Oct 5, 2002

Final Stats

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Fred Boateng saw his most extensive action of the season and rushed for 117 yards, but it was not enough as Western Carolina's upset bid over fifth-ranked Furman fell just short, 24-23, Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium.

Boateng, who missed the first two games of the season after having surgery during the preseason, exploded for 95 second-half yards and two touchdowns en route to his first 100-yard game of the season. The junior averaged just under eight yards per rush in the second half and 7.3 per carry in the game. With his impressive performance, Boateng moved to fifth on the WCU all-time rushing list (2,336), sixth on the WCU career rushing TD list (24) and ninth on the WCU career attempts list (423).

Western jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on a 32-yard Chris Vought field goal. The score was set up with an impressive defensive effort. Senior Pat Leach rushed Furman quarterback Billy Napier, who threw an interception to Randy Thompson. It was Thompson's second pick of the season and was returned to the Furman 36.

Western's Ahmed Green caused the first of his two fumbles on Furman's second possession. However, the Catamounts turned the ball right back over. Three plays later, Furman took a 7-3 lead on a 15-yard Napier to Brian Bratton pass.

The teams traded punts for the next five possessions. Then, midway through the second quarter, Furman got on the scoreboard again. Toreico O'Neal got the Paladins moving with a 33-yard gain to the WCU 37. O'Neal added gains of five, six and two yards before Napier rushed for 23 yards to the one. O'Neal capped the drive with a one-yard plunge, giving Furman a 14-3 lead at the break.

Western set the tone from the start of the third quarter as Boateng burst over right tackle for a 22-yard gain. While the Cats were forced to punt on the drive, Western's defense forced another turnover on Furman's first play of the half. Napier found Bratton for a short pass, but Green caused and recovered a fumble, giving WCU the ball at the Furman 12. Boateng had rushes of three and four yards and Michael Banks had a four yarder to put the Cats close. On the next play, Boateng had a one-yard dive for his first score of the game, making the score 14-10.

Furman threatened on the ensuing drive, marching 50 yards in 11 plays and using 5:21 on the clock. However, Danny Marshall missed a 40-yard field goal. Western would respond by getting into scoring position itself, thanks to a 30-yard Brian Gaither to Lamont Seward pass and a 15-yard Boateng rush. But, Western fumbled on the 18. Furman used an aerial attack to quickly answer and make the score 21-10. Napier connected twice with Bear Rinehart on the drive, once for 22 yards and another for a 44-yard TD.

The Catamounts cut their deficit to four, 21-17, on a 12-play, 66-yard drive to start the fourth quarter. The drive featured eight plays of five yards or less. With the Cats facing a third and 13 from their own 37, Pat Cilento aired out a 34-yard pass to Seward, giving WCU first and goal from the three. Two plays later, Cilento scored from one-yard out.

Furman answered with a 20-yard Marshall field goal. The Paladins had first and goal from the eight, but was kept out of the endzone to force the kick and keep Western's hopes alive.

After the field goal, Boateng would give the Cats more hope as he ripped off gains of 10, seven and 18 yards, before a Furman late hit gave WCU the ball on the nine. Manny DeShauteurs got the ball to the four and Boateng would do the rest to make the score 24-23. However, the Cats did not convert the extra point.

With 3:40 left in the game, Furman was able to run the clock inside 25 seconds before being forced to punt. With just 14 seconds left, Western had an incomplete pass and had a Hail Mary intercepted to end the game.

Napier had a career game with his 252 yards passing, thanks to Rinehart's five receptions for 153 yards. The Paladin defense was led by Cedrick Ritter, who had nine tackles and a forced fumble.

In addition to Boateng's 117 yards, Western was led on offense by Cilento, who completed 8-of-12 passes for 117 yards. Banks, who had three receptions for 64 yards, moved to fourth on the WCU and 10th on the SoCon all-time lists for receptions. The senior now has 161, which ties him with former Catamount Jon Reed (1987-90) on both lists. Seward also had 64 receiving yards for WCU. Defensively, Teddy Burgis logged a career-high 10 tackles, including two for losses. Michale Spicer joined Boateng and Banks in moving up the WCU career books. Of his four tackles, three were for losses, including a sack. The junior defensive end now as 15.5 career sacks to move to 10th on Western's all-time list and has 28 career tackles for loss to tie former All-American Steve Yates for ninth on Western's all-time list.

Western Carolina will return to action Oct. 12 when it hosts Georgia Southern. Game time is set for 2 pm at Whitmire Stadium/Water Field. Prior to the game, Western will have its annual Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which includes honorees Keith LeClair, Lori Lyons Wilson Thomas "Bubba" Wilson, Paul Jones and Clyde Simmons. The ceremony, which is open to the public, will begin at 10:30 am on the Ramsey Center concourse.