Nov. 18, 2000
Box Score
Cullowhee, NC--The Western Carolina (4-7) Catamounts fought all the way to the end, but could not get a win for the seniors in their final game of the season.
Tennessee Tech (8-3) came into Cullowhee Saturday boasting a 7-3 record and a three game winning streak. The Cats on the other hand, were trying to make up for last week's loss to arch rival Appalachian State.
The first half saw Tennessee Tech draw first blood as the Golden Eagles jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead off of a 28-yard fumble recovery with seven minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Cats responded quickly by pulling off a 75-yard scoring drive ending with a 38-yard Michael Banks touchdown reception moments later.
The first quarter saw one more Catamount score when Senior, David Rivers, found a streaking Lamont Seward for a spectacular 76-yard touchdown pass. That pass would be the last time the Cats would score in the first half.
In the second quarter Tennessee Tech began to get warm in the 41 degree weather as tailback Travis Rogers muscled his way into the endzone to cap off a 12 play, 70-yard scoring drive. Tennessee Tech next found themselves in a fourth down situation and settled for a field goal to take a 17-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
At the start of the second half the Golden Eagles continued to score as quarter back, Michael Peeples, connected with receiver, Stevland Sills, on a 45 yard touchdown pass to end a 74 scoring drive on just two plays. The Catamounts quickly answered the Tech long-range attack on a 57-yard drive ending with a 19-yard Fred Boateng touchdown scamper bringing the score to 24-21 after senior, Josh Jones, connected on the extra point.
The Golden Eagles answered the Cat's touchdown with one of their own led by junior tailback Travis Rogers who rushed six times and finally ended the drive on a one yard explosion into the endzone.
The Cats entered the fourth quarter down 21-31 when Boateng ended an 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown. The Catamount defense stepped up and held the Eagle scoring drive mid-way through the fourth leading to a punt on an Eagle fourth down.
With 9:48 remaining in the quarter the Catamounts began a surge that would see Rivers connect with Banks on a 75-yard pass. Moments later, Boateng gave the Cats another score to eventually bring them to within three points of catching Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles would then fumble the ball, which was recovered by senior Ryan Lawrence to give the cats one last chance.
On the next Catamount possession, Rivers found Seward for a 50-yard touchdown pass, which gave the cats a 35-31 lead following a Jones extra point.
Tennessee Tech would then begin a drive, which saw the Golden Eagles march to within field goal distance and take advantage of the opportunity from 41 yards out go. The Cats would then get possession of the ball only to have to punt it away on from their own 13.
With their last possession of the game, Tennessee Tech only gained 19 yards, but it was close enough for junior kicker, David Collett, to split the uprights giving the Eagles a 37-35 lead.
"We were confident it was the right call," stated Tennessee Tech Head Coach Mike Hennigan on Collett's game winning field goal. "You have to hang with your players and believe that something will happen. At that point, you have to believe that the defense will get the ball back."
With one last chance, the Catamounts fought all the way up field with an arsenal of passing plays until they were with striking distance with four seconds remaining.
Senior Josh Jones was called in for the assassination duties of the Golden Eagles but missed his mark from 44 yards out, that would have sealed the victory.
After the thrilling game, Western Head Coach Bill Bleil, was not hard on Jones stating that, "Everyone will point to not making the field goal, but that was not the only play of the game. We had other opportunities in the first half."
Saturday's game may not have provided a mark in the win column, but it did provide the stage for a few milestones for a few outstanding players. Junior Michael Banks and freshman Lamont Seward became the only Western tandem to each record 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Banks finished the year with 1,001 yards while Seward totaled 1,000.
