Johnson City, Tenn. – Using a strong opening drive and converting a special team's takeaway into points, Western Carolina jumped out to a 10-point, 17-7 first-quarter lead in the annual gridiron grudge match at ETSU. However, the Buccaneers used a smothering defensive effort in the second half and an efficient, physical run attack to ground out a 24-17 victory over the Catamounts in the third-annual Blue Ridge Border Battle at Greene Stadium.
 
ETSU (3-1, 3-1 SoCon) scored the game's final 17 points after falling behind to the Catamounts, 17-7, in the second quarter. The Buccaneers surrendered 230 yards of offense to WCU in the first half. But, ETSU capitalized on a driving rainstorm after intermission to limit the Catamounts to just 48 total yards over the final two frames.
 
WCU quarterback Ryan Glover converted his first six passes in finishing 14-of-23 for 168 yards, including a 21-yard scoring strike to Raekwon Heath to open the game's scoring. Back-up QB Carlos Davis, who lined up as a wide receiver, also tossed a 44-yard touchdown pass to tight end Clayton Bardall after a career-long tying 45-yard field goal by Richard McCollum pushed WCU ahead, 17-7.
 
Heath finished with three catches for 55 yards, while Dylan Abernethy and Donnavan Spencer added three receptions for 25 and 15 yards, respectively. Abernethy added a fumble recovery on a muffed punt that eventually set-up McCollum's field goal.
 
ETSU's running back tandem of Quay Holmes and Jacob Saylors both eclipsed the 100-yard threshold as Holmes recorded 197 yards on 30 attempts with two touchdowns while Saylors rushed 15 times for 136 yards. Quarterback Brock Landis finished 8-of-16 for 55 yards passing, adding 34 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
 
Defensively, senior LB Ty Harris finished with a team-best nine tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, while Dorian Davis was credited with eight tackles with five solo stops. Ronald Kent Jr. and Roman Johnson both had six tackles apiece on Saturday.
 
Western Carolina returns home for its final two home games of the spring season, hosting nationally-ranked Chattanooga, which suffered its first conference loss this spring at home to Mercer on Saturday, April 3. Kickoff at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field in Cullowhee is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) and the Catamount Sports Network.