Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Western Carolina University

Western Carolina
The Official Home of Catamount Athletics

Schedule

SPONSORSHIPS

Football Catamount Athletics

Turnovers Costly in WCU's 19-14 Road Loss at Presbyterian

Box Score Oct. 4, 2014

Final Stats |  Notes |   

Clinton, S.C. - Presbyterian bookended its scores with two interception returns for touchdowns - the second coming inside the game's final two minutes - as the Blue Hose handed Western Carolina a heart-breaking 19-14 road loss in nonconference action on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Memorial Stadium.

Trailing at intermission for the first time this season, Western Carolina (3-2) grabbed the lead back from the Blue Hose with the only offensive score of the second half as Troy Mitchell found Spearman Robinson from 21 yards out to give WCU a slim one-point, 14-13, advantage.

Mitchell, who left the game midway through the third quarter due to an injury, threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice. Mitchell added a total of 26 rushing yards, a number affected by two sacks.

With WCU still clinging to the one-point lead inside the game's final two minutes, Presbyterian defensive lineman Deonte Davis intercepted an errant pass attempt from Catamount back-up quarterback Garrett Brown and rumbled 32 yards for what proved to be the game-winning score.

On the ensuing possession, true freshman quarterback Wes Holcombe's first pass attempt was intercepted, sealing the victory for PC - their first over WCU since 1969.

Brown rushed for 22 yards off the bench for the Catamounts, while completing 4-of-5 passes for 23 total yards.

Presbyterian (3-2) took an early lead as a Mitchell pass to the right flat was bobbled and then intercepted by Ed Britt who took it 25 yards for a touchdown and the early 6-0 lead. The Catamounts would later take the lead, 7-6, as Mitchell found a streaking sophomore Tyler Sexton for a 31-yard strike, the first receiving touchdown for the second-year tight end.

WCU trailed at intermission for the first time this season as PC got its only offensive touchdown of the game midway through the second quarter on a Kaleb Griffin quarterback sneak, 13-7.

Junior tailback Darius Ramsey led the Catamount ground attack with 72 yards rushing on 15 carries while freshman Detrez Newsome rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries, losing a first quarter fumble. All told, Newsome amassed 114 yards of total offense including 40 on kickoff returns and five receiving.

Eight different Catamounts caught passes on Saturday led by sophomore Terryon Robinson with five receptions for 60 yards. Spearman Robinson caught two passes for 39 yards and the TD - his third-straight game with a score - with Karnorris Benson also tallying two catches in the loss.

Senior linebacker Christon Gill led the Catamount defense with eight tackles including seven solo stops and one TFL. Linebacker Daniel Riddle finished with seven tackles, while Trey Morgan matched with a career-high seven stops - all solo - and came away with his team-leading third interception of the season in the first quarter. The North Augusta, S.C., native has four career picks.

The Catamount defense recorded a season-high four sacks in the road loss at PC, limiting the Blue Hose to a season-low 222 yards of total offense and just one offensive score. Sophomore defensive end Andrew Mayton was credited with a career-high tying three tackles with 1.5 sacks.

Western Carolina returns home next Saturday, Oct. 11 to host the Wofford College Terriers in Southern Conference play. The Terriers (3-2, 1-0 SoCon) picked up their second-straight victory on Saturday with a 17-13 home win over The Citadel.

Kickoff at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field is scheduled for 3:30 pm.

Print Friendly Version