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Cullowhee, N.C.- Sophomore tailback Detrez Newsome accounted for two touchdowns including a season-opening, 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of scrimmage, while senior counterpart Darius Ramsey rushed for two scores as Western Carolina opened 2015 with a 42-14 victory at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.

On a night that was capped by a fireworks display, the Catamount offense lit the scoreboard a total of six times. Each of WCU's three active tailbacks scored touchdowns on the ground, while senior quarterback Troy Mitchell tossed his first TD pass of the year as the Catamounts claimed their 16th-consecutive victory over Mars Hill and won their season-opener for the first-time since 2012.

"Well, number one, I'm happy to get the win and be able to come out in front of a great crowd of Catamount faithful; just a lot of excitement in the air," WCU head coach Mark Speir said during opening comments of his post-game press conference. "I thought we got off to a great start with the first pass from Detrez Newsome to Spearman (Robinson) to set the tone for the ball game. But credit Mars Hill - they're a good football team."

Mitchell completed 29-of-43 passes for 298 yards and the score, adding a team-high 62 rushing yards on eight carries. Along the way, the Houston, Texas, native became Western Carolina's all-time leader in total offense, by-passing previous record holder Lonnie Galloway (6,832 yds, 1990-93) who held the record for 22 years. Mitchell eclipsed Galloway's benchmark on his 44-yard scoring strike to Karnorris Benson in the third quarter, giving the Catamounts a 28-7 lead.

Western Carolina (1-0) jumped out to a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter on a pair of rushing scores and the season-opening gadget play. Mitchell opened the game by lateraling to Newsome out of the backfield on a swing pass. The second-year back then stopped and fired down the right sideline to a streaking Spearman Robinson for the 75-yard pitch-and-catch for the season-opening score. Newsome later capped scoring in the opening quarter with an 11-yard rushing score with Ramsey tallying his first TD on a one-yard plunge.

The Lions cut the deficit to 13 just before halftime as Keshaun Taylor capped a 13-play, 99-yard drive with a 25-yard pass reception from Matt Layman to make it 20-7 at intermission.

Neither team had success finding the end zone early in the third quarter until Benson's first TD reception of the season late in the frame. The Catamounts capitalized on superb field position, moving 47 yards in just two plays with the bulk coming on the 44-yard scoring play.

The fourth quarter was top-heavy with scoring as the two teams combined for 21 points inside the first four minutes of the final frame, bookended by Catamount touchdowns. Ramsey added his second TD of the day, leaping into the purple end zone from a yard away before redshirt freshman Corey Holloway rounded the left edge untouched on a six-yard romp to cap the game's scoring. In between, Mars Hill tailback Shaikel Davis corralled a fortuitous bounce on a pass attempt and scampered 24 yards for a touchdown.

WCU junior Steffon Hill led six Catamount receivers with eight receptions totaling 58 yards, while Robinson finished with four catches for 128 yards and a score. Benson finished with 76 receiving yards with tight end Tyler Sexton catching five passes for 65 yards.

Junior Trey Morgan and redshirt sophomore Daniel Riddle paced the Catamount defense with seven stops apiece with Riddle adding a TFL. Sophomore defensive lineman Ezavian Dunn had three stops including a team-best two tackles for loss with Tyson Dickson posting 1.5 TFLs on a six-stop night. Second-year defensive back Keion Crossen recorded WCU's first takeaway of the season, tallying his first career interception to go along with five stops.

WCU's specialist also had an exceptional night. Ian Berryman and Destry Barnwell shared punting duties, downing each of their six punts inside the Lions' 20-yard line. Berryman averaged 42.6 yards per punt with a career-long 54-yarder, while Barnwell successfully pooched a punt into the coffin corner on his lone attempt. Blake Metcalf tallied three touchbacks on seven kickoffs, while Logan Howard connected on five PATs.

Mars Hill (0-1) had two quarterbacks throw for over 100 yards as Matt Layman completed 16-of-25 passes for 167 yards with an interception and a touchdown, while Austin Brown - younger brother of former WCU quarterback, Garrett Brown - completed seven passes for 107 yards and a score. Gilbert Johnson posted a game-high 144 receiving yards while Keshaun Taylor had 81 yards and a score.

Davis finished with 59 yards and added the receiving score in the fourth quarter to make it 35-14 at the time.

"I thought we played really well in the first half and had some chances," said Mars Hill head coach Tim Clifton. "I think we have a chance to be a good football team. We found some weapons tonight in our new offense we didn't know we had, but I think that Western Carolina is a good football team. They have a lot of team speed."

Western Carolina heads to Charleston, S.C., to open Southern Conference play next Saturday, Sept. 12 against The Citadel (1-0). The Bulldogs blanked Davidson, 69-0, on Saturday in their season-opener. Kickoff from Johnson Hagood Stadium is scheduled for 6:00 pm.