Oct 12, 2002

Final Stats

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Georgia Southern's Chaz Williams (332 carries for 171 yards) and Zzream Walden (7 for 159) combined for 330 yards rushing to lead the 16th-ranked Eagles to a 41-24 victory over Western Carolina Saturday afternoon at Whitmire Stadium/Waters Field. v In all, the Georgia Southern rushed for 489 yards, which is the most rushing yards Western Carolina has ever given up in a single game as well as a Whitmire Stadium record. Williams, who rushed for two scores, also completed 6-of-10 passes for 156 yards and three TDs as the Eagles tallied 645 yards in total offense.

Despite Georgia Southern's impressive offensive numbers, Western only trailed by 10, 34-24, with just over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter after a one-yard Pat Cilento touchdown.

The Eagles responded with a six-play, 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a Williams' three-yard TD, to regain a 17-point lead (41-24) with 8:51 left. The Catamounts nearly cut its deficit to 10 once again, driving to the Eagle nine. However GSU's Joe Scott forced and recovered a fumble, ending WCU's chances.

Georgia Southern scored touchdowns on four of its first five possession to jump out to an early 27-3 lead. Jermaine Austin put the Eagles on the board first with a seven-yard TD rush. Williams then scored from one yard out for the first of his two scores on the day to make the score 14-0.

After Western's Chris Vought connected on a 42-yard field to make the score 14-3, Georgia Southern took a 20-3 lead on a 62-yard pass from Williams to Derrick Owens. (GSU missed the extra point.) Midway through the second quarter, T.J. Anderson scored on a 40-yard pass from Williams, giving the Eagles a 27-3 lead -- one they would take into halftime.

The Eagles kept the momentum as the second half began with a 26-yard Williams to Owens TD pass, making the score 34-3.

From that point, Western's offense came to life. After holding the Eagles on downs on their second possession of the third quarter, the Cats struck on a two-play 68-yard drive. Michael Banks accounted for 64 of the 68 yards on a touchdown pass from Cilento, making the score 34-10. With his three-catch, 67-yard effort versus Georgia Southern, Banks moved to ninth on the Southern Conference career list for receptions (164), eighth on the SoCon career receiving yard list (2,614) and fourth (tied) on the WCU career receiving TDs list (18).

After a punt, Western Carolina's offense would score on its next two possessions. The first drive was set up by WCU defensive end Steven Nace, who forced and recovered a Georgia Southern fumble. Five plays later, Cilento connected with Chris Lane on an 11-yard scoring strike, which was the senior's first carer TD reception, to make the score 34-17 as the fourth quarter began. The Cats made the contest interesting on the next drive, scoring with 11:29 left in the game. Cilento hit Lamont Seward for 23 yards and Brenden Roy for 15, while Fred Boateng reeled off a 15-yard run to set up the score. Cilento capped the drive with his TD, but Georgia Southern was able to regain momentum and hold off the Cats.

In addition to the career games by Williams and Walden, Georgia Southern had outstanding performances by Austin (21 rushes for 78 yards), Mark Myers (6 for 57) and Owens (2 receptions for 88 yards and two TDs).

Offensively, Western was led by Boateng's 16 carries for 94 yards, while Cilento completed 13-of-21 for a career-high 209 yards and two TDs. Defensively, junior end Nick McNeil registered a career-high 14 tackles, while Rod Dunlap tallied 11 stops. Western's punter, Stanton Horne, had his best day of the season, averaging 49.8 yards per punt. His average was bolstered by a career-long, 70-yard boot, which is the fifth-longest in WCU history.

Western Carolina will return to action next Saturday (Oct. 19) with a trip to Spartanburg, S.C., to face Wofford. Kickoff is set for 1:30 pm.