BUIES CREEK – Western Carolina had to wait an extra day to take the field against Campbell. Once the game finally began, an early deficit proved too much for the Catamounts to overcome.

Campbell scored touchdowns on each of its first two possessions and built an 18-point halftime advantage before holding off Western Carolina’s second-half comeback for a 28-19 victory Sunday at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The game was originally scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m., but severe weather and a power failure forced the contest to be postponed until Sunday morning. The rescheduled game kicked off at 11:03 a.m. under sunny skies, with a temperature of 80 degrees. 

Campbell (2-0) wasted little time taking control.

The Camels marched 91 yards in 10 plays on their opening possession, with quarterback Kamden Sixkiller finding Brady Ambrose for a 6-yard touchdown. After Western Carolina went three-and-out, Campbell drove another 53 yards, and Sixkiller's 8-yard touchdown run gave the Camels a 14-0 advantage with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. 

Western Carolina (1-1) finally answered early in the second quarter when Bryan McCollum connected on a 23-yard field goal, but Campbell needed just five plays to respond. Ethan Lawrence capped a 64-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 21-3.

The Catamounts found their first touchdown late in the half. Quarterback Lex Thomas connected with Jai Boyd for a 48-yard score with 2:57 remaining, cutting the deficit to 21-10.

Any momentum from that play didn't last through halftime.

Taking over at its own 18 with 48 seconds left, Campbell went 82 yards in only 30 seconds. Sixkiller hit Spencer Jones for a 32-yard touchdown with 18 seconds remaining, sending the Camels to the locker room ahead 28-10. 

Those would be Campbell's final points.

Western Carolina's defense forced three second-half turnovers and gave the Catamounts opportunities to work their way back into the game. Jayden Cornelius intercepted Sixkiller early in the third quarter and returned it 47 yards to the Campbell 8. The Catamounts went backward from there, however, settling for McCollum's 40-yard field goal to trim the margin to 28-13.

Western Carolina made it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter. Thomas directed an 11-play, 65-yard drive and found Boyd for a 1-yard touchdown with 9:24 remaining. The extra point failed, leaving Campbell ahead 28-19. 

The Catamount defense produced another opportunity minutes later. With Campbell threatening at the Western Carolina 4, Fernando Jeanty intercepted Sixkiller, giving the offense the ball at its own 2 with 5:51 remaining.

Thomas responded by moving the Catamounts 73 yards in nine plays, including completions of 20 and 23 yards to AJ Colombo and a 21-yard connection with Marcus Striggles. The drive stalled at the Campbell 25, and McCollum's 43-yard field-goal attempt missed with 3:47 to play. 

Western Carolina never got the ball back. A roughing-the-kicker penalty on fourth down extended Campbell's final possession, and the Camels ran out the clock. 

Thomas finished 25-of-44 for 326 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Colombo led Western Carolina with six catches for 91 yards, while Boyd caught two passes for 49 yards, both touchdowns. 

Sixkiller completed 29 of 44 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted three times. Jones caught seven passes for 126 yards and a touchdown.

Campbell's biggest statistical advantage came on the ground. The Camels rushed for 198 yards while holding Western Carolina to just one net rushing yard on 18 attempts. Campbell finished with 528 total yards to Western Carolina's 327 and possessed the ball for more than 36 minutes. 

The loss dropped Western Carolina to 1-1, while Campbell improved to 2-0. Both teams are on the road at FBS opponents next week, with the Camels traveling to Florida and the Catamounts heading to Cincinnati.

CULLOWHEE – Mercer needed a 37-yard field goal from Reice Griffith with 90 seconds remaining to survive a record-breaking performance from Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens and claim at least a share of the Southern Conference championship with a 49-47 victory Saturday at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

Dickens threw for a SoCon single-game record seven touchdown passes to five different receivers, finishing 33-of-49 for 551 yards in a back-and-forth shootout that saw the lead change hands multiple times in the fourth quarter. But Griffith's late field goal and a missed 33-yard attempt by Western Carolina's Marcus Trout as time expired allowed the Bears (8-1, 7-0 SoCon) to escape with the victory and secure the league's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

The Bears trailed 47-46 with 3:13 remaining after Western Carolina's James Tyre caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Dickens. Mercer responded with a six-play, 45-yard drive that consumed 1:43 before Griffith connected on his second field goal of the game to put the Bears ahead for good.

Western Carolina (6-4, 5-1 SoCon) had one more chance. Dickens completed passes of 14 yards to Patrick Boyd Jr., 19 yards to Tyre and 20 yards to Malik Knight to move the Catamounts to the Mercer 15-yard line. After three running plays netted just four yards, Western Carolina elected to attempt the field goal rather than try for the first down. Following a Mercer timeout, Trout's kick missed wide right as time expired.

The two teams combined for 1,167 yards of total offense, including 994 through the air, with 10 combined passing touchdowns. Dickens connected with 11 different receivers, while freshman Mercer quarterback Braden Atkinson completed 23 of 39 passes for 443 yards and three touchdowns.

Mercer scored on its opening possession of the second half to take a 25-21 lead on a five-yard touchdown run by CJ Miller, who finished with 91 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. The Bears extended their advantage to 32-21 with 5:12 left in the third quarter when Atkinson found Kendall Harris for a 24-yard touchdown pass, Harris' second scoring catch of the game.

Western Carolina answered immediately. Knight caught a 23-yard pass to start the ensuing drive, and three plays later hauled in a 32-yard touchdown reception to cut the deficit to 32-27. But Miller responded with his third rushing touchdown, a 26-yard run with 24 seconds left in the third quarter, to push Mercer's lead back to 39-27.

The fourth quarter belonged to the Catamounts' passing attack. Knight opened the scoring with a 54-yard touchdown reception just 49 seconds into the period, pulling Western Carolina within 39-34. Mercer answered on its next possession when Atkinson connected with Adjatay Dabbs for an 81-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 46-34 with 13:25 remaining.

Western Carolina needed just three plays to respond. After an incompletion and a two-yard loss, Dickens found Jai Boyd for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 6:13 left, cutting Mercer's advantage to 46-41. The Catamounts forced a three-and-out, then needed just three plays to take the lead. Boyd Jr. gained one yard on first down before Dickens hit Tyre for the go-ahead 42-yard touchdown with 3:13 remaining.

Mercer faced second-and-22 from the Western Carolina 28 after a pass interference penalty wiped out what would have been a go-ahead touchdown pass to Harris. Atkinson completed passes of 10 and negative-two yards to Miller before Griffith's field goal attempt.

The game began as a defensive struggle by comparison to its eventual outcome. Western Carolina took the opening kickoff and needed nine plays to cover 65 yards, with Dickens finding Michael Rossin for a 27-yard touchdown pass with 11:40 left in the first quarter. Mercer answered with a five-play, 68-yard drive capped by Miller's seven-yard touchdown run.

Western Carolina regained the lead early in the second quarter when Dickens threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Boyd Jr., making it 14-7. But Mercer scored the next nine points, including a safety when Jordan Swain sacked Dickens in the end zone, followed by a six-yard touchdown pass from Atkinson to Harris that gave the Bears a 15-14 lead.

Dickens responded with his third touchdown pass of the half, a 25-yard strike to Rossin that capped an 11-play, 79-yard drive and gave Western Carolina a 21-15 lead with 5:25 left in the second quarter. Mercer drove to the Western Carolina seven but settled for Griffith's 24-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining in the half, leaving the Catamounts ahead 21-18 at halftime.

The teams traded punts to open the second half before Mercer took over at its own 25 following a touchback. The Bears needed just five plays to score, with Miller capping the 75-yard drive with his second touchdown run. After Western Carolina punted, Mercer recovered a fumble at the Catamounts' 35-yard line. Four plays later, Atkinson hit Harris for the 24-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 32-21.

Knight finished with five receptions for a career-high 141 yards and two touchdowns for Western Carolina. Boyd Jr. caught seven passes for a career-best 93 yards and a score, while Rossin had three catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Tyre finished with three receptions for 78 yards and his 11th touchdown catch of the season, the most in the SoCon.

For Mercer, Dabbs led all receivers with four catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. Harris caught six passes for 73 yards and two scores, while Miller added three receptions for 57 yards to go with his rushing total, giving him 148 yards of total offense.

Samaurie Dukes led Western Carolina with a career-high 13 tackles, while Hasaan Sykes added 10 stops. Micah Nelson, Ken Moore Jr. and Caleb Fisher each recorded a tackle for loss. The Catamounts registered eight quarterback hurries, including two each by Jordan Thompson and Justin Wallace.

Julian Fox paced Mercer's defense with 13 tackles, and Drew Clare added 10 stops plus a fumble recovery. The Bears recorded four sacks from four different players, with Swain's safety coming on his sack in the second quarter. Kaleb Hutchinson recorded Mercer's only interception, picking off Dickens at the goal line as time expired in the first half.

The victory gives Mercer at least a share of the 2025 SoCon regular-season championship with one game remaining. The Bears clinched the league's automatic qualifier to the NCAA FCS playoffs by securing the tiebreaker over Western Carolina, the only team that can match their conference record. Mercer hosts Chattanooga next Saturday.

Western Carolina hosts East Tennessee State next Saturday in its regular-season finale on Senior Day.

Top Performers

• Taron Dickens, WCU: 33-of-49 passing, 551 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT (SoCon single-game record for TD passes)
• Braden Atkinson, Mercer: 23-of-39 passing, 443 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT
• Malik Knight, WCU: 5 receptions, 141 yards, 2 TDs
• CJ Miller, Mercer: 21 rushes for 91 yards and 3 TDs; 3 receptions for 57 yards
• Adjatay Dabbs, Mercer: 4 receptions, 147 yards, 1 TD
• Kendall Harris, Mercer: 6 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TDs
• Patrick Boyd Jr., WCU: 7 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD
• Samaurie Dukes, WCU: 13 tackles
• Julian Fox, Mercer: 13 tackles

BUIES CREEK – Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens threw for 427 yards and four touchdowns, but it was wide receiver James Tyre's surprising 61-yard touchdown pass that sealed a wild 42-35 victory over Campbell on Saturday afternoon at Barker-Lane Stadium.

The Catamounts (2-3) built a commanding 35-10 lead early in the third quarter before watching Campbell (1-4) mount a furious comeback that brought the Camels within seven points twice in the fourth quarter. Just when it appeared Campbell might complete the rally, Tyre, a former high school quarterback, delivered the decisive blow with 4:19 remaining.

After Campbell had cut the lead to 35-28 on Stevie Keener's 26-yard touchdown reception, Western Carolina needed just two plays and 39 seconds to restore its two-score advantage. Dickens found Tyre for 14 yards on first down, then Tyre took an end-around reverse and launched a perfect strike downfield to Painter Richards-Baker, who outran the Campbell secondary for the 61-yard score.

"That play put us back in control when we needed it most," could have been said about Tyre's heroics, as the Suwanee, Georgia native finished with six catches for 101 yards receiving while adding 47 return yards on two punts for a game-high 148 all-purpose yards.

The victory marked Western Carolina's second straight win and first-ever triumph in the series against Campbell. More importantly, it showcased the Catamounts' offensive balance under Dickens, who completed passes to 11 different receivers while adding 35 rushing yards.

Western Carolina dominated the first half, racing to a 28-3 lead behind Dickens' precision passing. The redshirt sophomore found tight end Brayden Blackmon for 17 yards in the second quarter, then connected with Marcus Striggles for 32 yards and David Hulbert for 9 yards to build the commanding advantage.

The early momentum began with defense turning into offense. After Campbell turned the ball over on downs at Western Carolina's 35-yard line on the game's opening drive, the Camels appeared poised to capitalize when they forced a three-and-out. Instead, Hasaan Sykes intercepted Kamden Sixkiller at the Campbell 12-yard line, setting up Camury Reid's 1-yard touchdown plunge at 10:37 of the first quarter.

Campbell managed just three points in the first 31 minutes, settling for Alex Crabb's 32-yard field goal after missing a 41-yarder earlier in the second quarter. But the Camels showed their resilience with a 12-play, 83-yard drive capped by Sixkiller's 12-yard rushing touchdown just before halftime, cutting the deficit to 28-10.

The third quarter began ominously for Campbell when James Tyre returned a punt 47 yards to the Camels' 34-yard line, leading to Patrick Boyd Jr.'s 10-yard touchdown reception that extended Western Carolina's lead to 35-10 with 11:11 remaining in the period.

What followed was a dramatic Campbell revival. Mike Chandler II, who threw for 79 yards on just two completions while adding 19 rushing yards, scored on a 10-yard run and connected with Trevor Wilson for the two-point conversion, trimming the lead to 35-18.

The fourth quarter belonged to Campbell's comeback attempt and Western Carolina's clutch response. Crabb's 21-yard field goal made it 35-21 with 13:12 remaining, then Sixkiller found freshman Keener for his first career touchdown reception, a 26-yard strike that brought the Camels within 35-28 with 4:58 on the clock.

Sixkiller, who finished 18-of-45 for 205 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception, added 55 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. His mobility kept drives alive throughout Campbell's second-half surge, though he also lost a fumble that Western Carolina recovered.

After Tyre's touchdown pass restored the two-score lead, Campbell refused to quit. Sixkiller orchestrated an eight-play, 65-yard drive culminating in his second rushing touchdown with 2:11 remaining, setting up a dramatic finish.

The Camels' onside kick was recovered by Richards-Baker, giving Western Carolina possession at its own 47-yard line. Facing fourth-and-1 at the Campbell 38 with under two minutes remaining, the Catamounts turned to Tyre again. The versatile receiver hauled in his sixth catch of the day for the crucial first down, allowing Western Carolina to run out the clock.

Defensively, Western Carolina was paced by linebacker Jordan Thompson, who recorded 11 tackles including 2.5 for loss and a sack. The performance matched his career high and marked his second double-digit tackle game. Caleb Fisher contributed four tackles with two for loss and a sack-fumble, while the Catamounts totaled nine tackles for loss as a team.

Campbell's defense, led by Kalen Villanueva's 11 tackles, created pressure with Justin Garza recording a strip sack among the Camels' two forced fumbles in the second half. However, Western Carolina's balanced offensive attack proved too much, as the Catamounts accumulated 564 total yards with 488 coming through the air.

Beyond Tyre and Richards-Baker, Western Carolina received significant contributions from several receivers. Freshman Michael Rossin caught three passes for 88 yards, while Malik Knight added four receptions for 76 yards. Reid, coming off a four-touchdown performance the previous week, managed 43 rushing yards on 11 carries to complement his early scoring run.

For Campbell, Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox emerged as the leading receiver with five catches for 124 yards, establishing a career high in a Campbell uniform. The Camels' ground game generated 153 yards on 37 attempts, with Naieem Kearney contributing 46 yards and Ethan Lawrence adding 30 yards on just five carries.

The statistical battle revealed Western Carolina's efficiency advantage. While Campbell controlled possession for 36:40 compared to Western Carolina's 23:20, the Catamounts averaged 8.1 yards per play versus Campbell's 5.1. Western Carolina also converted more effectively on third downs (2-of-11) than the raw numbers suggest, as several big plays eliminated third-down situations entirely.

Special teams played a significant role throughout the contest. Beyond Tyre's crucial punt return, Western Carolina's Stephen Brantley averaged 49.4 yards on five punts, while Campbell's Aiden Bonde averaged 46.1 yards on seven attempts. Crabb's field goal accuracy (2-of-3) kept Campbell within striking distance during the comeback bid.

The victory positions Western Carolina for Southern Conference play, having completed its nonconference schedule with momentum. The Catamounts will travel to face Wofford next Saturday in their first game outside North Carolina this season, while Campbell prepares for a challenging road test against NC State in Raleigh.

Key Performers:

• James Tyre (WCU): 6 catches, 101 yards, 47 punt return yards, 1 TD pass
• Taron Dickens (WCU): 26-40, 427 yards, 4 TD passes
• Painter Richards-Baker (WCU): 5 catches, 99 yards, 1 TD
• Jordan Thompson (WCU): 11 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack
• Kamden Sixkiller (Campbell): 18-45, 205 yards, 1 TD pass, 55 rush yards, 2 rush TDs
• Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox (Campbell): 5 catches, 124 yards

ELON – In a thrilling FCS matchup, the Western Carolina Catamounts overcame a 14-3 deficit to upset the 22nd-ranked Elon Phoenix 24-17 on Saturday at Rhodes Stadium. The game was marked by a dramatic fourth-quarter surge from the Catamounts, featuring a go-ahead touchdown and a game-sealing blocked field goal return.

Game-Changing Moments

The pivotal play came with just 3:48 left in the game. Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzales capped a nine-play, 54-yard drive with a leaping 6-yard touchdown run, vaulting over Elon defenders to give the Catamounts their first lead at 17-14.

Elon's hopes for a comeback were dashed in the final minutes. Attempting to tie the game with a 44-yard field goal, the Phoenix instead saw their kick blocked by Western Carolina's Ken Moore Jr. The Catamounts' Jordy Lowry scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, extending the lead to 24-14 with only 1:15 remaining.

Early Phoenix Dominance

Elon seemed in control for much of the game. They struck first when Matthew Downing connected with Chandler Brayboy for a 58-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. The Phoenix extended their lead to 14-3 early in the third quarter when TJ Thomas Jr. broke free for a spectacular 60-yard touchdown run.

Catamounts' Comeback

Western Carolina's rally began midway through the third quarter. Branson Adams punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 14-10. This set the stage for Gonzales' heroics in the fourth quarter.

Key Performers

- Cole Gonzales (Western Carolina): 23/36, 254 passing yards

- Branson Adams (Western Carolina): 14 carries, 81 rushing yards, 1 TD

- Calvin Jones (Western Carolina): 6 receptions, 98 yards

- Matthew Downing (Elon): 19/30, 285 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

- TJ Thomas Jr. (Elon): 14 carries, 101 rushing yards, 1 TD

Game Statistics

Western Carolina narrowly outgained Elon in total yards (370-424) but won the turnover battle 2-0. The Catamounts also showed resilience on third down, converting 7 of 17 attempts compared to Elon's 2 of 11.

Up Next

Elon hosts a potent East Tennessee squad next week while Western Carolina travels out west to take on Montana.

CULLOWHEE – In a historic upset, Campbell defeated 17th-ranked Western Carolina 24-16 on Saturday at Whitmire Stadium, marking the Fighting Camels' first victory over a ranked opponent in program history. The win also gave new head coach Braxton Harris his inaugural triumph at Campbell's helm.

Photo credit: Dylan Ribott

Quarterback Chad Mascoe Jr. led the charge for Campbell, showcasing his arm talent with 306 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Fighting Camels' offense overcame a slow start, turning the tide after two turnovers in their first three possessions. They found their rhythm, scoring touchdowns on three of their next five drives and adding a Connor Lytton 30-yard field goal to build a 24-10 lead with 7:46 remaining in the third quarter.

Campbell's defense played a pivotal role in the victory, forcing an impressive five turnovers. This marked their most takeaways in a single game since September 18, 2021, when they collected 10 in a 72-0 win over Presbyterian. The defensive unit held Western Carolina without an offensive touchdown, limiting the Catamounts to 287 total yards.

VJ Wilkins proved to be Mascoe's favorite target, catching both of his touchdown passes and finishing with five receptions for 68 yards. Sincere Brown had a standout performance, crossing the century mark for the second consecutive game with 108 yards on four catches. On the ground, Mark Biggins shouldered the load, rushing for 81 yards on 23 carries.

Defensively, Jalen Brooks led Campbell with 12 tackles and an interception. Jonathan Melvin contributed six stops, including a sack, while CJ Tillman added six tackles with a tackle for loss. The secondary was particularly active, with Logan Livermon, Jojo Pace, and Lakeem Rudolph each recording interceptions.

Western Carolina's offense struggled to find consistency against Campbell's stout defense. Quarterback Cole Gonzales completed 18 of 35 passes for 172 yards but was intercepted four times. The Catamounts' ground game found little success, with Corey Reddick Jr. leading the team with just 52 yards on seven carries.

The game's dramatic conclusion saw Western Carolina mount a last-ditch effort to tie the score. With 37 seconds remaining, the Catamounts regained possession and drove to the Campbell 27-yard line. However, Gonzales' final heave into the end zone was batted down, securing the historic victory for the Fighting Camels.

This upset marks a significant milestone for Campbell's football program. Prior to this game, the Fighting Camels were 0-12 all-time against top-25 ranked opponents. The victory not only breaks that streak but also sets a new standard for the team under Coach Harris' leadership.

Looking ahead, Campbell will open their Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play at Rhode Island on September 14. The Fighting Camels will then make their home debut on September 21, hosting Stony Brook in the first of six games at Barker-Lane Stadium. With this landmark victory under their belts, Campbell looks to build momentum as they venture into conference play and the remainder of their season.

This past weekend saw a trio of exciting football games that kept fans on the edge of their seats. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, these matchups showcased the best of college football. Let's dive into the action and relive the highlights from each game.

Western Carolina Puts Up a Fight, but NC State Prevails 38-21

The NC State Wolfpack hosted the Western Carolina Catamounts in what turned out to be a high-scoring affair. The game started with a bang as Western Carolina's Cole Gonzales connected with Jake Young for an 8-yard touchdown pass, putting the Catamounts up 7-0 early in the first quarter.

NC State quickly responded, with quarterback Grayson McCall finding Kevin "KC" Concepcion for a 17-yard touchdown strike. The two teams traded blows throughout the first half, entering halftime tied at 14-14.

The third quarter saw NC State begin to pull away. Kicker Kanoah Vinesett nailed a 46-yard field goal to give the Wolfpack their first lead of the game. However, Western Carolina wasn't done fighting. Branson Adams burst through for a 17-yard touchdown run, putting the Catamounts back on top 21-17.

From there, it was all NC State. McCall and Concepcion connected for two more touchdowns, while running back Jordan Waters sealed the deal with a pair of rushing scores, including a 50-yard breakaway run in the fourth quarter.

McCall finished the day with an impressive stat line, completing 26 of 40 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Concepcion was his favorite target, hauling in 9 receptions for 121 yards and all three of McCall's touchdown passes. Waters led the ground attack with 123 yards and two scores on 20 carries.

For Western Carolina, Gonzales put up a valiant effort, throwing for 211 yards and two touchdowns. AJ Colombo was his top receiver, catching 9 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Despite the loss, Western Carolina showed they could hang with a tough NC State team, but the Wolfpack's offensive firepower proved too much in the end.

North Carolina Edges Out Minnesota in a Defensive Battle, 19-17

In a game dominated by defense and special teams, the North Carolina Tar Heels squeaked out a narrow victory over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, 19-17.

The first quarter was a defensive stalemate, with neither team able to find the end zone. The scoring drought was finally broken early in the second quarter when UNC's Max Johnson punched in a 3-yard touchdown run. Minnesota answered quickly, with Marcus Major scoring on a 5-yard run to tie the game at 7-7.

The Gophers took the lead just before halftime on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Max Brosmer, sending Minnesota into the locker room up 14-7.

The second half belonged to North Carolina's special teams, particularly kicker Noah Burnette. Burnette was a perfect 4-for-4 on field goal attempts, including a booming 52-yarder in the third quarter. His clutch 45-yard kick with just 1:44 left in the game proved to be the difference-maker.

Minnesota had one last chance to win, but Dragan Kesich's 47-yard field goal attempt as time expired sailed wide, securing the victory for North Carolina.

The game was a defensive showcase, with both teams struggling to move the ball consistently. UNC's Omarion Hampton was the offensive standout, rushing for 129 yards on 30 carries. Minnesota's passing attack, led by Brosmer's 166 yards, kept them in the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome North Carolina's resilient defense and Burnette's heroics.

Wofford Edges Out Gardner-Webb in a Nail-Biter, 21-20

In a thrilling season opener at Spangler Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C., the Wofford Terriers narrowly defeated the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the wire.

Gardner-Webb struck first, capitalizing on excellent field position thanks to Anthony Lowe's 41-yard kickoff return. The drive stalled at the Wofford 32, but Jay Billingsley's 44-yard field goal put the Runnin' Bulldogs up 3-0 early in the first quarter.

Wofford responded with an impressive 82-yard drive, capped off by a 17-yard touchdown pass from Amari Odom to Kyle Watkins. A successful two-point conversion put the Terriers up 8-3.

The seesaw battle continued as Gardner-Webb reclaimed the lead with a 67-yard drive, culminating in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Riddell to Giovanni Adopte. The teams traded field goals before halftime, with Gardner-Webb holding a slim 13-11 lead at the break.

The Runnin' Bulldogs seemed to take control early in the third quarter. A crucial defensive play by Jackson Marshall, who sacked Odom and forced a fumble, set up Edward Saydee's 32-yard touchdown run on the very next play. This extended Gardner-Webb's lead to 20-11.

However, Wofford wasn't done fighting. Ryan Ingram's 7-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter brought the Terriers within two points. The game-winning moment came with 5:50 left on the clock when Bridger Jones nailed a 45-yard field goal, putting Wofford ahead 21-20.

In a nail-biting finish, Wofford managed to convert a crucial 4th-and-1 from just over midfield with 90 seconds remaining, allowing them to run out the clock and secure the one-point victory.

Despite the loss, Gardner-Webb's quarterback Tyler Riddell had an efficient game, completing 18 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. The Runnin' Bulldogs' ground game, led by Saydee's explosive 32-yard touchdown run, contributed 62 yards to their total offense of 300 yards.

Wofford's balanced attack proved to be the difference, as they outgained Gardner-Webb with 379 total yards (260 passing, 119 rushing). The Terriers also dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 36:11 compared to Gardner-Webb's 23:49.

Both teams struggled on third down conversions, with Wofford going 6-for-15 and Gardner-Webb managing just 2-for-9. However, Wofford's ability to convert two crucial fourth downs (2-for-3) played a significant role in their victory.

CULLOWHEE – A quiet mountain town hosted a raucous college football game on Saturday afternoon. Two teams, conference rivals for longer than many fans have been alive, faced off for the first time as opponents ranked in the top ten nationally. The momentum shifted on a whim at times as the sun made its way over EJ Whitmire Stadium, but it was the Furman Paladins and quarterback Tyler Huff who delivered the final blow and defeated the host Western Carolina Catamounts, 29-17 to put themselves in the driver’s seat for the Southern Conference title.

Western rolled the dice to start the game, going for it on fourth down near the Furman forty-yard-line but a dropped pass gave the ball to Furman. The Paladins, on the offensive for the first time for the afternoon, moved the ball pretty well with a mix of runs and passes. A roll-out pass from the nine-yard-line from Tyler Huff to Mason Pline got the Paladins on the board and an offside penalty negated a missed PAT attempt. The Paladins decided to go for two with the second chance, but Andreas Keaton broke up a pass near the goal line to keep it 6-0 early in the first half. The Catamounts’ second drive played out much like the first drive with the home team facing a fourth and short and coming up short. Furman went sixty-six yards on five plays and extended their lead to thirteen with Huff’s second touchdown of the half, this one a sixteen-yard toss to Colton Hinton.

Western Carolina mounted yet another yard-consuming drive as the first quarter clock ran out. When the second quarter began, the Catamounts were situated in the red zone, hoping to claw back some of the two-score deficit the visiting Paladins forced upon them. Cole Gonzales’s nine-yard touchdown pass to AJ Colombo did just that and the Catamounts faithful celebrated the home team’s first points of the day. Furman ensured that celebration would be short-lived as Wayne Anderson rushed fifty-four yards down the home sideline to set up another Furman score two plays later, a nine-yard scamper by Dominic Roberto.

Western Carolina was willing to tempt the fates on the ensuing drive, taking another risk on a fourth down play. Like the two prior fourth down attempts, the pass was incomplete and the Paladins took over. Unlike previous possessions, however, the Catamounts defense held firm and forced the first punt of the afternoon. The Western Carolina offense regrouped, cheering on their defense for keeping them in the game, and responded in kind, marching sixty-three yards in eight plays with Cole Gonzales finding David White by the pylon to make it 20-14 late in the half. Furman attempted a long field goal as time ran out in the half, but it was wide right.

Furman wanted to force the Catamounts to play their style of football coming out of the half. Taking seven-and-a-half minutes off of the clock, the Paladins marched sixty-nine yards and were on the doorstep of making it a two-score game. The Western Carolina defense stood strong and forced a field goal attempt, but the snap was bobbled, and the Catamounts took over, seeking a potential tying or go-ahead score. That hope grew as the home team marched down the field, but a pass intended for a Catamounts receiver in the end zone was picked off by Furman’s Cally Chizik whose momentum carried him out of the end zone and out of bounds at the one-yard-line. The Western Carolina defense rallied to the aid of their offense, forcing a Furman punt that was shanked and went out of bounds at the thirty-five-yard line. Western Carolina’s offense faced the same fate as their counterparts, finding themselves unable to move the ball and forced to punt. 

Both teams traded field goals midway through the final quarter to keep the margin close, but Tyler Huff drove the final stake in the hearts of the Catamounts faithful with a fifty-three-yard touchdown run down the visiting sideline with under a minute left on the clock. A Western comeback attempt was thwarted and the Paladins were able to kneel to run out the final seconds of the clock and continue their perfect streak in conference play.

Notable North Carolinians

Dominic Roberto (Pine Forest) – the graduate running back led the Paladins with 154 rushing yards.

Branson Adams (Dudley) – the sophomore running back led the Catamounts with sixty-one rushing yards.

AJ Colombo (Cuthbertson) – the sophomore wide receiver opened the scoring for the Catamounts with a touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Up Next

Both teams are at home in Southern Conference action as Western Carolina (5-2, 3-1) hosts Mercer for homecoming while Furman (6-1, 4-0) hosts East Tennessee State.

The picturesque town of Cullowhee, North Carolina, will play host to a highly-anticipated Southern Conference football clash this Saturday when #8 Western Carolina welcomes its fierce rival, #3 Furman, to the hallowed grounds of E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The ESPN+ game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. and fans can expect an epic encounter as both teams come into the game with impressive national rankings. In what marks only the fourth game in their storied rivalry where both teams enter the arena with national rankings, this clash brings memories of the golden era of Catamount football. The last time Western Carolina and Furman shared the spotlight with numerical rankings by their names was in 1983 when the ninth-ranked Catamounts exacted sweet revenge by defeating their second-ranked rivals in the NCAA I-AA playoffs, a 14-7 triumph in Greenville. Western Carolina holds a 2-1 record in ranked matchups, boasting a perfect 1-0 record on their home turf.

The 2023 season has seen Western Carolina emerge as the Cinderella story, rising to a Top-10 ranking after a remarkable string of five consecutive wins. Leading the charge is running back Desmond Reid, whose 847 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns have made him a strong contender for All-American recognition. Quarterback Cole Gonzales, now in his sophomore season, has elevated his game with 1,532 passing yards and 14 touchdowns, establishing a potent connection with a dynamic receiving corps led by Censere Lee, boasting 421 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns.  On the other side, Furman entered the season as the preseason favorites in the Southern Conference and has lived up to the billing through the first six games. Running back Dominic Roberto, with 394 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, and quarterback Tyler Huff, boasting 1,057 passing yards and 10 total touchdowns, anchor the Paladins' offense. The defense has excelled against the run, allowing a meager 3.1 yards per carry. However, the key to success this weekend for Furman lies in their secondary's ability to generate turnovers, currently tallying an impressive 7 interceptions.

East Carolina Gears Up to Face Charlotte in First-Ever Conference Matchup

East Carolina’s football team is set to face American Athletic Conference newcomer Charlotte on October 21. The game will kick off at 2 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+. This will be Charlotte's first-ever encounter with an in-state conference opponent, setting the stage for a memorable showdown. East Carolina, led by fifth-year head coach Mike Houston, enters the game with a 1-5 overall record and a 0-2 mark in the AAC. In the Pirates’ last outing, they fell 31-10 to SMU, despite running 16 more offensive plays than their opponent. Mason Garcia led a pair of scoring drives, completing 12 of 26 passes for a career-high 155 yards and rushing for a team-best 38 yards on 12 carries. Wide receiver Chase Sowell emerged as a standout, delivering his second consecutive seven-catch game and a career-high 120 yards. Charlotte, with a 1-5 record and a 0-2 conference record, is coming off a 14-0 loss to Navy. The upcoming clash promises an exciting faceoff between the two teams as they each aim to secure a crucial first win in the American Athletic Conference this season.

Barton Football Set to Rebound Against Wingate in Homecoming Showdown

Barton is set to host Wingate in a crucial Homecoming matchup. The Bulldogs, who have a 47-3 record against undefeated and nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne, are looking to maintain their stronghold in the Piedmont Division standings. Jordan Terrell, the school's all-time leading rusher, is just 12 yards away from reaching the 1,000-yard milestone for the third consecutive season. Terrell has been a standout for the Bulldogs, averaging 141.1 yards per game on the ground. Junior quarterback Jaquan Lynch has shown his prowess with 1,076 yards passing and a total of 16 touchdowns. The defensive charge for the Bulldogs is led by junior linebacker Shane Perry, who boasts a team-high 64 tackles. On the other hand, Wingate's football program has a remarkable track record, culminating in an 11-3 record last year and a spot in the 2022 NCAA Division II National Quarterfinals. Wingate holds the edge in the all-time series with Barton, leading 2-1. Barton College, as an Associate Member of the South Atlantic Conference until the end of the 2024 season, is under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Chip Hester, while Joe Reich serves as the Wingate Head Football Coach. The Homecoming showdown promises to be a thrilling match between Barton and Wingate, with both teams aiming to secure a pivotal victory in front of their passionate fans. 

CULLOWHEE – The #23-ranked Western Carolina football team put on a sensational offensive display on Saturday, securing a resounding 77-21 victory over Charleston Southern. The game took place on Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium and attracted an enthusiastic crowd of 13,357 fans, as it coincided with Family Weekend.

Western Carolina's offense was nothing short of spectacular, amassing a staggering 683 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns. Quarterback Cole Gonzales was in exceptional form, throwing five touchdown passes in the first half alone, connecting with four different receivers, including a pair of scores to AJ Colombo. Gonzales began the game with a perfect 12-for-12 passing, completing five touchdowns before his first incompletion. He ended the game 14-of-16 for 299 yards. Notably, three different quarterbacks contributed to the offensive onslaught, with Brody Palhegyi and true freshman Taron Dickens also finding success through the air.

Photo Credit: Samuel Wallace (WCU Communications and Marketing)

Desmond Reid led the charge on the ground, racking up 111 yards on 13 carries and scoring two touchdowns. The Lions scored a remarkable 42 points in the first half, matching a school record they've achieved three times since 2004. Gonzales' passing prowess was complemented by a total of 12 different receivers, including true freshman Corey Washington, who recorded a career-best three receptions for 108 receiving yards.

Defensively, Western Carolina limited Charleston Southern to 223 total yards, with standout performances from LB Va Lealaimatafao, redshirt freshman Ken Moore Jr., and end Curtis Fann Jr. Western Carolina improved its record to 3-1, with a 1-0 mark in SoCon play.

Next on the schedule, Western Carolina embarks on a two-game road swing through conference play, beginning with a matchup against The Citadel Bulldogs (0-4, 0-1 SoCon) at Johnson Hagood Stadium in Charleston next Saturday at 2 p.m.

BOILING SPRINGS – Saturday night's matchup between Western Carolina and Gardner-Webb saw a budding in-state rivalry building into a new chapter as each team was still breaking in fairly new head coaches who both sport offensive philosophies that want to run as many plays as possible in a quick-paced manner. The two teams did not disappoint, combining for 1200 yards of offense and eighty-six points. Although Western Carolina had a quarterback who threw for over 400 yards, it was Gardner-Webb, who lived up to their Runnin' Bulldogs name, sporting two 100+ yard rushers on the night, who were victorious on Saturday, winning 52-34.

The first quarter did not have the fireworks that fans and pundits alike were expecting. Gardner-Webb forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the game, but fumbled on their first play from scrimmage, giving Western Carolina the ball back in Bulldogs territory. The Catamounts took advantage of the turnover, landing on the scoreboard first with a thirty-eight-yard Richard McCollum field goal. Not wanting to be outdone by another in-state kicker, Gardner-Webb's Austin McKay kicked his own field goal to knot the score at three.

Although the first half was marred with turnovers with each team fumbling twice and turning the ball over on downs once, there were bright spots for each squad as well. Gardner-Webb running back Narii Gaither ran hard for Gardner-Webb and wide receiver TJ Luther made two great catches with the sun right in his eyes, the second in the back corner of the end zone to give the Bulldogs their first touchdown of the day. Western Carolina's KJ Milner had multiple tackles for loss and a recovered fumble and quarterback Rogan Wells was 12 of 16 passing with a scoring toss to Kenny Benjamin.

The teams started to settle down as the second quarter got underway. After the Catamounts added another McCollum field goal to cut the deficit to four, Rogan Wells led his team on their first/only touchdown drive of the half, moving Western Carolina fifty-eight yards in eight plays, culminating with a thirteen-yard scoring grab by Kenny Benjamin.

The Runnin' Bulldogs looked to regain the momentum late in the quarter, and quarterback Bailey Fisher was ready to step up and led his team on a seventy-yard scoring drive, finishing the drive on his own with a keeper, but it was Western Carolina who would have the last word in the half with Wells continuing with his hot hand, leading the visiting Catamounts seventy-nine yards in eleven plays. Calvin Jones made a great grab at the one-yard line to get the Catamounts into position and TJ Jones punched it in two plays later to give Western a 20-17 halftime lead.

Gardner-Webb QB Bailey Fisher celebrates a touchdown. Photo: Brian Barnes

The second half was a tale of two quarters. The third quarter saw both teams trading punches and trying to light up the scoreboard. After forcing an initial punt which rolled all the way to the two-yard line, Western Carolina struck fast and quarterback Rogan Wells broke free on an eighty-two-yard keeper three plays later to give the Catamounts a three-point lead. TJ Luther got Gardner-Webb right back in scoring position after returning the ensuing kickoff seventy yards to the Western Carolina thirty-yard line. This set up Narii Gaither, who picked up eighteen of his team-leading 151 rushing yards on a rushing touchdown three plays later. Wells and the Catamounts sought to respond immediately. Wells, who finished with 427 yards on the evening, accounted for all eighty-three yards through the air on this drive, finishing with a six-yard pass to Raphael Williams to make it a two-score game again. Western Carolina would not see the end zone again the rest of the night. The rest of the game would belong to the home team.

Gardner-Webb got back into and then began to control the last twenty minutes of the game. Freshman Donovan Jones added two scores for the Bulldogs, a six-yard score, and a back-breaking seventy-nine scamper to seal the deal. Between these two Jones scores was a pick-six for junior Jamari Brown.

Up Next

Gardner-Webb (2-2) takes on Monmouth in the Runnin' Bulldogs Big South Conference opener while Western Carolina (0-4) opens Southern Conference play on the road at Chattanooga.

Although Western Carolina’s Donnavan Spencer found the end zone three times on the ground for the Catamounts, it was the Mercer run game that made the difference as the Bears played keep-away with the football all Saturday afternoon, running for over 300 yards and chewing more than forty minutes off the clock on their way to a 45-28 win.

Spencer, a former Vance standout, now has twenty career scores, inching him closer to a top ten spot in WCU history. Former Southern Guilford defensive tackle Roman Johnson, along with Ty Harris, both led the defense with eleven tackles each on the afternoon.

Appalachian State

9/2 - vs ECU (Charlotte)

9/11 – at Miami

9/18 – Elon

9/25 – Marshall

Charlotte

9/4 – Duke

9/11 – Gardner-Webb

9/18 – at Georgia State

10/2 – at Illinois

Duke

9/4 – at Charlotte

9/18 – Northwestern

9/25 – Kansas

East Carolina

9/2 – vs App State (Charlotte)

9/11 – South Carolina

9/18 – at Marshall

9/25 – Charleston Southern

NC State

9/4 – South Florida

9/11 – at Mississippi State

9/18 – Furman

10/2 – Louisiana Tech

North Carolina

9/11 – Georgia State

9/25 – Wake Forest*

10/30 – at Notre Dame

11/20 – Wofford

Wake Forest

9/4 – Old Dominion

9/11 – Norfolk State

9/25 – UNC*

10/23 – at Army

Campbell

9/4 – at Liberty

9/11 – Elon

9/18 – Presbyterian

11/6 – at James Madison

Davidson

9/4 – at VMI

Elon

9/11 – at Campbell

9/18 – at Appalachian State

Gardner-Webb

9/4 – at Georgia Southern

9/11 – at Charlotte

9/25 – Western Carolina

NC A&T

9/4 – at Furman

9/11 – Charleston Southern

9/25 – NC Central

NCCU

9/11 – at Marshall

9/25 – at NC A&T

WCU

9/4 – Eastern Kentucky

9/11 – at Oklahoma

9/25 – at Gardner-Webb