 23 – 3 pm

SAMFORD * Nov. 11 – 3 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 23 – 2 pm

at Austin Peay Nov. 23 – 2 pm

ETSU * Nov. 23 – Noon

at South Carolina Nov. 23 – 4 pm

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BOB WATERS FIELD AT E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM

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ALL-TIME TOP WHITMIRE STADIUM ATTENDANCE FIGURES

Construction Completed: June, 1974

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 Western Carolina University's Cullowhee 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 Sept. 14, 1974. That 1974 team went on to win nine-straight games and qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs, boasting one of the program's greatest defenses.

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 thanks to five interceptions, a win over No. 2 Furman, 41-21, in 2005.

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, comefrom-behind 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, as well as through the Nexstar Network / SoCon Games of the Week airing on The CW62 locally.

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 train-

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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 ing / sports medicine facilities.

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

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vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. Furman vs. Appalachian State vs. Georgia Southern VS. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN vs. The Citadel vs. Appalachian State vs. Furman vs. Appalachian State vs. The Citadel vs. VMI vs. Furman vs. Furman VS. SAMFORD vs. Mars Hill vs. The Citadel vs. Appalachian State vs. Appalachian State vs. The Citadel VS. MERCER

1994................15,247 2004................14,714 2008............... 14,213 2010............... 14,004 1983............... 13,924 1998................13,785 1978................. 13,778 2006............... 13,742 1987................ 13,460 2023................13,357 2014................13,323 2012................13,279 1989................13,227 1989................. 13,118 1992................ 12,818 2018................12,759 1985............... 12,635 1991.................12,445 2023.............12,410 2015................12,348 2016............... 12,283 1978................ 12,232 1985................ 12,218 1984............... 12,204 2023............. 12,154

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. His construction company prepared most of the stadium site gratis. He was granted the Patron Award in the WCU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

In 1988, the playing surface where ROBERT LEE "BOB" 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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WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS #14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87) Kirk Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the

#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75) Jerry Gaines was an Associated Press and Ameri-

14 23

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 fourtime, 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

can Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors 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 selec-

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tion at Western Carolina, playing guard on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball ...

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 was 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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