Oct 6, 2001
Final Stats
STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) - Western Carolina took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards in seven plays to take and early 7-0 lead over Georgia Southern. However, the nation's top-ranked Eagles scored four straight touchdowns to hand the Catamounts a 50-14 defeat before a near sellout at Allen E. Paulson Stadium.
Two records were set in the contest. First, Georgia Southern fullback Adrian Peterson set the NCAA all-division record for consecutive regular-season games with more than 100 yards rushing at 36, finishing with 105 on 22 attempts and two touchdowns. Later, Western Carolina cornerback B.J. Jessup set a Southern Conference record for the longest fumble return when scooped up a loose ball, caused by Catamount linebacker Rod Dunlap, and sprinted down the sideline 85 yards for a score.
On Western's first drive, the Cats were put in scoring position when, on a 3-and-1 from the WCU 45, Fred Boateng broke a 43-yard run to the Eagle 12. One play later, starting quarterback Pat Cilento hit Walter Gary on a rollout pass to the right. Gary caught the ball at the four and jumped over a GSU defender for the score.
Georgia Southern immediately snatched any WCU momentum on its first play from scrimmage. Slot back Andre Weathers took a pitch, pulled up and hit Carl Kearney for a 30-yard pass to get to the Catamount 30. Seven rushes later, the Eagles had tied the score.
Georgia Southern extended its lead just over a minute later, scoring on a 15-yard run by Mark Myers after the Eagles blocked a WCU punt and never looked back. In all, Georgia Southern would score 50 unanswered points to seal the victory.
Eagle quarterback J.R. Revere riddled the Catamount defense for 205 rushing yards and a touchdown, while completing 5-of-6 passes for 145 yards. In addition to Revere and Peterson, Eagle receiver Derrick Owens also reached triple digits, catching three passes for 108 yards.
Western was led by Boateng's 97 rushing yards on 22 attempts, while Cilento rushed for 43 yards and broke the century mark for the first time with 108 passing yards. His 12-yard pass to Gary was the first of his WCU career and Gary's first TD reception since his sophomore season. Michael Banks fueled Cilento's day, catching three passes for 94 yards, including a season-long 77-yarder.
