2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football team

Last updated

2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football
WCU Athletics wordmark.png
Conference Southern Conference
Record7–5 (6–2 SoCon)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRylan Wells (1st season)
Defensive coordinator Jerry Odom (1st season)
Home stadium Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
Seasons
  2023
2025  
2024 Southern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 8 Mercer $^  7 1   11 3  
Western Carolina  6 2   7 5  
Chattanooga  5 3   7 5  
East Tennessee State  5 3   7 5  
Samford  3 4   4 7  
The Citadel  3 5   5 7  
Wofford  3 5   5 7  
Furman  2 5   3 8  
VMI  1 7   1 11  
  • $ Conference champion
  • ^ FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football team represented Western Carolina University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Catamounts were coached by fourth-year head coach Kerwin Bell and played at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

Contents

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 297:00 p.m.at No. 24 (FBS) NC State *No. 20 ACCN L 21–3856,919
September 71:00 p.m. Campbell *No. 17 ESPN+ L 16–2412,506
September 146:00 p.m.at No. 22 Elon * FloSports/WMYV W 24–175,104
September 213:00 p.m.at No. 9 Montana *No. 24ESPN+L 35–4625,720
October 52:30 p.m. Wofford
  • Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
  • Cullowhee, NC
ESPN+W 21–17 Behind closed doors [1]
October 122:30 p.m. The Citadel
  • Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
  • Cullowhee, NC
ESPN+W 30–166,278
October 192:00 p.m.at Furman ESPN+W 52–209,897
October 263:30 p.m.at No. 14 Mercer No. 24ESPN+L 34–447,389
November 22:30 p.m.No. 18 Chattanooga Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
  • Cullowhee, NC
ESPN+W 38–3411,198
November 912:00 p.m.at East Tennessee State No. 22ESPN+L 21–2412,109
November 161:00 p.m. VMI
  • Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
  • Cullowhee, NC
ESPN+W 58–2813,022
November 233:00 p.m.at Samford ESPN+W 47–424,723
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[2] [3]

Game summaries

at No. 24 (FBS) NC State

Game One – No. 20 Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) at No. 24 (FBS) NC State Wolfpack (0–0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 20 Catamounts1407021
No. 24 (FBS) Wolfpack7732138

at Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC

  • Date: August 29, 2024
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny, 88 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 56,919
  • Referee: Riley Johnson
  • TV announcers (ACCN): Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), and Dawn Boyle (sideline reporter)
Game information
First quarter
  • (5:55) WCU – Jake Young 8-yard pass from Cole Gonzales (Christian Lowery kick) (Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:08; Western Carolina 7-0)
  • (2:39) NCST – Kevin Concepcion 17-yard pass from Grayson McCall (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:16; Tied 7-7)
  • (0:05) WCU – AJ Colombo 12-yard pass from Cole Gonzales (Christian Lowery kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:34; Western Carolina 14-7)
Second quarter
  • (12:03) NCST – Kevin Concepcion 5-yard pass from Grayson McCall (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:02; Tied 14-14)
Third quarter
  • (8:00) NCST – Kanoah Vinesett 46-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 39 yards, 6:52; NC State 17-14)
  • (4:36) WCU – Branson Adams 17-yard run (Christian Lowery kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:24; Western Carolina 21-17)
Fourth quarter
  • (14:45) NCST – Kevin Concepcion 35-yard pass from Grayson McCall (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 0:47; NC State 24-21)
  • (6:33) NCST – Jordan Waters 7-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 5:31; NC State 31-21)
  • (1:50) NCST – Jordan Waters 50-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:28; NC State 38-21)
StatisticsWCUNCST
First downs1628
Total yards58–36473–521
Rushing yards18–12333–203
Passing yards241318
Passing: Comp–Att–Int24–40–026–40–1
Time of possession24:3035:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassingCole Gonzales22/35, 211 yards, 2 TD
RushingCole Gonzales6 carries, 75 yards
ReceivingAJ Colombo9 receptions, 97 yards, TD
NC StatePassing Grayson McCall 26/40, 318 yards, 3 TD, INT
Rushing Jordan Waters 20 carries, 123 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Kevin Concepcion 9 receptions, 121 yards, 3 TD

Campbell

Game Two – Campbell Fighting Camels (0–1) at No. 17 Western Carolina Catamounts (0–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Fighting Camels00000
No. 17 Catamounts00000

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire StadiumCullowhee, NC

  • Date: September 7, 2024
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCAMWCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
CampbellPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 22 Elon

Game Three – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–2) vs No. 22 Elon Phoenix (1–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Catamounts00000
No. 22 Phoenix00000

at Rhodes Stadium, Elon, NC

  • Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
  • Game time: 6:00 PM
  • TV: FloSports
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWCUELON
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
ElonPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 9 Montana

Game Four – No. 24 Western Carolina Catamounts (1–2) vs No. 9 Montana Grizzlies (2–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 24 Catamounts14130835
No. 9 Grizzlies021141146

at Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT

  • Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
  • Game time: 3:00 PM
  • Game attendance: 25,720
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Jay Kohn (play-by-play), Marty Mornhinweg (analyst) and Kyle Hansen (sideline)
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWCUMONT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
MontanaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Wofford

Game Five – Wofford Terriers (2–2) at Western Carolina Catamounts (1–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Terriers00000
Catamounts00000

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire StadiumCullowhee, NC

  • Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,278
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWOFWCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
WoffordPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

The Citadel

Game Six – The Citadel Bulldogs (2–4) at Western Carolina Catamounts (2–3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bulldogs00000
Catamounts00000

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire StadiumCullowhee, NC

  • Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsCITWCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
The CitadelPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Furman

Game Seven – Western Carolina Catamounts (3–3) vs Furman Paladins (2–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Catamounts00000
Paladins00000

at Paladin Stadium, Greenville, SC

  • Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
  • Game time: 2:00 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWCUFUR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
FurmanPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 14 Mercer

Game Eight – No. 24 Western Carolina Catamounts (4–3) vs No. 14 Mercer Bears (6–1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 24 Catamounts00000
No. 14 Bears00000

at Five Star Stadium, Macon, GA

  • Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
  • Game time: 3:30 PM
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWCUMER
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
MercerPassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 18 Chattanooga

Game Nine – No. 18 Chattanooga Mocs (5–3) vs Western Carolina Catamounts (4–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 18 Mocs00000
Catamounts00000

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

  • Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m.
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsUTCWCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
ChattanoogaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at East Tennessee State

Game Ten – No. 22 Western Carolina Catamounts (5–4) vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers (5–4) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
No. 22 Catmounts7014021
Buccaneers1007724

at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium, Johnson City, TN

  • Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
  • Game time: 12:00 PM
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 71 °F (22 °C) • Wind: W 7 mph
  • Game attendance: 12,109
  • Referee: Bruce Austin
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mike Gallagher (play-by-play), Mark Hutsell (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • (9:54) ETSU - Ewan Johnson 40-yard field goal (Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards, 5:06; East Tennessee State 3-0)
  • (8:51) ETSU - Ephraim Floyd 13-yard pass from Gino English, Ewan Johnson kick (Drive: 2 plays, 21 yards, 0:53; East Tennessee State 10-0)
  • (1:15) WCU - Jake Young 11-yard pass from Taron Dickens, Christian Lowery kick (Drive: 5 plays, 72 yards, 1:44; East Tennessee State 10-7)
Second quarter
Third quarter
  • (13:30) ETSU - Xavier Gaillardetz 23-yard pass from Gino English, Ewan Johnson kick (Drive: 3 plays, 26 yards, 1:17; East Tennessee State 17-7)
  • (5:38) WCU - Taron Dickens 2-yard run, Christina Lowery kick (Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 3:19; East Tennessee State 17-14)
  • (0:26) WCU - Taron Dickens 8-yard run, Christian Lowery kick (Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 3:44; Western Carolina 21-17)
Fourth quarter
  • (5:55) ETSU - Devontae Houston 14-yard run, Ewan Johnson kick (Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:20; East Tennessee State 24-21)
StatisticsWCUETSU
First downs2021
Total yards352328
Rushing yards119174
Passing yards233154
Passing: Comp–Att–Int26-36-111-24-4
Time of possession29:3030:30
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassingTaron Dickens24-34, 233 yards, TD, INT
RushingBranson Adams14 carries, 81 yards
ReceivingZion Booker5 receptions, 85 yards
East Tennessee StatePassingGino English11-23, 154 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
RushingBryson Irby21 carries, 79 yards
ReceivingAJ Johnson2 receptions, 58 yards

VMI

Game Eleven – VMI Keydets (1–9) vs Western Carolina Catamounts (5–5) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Keydets00000
Catamounts00000

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

  • Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m.
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsVMIWCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VMIPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Samford

Game Twelve – Western Carolina Catamounts (6–5) at Samford Bulldogs (4–6) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Catamounts00000
Bulldogs00000

at Pete Hanna StadiumHomewood, AL

  • Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
  • TV: ESPN+
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsWCUSAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Western CarolinaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
SamfordPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Roster

2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 0AJ ColomboJr
WR 1Zion BookerSo
RB 2Branson AdamsJr
WR 3Calvin Jones Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 4De'Andre Tamarez Redshirt.svg  So
RB 5Jalynn Williams Redshirt.svg  Sr
RB 6Corey Reddick Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
WR 7Malik Knight Redshirt.svg  So
QB 8Taron Dickens Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 9Cole GonzalesJr
WR 10Patrick Boyd Jr. Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 11Jefferson BoazJr
QB 12Brody Palhegyi Redshirt.svg  Jr
WR 13Santana Fleming Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 14Nate BlairFr
WR 15Jai Boyd Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 16James Tyre Redshirt.svg  Fr
QB 17Bennett Judy Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 18Isaiah JohnsonFr
QB 19Isaac LeeFr
WR 19James RandleFr
RB 20Jalen IbrahimSo
RB 21Jaiden Bond Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 22Trey RitchFr
RB 24Brandon Benjamin Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 25Marlin Cochran Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 27Joshua CollinsFr
RB 28Markel Townsend Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 42Caden RobinsonFr
TE 44Isaac McLellan Redshirt.svg  So
OL 51Aaron Sanez Redshirt.svg  So
OL 52Manasseh RipertJr
OL 53Zach Watson Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 55Secrea AlgieFr
OL 58Brett GrayJr
OL 60Therion Cannon Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 62Peyton Davis Redshirt.svg  So
OL 65Camden MyersFr
OL 66Derek SimmonsSr
OL 67Steven Hamby Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 68Dale GreeneFr
OL 69Caleb WillifordFr
OL 71Cade McClellan Redshirt.svg  So
OL 72Blake Whitmore Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 73Xavier GrahamSr
OL 74Jordan Daniels Redshirt.svg  Sr
OL 75Caleb Carter Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 76Nathan Linkous Redshirt.svg  Jr
OL 78Evan Carney Redshirt.svg  So
WR 81Ca'Lique Cunningham Redshirt.svg  So
WR 82Matthew KeenerFr
WR 83Austin CunninghamFr
WR 84Brandon PoteatJr
TE 85David Hulbert Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 86Brayden Blackmon Redshirt.svg  Jr
TE 87Jake Young Redshirt.svg  So
WR 88Jemarious ReavesFr
TE 89Bode BurnsFr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
CB 0Ken Moore Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
S 1Mateo Sudipo Redshirt.svg  Sr
DE 2Micah Nelson Redshirt.svg  Sr
CB 3Samaurie DukesJr
CB 4CJ Williams Redshirt.svg  Sr
LB 5Hayward McQueen Jr.Jr
DL 6Curtis Fann Jr. Redshirt.svg  Sr
S 7Ed Jones IVSr
DL 8Jaquarius GuinnSr
CB 9Darian Anderson Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
DL 10Tahjae MullixJr
DL 11Caleb Fisher Redshirt.svg  Jr
DB 12Amarian RobinsonGS
DB 13Quez Royal Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 14Armond AndersonJr
LB 15Antoine Williams Redshirt.svg  Sr
CB 16Jordy Lowery Redshirt.svg  So
DE 17Kenyon Partridge Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 18Antarron Turner Redshirt.svg  So
DL 19Chris MorganSr
LB 20Wesley ScottGS
DB 21Bo Simpson-Nealy Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 22Jeno Junius Jr. Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 24Zayveon Wells Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 25Nicholas KilpatrickFr
S 26Na'koma Simpson-NealyFr
DB 27Hasaan SykesFr
S 29Jhamari Pierre-Louis Redshirt.svg  So
DL 30Richard Garrett Redshirt.svg  So
CB 31Don Robinson III Redshirt.svg  So
DB, LS 32Walter Gibson Redshirt.svg  Sr
DB 32Trevaughn Martinez Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 33Lee CampbellJr
DB 34Rashad SnowFr
LB 35Christian Murphy Redshirt.svg  So
S 36Ja'Morri Downing Redshirt.svg  So
DB 37Cam Smith Redshirt.svg  Fr
DB 38Canden McGillFr
S 39Julian QuinteroFr
S 40Cory Hennings Redshirt.svg  Jr
S 41Drew HollifieldFr
DL 45Justin Wallace Redshirt.svg  So
LB 47Blue Monroe Redshirt.svg  So
DL 50Edwin Moore Jr.Fr
DL 57Caleb Turner-AllenFr
LB 58Daimean Fernandez Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 59Beady Waddell VFr
DL 90Jamichael WilsonGS
DL 91Ugo Nosike Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 92Vanier Baptiste IIIFr
DL 93Adrian StoneFr
DL 94Jaden MeeksFr
DL 97Caleb Bradford Redshirt.svg  Jr
DL 98Jackson HensleyFr
DL 99Jordan CardenteyFr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K 43Maddox CowartFr
K 46Paxton RobertsonSr
LS 48Colby Cross Redshirt.svg  Sr
K 49Corbin Shirley Redshirt.svg  So
LS 56Mabry Bumgarner Redshirt.svg  Fr
P 95Stephen BrantleySo
K 96Christian LoweryJr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Jerry OdomDefensive coordinator
  • Rylan Wells – Offensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator
  • Cody EdwardsSpecial teams coordinator/linebackers
  • Brian Cochran – Defensive line
  • Kyle Dickey – Tight ends
  • Malik Goodman – Safeties
  • Jeremy King – Offensive line
  • Greg McGruder – Wide receivers
  • Larry Murphy – Cornerbacks/assistant special teams
  • Rudi Small – Running backs/assistant special teams

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: November 29, 2024

Statistics

Team

Western CarolinaOpp
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 CarolinaOpp
  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

Individual leaders

Passing statistics
#NAMEPOSRATCMP-ATT-INTYDSAVG/GCMP%TDLONG
QB0.00-0-00 yrds0.0%0 TDs0
TOTALS0.00-0-00 yrds0.00.0%0 TDs0

Defense

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

Special teams


References

  1. Morris, Julia. "Wofford football game at Western Carolina to be played without spectators". WYFF-4. WYFF-TV. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  2. "Western Carolina Catamounts 2024 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  3. Phillips, Carey (February 7, 2024). "WCU's football slate announced". The Sylva Herald and Ruralite. Retrieved March 28, 2024.