Aug 31, 2002

Box Score

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Several Catamounts had career games as Western Carolina opened the Kent Briggs era with a 23-3 victory at Liberty in the 2002 season opener.

With the win, Briggs became just the fourth of 11 Catamount head coaches to win his first game on Western's sideline. (C.C. Poindexter led Western to a win in its first ever game in 1931, Dan Robinson won his first game in 1956 and Bob Waters won his first game in 1969.)

Helping secure Briggs' mark in history were Rod Dunlap, Nick McNeil, Manny DeShauteurs and Pat Cilento. Dunlap tallied 10 tackles, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble, while recording career firsts with a sack and an interception. McNeil, who recovered a fumble, added a career-high nine tackles. DeShauteurs, filling in for an injured Fred Boateng, and Cilento rushed for a career-high 91 and 81 yards, respectively.

On just the third play of the game, Dunlap made the first big play of the season, forcing a fumble. While the Cats were unable to take advantage of the turnover, Brian Gaither led Western on a 13-play drive on its second possession, which led to a 34-yard Chris Vought field goal. Western forced another turnover on Liberty's ensuing possession as Teddy Burgis blocked a punt. Cilento took over at quarterback for WCU and led the Cats to an eight-play, 50-yard scoring drive, capped by a three-yard DeShauteurs' rushing TD. Western extended its lead to 17-0 on its next possession. Cilento kept the drive alive with two scrambling runs on third down and a 17-yard pass to Brenden Roy to the three. DeShauteurs carried the ball for the final three yards for his second TD of the game.

Much like the first half, Dunlap caused a turnover on Liberty first drive of the second stanza, picking off a pass which was deflected at the line by Luis Herron. Five plays later, the Cats took a 20-0 lead on a 29-yard Vought kick. Liberty broke a six quarter and six minute scoring drought versus Western when Jay Kelley connected on a 45-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. (WCU shutout Liberty 63-0 in 2001.)

The Cats provided the final margin of 23-3 with a 40-yard Vought field goal. Liberty threatened twice late in the contest, but WCU forced turnovers to keep the Flames out of the endzone. First, Dunlap recovered a Verondre Barnes muffed handoff with just over nine minutes to play. Liberty failed on fourth down on its next possession and had it final drive halted at the WCU one yard line when Deonte Cook dropped Flame QB James Condon just shy of the endzone and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jada Sullivan. In all, WCU forced four fumbles and picked off three Flame passes.

In addition to Boateng sitting out after having scar tissue removed during two-a-days, the Cats were without Justin Fryer, who dislocated his toe during a WCU preseason scrimmage.