Cullowhee, N.C. – Wednesday's sixth practice of the 2021 preseason fall camp for the Catamount football team featured the first day in full pads as the squad worked out for two and a half hours, utilizing 26 periods that included several scrimmage scenarios with full contact.
WCU's offense turned things up a degree on Wednesday with several different players finding the end zone during a variety of drills. Returning second-year freshmen tailbacks
Mikai Stanley and
Tyree Nelson both broke off strong rushes in the run game, with upperclassmen transfers
Kenny Benjamin and
TJ Jones showing flashes that made them highly sought after additions to the WCU backfield.
The Catamounts continued to rotate quarterbacks in the backfield with the trio of graduate transfer
Rogan Wells, redshirt sophomore
Carlos Davis and second-year freshman
Kason Lincke splitting the bulk of the reps in team sessions. They continued to work the ball around to a bevy of wide receivers with several hauling in receptions throughout practice including notable catches by fifth-year senior
Daquan Patten and second-year freshman
Keenan Hambrick in team drills, with true freshmen
Toler Keigley and
Miller DeArmond making athletic catches during unit drills.
"The offensive line, they love that first day in full pads as they get to fire off the ball. And the skill players, trying to see who can win in space and make guys miss. We had some guys do that today and created some explosive plays – and that's fun to see," said WCU offensive coordinator
Kade Bell following Wednesday's practice. "
On defense, transfer defensive back
Cameron McCutcheon had an interception to accompany a pass break-up during drills, with veteran nickelback
Curtis Roach collecting a pick coming off a deflected pass among just a few of the defensive highlights.
"I think today was a solid day," said
Justin Hinds, WCU's defensive coordinator. "Every time that you transition from 'thud' to full tackle, guys still tend to break it down instead of going and taking that shot through the tackle. But I think it was a solid day."
Hinds added, "It ran a little hot and we got after them a little bit. I said from the start that today, I wanted to push them – and we pushed them today to see what they're going to be able to do when it gets a little hot, and when you're a little tired, how do you respond. I thought that the defense responded and answered the bell and I was really happy with how they handled today."
Following Wednesday's practice, the Catamounts enjoy their first off-day of the preseason on Thursday before returning for a helmet-only practice on Friday morning. This Saturday, August 14, the Catamounts hit the turf for the first scrimmage of fall camp in a special Western Carolina Faculty & Staff day at Whitmire Stadium with all WCU faculty and staff invited to the West Side of the stadium for the free scrimmage.
Each of WCU's preseason football practices is open to the public. It is respectfully requested, though, that spectators observe from the stadium seating area and avoid being either on the field or the sidelines for safety, and maintain physical distance from the team at all times.
Practice times are subject to change.
Both season and single-game tickets for WCU's 2021 home schedule are on sale now through the Catamount Athletics ticket office located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center; by phone at (828) 227-2401; and online at CatamountSports.com. Additionally, to secure 2021 football game day parking and access to game day hospitality events, be sure to join the Catamount Club. For more information on the Catamount Club and how to support student-athlete scholarships, contact their offices at (828) 227-3047.
2021 Catamount Football Preseason Practice Schedule:
Thurs., Aug. 12 – No Practice (Off Day)
Fri., Aug. 13 – Practice #7 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets)
Sat., Aug. 14 – Scrimmage #1 (
WCU Faculty/Staff Day) – 9:00 am – 11:30 am (full pads)
Sun., Aug. 15 – No Practice (Team Photo Day)
Mon., Aug. 16 – Practice #9 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (uppers)
Tues., Aug. 17 – Practice #10 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Wed., Aug. 18 – Practice #11 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (full pads)
Thurs., Aug. 19 – No Practice (Off Day)
Fri., Aug. 20 – Practice #12 – 8:30 am – 11:00 am (helmets)
Sat., Aug. 21 – Scrimmage #2 (
WCU Students' Day) – 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (full pads)
Sun., Aug. 22 – WCU Student-Athlete Welcome Back Event
Mon., Aug. 23 – First Day of Fall Classes at WCU
* Practice times are subject to change
Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports) and Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB).
Important Dates in Catamount Athletics / Catamount Football:
Saturday, August 14 - WCU Faculty & Staff Scrimmage Day at Whitmire Stadium
Friday, August 20 – Western Carolina University Freshman Move-In Day (9 am)
Saturday, August 21 - Western Carolina University Student Scrimmage Day at Whitmire Stadium (6 pm)
Monday, August 23 – First day of classes for the fall semester
Saturday, September 4 – 2021 Catamount Football season and home-opener vs. Eastern Kentucky
Friday, September 17 – The Bob Waters Memorial – Laurel Ridge Country Club – Waynesville, N.C.
