Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina football worked through the 11th practice session of its annual spring drills, holding its second scrimmage session on a cool, sun-soaked Saturday morning. The squad held a two-hour morning practice on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field.
 
Saturday's session included individual position drills before both sides came together for an intrasquad scrimmage that included around 13 series and totaled right at 100 combined plays with the offense squaring off against the defensive unit.
 
WCU's defense tallied seven stops in Saturday's scrimmage with the offense scoring six touchdowns and finishing a drive with Richard McCollum connecting on a 26-yard field goal after the defense stalled the offense in the red zone early in the day. McCollum added four successful PATs on special teams.
 

Five different quarterbacks took turns guiding the Catamount offense over the 13 series, each beginning with varying situations designed to mimic game scenarios. Returning QB Carlos Davis orchestrated seven drives on Saturday including a 13-play drive that culminated with a five-yard TJ Jones rushing touchdown and a five-play, red-zone touchdown pass that came on a one-handed catch by tight end Ajay Belanger.
 
Davis also guided a scoring drive in the two-minute drill, finding Raphael Williams in the back of the endzone as time expired for a 32-yard scoring strike as the defense nearly completed the stop.
 
Redshirt freshman QB Brody Palhegyi led the offense inside the 10-yard line in the second drive of the day before the defense stiffened forcing the McCollum field goal. Palhegyi later orchestrated a five-play scoring drive on a quick-change possession with RB Jaiden Bond scampering in from two yards out. QB Kason Lincke also recorded a touchdown pass on a drive that ended with Bryce Yaggi grabbing a 25-yard strike.
 
True freshman QB Samuel Cornett capped Saturday's scrimmage with a 24-yard passing touchdown to C.J. Williams who wrestled the ball away from the defender in the purple end zone.
 
WCU's defense unofficially combined for 12 tackles for loss including eight sacks through Saturday's scrimmage. Sophomore Caleb Fisher tagged off on WCU's quarterbacks for three sacks with freshman Justin Wallace collecting two sacks. Senior K.J. Milner posted two TFLs including a sack, with DL Marlon Alexander and LB Caleb Scott also collecting sacks, with Cory Hennings and Micah Nelson also posting tackles for loss.
 
Though the defense did not force a takeaway, Malik Richardson did force a fumble early in Saturday's scrimmage.
 
The secondary combined for six pass break-ups with CB Cameron McCutcheon nearly coming away with a pair of interceptions on two pass break-ups. Linebacker transfer Aiava "VA" Lealaimatafao with defensive backs Tre'Vant Richardson, Larry Stroud Jr., and Andreas Keaton also deflecting passes were among the highlights.
   
Western Carolina is scheduled to practice again on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of this final week of drills which culminates on Saturday, April 9 with the Spring Football Showcase, presented by UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Harrah's Cherokee.
 
Unless otherwise noted, each WCU spring football practice 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.
 
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).
 
2022 Catamount Football Spring Practice Schedule:
Practice #12 – Tues., April 5 – Uppers – 4 p.m.
Practice #13 – Thurs., April 7 – Uppers – 4 p.m.
Practice #14 – Fri., April 8 – Helmets only – 4 p.m.
Practice #15 – Spring Football Showcase, presented by UltraStar Multi-tainment Center – Sat., April 9 – Noon–2 p.m.
(Practice schedule subject to time/date changes)