Sept. 4, 2010

Box Score |  Notes |    | Radio Highlight Reel

Raleigh, N.C. - Redshirt junior QB Zack Jaynes led the Catamounts on a 10-play, 87-yard opening scoring drive to give Western Carolina an early 7-0 advantage, but a North Carolina State aerial assault led by quarterback Russell Wilson overwhelmed the Catamounts, handing WCU a 48-7 setback at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday night in front of an announced crowd of 56,417.

"It was a disappointing game for us tonight. I thought defensively we played very poorly, missed a lot of assignments. With a veteran group, especially at the safety position, we made way too many mistakes and we just couldn't get off the field," said WCU third-year head coach Dennis Wagner during post-game interviews. "On offense, you know you put together a great drive and we did some good things in the first quarter. But we got a little proud of ourselves and didn't perform as well as we needed to from that point on.

"We still have a lot of work to do. There are still 10 games left and we will be a lot better next week, I guarantee you," Wagner concluded.

Sophomore RB Michael Johnson opened the Catamounts (0-1) first drive with a 20-yard run to ignite the offense. WCU continued to move the ball down the field on a nine-yard scamper by Jaynes and a 12-yard reception hauled in by redshirt freshman transfer WR Deja Alexander, moving WCU to the Wolfpack (1-0) 46-yard line.

Michael Johnson then gashed the `Pack defense for a 10-yard gain to the N.C. State 47 yard-line. After failing to covert on third and short, Jaynes connected with Andrew Rogers for a gain of 11 yards to the N.C. State 26-yard line on a crucial fourth and one.

The drive culminated with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Jaynes to Alexander, the second time the duo hooked up on the scoring drive.

On the ensuing possession, WCU's defense forced a three and out in the Wolfpack's opening drive, but a muffed punt return and recovery by the kicking team gave N.C. State the ball back on the Catamount 26-yard line. North Carolina State QB Russell Wilson took advantage of the WCU miscue and threw a 26-yard touchdown strike to T.J. Graham on the first play of the drive, tying the game at seven.

At the 2:35 mark of the first quarter, junior corner Torez Jones sparked the Catamount defense by forcing a fumble that was recovered by senior Angelo Brown, seemingly giving WCU its first takeaway of the season and stemming the tide of momentum. However, upon further review with replay, the play was reversed in favor of the Wolfpack and eventually led to another TD.

Wilson and the N.C. State offense rattled of 24 more points to take a 31-7 advantage into the locker room. Wilson was 16-for-23 for 237 yards and four touchdowns in the first half.

Michael Johnson gained 62 of his game-high 77 yards on the ground in the first half while Jaynes was 4-for-8 for 62 yards through the air.

N.C. State continued its offensive attack in the second half, scoring 17 points in the third quarter to take a commanding 48-7 lead over the Catamounts. WCU struggled in the third quarter offensively, recording just 14 total yards and one first down.

By design, Jaynes gave way to junior transfer QB Zac Brindise in the third quarter. The South Fort Myers, Fla., native completed his first career pass for the Purple and Gold on an 11-yard pass to tight end Chris Everett with 43 second remaining in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the Catamount offense led by Brindise - who finished the game 4-for-6 for 37 yards through the air - and senior Matt Wabby - who was a perfect 2-for-2 for nine yards in the Catamounts final drive of the contest.

WCU's defense only allowed 53 yards of total offense in the fourth quarter, holding the Wolfpack scoreless in the final stanza of the game.

Alexander - playing in his first game for WCU after transferring in from Central Michigan - hauled in two catches for a team-high 35 yards. Everett and Jacoby Mitchell added two catches each for 22 and 21 yards, respectively.

WCU's trio of quarterbacks - paced by starter Jaynes who threw the team's lone touchdown of the contest - combined for 103 yards as they completed 10 of their 18 pass attempts.

Sophomore LB Rock Williams registered a game-high 11 tackles, a new career high, to lead the Catamount defense. Williams was one of three WCU defenders to pick up a sack in the contest along with Brown and senior lineman, C.J. Johnson.

All told, the Catamount secondary also broke up five pass - all coming from different defenders - while N.C. State only recorded one pass break up.

Western Carolina returns home to open the 2010 home portion of its schedule next Saturday, Sept. 11 as it plays to the Tusculum Pioneers at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field in Cullowhee. WCU will honor Heroes' Day with special ticket pricing for all police, fire, EMS and military personnel. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.