From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
American college football season
The 2023 Western Carolina Catamounts football team represented Western Carolina University as a member of the Southern Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Catamounts were led by third-year head coach Kerwin Bell and played home games at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
---|
September 2 | 1:00 p.m. | at Arkansas* | | | SECN+/ESPN+ | L 13–56 | 44,397 |
September 9 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 8 Samford | | | ESPN+ | W 30–7 | 12,410 |
September 16 | 6:00 p.m. | at Eastern Kentucky* | | | ESPN+ | W 27–24 | 13,596 |
September 23 | 2:30 p.m. | Charleston Southern* | No. 23 | - Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
- Cullowhee, NC
| ESPN+ | W 77–21 | 13,357 |
September 30 | 2:00 p.m. | at The Citadel | No. 17 | | ESPN+ | W 49–14 | 12,317 |
October 7 | 4:00 p.m. | at No. 24 Chattanooga | No. 11 | | ESPN+ | W 52–50 | 8,978 |
October 21 | 2:30 p.m. | No. 4 Furman | No. 8 | - Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
- Cullowhee, NC
| ESPN+ | L 17–29 | 10,736 |
October 28 | 2:30 p.m. | Mercer | No. 10 | - Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
- Cullowhee, NC
| ESPN+ | L 38–45 | 12,154 |
November 4 | 3:00 p.m. | at Wofford | No. 16 | | ESPN+ | W 28–25 | 4,996 |
November 11 | 1:00 p.m. | East Tennessee State | No. 17 | - Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
- Cullowhee, NC
| ESPN+ | W 58–7 | 11,019 |
November 18 | 12:00 p.m. | at VMI | No. 14 | | ESPN+ | L 24–27 | 5,297 |
- *Non-conference game
- Homecoming
- Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
- All times are in Eastern time
|
[1][2]
Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Catamounts |
3 |
0 |
7 | 3 | 13 |
Razorbacks |
21 |
14 |
7 | 14 | 56 |
at War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, Arkansas
- Date:
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Cloudy, 82 °F (28 °C)
- Game attendance: 44,397
- Referee: Ken Williamson
- TV announcers (SECN+/ESPN+): Eric Frede (play-by-play) and Jordan Reid (analyst)
Game information
|
- First quarter
- 13:03 ARK – Jaedon Wilson 65-yard pass from KJ Jefferson (Cam Little kick) – Arkansas 7–0, Drive: 2 plays, 79 yards, 0:36
- 8:40 ARK – Raheim Sanders 3-yard run (Cam Little kick) – Arkansas 14–0, Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:26
- 3:03 ARK – Isaac TeSlaa 31-yard pass from KJ Jefferson (Cam Little kick) – Arkansas 21–0, Drive: 1 play, 31 yards, 0:07
- 0:15 WCU – Richard McCollum 34-yard field goal – Arkansas 21–3, Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 2:41
- Second quarter
- 2:56 ARK – KJ Jefferson 17-yard run (Cam Little kick) – Arkansas 28–3, Drive: 5 plays, 32 yards, 2:18
- 0:00 ARK – Raheim Sanders 1-yard run (Cam Little kick) – Arkansas 35–3, Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 2:44
- Third quarter
- 10:59 WCU – Desmond Reid 2-yard run (Richard McCollum kick) – Arkansas 35–10, Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 2:12
- 6:13 ARK – Andrew Armstrong 16-yard pass from KJ Jefferson – Arkansas 42–10, Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 4:39
- Fourth quarter
- 7:55 ARK – Davion Dozier 14-yard pass from Jacolby Criswell (Cam Little kick) – Arkansas 49–10, Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 3:51
- 4:19 ARK – Brad Spence 85-yard interception return (Cam Little kick) – Arkansas 56–10, Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:36
- 0:00 WCU – Richard McCollum 33-yard field goal – Arkansas 56–13, Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 4:19
|
Statistics |
Western Carolina |
Arkansas
|
First downs |
18 |
21
|
Plays–yards |
70–291 |
61–379
|
Rushes–yards |
30–64 |
36–105
|
Passing yards |
227 |
274
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
25–40–4 |
20–25–0
|
Time of possession |
30:43 |
29:17
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing
|
Cole Gonzales
|
9/14, 118 yards, 1 INT
|
Rushing
|
Branson Adams
|
4 carries, 38 yards
|
Receiving
|
Censere Lee
|
3 receptions, 41 yards
|
Arkansas
|
Passing
|
KJ Jefferson
|
18/23, 246 yards, 3 TD
|
Rushing
|
Raheim Sanders
|
15 carries, 42 yards, 2 TD
|
Receiving
|
Jaedon Wilson
|
3 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD
|
Pregame line |
Over/under
|
SAM –6.0 |
64.5
|
Game Two – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–1) vs No. 8 Samford Bulldogs (1–0)
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
3 | 4 | Total |
Samford |
7 |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
Western Carolina |
7 |
13 |
3 | 7 | 30 |
at E.J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, North Carolina
- Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
- Game time: 1:30 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 76 °F (24 °C) • Wind: SE 5 MPH
- Game attendance: 12,410
- Referee: Michael Farmer
- TV: ESPN+
Game information
|
- First quarter
- (7:03) SAM – Michael Vice 8-yard pass from Michael Hiers, Wilson Beaverstock kick (Drive: 7 plays, 97 yards, 2:00; Samford 7–0)
- (3:21) WCU – AJ Colombo 21-yard pass from Cole Gonzales, Richard McCollum kick (Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 3:32; Tied 7–7)
- Second quarter
- (13:42) WCU – Censere Lee 6-yard pass from Cole Gonzales, Richard McCollum kick (Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 3:58; Western Carolina 14–7)
- (1:38) WCU – Richard McCollum 23-yard field goal (Drive: 15 plays, 69 yards, 6:43; Western Carolina 17–7)
- (0:00) WCU – Richard McCollum 41-yard field goal (Drive: 2 plays, 20 yards, 0:11; Western Carolina 20–7)
- Third quarter
- (4:29) WCU – Richard McCollum 18-yard field goal (Drive: 13 plays, 84 yards, 5:50; Western Carolina 23–7)
- Fourth quarter
- (8:02) WCU – Desmond Reid 2-yard run, Richard McCollum kick (Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 6:14; Western Carolina 30–7)
|
Statistics
|
SAM
|
WCU
|
First downs |
15 |
34
|
Plays–yards |
57–361 |
84–546
|
Rushes–yards |
23–46 |
49–284
|
Passing yards |
315 |
262
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
21–34–0 |
29–35–0
|
Time of possession |
18:51 |
41:09
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
No. 8 Samford
|
Passing |
Michael Hiers |
21/34, 315 yards, TD
|
Rushing |
Jay Stanton |
7 carries, 26 yards
|
Receiving |
Ty King |
3 receptions, 96 yards
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
Cole Gonzales |
29/35, 262 yards, 2 TD
|
Rushing |
Desmond Reid |
27 carries, 170 yards, TD
|
Receiving |
AJ Colombo |
5 receptions, 79 yards, TD
|
at Eastern Kentucky
[edit]
Game Three – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) vs Eastern Kentucky Colonels (0–0)
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
Total |
Western Carolina |
|
|
0 |
Eastern Kentucky |
|
|
0 |
at Roy Kidd Stadium • Richmond, Kentucky
- Date: Saturday, September 16, 2023
- Game time: TBA EST
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
WCU
|
EKU
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Eastern Kentucky
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Charleston Southern
[edit]
Game Four – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) vs Charleston Southern Buccaneers (0–0)
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
Total |
Charleston Southern |
|
|
0 |
Western Carolina |
|
|
0 |
at E.J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, North Carolina
- Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
- Game time: TBA EST
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
CHSO
|
WCU
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Charleston Southern
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
WCU
|
CIT
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
The Citadel
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Game Six – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) vs Chattanooga Mocs (0–0)
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
Total |
Western Carolina |
|
|
0 |
Chattanooga |
|
|
0 |
at Finley Stadium • Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
- Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
WCU
|
UTC
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Chattanooga
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
FUR
|
WCU
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Furman
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
MER
|
WCU
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Mercer
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Game Nine – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) vs Wofford Terriers (0–0)
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
Total |
Western Carolina |
|
|
0 |
Wofford |
|
|
0 |
at Gibbs Stadium • Spartanburg, South Carolina
- Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Game time: TBA EST
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
WCU
|
WOF
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Wofford
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
East Tennessee State
[edit]
Game Ten – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers (0–0)
Quarter |
1 |
2 |
Total |
East Tennessee State |
|
|
0 |
Western Carolina |
|
|
0 |
at E.J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, North Carolina
- Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
- Game time: TBA EST
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
ETSU
|
WCU
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
East Tennessee State
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
Game information
|
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- Third quarter
- Fourth quarter
|
Statistics
|
WCU
|
VMI
|
First downs |
|
|
Plays–yards |
|
|
Rushes–yards |
|
|
Passing yards |
|
|
Passing: comp–att–int |
|
|
Time of possession |
|
|
Team |
Category |
Player |
Statistics
|
Western Carolina
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
VMI
|
Passing |
|
|
Rushing |
|
|
Receiving |
|
|
|
Western Carolina
|
Opp
|
Scoring
|
|
|
Points per Game
|
|
|
Points per Turnovers
|
|
|
First Downs
|
|
|
Rushing
|
|
|
Passing
|
|
|
Penalty
|
|
|
Rushing yards
|
|
|
Avg per play
|
|
|
Avg per game
|
|
|
Rushing touchdowns
|
|
|
Passing yards
|
|
|
Att-Comp-Int
|
|
|
Avg per pass
|
|
|
Avg per catch
|
|
|
Avg per game
|
|
|
Passing touchdowns
|
|
|
Total Offense
|
|
|
Plays
|
|
|
Avg per play
|
|
|
Avg per game
|
|
|
Fumbles-Lost
|
|
|
Penalties-Yards
|
|
|
Avg per game
|
|
|
|
|
Western Carolina
|
Opp
|
Punt-Yards
|
|
|
Avg per play
|
|
|
Avg per punt net
|
|
|
Punt Return-Yards
|
|
|
Avg per punt return
|
|
|
Kickoffs-Yards
|
|
|
Avg per play
|
|
|
Avg per kick net
|
|
|
Kickoff Return-Yards
|
|
|
Avg per kickoff return
|
|
|
Interceptions-Yards
|
|
|
Avg per play
|
|
|
Time of possession / game
|
|
|
3rd Down Conversions (Pct%)
|
(0%)
|
(0%)
|
4th Down Conversions (Pct%)
|
(0%)
|
(0%)
|
Touchdowns Scored
|
|
|
Field Goals-Attempts
|
|
|
PAT-Attempts
|
|
|
2 point conversion-attempts
|
|
|
Sack by Yards
|
|
|
Misc Yards
|
|
|
Safeties
|
|
|
Onside kicks
|
|
|
Red zone scores
|
(0%)
|
(0%)
|
Red zone touchdowns
|
(0%)
|
(0%)
|
Attendance
|
|
|
Date/Avg per date
|
|
|
Neutral Site
|
|
|
Passing statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
RAT
|
CMP-ATT-INT
|
YDS
|
AVG/G
|
CMP%
|
TD
|
LONG
|
|
|
QB
|
0.0
|
0-0-0
|
0 yrds
|
|
0.0%
|
0 TDs
|
0
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
0.0
|
0-0-0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0.0%
|
0 TDs
|
0
|
Rushing statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
ATT
|
GAIN
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LONG
|
AVG/G
|
|
|
RB
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0 TDs
|
0
|
0.0
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0 TDs
|
0
|
0.0
|
Receiving statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
CTH
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LONG
|
AVG/G
|
|
|
WR
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0 TDs
|
0
|
0.0
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0 TDs
|
0
|
0.0
|
Defense statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
SOLO
|
AST
|
TOT
|
TFL-YDS
|
SACK-YDS
|
INT-YDS-TD
|
BU
|
QBH
|
RCV-YDS
|
FF
|
BLK
|
SAF
|
|
|
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0-0 yrds
|
0-0 yrds
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0-0 yrds
|
0-0 yrds
|
0-0 yrds- 0 TDs
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
0
|
0
|
-
|
Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FR: Fumbles Recovered, FF: Forced Fumbles, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties, TD : Touchdown
Kicking/off statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
XPM-XPA (XP%)
|
FGM-FGA (FG%)
|
1–19
|
20–29
|
30–39
|
40–49
|
50+
|
PTS
|
LNG
|
KICKS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TB
|
OB
|
|
|
PK
|
0-0 (0.0%)
|
0-0 (0.0%)
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
0 pts
|
0
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0
|
-
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
0-0 (0.0%)
|
0-0 (0.0%)
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
-/-
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0
|
-
|
Punting statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
PUNTS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
LONG
|
TB
|
FC
|
I–20
|
50+
|
BLK
|
|
|
P
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Team
|
--
|
0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Kick return statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
RTNS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LNG
|
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0 TD's
|
0
|
Punt return statistics
|
#
|
NAME
|
POS
|
RTNS
|
YDS
|
AVG
|
TD
|
LONG
|
|
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
TOTALS
|
|
0
|
0 yrds
|
0.0
|
0 TD's
|
0
|
|
---|
Venues | |
---|
Bowls & rivalries | |
---|
Culture & lore | |
---|
People | |
---|
Seasons | |
---|