Sept 14, 2003

Final Stats

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina senior quarterback Brian Gaither threw four touchdowns, including three to sophomore Xavier Godard, as the Catamounts rolled to a 45-0 victory over Johnson C. Smith Saturday night before 10,083 in the newly expanded E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The game was Western's 2003 home opener with the Cats improving to 21-9 in home openers since Whitmire Stadium opened in 1974, including six straight and 11 of their last 12.

Gaither, who completed 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards, ties a Whitmire Stadium record with his four touchdown passes, becoming the fifth player in stadium history to accomplish the feat. Godard, who missed last week's game due to an injury, returned to the lineup to register five receptions for 78 yards. The Athens, Ga., native only caught one TD pass as a freshman and becomes the first Catamount receiver to haul in three scores in a game since Lamont Seward, who hauled in three passes for 70 yards versus the Golden Bulls, caught three versus Lenoir-Rhyne in the Cats' 2000 home opener.

Western pounded out a 244 yards on the ground, led by Manny DeShauteurs, who rushed for 99 yards on 19 attempts, while catching four passes for 39 yards. Recent roster addition Darius Fudge, a true freshman, picked up 67 yards on 10 carries in the second half. Punter Stanton Horne continued his strong play, averaging 48.7 yards on his three punts.

Defensively, the Cats forced 13 punts on JCSU's 17 possessions and just missed a pair of single-game records. The unit held the Golden Bulls to minus 23 yards rushing on 31 attempts as they registered 19 tackles for losses, including seven sacks. For the game, JC Smith only managed 120 yards of total offense. The record for fewest yards rushing by a WCU opponent is minus 29 yards (by Appalachian State in 1965) and the most sacks by a WCU defense in a game is nine (versus Lenoir-Rhyne in 2000). The Catamount defense was led by Rod Dunlap, Buck Freeman, Rico Reese, Nick McNeil, Lamar Barnes and Felipe Foster, each of whom tallied two tackles for losses. McNeil's two TFLs were both sacks, while Michale Spicer and Albert Reid added solo sacks.

Western took the opening kickoff and marched into scoring position, only to come up short after a missed field goal. After the defense held JC Smith on a three-and-out. Michael Reeder returned a Chivous Kelly punt 26 yards to the Golden Bull 26. One play later, Gaither connected with Godard on the first of their three scores.

Despite a Horne punt being downed on the JCSU one by Francis Brown and a near safety on a McNeil sack, the Cats were not able to capitalize on good field position, losing the ball on downs as the second quarter began. Rico Reese would force and recover a fumble, but a second missed field goal kept the game tight. Midway through the second quarter, the WCU offense found paydirt for the second time as Gaither hit Godard for a 27-yard score.

After trading turnovers and time running out in the first half, Gaither hit J.C. Brown on a short crossing route, which the redshirt freshman from Murphy took the distance for a 42-yard touchdown. The catch was the first by J.C. Brown in his young career. Gaither then found a wide-open Brian Rucker in the endzone for a two-point conversion, making the score 21-0 at the break.

Western's defense forced JC Smith's to punt out of its own endzone on its first possession of the second half, which gave WCU the ball on the Golden Bull 27. After runs of seven, 10, four and minus three yards by DeShauteurs, Gaither threw a 10-yard TD pass to Godard, making the score 28-0. After another three and out by JC Smith, Western made the score 31-0 after a 26-yard Chris Vought field goal. After only a four-play drive by the Golden Bulls, Western answered with a four-play, 60-yard scoring drive, which was capped by a six-yard Nicholas Wishart TD run.

With 4:32 left in the game, Western began a final drive. After seven straight rushes by Fudge, Sam Brown had a 13-yard run and a 19-yard, touchdown run, providing the final 45-0 margin.

For JC Smith, Bernard Hawk completed 6- of 17 passes, while Donja Goodson was 6 of 13. Dwan Thomas was their favorite target, catching three passes for 40 yards. Defensively, George Pope led the way with 10 tackles, while Kenneth Nye and Justin Jackson each recorded eight.

Western Carolina will open its Southern Conference portion of the schedule next Saturday (Sept. 20), hosting The Citadel Bulldogs. Kickoff is set for 3:30 and the game will be televised by The Football Network (check local listings for availability in your areas). JC Smith will play at Charleston (W.Va.) on the 20th at 1 pm.