2025 Catamount Football - 'Extra Points' Game Day Program - vs. Mercer

western carolina alumni

from Phil Polito, Paul

WCU Creative Media, Marlon Howard and Ava Schmitt. Printing is by the on-campus WCU Print Shop. Advertising sales for EXTRA POINTS are administered by Chad Gerrety and Kaleb Ambrose. To advertise with or sponsor the Catamounts, call (828)

or (828) 227-2038.

GAME TIMES:

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM POLICIES AND INFORMATION

All game times are subject to change. WCU will publicize any game time changes through its social media channels (TwitterX: @ Catamounts, @CatamountsFB; Facebook: FB.com/catamountsports) and website, CatamountSports.com. Tickets and game day parking refunds will NOT be made because of a change in kickoff times ON-CAMPUS TAILGATING:

Pregame 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, policy states that there is NO POSTGAME TAILGATING ALLOWED

STADIUM RE-ADMITTANCE:

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

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:

Outside alcohol and alcoholic beverages ARE PROHIBITED in E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Also, containers and/or coolers are also prohibited inside the stadium. Alcoholic beverages are being 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. Ticket holders are allowed to bring one empty, clear plastic water bottle into the stadium for use at the stadium water fountains. See Page 7 for more info.

STADIUM SEAT CUSHIONS AND CHAIRBACKS:

Stadium cushions and seats ARE PERMISSIBLE for entry into Whitmire Stadium – but please note that they are restricted to 18 inches in width to fit within the standard stadium bleacher seat.

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.

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" are permissible only 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: Betty's Funnel Cakes, Bojangles Famous Sweet Tea, Farm House Lemonade, Kona Ice, Sunset Slush and Tubby's Popcorn and More.

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.

REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE:

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

CHANCELLOR'S BOX, PRESS BOX & CAMERA DECKS:

No one is allowed in the Chancellor's Box, the working press box, camera decks, Paws Porch, Catamount Corner, or onto the field without proper credentials (Zone 1 & 2). Those not adhering to this policy will be escorted out of the stadium.

LOST AND FOUND:

If you find an item, please return it to an AXIS 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.

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.

CATAMOUNT MERCHANDISE:

Western Carolina apparel and game day merchandise from the WCU Bookstore can be found at stands on both sides of the stadium near Gate 1 and Gate 4. The WCU Bookstore is open on home game days from 10 am until 4 pm – and anytime online at bookstore.wcu.edu. Merchandise is also available anytime at CatamountSports.com through CatamountFanShop

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.

SCOUTING WESTERN CAROLINA

u WESTERN CAROLINA opens back-to-back home games in a crucial stretch in its 2025 Southern Conference schedule, hosting the nationally-ranked and the current first-place MERCER BEARS on Saturday, for Homecoming, before hosting mountain-rival ETSU for the "Blue Ridge Border Battle" on Senior Day / Hall of Fame Day on Nov 15;

u SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE: Both WCU and Mercer enter Saturday riding lengthy seasonal winning streak – the Catamounts (6-3, 5-0 SoCon) have won SIX straight, tied for the ninthlongest active NCAA FCS winning streak WCU's six-straight wins marks the longest streak for WCU since winning six consecutive over two seasons, including the final four games of 1984 and the first two of 1985 … It's also WCU's first six-game, in-season win streak since the 1983 run to the national championship game the Bears have won SEVEN consecutive, tied for the fifthlongest active win streak, and have 10 straight SoCon victories dating back to last October;

u CONFERENCE CROWN ON THE LINE: If Mercer wins on Saturday, the Bears would secure at least a share of the 2025 Southern Conference Championship with one game to play (vs. Chattanooga) but would lock-in the SoCon's automatic qualifier a Western Carolina win on Saturday would move the Catamounts atop the heap with TWO league games remaining and give the Catamounts the tie-breaker WCU is riding a program-long FIVE game SoCon win streak;

u WESTERN CAROLINA and MERCER meet for the 12th time on the gridiron with the Catamounts trailing in the all-time series, 2-9 Since winning the first two series meetings in 2014 and 2015, the Catamounts have dropped NINE straight games in the head-to-head series;

u WCU is just 1-4 in games played in Cullowhee and 1-5 in games played in Macon, Ga the average margin of defeat in games played in Cullowhee is 10 25 with the two closest margins coming at Whitmire Stadium – a two-point, 35-33 home loss in 2017, and a seven-point, 45-38 decision in the most recent meeting in Cullowhee in 2023;

u During the current nine-game winless drought, the Catamounts have been outscored by an average of 15 3 points per game, including a HIGH of 43 points (L, 49-6 in 2022) and the two-point game in Cullowhee in 2017

u CATAMOUNT IMPACT PLAYER NOTES:

u QB TARON DICKENS has amassed 2,201 passing yards, while completing 77 6% (177-of-228) passes and 26 passing scores, improving to 9-1 as a starting QB for the Catamounts in just six games to date Dickens has now eclipsed 350 yards in six games in his career with wins in all six of those games His 2,201 passing yards rank him 16th in WCU's single-season record books, leaping five former QBs on the charts … Now with 26 seasonal passing TDs, Dickens ranks SECOND in WCU's single-season record books, two passing scores shy of the program's single-season record held by Cole Gonzales (28, 2023) Dickens also now has 3,756 career passing yards, advancing into 13th in WCU's all-time career record books … He trails 12th-place Todd Cottrell (1987-89, 3,933 yds) by just 177 yards;

u WR JAMES TYRE has a career-best 10 receiving TDs this season that ranks him tied for fifth with two others – Gerald Harp (1978) and Terryon Robinson (2017) – in WCU's single-season record books … Tyre is one of just SIX Catamount wide receivers to reach double-digit TD receptions a combined seven times in a season – Gerald Harp had 11 in 1979 and 10 in 1978 … Tyre is just TWO touchdown receptions shy of first-place Karnorris Benson (12, 2013) and Eric Rasheed (12, 1983) His 10 receiving TDs rank tied for the NATIONAL LEAD, matching Joey Isabella of Duquesne, while his 614 receiving yards are 38th nationally, and his 6 22 receptions per game are tied for ninth nationally;

u LB JORDAN THOMPSON has recorded a career-high 11 tackles twice this season – against Elon and at Campbell His team-best 67 tackles rank him tied for tied for sixth in the SoCon Thompson is tied with BO SIMPSON-NEALY with seven tackles for loss DB SAMAURIE DUKES ranks second on the Catamount squad with 54 total tackles, moving ahead of LB HAYWARD McQUEEN JR ., who has missed the past two games with injury;

u DEFENSIVE TAKEAWAYS: WCU ranks TIED for the SoCon lead with 11 interceptions as a team this season, tied for SIXTH nationally in the NCAA FCS Six different Catamounts have interceptions this season with KEN MOORE JR . and HASAAN SYKES with three picks apiece

WESTERN CAROLINA / MERCER INSIDE THE ALL-TIME SERIES

ALL-TIME SERIES . . . . . . WCU TRAILS, 2-9

First Meeting Oct 18, 2014 (W, 35-21) In Cullowhee WCU trails, 1-4 In Macon, Ga WCU trails, 1-5

Current Streak WCU, L–9

WCU Most Points Scored 46 (2018)

Mercer Most Points Scored 59 (2018)

Longest WCU Win Streak: 2 gms (2014-15) Largest Margin of Victory 14 pts (35-21, 2014)

Longest WCU Losing Skid: 9 gms (current) Largest Margin of Defeat 43 pts (49-6, 2022)

ALL-TIME SERIES MEETINGS (2-9): Oct 26, 2024 Macon, Ga L, 44-34 Oct 28, 2023 Cullowhee L, 45-38

Oct 8, 2022 Macon, Ga L, 49-6 Oct 9, 2021 Cullowhee L, 34-24

March 20, 2021 Macon, Ga L, 45-28 Aug 31, 2019 Cullowhee L, 49-27

Oct 20, 2018 Macon, Ga L, 59-46

Nov 11, 2017 Cullowhee L, 35-33

Oct 15, 2016 Macon, Ga L, 38-24

Oct 10, 2015 Cullowhee W, 24-21

Oct 18, 2014 Macon, Ga W, 35-21

WESTERN CAROLINA – PHOTOS FROM

NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SUBDIVISION (FCS) THRU

GAMES NOV. 1, 2025

AFCA FCS Week 10 Coaches Poll

1. North Dakota St. (25) 9-0 625 1 2. Montana 9-0 598 3

3. Montana St. 7-2 567 4 4. Lehigh 9-0 521 7

5. Tennessee Tech 9-0 488 8

6. Monmouth (N.J.) 8-1 485 9

7. Tarleton St. 9-1 474 2

417 11

6-2 367 6

Harvard 7-0 310 15 14. Southeastern Louisiana 7-2 298 16 15. North Dakota 6-3 263 10 16. Southern Illinois 6-3 243 17

17. Illinois St. 6-3 240 18

18. Lamar 7-2 173 14

19. Jackson St. 6-2 157 20

20. ACU 5-4 156 25

21. Stephen F. Austin 7-2 148 23

22. Youngstown St. 5-4 120 19 23. Presbyterian 8-1 115 22

24. WESTERN CAROLINA 6-3 51 NR 25. South Dakota 6-4 36 NR

Stats Perform FCS Week 10 Top 25

FCS Nation's Week 10 Top 25

North Dakota State (NDSU)

Montana

Montana State (MSU)

Tennessee Tech (TTU)

Monmouth

Lehigh

North Dakota (UND)

South Dakota State (SDSU)

Tarleton State

Villanova

Southern Illinois (SIU)

Youngstown State

Stephen F. Austin

Rhode Island (URI)

Abilene Christian (ACU)

South Dakota

Jackson State (JSU)

Alabama State

Lamar

A LOOK AT TODAY’S OPPONENT: MERCER BEARS

u Winners of seven straight – tied for the fifth-longest active winning streak in the NCAA FCS – Mercer comes to Cullowhee leading the SoCon, looking to win back-to-back crowns with a win on Saturday

This season, the Bears trailed nationally-ranked UC Davis in the season-opener before the Week 0 game was ruled a no-contest after lengthy weather delays, avoiding the potential 0-1 start – however, the hangover was real as upstart, non-scholarship Presbyterian handed Mercer a 15-10 home loss;

u Mercer heads to western North Carolina riding a string of 10 STRAIGHT Southern Conference victories, last suffering a league defeat at Samford on Oct 19, 2024 the Bears have a number next to their name as a ranked team for a 21st consecutive contest;

u The Bears lead the Southern Conference in scoring offense (38 1 ppg) and scoring defense (16 6 ppg), and boast the SoCon's top total offense at 512 4 yards per game, the second-best offense in the NCAA FCS Mercer's passing game LEADS the NCAA and SoCon at 334 5 yards per game, and are 34th nationally at 177 9 rushing yards per contest Mercer counters with the SoCon's best total defense (293 9 yds/gm), best against the pass (215 3 yds/gm) and the rush (78 6 yds/gm), the fourth-best in the NCAA FCS .

u AND THEN THERE WERE TWO: Western Carolina and Mercer remain the only two unbeaten teams in the Southern Conference – and the only two league teams among the national discussions in the polls the Bears come into the week tied for 10th in the AFCA Coaches Poll, up from 13th last week, and are up three spots to No . 12 overall in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 WCU moved back into the national rankings at No 24:

u Defending SoCon champion, Mercer landed 11 players on the Coaches Preseason All-SoCon team – DL ANDREW ZOCK, tabbed as the league's preseason defensive player of the year and was joined on the first team by OL XAVIER JENNINGS, WR ADJATAY DABBS, and RS BRAYDEN SMITH RB CJ MILLER and RB AUTAVIUS ISON adorned the second team squad, as did OL TYLER MURRAY, WR ADONIS MCDANIEL and LB DONOVAN WATKINS P JOHN MCCONNELL and LS JAIDEN HAMILTON earned a spot on the second team as well;

u The Bears (7-1, 6-0 SoCon) were picked to WIN the SoCon in the preseason coaches poll

u BEARS IMPACT PLAYER NOTES:

u QB BRADEN ATKINSON – the true freshman signal caller is a THREE-time SoCon Offensive Player of the Week, logging 1,306 passing yards and 12 touchdown passes over the three games, including a school-record 533 passing yards in the Week 10 win over VMI in seven games this season, has thrown for 2,474 yards and 25 TDs with four interceptions . . . Atkinson is a two-time Stats Perform FCS National Freshman of the Week the Rolesville, N C , product appeared on the Jerry Rice Award Watch List for the nation's top rookie player;

u DL ANDREW ZOCK – the reigning Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and the 2025 SoCon Preseason Defensive Player of the Year . Over 22 games the past two seasons, has amassed 69 total tackles with 38 solo stops Zock has 29 5 tackles for loss with 17 sacks, 10 coming in 2025 This fall, Zock has 31 tackles (17 solo) with 15 TFLs and 10 sacks Was credited with five tackles, including one for loss against WCU in '24

u FAMILIAR FACE: A familiar face in the Western Carolina–Mercer series is Mercer Director of Strength & Conditioning, EVAN BARR, who oversaw the Catamount athletic performance efforts from 2013-20, primarily working with the Catamount football program Was part of helping the Catamounts to consecutive top-3 finishes in the SoCon in 2014 and 2015;

u ABOUT MERCER HEAD COACH MIKE JACOBS: Is in his second season in Macon, guiding the Bears to the 2024 SoCon Football Championship in his inaugural season Earned SoCon Coach of the Year plaudits and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award He is a four-time conference coach of the year in his career, tabbed as the National Coach of the Year in 2018 by Don Hansen's Football Gazette;

u Is a 22-year veteran and the 21st head coach in the history of the Mercer football program Opened his tenure in Macon with six-straight wins

u Came to Mercer from Lenoir-Rhyne, guiding the Bears to a 32-9 record from 2019-23, earning 2023 South Atlantic Conference championship and a trio of league divisional titles .

ABOUT MERCER

SCOUTING THE BEARS

QUICK FACTS:

Location: Macon, Ga.

Founded: 1833

Enrollment: 9,100

Colors: Orange & Black Conference: Southern (SoCon) Facility (Capacity): ..... Five Star Stadium (10,200)

President: William D. Underwood, J.D.

Athletics Director: Jim Cole

Head Coach: Mike Jacobs Record at Mercer: 18-4 (2nd yr) Overall Record: 92-21 (10th yr)

2025 SCHEDULE / RESULTS

(7-1, 6-0):

AUG. 23 vs. (7) UC Davis No Contest

AUG. 30 PRESBYTERIAN L, 15-10

SEPT. 13 WOFFORD * W, 22-21

Sept. 20 at The Citadel * W, 38-0

Sept. 27 at (RV) ETSU * W, 38-34

OCT. 4 SAMFORD * W, 45-21

Oct. 11 at Princeton W, 38-14

OCT. 25 VMI * W, 62-0

Nov. 1 at Furman * W, 52-28

Nov. 8 at #24 Western Carolina * 2:30 pm

NOV. 15 CHATTANOOGA * 1:00 PM Nov. 22 at Auburn 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT

WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS – 2025 NUMERICAL ROSTER

NAME POS. HT. WT. YR. HOMETOWN (PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

0 AJ Colombo WR 5-8 170 Sr. Waxhaw, N.C. (Cuthbertson HS)

0 Ken Moore Jr. N 5-10 160 R-Jr. Miami, Fla. (Christopher Columbus HS)

1 Patrick Boyd Jr. RB 5-10 170 R-So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

1 Caleb Fisher DE 6-3 240 R-Sr. Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

2 Branson Adams RB 5-9 190 5th Greensboro, N.C. (Dudley HS)

2 Micah Nelson DE 6-3 265 5th Murphy, N.C. (Murphy HS)

3 Kha’leal Sterling WR 5-9 170 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Miami Central HS)

3 Samaurie Dukes CB 5-11 185 Sr. Miami, Fla. (Miami HS)

4 Dominic Dutton WR 5-10 175 Jr. Glen Allen, Va. (ODU / South Carolina / Glen Allen HS)

4 Jordan Thompson LB 5-11 220 R-So. Charlotte, N.C. (Middle Tennessee / Julius Chambers HS)

5 Taron Dickens QB 5-11 180 R-So. Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)

5 Hayward McQueen Jr. LB 6-1 215 Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (TRU Prep Academy)

6 Marcus Striggles WR 5-9 180 So. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Concord Univ. / Dillard HS)

6 Bo Simpson-Nealy S 5-10 185 R-So. Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)

7 Malik Knight WR 6-2 185 R-Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Fort Lauderdale HS)

7 Ed Jones IV S 6-1 205 R-Sr. Arlington, Texas (Cisco College / Martin HS)

8 Painter Richards-Baker WR 6-2 185 5th Hillsborough, N.C. (Dartmouth College / Christ School)

8 Jahleel Anderson DT 6-4 320 Sr. Statesboro, Ga. (Alcorn State / Highland CC / Statesboro HS)

8 Ian Grissom QB 6-1 165 Fr. Rock Hill, S.C. (Rock Hill HS)

9 Jaylin Terzado WR 6-0 180 R-Jr. Liberty City, Fla. (Champagnat Catholic HS)

9 Darian Anderson Jr. CB 5-10 160 R-So. Miami, Fla. (Dade Christian School)

10 Michael Rossin WR 6-0 195 Fr. Suwanee, Fla. (Suwannee HS)

10 Justin Wallace DE 6-2 250 R-Jr. West Palm Beach, Fla. (Killian HS)

11 Isaac Lee QB 6-3 190 R-Fr. Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)

11 Kenyon Partridge DE 6-3 250 R-So. Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

12 Hasaan Sykes CB 6-0 185 So. Tucker, Ga. (Tucker HS)

13 Richard Hollis WR 5-8 160 Fr. Pompano Beach, Fla. (Blanche Ely HS)

13 Marseille Taylor CB 6-2 185 Jr. Sanford, Fla. (SFA / USF / Riverside City / Seminole HS)

14 Josiah Thomas TE 6-2 215 Fr. Austin, Texas (Lake Travis HS)

14 Vanier Baptiste III DT 6-3 280 R-Fr. Fort Myers, Fla. (Dunbar HS)

15 Jai Boyd WR 6-2 175 R-So. Winnsboro, S.C. (Fairfield Central HS)

15 Gavin Rowell DE 6-3 255 Jr. Melbourne, Fla. (Tusculum / Melbourne HS)

16 James Tyre WR 5-10 175 R-So. Suwanee, Ga. (Lambert HS)

16 Jhamari Pierre-Louis S 5-11 180 R-Jr. Delray Beach, Fla. (Atlantic HS)

17 Bennett Judy QB 6-3 200 R-So. Simpsonville, S.C. (Hillcrest HS)

17 Armond Anderson LB 6-2 215 Sr. Lithonia, Ga. (St. Thomas Univ. / South Gwinnett HS)

18 Jordan Martin-Durham QB 6-3 240 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Zarephath Academy)

18 Ryan McKinnis LB 6-2 220 R-So. Buford, Ga. (Appalachian State / Buford HS)

19 Bode Burns TE 6-4 230 R-Fr. Dunnellon, Fla. (Dunnellon HS)

19 Cam Smith CB 6-0 185 R-So. New London, N.C. (North Stanly HS)

20 Camury Reid RB 5-11 200 R-Jr. Gastonia, N.C. (Forestview HS)

20 Na’Koma Simpson-Nealy S 5-10 170 R-Fr. Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Seminole HS)

21 Jaiden Bond RB 5-9 185 R-Sr. Boone, N.C. (Watagua HS)

21 Cam’Ron Dabney CB 5-11 185 5th Atlanta, Ga. (Northern Illinois / Kansas / Cherokee Bluff HS)

22 Josh Perry RB 6-0 200 Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Edgewater HS)

22 Jeno Junius Jr. N 6-0 200 R-So. Hollywood, Fla. (Chaminade-Madonna HS)

24 Anthony Benjamin RB 5-10 165 R-So. Fort Myers, Fla. (Jacksonville State / Dunbar HS)

24 Zayveon Wells S 5-10 190 R-So. Sumter, S.C. (Palmetto Prep Academy / Lakewood HS)

25 Noah Best RB 5-11 190 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Corvian Community HS)

25 Nassor Ashenafi N 5-9 170 Fr. Washington, D.C. (Mallard Creek (N.C.) HS)

26 Devin Brown N 5-10 170 Fr. Miami, Fla. (Northwestern HS)

27 Jayden Cornelius CB 5-10 160 Fr. Plant City, Fla. (Durant HS)

28 Markel Townsend RB 5-8 185 R-Fr. Columbia, S.C. (A.C. Flora HS)

29 Christian Robbins CB 6-1 190 Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Jones HS)

30 Richard Garrett DE 6-5 245 R-Jr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Andrew Jackson HS)

31 Don Robinson III CB 5-9 175 R-Jr. Winston-Salem, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

32 AJ Mintze S 6-0 185 Fr. Delray Beach, Fla. (Miami Norland HS)

33 Lee Campbell S 6-1 205 R-Jr. Charlotte, N.C. (Queen City Prep / Vance HS)

34 Joshua Collins LB 6-1 215 R-Fr. Bryson City, N.C. (Swain County HS)

35 Trey Berry

36 Ja’morri Downing N 6-1 195 R-Jr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Stranahan HS)

37 Christopher Hobbs CB 6-2 175 Fr. Rabun, N.C. (Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School)

38 Canden McGill CB 5-10 185 R-Fr. Shelby, N.C. (Shelby HS)

39 Julian Quintero

40

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

Decatur, Ga. (Columbia HS)

41 Beady Waddell V LB 6-0 215 R-Fr. Summerville, S.C. (West Mecklenburg (N.C.) HS)

42 Hank Bodine LB 6-0 220 Fr. Velva, N.D. (Velva DAG HS)

(Weddington

Lansdowne, Pa. (UAlbany / Morgan State / St. Joseph’s Prep)

46 Nolan McClanahan LB 6-1 215 Fr. Lake Mary, Fla. (Lake Mary HS)

47 Blue Monroe LB 6-1 225 R-Jr. Concord, N.C. (Jay M. Robinson HS)

48

49

Tarboro, N.C. (Tarboro HS)

Ringgold, Ga. (Ringgold HS)

Clearwater, Fla. (Clearwater HS)

52 Manasseh Ripert OL 6-4 300 R-Jr. Lakeland, Fla. (Dodge City / Kentucky Christian / Lakeland HS)

53 Zach Watson OL 6-1 295 R-So. Waycross, Ga. (Ware County HS)

55

56 Mabry Bumgarner

Snellville, Ga. (Brookwood HS)

R-Fr. Sylva, N.C. (Smoky Mountain HS)

57 Jeremy Johnson DT 5-10 300 R-Fr. Lilburn, Ga. (Concord Univ. / Parkview HS)

58 Brett Gray OL 6-4 300 Sr. Vancouver, Wash. (Valparaiso / Skyview HS)

59 J’evon Bush DT 6-5 330 Fr. Orlando, Fla. (Jones HS)

60 Bryan McCollum K 5-8 165 Fr. Sanford, N.C. (Southern Lee HS)

62 Emmett Rhoades OL 5-10 225 R-So. Chicago, Ill. (Akron / Florida A&M / Saint Ignatius College Prep)

63 Thomas Guerrero OL 5-9 160 Fr. Greenville, S.C. (Greenville HS)

64 Konrad Henderson OL 6-3 320 R-Fr. Alpharetta, Ga. (Chattahoochee HS)

65 Nicholas Foster OL 6-1 290 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Indiana Land HS)

66 John Hammond OL 6-5 295 Fr. Spartanburg, S.C. (Spartanburg HS)

67 Steven Hamby OL 6-5 320 R-So. Statesville, N.C. (Statesville HS)

68 Aiden Cooper OL 6-4 285 Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Butler HS)

69 Cole Cooke OL 6-8 325 Fr. Fort Myers, Fla. (Riverdale HS)

70 Dale Greene OL 6-3 300 R-Fr. Buford, Ga. (Buford HS)

74 Elijah Collins OL 6-5 305 So. Lehigh Acres, Fla. (West Virginia Wesleyan / East Lee County HS)

75 Renard Smith OL 6-4 310 R-So. Dallas, Ga. (Univ. of Pikeville / East Paulding HS)

77 Ilija Krajnovic OL 6-8 340 R-Sr. Zrenjanin, Serbia (Boston College / IMG Academy)

78 Evan Carney OL 6-3 305 R-So. Nashville, Tenn. (Christ Presbyterian Academy)

79 Vito Moriana-Sigel OL 6-5 315 Jr. Estepona, Spain (Miss. Valley State / Trinity Valley CC / Kiski School)

80 Trey Walker WR 5-10 175 Fr. Hoschton, Ga. (Mill Creek HS)

81 Ca’Lique Cunningham WR 5-9 185 R-So. Rock Hill, S.C. (Northwestern HS)

82 Matthew Keener WR 6-2 200 R-Fr. Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS)

83 Austin Cunningham WR 6-0 185 R-Fr. West Columbia, S.C. (White Knoll HS)

84 Marcus Trout K 5-11 180 Fr. Cocoa, Fla. (Cocoa HS)

85 David Hulbert TE 6-4 250 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Christian School)

86 Brayden Blackmon TE 6-3 250 R-Sr. Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes HS)

87 Eli Griffin WR 6-1 160 Fr. Brevard, N.C. (Brevard HS)

88 Jemarious Reaves WR 6-1 185 R-Fr. Hopkins, S.C. (Lower Richland HS)

89 Ellis Chappell WR 6-0 180 Fr. Hickory, N.C. (Hickory HS)

90 Jamichael Wilson DT 6-3 330 Gr. Chattanooga, Tenn. (Tusculum / Brainerd HS)

91 Jackson Banks DT 6-2 295 R-So. Broxton, Ga. (Mississippi Gulf Coast / Old Dominion / Coffee HS)

92 Brandon Joseph II DT 6-3 285 Fr, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas HS)

93 Adrian Stone DT 6-3 290 R-Fr. Fort Myers, Fla. (North Fort Myers HS)

94 Jaden Meeks DT 6-2 225 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Julius L. Chambers HS)

95 Stephen Brantley P 6-2 225 Jr. Pilot Mountain, N.C. (East Surry HS)

96 Christian Lowery K 5-11 185 Sr. Acworth, Ga. (Cincinnati / Harrison HS)

97 Caleb Bradford DT 6-1 260 R-Sr. Canton, N.C. (Pisgah HS)

98 Jackson Hensley DT 6-3 255 So. Maiden, N.C. (Maiden HS)

99 Jordan Cardentey DE 6-0 260 R-Fr. Atlanta, Ga. (Creekside HS) Marlin Cochran RB 5-11 185 R-So. Miami, Fla. (Miami Northwestern HS) Trevaughn Martinez DB 5-10 165 R-Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard HS)

MERCER BEARS – 2025 NUMERICAL ROSTER

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

0 Andrew Zock DL 6-2 250 So. Citra, Fla. (Hawthorne HS )

1 Dan Hicks DL 6-5 265 R-Sr. Lansdale, Pa. (West Chester / North Penn HS)

1 DJ Smith QB 6-2 200 Sr. Greenwood, Miss. / (Jones College / Greenville Christian HS)

2 Adonis McDaniel WR 5-10 170 Jr. Columbia, S.C. (Lenoir-Rhyne / Ridge View HS)

3 Apollos Cook TE 6-3 210 R-So. Lexington, S.C. (Duke / Airport HS)

3 Myles Weston CB 5-11 175 R-Jr. Port Charlotte, Fla. (Venice HS )

4 Autavius Ison RB 5-11 190 Jr. Atlanta, Ga. (Charleston Southern / Riverdale HS)

4 Donovan Watkins S 5-11 180 Jr. Winnsboro, S.C. (Fairfield Central HS )

5 Javarius George WR 5-10 170 R-Fr. Dallas, Ga. ( North Paulding HS )

5 Mike Polke S 6-0 190 Fr. Toombs County, Ga. ( Toombs County HS )

6 Kims Pierre CB 6 - 0 180 Fr. Ocoee, Fla. (Ocoee HS )

7 Kendall Harris WR 6 -1 200 R-So. Concord, N.C. (Cox Mill HS )

7 Carmelo O'neal S 6 - 4 200 So. Atlanta, Ga. ( Westlake HS )

8 KJ Thomas CB 5 -11 180 Fr. Conyers, Ga. ( Hebron Christian Academy )

9 Jayvyn Fraziars S 6 -2 200 Fr. Dunnellon, Fla. ( Dunnellon HS )

9 Brayden Smith WR 5 -10 185 Jr. Macon, Ga. ( Tattnall Square Academy )

10 Julian Fox LB 6 -1 220 R-So. Cordele, Ga. (Crisp County HS )

11 Braden Atkinson QB 6 -1 215 Fr. Rolesville, N.C. ( Rolesville HS )

11 Aiden Holewski DL 6 -3 240 Fr. New Port Richey, Fla. (Gulf HS )

12 Tommy Bliss S 5 -11 195 R-Jr. Richmond Hill, Ga. ( Richmond Hill HS )

12 Jake Wilson QB 6 -2 200 R-Fr. Trophy Club, Texas (Purdue / Byron Nelson HS)

13 Juwan Johnson S 5 -11 195 Sr. Savannah, Ga. (Calvary Day School )

13 Braylon Stewart WR 6 - 0 185 Fr. Raleigh, N.C. (Middle Creek HS )

14 Ethan McDowell DL 6 -2 245 R-So. Newnan, Ga. ( Miami (Ohio) / Trinity Christian School)

14 Malik Simmons TE 6 - 4 230 R-Sr. Bedford Heights, Ohio (Lenoir-Rhyne / Bedford HS)

15 Kobe McInnis DL 6 -2 245 Fr. Marietta, Ga. (Wheeler HS)

16 Jake Maxwell QB 6 -3 195 R-Fr. Bonaire, Ga. (Veterans HS)

16 Christian Davis S 5 -10 190 R-Jr. Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Army / American Christian Academy)

17 Kaleb Hutchinson S 6 - 0 185 R-Jr. Augusta, Ga. (Coastal Carolina / Westside HS)

17 Trenton Jones WR 5 -10 170 Fr. Hastings, Fla. (St. Augustine HS )

18 Adjatay Dabbs WR 6 - 0 170 R-So. Greeneville, Tenn. (Greeneville HS )

18 Justin Ferguson CB 6 - 0 180 Fr. Winston-Salem, N.C. (West Forsyth HS)

19 John McConnell P 6 -3 190 R-Sr. Morgantown, W.Va. (Marshall / Morgantown HS)

19 JP Pickles QB 6 -1 215 R-Fr. Tallahassee, Fla. (UTEP / North Florida Christian HS)

20 Carlos Benjamin RB 5 - 8 175 Fr. Prichard, Ala. (Vigor HS )

20 Ryan McNally S 5 - 9 170 R-Fr. Winder, Ga. (Winder-Barrow HS)

21 Fabian Scott CB 6 -3 185 Jr. Miami, Fla. (Florida Atlantic / Booker T. Washington HS)

22 Carter Kermott S 5 -11 180 R-Fr. Carlsbad, Calif. (La Costa Canyon HS )

22 CJ Miller RB 5 -11 230 R-Jr. Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City HS )

23 Sam Connell CB 6 - 0 165 R-Fr. Augusta, Ga. (Augusta Prep)

23 Travion Solomon WR 6 -1 190 R-Jr. Macon, Ga. (Northeast HS )

24 Roman Douthit CB 5 -10 155 R-Fr. Atlanta, Ga. (Lakeside HS )

25 Tyrell Coard RB 6 - 0 205 Jr. Charlotte, N.C. (Cox Mill HS)

25 Buck Cooper CB 6 - 0 180 R-Sr. Savannah, Ga. (Georgia State / Jenkins HS)

26 Tucker Mix CB 5 -10 165 R-Jr. Gray, Ga. (Jones County HS)

27 Micah Bell RB 5 -10 205 R-Jr. McDonough, Ga. (Charlotte / Ola HS)

28 Rafael Little LB 6 -1 215 Fr. Seneca, S.C. (Seneca HS)

29 Evan Taylor CB 6 -2 190 R-Fr. Charlotte, N.C. (Nebraska / Cuthbertson HS)

30 Brayden Dudley DL 6 -2 255 R-Sr. Buford, Ga. (West Virginia / Mill Creek HS)

31 Markus Meincke P 6 -7 220 So. Hamburg, Germany (UAB / International School of Hamburg)

(PREVIOUS COLLEGE / HIGH SCHOOL)

32 Kai Reyes CB 5 -11 190 R-Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Fletcher HS)

33 Antonio Butts Jr. LB 6 -1 215 R-Fr. Savannah, Ga. (Effingham County HS )

34 Mac Bradley LB 6 -2 235 Fr. Bogart, Ga. (Prince Avenue HS )

35 Cole Allbaugh K 5 - 9 175 Fr. Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida State University HS )

36 Bryce Addison K 5 - 9 175 R-Jr. Saint Augustine, Fla. (Pedro Menendez HS )

39 Billy Martin RB 5 - 8 175 R-Fr. Kite, Ga. (David Emanuel Academy )

46 Isaac Prince LB 6 - 0 215 R-Jr. Snellville, Ga. (Shiloh HS ) 48 Mic Wasson

49 Max Allen

50 Darrian King

Glennville, Ga. (Pinewood Christian Academy )

Holly Springs, N.C. (Holly Springs HS )

57 Tyler Murray

58 Tyler Murray

60

(Texas Tech / Brandeis HS)

Fr. Wendell, N.C. (Rolesville HS )

63 Jamari Freeman OL 6 - 4 300 R-Jr. Fairburn, Ga. (Tennessee State / Langston Hughes HS)

64 Garrett Weisgerber

-2

Fr. Lithia, Fla. (Carrollwood Day School )

66 Denver Degonia OL 6 -1 245 Fr. Harris County, Ga. (Harris County HS )

67 Pierson Sears OL 6 -1 255 R-Fr. Canton, Ga. (Creekview HS )

69 Blake Martin OL 6 - 4 300 R-Sr. Sawmills, N.C. (Coastal Carolina / Alexander Central HS)

70 Xavier Jennings OL 6 -2 305 Gr. Shelby, N.C. (Lenoir-Rhyne / Burns HS)

72 Michael Horton OL 6 - 4 280 R-Fr. Macon, Ga. / Westside HS )

73 Kurt Armstrong OL 6 - 4 325 R-Fr. Baker, Fla. (Baker HS )

74 Amarii Atchison OL 6 - 8 300 R-So. Douglasville, Ga. (Alexander HS )

75 Kelan Washington OL 6 -3 290 Fr. DeFuniak Springs, Fla. (Walton HS )

76 William Cotney OL 6 -1 260 R-So. Ocala, Fla. (West Port HS )

77 Luke Schultz OL 6 -7 295 R-Fr. Birmingham, Ala. (Briarwood Christian HS )

80 Ty Doughty WR 5 - 9 180 Fr. Madison, Ala. (James Clemens HS )

82 Cole Shaw WR 6 -2 195 So. Thomasville, Ga. (Thomasville HS )

83 Camauri Simmons WR 5 -10 160 So. Hardeeville, S.C. (Navy Prep / Bluffton HS)

84 Zachary Lowe WR 5 - 8 170 R-Fr. Apex, N.C. (Apex HS )

85 Sawyer Burt TE 6 - 5 250 R-Jr. Fort Payne, Ala. (Fort Payne HS )

86 Samuel Albee TE 6 - 5 235 Jr. Dunwoody, Ga. (Fellowship Christian School )

87 Cooper Berry TE 6 -2 235 Fr. Buford, Ga. (Buford HS )

88 Ty Everson

89 Ian Garcia

90 Tucker

Blackshear, Ga. (Navy Prep / Pierce County HS)

(Foundation Academy )

WESTERN CAROLINA – DEPTH CHART

CATAMOUNTS OFFENSE (PRO SPREAD)

QB 5 TARON DICKENS 5-11 180 R-SO. 11 Isaac Lee 6-4 190 R-Fr RB 1 PAT BOYD JR 5-10 170 R-SO. 2 Branson Adams 5-9 190 Sr.

WR–X 7 MALIK KNIGHT 6-2

MERCER – DEPTH CHART

BEARS OFFENSE

BEARS DEFENSE

WESTERN CAROLINA vs mercer bears

2025 WESTERN CAROLINA INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

2025 MERCER INDIVIDUAL STATISTICAL LEADERS

LOOKING BACK: LAST TIME WE MET

MERCER 44, WESTERN CAROLINA 34

FIVE STAR STADIUM – MACON, GA

SATURDAY, OCT. 26, 2024

SCORING SUMMARY:

ATTENDANCE: 7,389

1st 11:39 WCU – Jalynn Williams 2 yd run (Paxton Robertson kick)

5:54 WCU – AJ Colombo 17 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (Paxton Robertson kick) 12 plays, 73 yards, 3:57

2nd 14:56 MER – Brayden Smith 6 yd pass from Whitt Newbauer (Reice Griffith kick) 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:58 14 7 12:26 WCU – Paxton Robertson 31 yd field goal 7 plays, 51 yards, 2:30 17 7 4:32 WCU – Cole Gonzales 12 yd run (Paxton Robertson kick)

3:52 MER – Dwayne McGee 64 yd run (Reice Griffith kick)

0:55 MER – Whitt Newbauer 2 yd run (Reice Griffith kick)

3rd 13:26 MER – Dwayne McGee 59 yd run (Reice Griffith kick)

8:58 MER – Reice Griffith 30 yd field

4th 9:52 WCU – Zion Booker 3 yd pass from Cole Gonzales (Paxton Robertson kick)

MACON, GA – Cole Gonzales threw for 395 yards and accounted for three touchdowns including scoring strikes to AJ COLOMBO and Zion Booker while rushing for a third as No. 24 Western Carolina raced out to a 24-7 first-half lead at No. 17/14 Mercer. However, the Bears rallied back with 27-straight points between the second and third quarters and then held on for a 44-34 victory over the Catamounts at Five Star Stadium. Gonzales finished 25-of-47 through the air with his 395 yards representing his second-best, single-game performance after last week's 620-yard explosion. Adding in the team's second-most rushing yards at 53, the Ocala, Fla., product accounted for 448 total yards on Saturday. His two aerial TDs give him 51 in his WCU career to move him into second all-time in program history, usurping Troy Mitchell (2012-15, 50 TD passes).

Booker caught seven passes for 78 yards with Colombo returning to the lineup after missing the Furman game with five receptions and 66 yards, both finding the endzone. Tailback BRANSON ADAMS amassed 128 all-purpose yards, rushing for a team-high 89 yards with three catches for 39 receiving yards. Paxton Robertson nailed a pair of field goals of 31 and 44 yards for the Catamounts.

Defensively, linebackers Antarron Turner and HAYWARD MCQUEEN JR. both finished with a team-best eight total hits to lead the Catamounts. Mercer used a strong ground attack to rush its way past the Catamounts as Dwayne McGee ran for 223 yards and two TDs. Freshman backup QB Whitt Newbauer made his first career start and threw for 234 yards on just 10 completions including a six-yard touchdown pass to BRAYDEN SMITH finished with 20 rushing yards. Kelin Parsons caught four passes for a team-best 102 years for the Bears while Brayden Manley helped lead their defense with nine tackles including 2.5 sacks.

All told, the two nationally-ranked FCS teams combined for 78 points and 1,130 total yards of offense – WCU with 582 yards on 85 plays with Mercer recording 548 yards on 63 plays from scrimmage.

With WCU trailing by six inside the final six minutes of the fourth quarter, Gonzales pulled the ball down and scampered 12 yards to the goal line where he was helicopter-flipped into the endzone reminiscent of his score in the road win at Elon. The rush seemingly pulled the Catamounts even at 36 with the ensuing PAT looking to propel the Catamounts back in front – however, the play was negated by a holding penalty that erased the score and pushed WCU behind the chains.

The Catamounts settled for a Paxton Robertson season-long 44-yard field goal with just under six minutes to play to pull to within three, 3734. Mercer, however, ground out the win with CJ MILLER icing it on a 31-yard touchdown run inside the final two minutes. WESTERN CAROLINA

RUSHING

Branson Adams, WCU 12 carries, 92 yds

Cole Gonzales, WCU 12 carries 53 yds, TD

Dwayne McGee, MER 18 carries, 223 yds, 2 TDs

CJ Miller, MER 10 carries, 59 yds, TD

RECEIVING

TD

Zion Booker, WCU 7 rec., 78 yds, TD

AJ Colombo, WCU 5 rec., 66 yds, TD

De'Andre Tamarez, WCU 2 rec., 60 yds

Kelin Parsons, MER 4 rec., 102 yds

Brayden Smith, MER 2 rec., 45 yds, TD

Sawyer Burt, MER 1 rec., 39 yds

DEFENSIVE LEADERS:

TACKLES

Hayward McQueen Jr., WCU 8 tckls (3 ua), 2 TFL

Antarron Turner, WCU 8 tckls (4 ua), 1 TFL

Bo Simpson-Nealy, WCU 4 tckls (2 ua), 1 TFL

Marques Thomas, MER 9 tckls (5 ua), QBH

Ken Standley, MER 9 tckls (4ua), 2 QBH Brayden Manley, MER 8 tckls (2 ua), 2.5 TFL

SACKS

2025 CATAMOUNT FOOTBALL – SEASON GAME-BY-GAME PREVIEW IN BRIEF

GARDNER-WEBB

Saturday, Aug. 30

CULLOWHEE L, 52-45

at Wake Forest

Saturday, Sept. 6 Winston-Salem, N.C. L, 42-10

ELON

Saturday, Sept. 13

CULLOWHEE L, 37-31

SAMFORD *

Saturday, Sept. 20

CULLOWHEE W, 50-35

at Campbell

Saturday, Sept. 27

Buies Creek, N.C. W, 42-35

at Wofford * Saturday, Oct. 4

Spartanburg, S.C. W, 23-21

FURMAN *

Saturday, Oct. 11

CULLOWHEE W, 52-7

at The Citadel * Saturday, Oct. 18 Charleston, S.C. W, 45-38

at Chattanooga * Saturday, Nov. 1 Chattanooga, Tenn. W, 35-28

#10/12 MERCER * Saturday, Nov. 8

CULLOWHEE 2:30 pm

ETSU * Saturday, Nov. 15

CULLOWHEE Noon

at VMI * Saturday, Nov. 22 Lexington, Va. Noon

CULLOWHEE — Josiah Harris pulled down a game-sealing interception and Nate Hampton ran for a 26-yard score to pull away late as Gardner Webb stormed back to beat Western Carolina 52-45. The Runnin’ Bulldogs were down 35-7 after WCU scored 35 unanswered points, rallying down the stretch to upset FCS No. 19 WCU. In his first start, Bennett Judy finished 15-of-27 with 151 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for WCU. Hampton was 12-of-30 with two scores, adding 130 and four rushing TDs. It was the third-straight series win for GWU.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Demond Claiborne scored on three touchdown runs as Wake Forest beat Western Carolina 42-10 in a weather-hampered game. Claiborne, who suffered a rib injury in the opener, finished with 193 yards on 10 carries with two first-quarter TD runs. QB Robby Ashford was 13 for 22 for 227 yards with a 64-yard strike to Sterling Berkhalter in the third. Western Carolina scored on a Christian Lowery 23-yard field goal, and got into the end zone with less than seven minutes left on Markel Townsend’s 1-yard TD run.

CULLOWHEE — Landen Clark accounted for 377 yards of offense and four touchdowns to lead Elon to a 37-31 victory over Western Carolina. Clark broke loose on a 10-yard TD run and connected with Isaiah Fuhrmann on the two-point try to cap the scoring with about five minutes left. Asher Cunningham intercepted Isaac Lee with 49 seconds left to seal it. Clark finished 11-of-28 passing for 305 yards with two touchdowns and added 72 yards on the ground with two scores. James Tyre and Dominic Dutton both scored two touchdowns apiece for the Catamounts.

CULLOWHEE — Taron Dickens had career highs with 582 yards passing and six touchdowns as Western Carolina pulled away from Samford for a 50-35 victory. Dickens was 35-of-46 passing and connected with 10 receivers. Camury Reid (4–107 yds) caught three touchdown passes, and he added 39 yards rushing and TD. WCU built a 21-20 halftime lead before Dickens threw three TD passes, including his 62-yarder to Reid, that capped a 29-point third quarter. Quincy Crittendon was 35-of-54 for 456 yards and threw each of his three touchdown passes to Calvin Jones.

BUIES CREEK, NC — Taron Dickens threw for 427 yards with four touchdown passes and Western Carolina defeated Campbell 42-35. The Catamounts scored 21 points in the second quarter and led 28-10 at halftime. Dickens’ fourth TD pass — 10 yards to Patrick Boyd Jr. — made it 35-10 early in the third quarter. Wide receiver James Tyre threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Painter Richards-Baker for the Catamounts’ final score and a 42-28 lead. Kamden Sixkiller threw for 205 yards and led the Fighting Camels in rushing with 55 yards and two TDs.

SPARTANBURG, SC – Taron Dickens completed 46 consecutive passes to break the FCS record for consecutive completions in a game, and threw three touchdown passes to lead Western Carolina to a 23-21 win over Wofford. Dickens led the comeback for the Catamounts after the lead changed hands in the late third quarter. Marcus Trout, whose previous field goal attempt was blocked, made a game-winning 34-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining. Dickens was 53 for 56 for 378 yards passing, the highest completion percentage in a game in FCS history 94.6%).

CULLOWHEE – Taron Dickens threw four touchdown passes, and the Western Carolina defense forced four turnovers in a 52-7 win over Furman in a Southern Conference rout. Furman was derailed by turnovers. Despite a scoreless first quarter on either side, the game got away from the Paladins in the second frame as WCU scored 24-straight points. A week after setting the FCS record with 46 consecutive completions to start the game, Dickens was 17 of 24 for 220 yards with another 60 on the ground. Ken Moore Jr. led the team with two interceptions. Hasaan Sykes had the other.

CHARLESTON, SC – Taron Dickens threw for 369 yards with five touchdowns and Western Carolina defeated The Citadel 45-38. Dickens powered the top offense in the SoCon, completing 28 of 33 passes, and his 18-yard scoring pass to Dominic Dutton gave the Catamounts a 45-31 lead with 3 minutes remaining. The Citadel led 14-7 after a quarter before a short TD pass by Dickens and a 7-yard touchdown run from Markel Townsend helped WCU take a 24-17 lead at half. Two more Dickens’ TDs, the second a 37-yard connection with Malik Knight, led to a 38-24 lead through three quarters.

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Taron Dickens threw four touchdown passes and Western Carolina beat Chattanooga 35-28 on Saturday night for its sixth straight win. The Mocs rallied to get within seven on Justus Durant’s 8-yard TD run midway through the fourth quarter and were driving in the final minute, reaching the Catamounts’ 5-yard line before Cam’Ron Dabney intercepted Camden Orth. Three of Dickens’ TD tosses went to James Tyre in the first half and WCU led 21-7 at the break before the Mocs rallied to tie on a pair of third-quarter touchdowns through three quarters.

Western Carolina faces a tough challenge on Homecoming '25 as the Catamounts look to put the clamps on a nine-game losing skid in the series when it hosts defending SoCon champion, Mercer, with the 2025 conference crown on the line. After winning the first two meetings in 2014 and 2015, WCU has been unable to solve the Bears, trailing 2-9 in the series. Last year in Macon, WCU jumped in front 14-0 before the Bears erased a 24-7 second quarter deficit with 27-straight points. WCU closed to within three twice but got no closer in the 44-34 road loss.

Mountain-rivals Western Carolina and ETSU meet in “Blue Ridge Border Battle” in Cullowhee. The Bucs took back the traveling trophy, “the Rock” with last year’s 24-21 win in Johnson City. The Catamounts carried a 21-17 lead into the fourth quarter and ETSU scored the game-winner with six minutes to play and managed to run out the clock. WCU amassed 687 yards of offense in dominating the most recent Cullowhee meeting, 58-7. WCU leads the series 27-26-1 with five of the last seven series meetings decided in one-possession games, including a pair in overtime.

Western Carolina closes the regular season in northern Virginia, visiting the VMI Keydets at Foster Stadium. The Catamounts hold a commanding 26-5 lead in the all-time series with 11 wins in games played in Lexington. But the Keydets won the most recent meeting on post with a 27-24 home victory over WCU in 2023 that thwarted WCU’s bid for the NCAA FCS playoffs. Last year, the Catamounts exploded for 35 points in a decisive second quarter, including three scores inside the final three minutes of the second frame to lead 41-7 at half in the 58-28 victory.

head coach >>>>>>>>>>>> KERWIN BELL

An accomplished player who worked his way from walkon to All-American to the National Football League, and a 17-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 on April 27, 2021, coaching his first year in Cullowhee that fall.

Bell enters 2025 – his fifth season on the sidelines in Cullowhee – with 117 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 four seasons under Bell, Western Carolina has eclipsed 5,000 yards of total offense each season, establishing and breaking program records. In 2024, WCU broke the year-old benchmark with 5,665 total yards to edge the 2023 (5,545), 2022 (5,339), and 1983 teams (5,333). WCU’s offensive has surpassed the 3,000 passing

yard mark for just the fifth time in program history in 2024, throwing for a school-record 4,029 yards. WCU passed for a school-record 33 TDs in 2023, amassing 24-or-more aerial scores in each of Bell's first four seasons. The Catamounts led the NCAA FCS in total offense in 2023, the only program to average over 500 yards per game at the season's end, and paced the nation as the statistcal champion in passing offense in 2024.

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

Over a 12-year head coaching career prior to WCU, 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.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

BORN: June 15, 1965

HOMETOWN: Mayo, Fla.

ALMA MATER: Florida, 1987

FAMILY: Wife, Cosette Odom; Three children; Kade, Kolton, and Kenzley; and a grand daughter, Palmer

PLAYING EXPERIENCE:

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

u Florida–Georgia Hall of Fame, 1996 inductee

u Univ. of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, 1997 inductee

MIAMI DOLPHINS (NFL), 7th-round draft pick (180), 1988

ATLANTA FALCONS (NFL), 1988

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (NFL), 1989

ORLANDO THUNDER (WLAF), 1991-92

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–)

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 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.

Wells finished as the runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the Division II Player of the Year, and was named both the Region Two and Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Wells accounted for 50 touchdowns on the year (including one receiving), led the nation in points responsible for (300), was second in passing touchdowns (38) and points responsible for per game (21.4 ppg), 10th in passing yards (3,075), 12th in passing efficiency (160.6) and 25th in total offense (271.9 ypg). He finished second on the team with 732 yards rushing and led the team with 11 rushing touchdowns.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Kerwin Bell was selected in the seventh round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, beginning his 13year 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, and a grand daughter, Palmer.

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025 FOOTBALL COACHES & STAFF

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025 FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF

Friends. Family. Community.

KYLE PIFER

WESTERN CAROLINA DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

On Monday, May 19, 2025, Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown announced the selection of KYLE PIFER to serve as the director of athletics following approval of his contract by the university’s Board of Trustees during a special-called meeting earlier in the day.

Pifer (pronounced PIE-furr) has served as the deputy athletics director and chief operating officer for WCU Athletics since November 2020 and, most recently, as the interim director of athletics following the departure of Alex Gary.

The appointment, effective immediately, follows a national search conducted by a 13-member committee, chaired by WCU Provost Richard Starnes. The North Carolinabased executive search consulting firm CSA assisted the search committee.

Pifer has served as a WCU Athletics senior staff member and second in command within the department for the past four years, managing all internal functions for the Catamounts, including budget and finance, capital projects, sport administration, event and facility operations, and human resources.

A skilled administrator, Pifer has spent the past 23 years of his professional career working in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. He served previously as the senior associate athletics director for compliance at Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon, from 2013 until 2020, when he came to Cullowhee. He also held an associate athletic director position at the University of Washington in Seattle from 2009 until 2013 and worked in NCAA compliance positions at Oregon State and Gonzaga.

Pifer’s professional experience in major collegiate athletic conferences, such as the Pac-12, combined with his strong relationships on campus, in the community, with regional leaders, and within the Southern Conference, make him a good fit to lead the Catamount athletics program.

“After a comprehensive national search for WCU’s next Director of Athletics, I’m incredibly pleased that the best candidate was already a member of our Catamount family. Mr. Kyle Pifer is an outstanding choice to lead Catamount Nation into its next era,” said Brown. “In the short amount of time that Kyle has served as interim AD, he has distinguished himself as a collaborative and strategic university leader with a commanding grasp of the landscape of intercollegiate athletics. Catamount Athletics is in good hands with Kyle at the helm, and I am confident and excited about the future for our amazing student-athletes.”

Over the last four years in Cullowhee, Pifer has spearheaded the formation of the sport administrator committee and the student-athlete well-being committee, both aimed at the better management of the teams and to evaluate the student-athlete experience at Western Carolina. He has also served on numerous campus committees, including the institutional planning, well-being, health and safety, and emergency crisis management teams.

Pifer began his professional career as an NCAA compliance officer in 2003 at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. In 2007, Pifer departed for the first of his two stints at Oregon State, beginning as an assistant director of compliance. He then took on the role of the director of compliance at the University of Washington in Seattle, advancing rapidly and earning four promotions in under five years, working his way to an associate athletics director position. He was a member of the UW Athletics department senior staff.

As the senior associate athletics director for compliance at Oregon State, Pifer has experience within oncampus and department operations, including a wealth of knowledge on NCAA compliance within the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics. As a part of the OSU athletics executive staff, he was the sport supervisor for the Beavers’ men’s golf and the women’s cross country/track and field teams. He was also particularly influential in the development of the Oregon State track and field program, rekindling the program after a nearly 20-year hiatus from the sport sponsorship.

During his eight-plus years at OSU, concluding as the senior compliance administrator, Pifer served on a variety of campus committees, including the Enrollment Management Leadership Team, the High Incident and Event Group, and the Criminal History Attendance and Participation Committee.

Pifer was selected from an exceptionally competitive and well-qualified pool of candidates. The search committee identified three finalists who participated in on-campus interviews in Cullowhee.

“Kyle Pifer has the experience, vision, and energy to build on the great momentum Catamount athletics has experienced in recent years to take us to the next level,” Starnes said. “He is deeply committed to the success of our student-athletes in competition, in the classroom, and their lives after graduation.”

A native of Frankfort, Indiana, Pifer is a former intercollegiate student-athlete at Francis Marion University, where he was a four-year track and field letter winner and earned academic all-district honors. He possesses a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Francis Marion where he was a member of the Francis Marion Honor Society and graduated summa cum laude in 1999. He earned his master’s degree in sport and athletic administration from Gonzaga in 2021.

Pifer and his wife, Sydney, have three daughters: Reese, Delaney, and Ellis.

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT STAFF

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – COACHING STAFF

CATAMOUNT CLUB DONORS OF THE GAME

LISA and DAVID HILL

Today, thanks to Champion Credit Union and the Catamount Club, we highlight LISA and DAVID HILL, of Apopka, Fla.

David, a former Catamount baseball standout from 1979 through 1983, and Lisa, a Phi Mu alumna and former Homecoming Queen who attended WCU from 1981 through 1983, both made their mark on Western Carolina during their time in Cullowhee. David was with Lisa on the football field when she was named Homecoming Queen.

The two met as freshmen at Lake Brantley High and attended Western Carolina together. They were married in July of 1983. David was signed as an undrafted free agent in 1983 by the Seattle Mariners, where he played a season of baseball with the Wausau Timbers, a Mariners minor league affiliate. Lisa has served as WCU's Board of Visitors and the couple have also served the WCU Foundation Board of Directors.

The couple started Southern Hills Farms, Inc., starting with 80 acres of landscape trees and, in 2010, planted 40 acres in blueberries, starting the family-owned agritourism / u-pick business, adding peaches in 2018.

From hosting alumni events in Central Florida to their service on university boards, David and Lisa exemplify what it means to be loyal and true. Their commitment to giving back helps ensure that future generations of Catamounts can achieve their dreams—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.

STAFF

DEFENDING CATAMOUNTS

THE 2025 WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS FOOTBALL TEAM

7

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Western Carolina University – 2025 HOMECOMING NOBILITY

2025 "PRIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS" – MARCHING BAND

The students and staff of the 2025 “The Pride of the Mountains,” Marching Band are proud to present our 2025 production entitled, “CONNECT.” 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 2025, while continuing to push boundaries of design innovation and entertainment at the collegiate level.

B.H. Graning Landscapes and Supply, Inc. is making possible the opportunity for The Pride of the Mountains to be a member of the Forte Athletics team. Forte Athletics 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 Daniel Recoder, founder of Forte Athletics 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. For the first time in our history the band will be traveling off campus four times to four different states. Beginning Saturday, Sept. 27, the band will perform for over 3,000 spectators in exhibition at the 51st annual Enka High School “Land of the Sky” Marching Band competition, which showcases 30 of the top high school bands in the area. On October 6, the band will travel to Gwinnett County, Ga. to share their love of the pageantry arts with some of the best bands in the Southeast at their annual Gwinnett County Exhibition. The 24th annual Western Carolina University Tournament of Champions takes place on Saturday, Oct. 18, when The Pride welcomes 21 high school bands from around the Southeast to our campus, as well as our worldclass 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 Tarpon Springs Outdoor Music Festival on October 25, in Tarpon Springs, Fla. 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. The PotM concludes its exhibition season in Spartanburg, S.C. on November 1 at the South Carolina 6A State Championships. And now, about our 2025 production . . . “CONNECT”

Part I: CONNECT with Humanity

Life is filled with people who come and go, but each leaves behind a mark that strengthens us. This movement explores how we are always stronger together, celebrating the bonds we create throughout our journey. Musical selections include In My Life (The Beatles), Seasons of Love (Rent), Stronger

(Kelly Clarkson), and Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey). Interwoven throughout are musical quotes from past Pride of the Mountains productions, blending our history with new music and arrangements — a reminder that our alumni remain with us every step of the way.

Part II: CONNECT with Community

Last fall, when Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina, our region was tested in profound ways. During that time, we learned the true meaning of resilience and community. This movement is dedicated to those bonds of compassion and strength, brought to life through Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon & Garfunkel). It is a tribute to these mountains, our people, and the spirit that carries us forward together.

Part III: CONNECT the Dots

Large dots on the field become symbols of the milestones in our life journey — the moments and decisions that shape who we are. This high-energy percussion feature uses Daft Punk’s Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger to drive the narrative, piecing together the story of how every connection and experience leads us to our future selves.

Part IV: CONNECT with Alumni

The Long Purple Line is alive and strong. This movement celebrates our alumni — the giants on whose shoulders we proudly stand. With You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban), we honor their sacrifices, their passion, and their commitment to building this band into what it is today. The production closes with Defying Gravity (Wicked), symbolizing our collective responsibility to carry the Pride of the Mountains into new heights. Past, present, and future unite as we spread our wings and step boldly into what lies ahead.

Honoring Our Legacy:

This season, we also celebrate the roots of the WCU Marching Band. Our program features a replica of the very first WCU marching band uniform from 1941. Audiences will see a tribute to Joe Hedden — the student who began the marching band as a club activity, taught every section, and became WCU’s first music major and graduate. His vision and dedication sparked a tradition that has grown into the Pride of the Mountains we know today.

From Joe Hedden’s single step in 1941 to the thousands of steps taken on this field each season, the Long Purple Line continues — carried with honor, pride, and an unwavering connection to one another.

This is our story. This is our legacy. CONNECT!

"Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band Instructional Staff

and Design Team

Matt Henley Director of Athletic Bands Percussion Arranger

Dillon Ingle Assistant Director of Athletic Bands Front Ensemble, Rhythm Section & Sound Design / Arranger

Jeremy Loui Assistant Director of Athletic Bands

Jayda Copeland Administrative Assistant

Doug Thrower Wind Music Arranger

Daniel Brodie Sound Design

Jamey Thompson Visual Designer

Bob Buckner Pregame Visual Designer

Katie Pacifico Color Guard Director

Billy Pacifico Color Guard Choreographer

Anne (AJ) Junttila Color Guard Instructor

Shaun Brown Director of Audio Production

Collin Tastet Director of Front Ensemble

Line Kinsey Purple Drum Line Instructor

Seaon Carter Cymbal Instructor

STAFF COORDINATORS:

Emilia Sepulveda and Davis Weaver

2025 DRUM MAJORS:

Joely Martin (Head), Mariana Hernandez and Kadence Watford

CAPTION COORDINATORS:

Elizabeth Bargher, Bryan Clingerman, Noah Cox, Eli Henry, Katy Riggs, Katie Sammons, Erik Stauffer, Austin Williams

SERVICE STAFF CHIEFS:

Rachel Walker, Katy Riggs, Rayne Woods, Ainsley Briggs, Payton Ledford, Skylar Wheeler, Gwen Muchmore, Atticus Boersma

WESTERN CAROLINA FIGHT SONG

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!

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

WESTERN CAROLINA ALMA MATER

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 –

DR. KELLI BROWN

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR

Kelli R. Brown, Ph.D., is the 12th Chancellor of Western Carolina University, a regional comprehensive university that serves over 11,000 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 comprehensive regional institution emphasizing 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

has included her on their Power List of the state’s most influential leaders four separate times.

Throughout her time at Western Carolina, 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.

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. Mike Byers, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance

Mr. Kyle Pifer, Director of Athletics

Mr. Chris Williams, Chief Information Officer

Mr. Ben Pendry, Vice Chancellor for Advancement

Dr. Sam Miller, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

Mr. Shea Browning, General Counsel

Dr. Melissa Wargo, Chief of Staff

Dr. William Moultrie, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment & Student Success

Ms. Jessica Woods, Assistant to the Chancellor

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.

She has also helped champion the University's comprehensive fundraising campaign for Athletics, "Fill the Western Sky," as she and husband Dennis made an estate gift of $4 million that will benefit 11 university funds.

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

Before coming to WCU, 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.

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025 CATAMOUNT CHEERLEADERS

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – 2025-26 WCU DANCE TEAM

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.

• 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.

is a proud sponsor of Western Carolina University

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

The Southern Conference, which celebrates its 104th year in 2025, 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 impossible to play every school at least once during the regular

GARDNER-WEBB L, 52-45 at Wake Forest L, 42-10

ELON L, 37-31

SAMFORD * W, 50-35 at Campbell W, 42-35 at Wofford * W, 23-21

FURMAN * W, 52-7

at The Citadel * W, 45-38 at Chattanooga * W, 35-28

#10 MERCER * Nov. 8 – 2:30 pm

ETSU * Nov. 15 – 12 pm

at VMI * Nov. 22 – 12 pm

CURRENT 2025 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS

#1 NORTH DAKOTA ST L, 38-0 at Samford * W, 40-13 at (RV) Gardner-Webb L, 23-13

#25 MERCER * L, 38-0 at (RV) Chattanooga * W, 28-10

VALDOSTA STATE W, 38-14

(RV) W. CAROLINA * L, 45-38 at Furman * L, 24-14

VMI * W, 35-24 at Ole Miss Nov. 8 – 1:00 pm

WOFFORD * Nov. 15 – 2:00 pm at ETSU * Nov. 22 – 1:00 pm

MURRAY STATE W, 45-17 at #17 Tennessee L, 72-17 at #25 West Georgia L, 35-31 (RV) ELON W, 26-16

#23 MERCER * L, 38-34 at Furman * L, 31-22

VMI * W, 45-10 at Chattanooga * L, 42-38

WOFFORD * W, 14-10

at Samford * Nov. 8 – 3:30 pm ET at Western Carolina * Nov. 15 – 12:00 pm

THE CITADEL * Nov. 22 – 1:00 pm

season and many schools went several years between playing some conference members. In addition, in 1920, the SIAA voted down proposed rules that an athlete must be in a college a year before playing on its teams and refused to abolish a rule permitting athletes to play summer baseball for money.

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

By the 1930s, membership in the Southern Conference had reached 23 schools. C.P. “Sally” Miles of Virginia Tech, president of the Southern Conference, called the annual league meeting to order on Dec. 9, 1932, at the Farragut Hotel in Knoxville, Tenn. There, it announced that 13 institutions west and south of the Appalachian Mountains were reorganizing as the Southeastern Conference. Members of the new league included Alabama, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Florida, Georgia, Georgia School of Technology, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Mississippi A&M, University of the South, Tennessee, Tulane, and Vanderbilt.

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

The SoCon continued with membership of 10 institutions, including Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State,

South Carolina, Virginia, VMI, Virginia Tech and Washington & Lee.

The second major shift occurred some 20 years later. By 1952, the Southern Conference included 17 colleges and universities. Another split occurred when seven schools – Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina and Wake Forest – departed to form the Atlantic Coast Conference, which began play in 1953. The revamped Southern Conference included members The Citadel, Davidson, Furman, George Washington, Richmond, VMI, Virginia Tech, Washington & Lee, West Virginia and William & Mary.

A third major shift occurred in 2012-13, when five members announced their departures and three schools were added. College of Charleston announced its decision to leave for the Colonial Athletic Association following the 2012-13 season, while Appalachian State (Sun Belt), Davidson (Atlantic 10), Elon (Colonial) and Georgia Southern (Sun Belt) announced they would depart following the 2013-14 campaign. At the Southern Conference’s 2013 spring meetings in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the league officially extended invitations to former members ETSU and VMI, as well as Mercer, to join the league for the 2014-15 academic year. Today, the league continues to thrive with a membership that includes 10 institutions and a footprint that spans six states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Current league members are The Citadel, ETSU, Furman, Mercer, UNCG, Samford, Chattanooga, VMI, Western Carolina and Wofford. In the summer of 2025, the SoCon announced that Tennessee Tech will join as a full member in the summer of 2026, bringing the league's active full-time membership to 11 schools.

WILLIAM & MARY W, 23-21

PRESBYTERIAN L, 39-38 (OT) at Campbell W, 28-24 at Samford * W, 31-13

ETSU * W, 31-22

at Western Carolina * L, 52-7

at Wofford * L, 31-13

THE CITADEL * W, 24-14

#13 MERCER * L, 52-28

at Chattanooga * Nov. 8 – 1:30 pm

VMI * Nov. 15 – 1:00 pm

vs #7 UC Davis No Contest (weather)

PRESBYTERIAN L, 15-10

WOFFORD * W, 22-21 at The Citadel * W, 38-0 at ETSU * W, 38-34

SAMFORD * W, 45-21 at Princeton * W, 38-14

VMI * W, 62-0

at Furman * W, 52-28

at #24 W. Carolina * Nov. 8 – 2:30 pm

WEST GEORGIA L, 34-3

THE CITADEL * L, 40-13

at Baylor L, 42-7

at Western Carolina * L, 50-35

FURMAN * L, 31-13

at #24 Mercer * L, 45-21

at VMI * W, 24-22

CHATTANOOGA * L, 49-13

at Wofford * L, 26-16

CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 16 – 3:00 pm at Auburn Nov. 22 – 2 pm

ETSU * Nov. 8 – 3:30 pm at Austin Peay Nov. 15 – 2:00 pm at Texas A&M Nov. 22 – 12:00 pm

at #17 Tennessee Tech L, 45-17

STETSON * W, 63-0

at #3 Tarleton State L, 52-24

THE CITADEL * L, 28-10 at VMI * W, 21-14

ETSU * W, 42-38

at Clemson * Nov. 22 – TBA at Memphis L, 45-10

at Samford * W, 49-13 (RV) W. CAROLINA * L, 35-28

FURMAN * Nov. 8 – 12:00 pm

at Mercer * Nov. 15 – 3:00 pm at Wofford * Nov. 22 – 1:30 pm

at (RV) Navy L, 52-7

FERRUM W, 42-7 at Bucknell L, 35-28 at Richmond L, 38-14

CHATTANOOGA * L, 21-14 at ETSU * L, 45-10

SAMFORD * L, 24-22

at Mercer * L, 62-0

at The Citadel * L, 35-24

WOFFORD * Nov. 8 – 1:30 pm at Furman * Nov. 15 – 1:00 pm

WESTERN CAROLINA * Nov. 22 – 12:00 pm

at S.C. State L, 16-15

RICHMOND L, 14-10 at #22 Mercer * L, 22-21 at Virginia Tech L, 38-6

WESTERN CAROLINA * L, 23-21

NORFOLK STATE W, 31-14

FURMAN * W, 31-13 at ETSU * L, 14-10

SAMFORD * W, 26-16

at VMI * Nov. 8 – 1:30 pm at The Citadel * Nov. 15 – 2:00 pm CHATTANOOGA * Nov. 22 – 1:30 pm

E.J. WHITMIRE STADIUM / BOB WATERS FIELD

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 training / sports medicine facilities.

Construction Completed: June, 1974

West Side Stands Completed: August, 2003

Current Seating Capacity: 13,790

Playing Field: Bob Waters Field, Artificial Turf (IRONTURF)

First game: Sept. 14, 1974 vs. Murray State (WCU lost 10-3)

Dedicated: Oct. 5, 1974 vs. Morehead State (WCU won 31-12)

Largest Attendance: 15,247 on Nov. 12, 1994 vs. Appalachian State

BOB WATERS 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 Sept., 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. It marked the first true video board at the stadium, though the scoreboard

when it was in the northwest corner of the endzone had a digital message board. Nicknamed "PurpleVision" at its inception, the 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 and controlled through wireless communication.

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.

Official Football Signals

WESTERN CAROLINA – HONORED FOOTBALL NUMBERS

#14 • KIRK ROACH – (1984-87)

Kirk Roach was Western Carolina’s – and the Southern Conference’s – first, three-time All-America Selection (1984, 1986 and 1987) ... He additionally was the first player in league history to be a 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 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.

#23 • JERRY GAINES (1970-75)

Jerry Gaines was an Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America selection in 1974 ... Also earned All-America honors in baseball and track & field while at WCU ... He set Western Carolina records with 3,449 career receiving yards, a average of 20.6 yards per reception for his career and finished 15 games with over 100 receiving yards ... Only the second Western Carolina University football player to have his jersey retired.

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

HISTORY OF THE VICTORY BELL

#41 • BRAD HOOVER (1996-99)

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.

#54 • ART BYRD (1946-49)

Art Byrd was the first football All-America selection 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.) ... Art Byrd was the first Western Carolina University student-athlete to have a jersey and a number retired. Inducted into the Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990.

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. 54 41 14 23

65TH NFF ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER PRESENTED BY LAS VEGASHeld on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at the ARIA Resort & Casino is “THE place to connect for the college community.” Hosts the induction of the College Football Hall of Fame Class, the recognition of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments, and the announcement of the William V. Campbell Trophy® recipient.

NFF COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME - Inducting the greatest players and coaches in the history of college football.

NFF WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY® AND NATIONAL SCHOLARATHLETE AWARDS - Awarding the William V. Campbell Trophy® to college football’s top scholar-athlete. Honoring the NFF National ScholarAthlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments. Bestowing postgraduate scholarships. Recognizing Faculty Athletics Representatives.

NFF FUTURE FOR FOOTBALL - Celebrating the positive impact the game has made on millions of players, coaches, administrators, volunteers and fans nationwide.

NFF CHAPTER NETWORK - Distributing $1 million in scholarships annually and holding local events to promote amateur football through 120 chapters in 47 states.

NFF NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS AND HATCHELL CUP - Recognizing the nation’s top high school football programs for their efforts in the classroom, on the field and in the community via the National High School Academic Excellence Awards, presented by Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, and the Hatchell Cup, presented by “The Original” Bob’s Steak & Chop House, which is awarded to the best team in the nation.