Cullowhee, N.C. – Sporting a freshly minted No. 23 national ranking, the Western Carolina football team returns home on Saturday afternoon to host the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on Family Weekend on Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. WCU will also celebrate its long relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians with Saturday's EBCI Day, all presented by B.H. Graning Landscapes & Supply.
 
Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live audio from the Catamount Sports Network beginning the Pepsi Tailgate Show at 1:30 p.m. Fans across western North Carolina can hear the broadcast locally on five CSN affiliate frequencies: in Sylva, 105.7 FM and 540 AM WRGC "The River"; 104.9 FM and 1050 AM WFSC in Franklin; Rewind 100.3 FM "Carolina's Greatest Hits" in Asheville; and through live streaming audio online at CatamountSports.com.
 
Fans can also follow the game with live stats accessible online at CatamountSports.com and with timely in-game updates on Twitter using @Catamounts and @CatamountsFB.

Limited tickets for Saturday's Family Weekend home game are available as of Friday morning. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and not wait for walk-up on game day. Purchase online at CatamountSports.com or call (828) 227-2401.
 
Saturday marks just the second all-time meeting between the Catamounts and Buccaneers on the football gridiron – and the first to be played in Cullowhee. The two matched up in the 2022 season-opener in Charleston last September with WCU claiming a 52-38 victory. Former QB Carlos Davis tossed a school-record six touchdown passes to six different receivers in piling up 616 yards of total offense in the win. The Catamounts raced out to a 31-7 lead midway through the second quarter before the Bucs rallied to close to within a score, 38-31. WCU outscored CSU 14-to-7 over the game's final eight minutes to secure the win.
 
Western Carolina (2-1) is riding a two-game win streak that landed the squad in the Top 25 in one poll and receiving votes in the other after scoring a dominant upset win over No. 7 Samford (30-7) and out-weathering Eastern Kentucky, which was receiving votes in the polls, 27-24 last weekend. The Catamounts continue to lead the Southern Conference in both rushing (186.3 yds/gm) and rush defense (98.0 yds/gm) – marks that rank 24th and 14th in the nation, respectively – as a part of a SoCon-leading 462.7 yards per game.
 
Coming off consecutive 170+ yard rushing performances, sophomore RB Desmond Reid leads the Southern Conference – and ranks sixth nationally – with both 358 rushing yards gained and an average of 119.3 yards per game – the only back in the SoCon with an average over the century mark.­ Quarterback Cole Gonzales boasts the second-best passer efficiency rating at 157.3 while sitting third in passing offense with an average of 240 yards per game through the air. A combined 13 players have caught passes for WCU with sophomore WR Censere Lee leading the team with 11 catches for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Defensively, a trio of defensive backs lead the team in tackles paced by senior CB C.J Williams with 16 tackles and the squad's lone interception, the first of his career last week at EKU. Safeties Samaurie Dukes and Andreas Keaton are joined by linebacker Va Lealaimatafao with 13 tackles each through the first three games.
 
Charleston Southern (1-2) comes to Cullowhee on a two-game slide after opening the year with a 13-10 home win over North Greenville. The Buccaneers battled nationally-ranked FBS-foe Clemson to a 14-14 deadlock after a quarter of play – and only trailed the Tigers 24-17 at the break before Clemson pulled away by scoring 42 second-half points as a part of 45 unanswered in the 66-17 win. CSU bounced back, though, to limit NCAA FCS No. 4 William & Mary to just 15 points in a defensive struggle, falling at home last week 15-7.
 
The high-octane Catamount offense – which has amassed over 500 yards in both of its last two games –  will be challenged by a Buccaneer defense that is limiting its non-FBS opponents to just 343 yards of total offense and an average of just 12.5 points per game. Defensively, WCU will match with a Buccaneer offense that ranks last out of the 122 FCS teams, averaging just 140.7 yards per game and 12.3 points per game.
 
WCU seeks its sixth-consecutive victory over NCAA FCS competition dating back to last season and looks for its fourth-straight victory at Whitmire Stadium.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.  
Game 4: Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 • 2:30 pm
Location: Cullowhee, N.C. (E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field – 13,790)
Records: Charleston Southern (1-2) at Western Carolina (2-1)
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
TV Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)
PBP: Kyle Rush; Color: Daniel Hooker
 
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
PBP: Gary Ayers; Producer: Jeff Bryson
 
CSN Affiliates:
Sylva – 105.7 FM / 540 AM WRGC
Franklin – 104.9 FM / 1050 AM WFSC
Asheville – Rewind 100.3 WTMT-HD2
Online: CatamountSports.com
 
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).  
Where to Buy Tickets / Game Day Parking:
•     Purchase – and PRINT – tickets in advance through CatamountSports.com.
 
Where to Park:
•     REMINDER – Western Carolina utilizes a pay-for-parking model for many of the lots including: Baseball Parking Deck, South Baseball Lot, Field House ADA & Van Accessible, and HF Robinson Lot … the cost is just $10 per parking spot and can be purchased online at CatamountSports.com, by calling the WCU Athletics Ticket Office at (828) 227-2401, or by visiting the main ticket office on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. … Single-game $10 parking spots are subject to availability;
 
•     Season parking passes are available for $25 in the Catamount Club lots of Camp Lab Lot, Field House Lot, Football Stadium Lot, Creek Lot, or Belk Lot ... You must be a Catamount Club member and a season ticket holder to buy the $25 season pass;
 
•     Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 … For fans that have purchased a game day parking spot, please print out the ticket or have it on your mobile device upon arrival at the parking lot to gain admission;
 
•     Tailgating begins three and a half hours before the announced kickoff time – on Saturday, Sept. 23, that time is 11 a.m. – no alcoholic beverages are permitted prior to that start time … Tailgating activity involving grills, tents, etc., is NOT permitted within the Baseball Lot Parking Deck … Also, please be reminded to park in assigned numbered parking spots;
 
•     General Admission parking: A few FREE parking options are also available down Little Savannah Road behind the Catamount Travel Center and past the Cullowhee Post Office at the WCU Health & Human Science (HHS) parking lots, subject to availability (FREE SHUTTLE, see below) … It is also suggested that fans consider taking Old Cullowhee Road to the old entrance to the WCU campus and utilize parking in the lots behind Hunter Library for game day;
 
•     Catamount Club Reserved Parking Lots (parking pass required) include Camp Lab (Lot13), Belk (Lot14), Jordan-Phillips Field House (Lot12), Football Stadium (Lot10), Creek (Lot9C) Lot, and Camp Lab Festival Parking (Lot4A) ... All patrons with parking passes should enter the main entrance of the WCU campus, display parking credential to gain access to their designated, assigned parking lots;
 
•     Student Tailgating Lot (pass required): Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center Lots (Lot 13) … those spaces are reserved on-campus by student organizations for each game day;
 
Note: WCU Parking & Transportation will run a FREE "Tailgate Express" CatTran Shuttle for each home football game this year, beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. Vehicles will be directed to park at the Health & Human Services (HHS) Lot and HHS Adjacent Lot down Little Savannah Road where patrons will be picked up. The FREE shuttle will transport fans to both the Ramsey Center circle drive for West Side seating and Gate 1 entrance for patrons with East Side tickets. Shuttles will also be available after the game for return trips to these lots. Please note that this is not a shuttle around campus – just to and from the parking lots.
 
Clear Bag Policy:
•     REMINDER – Western Carolina Athletics enforces a clear bag policy. Only standard clear bags, 12-inches by 6-inches by 12-inches in size, small purses approximately 4.5-inches by 5-inches not including the strap, and clear gallon-size storage bags are permitted. Diaper bags (child must be present upon entry) and any medical-related bags will be allowed … Please be reminded that umbrellas are not permitted within the stadium.
 
The Catamount Club:
•     The Purple Zone, presented by Ingles the Chef's Kitchen (requires RSVP): Located on the Ramsey Center Patio – is open from Noon until 2:00 p.m. to qualifying Catamount Club members;
•     Paws Porch (requires a ticket and credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Field House; doors open at 2 p.m.;
•     Catamount Corner (requires a ticket and credential): Located on the Northwest patio of the Ramsey Center; opens at 2 p.m.
 
ON GAME DAY:
•     WCU Athletic Ticket Office: (828) 227-2401 – phone lines open beginning at 9 a.m. until kickoff time at 2:30 p.m. for ticket information and phone orders ONLY – there are NO WALK-UP SALES through the Ramsey Center Ticket Office;
•     Gate 1 Ticket Sales on the West Side of the stadium open at 9 a.m. for walk-up sales;
•     Ticket sales at all other gates begin at 11 a.m. – Gates 2, 3, and 4;
•     All stadium gates open to the public at 1 p.m. ... Gate 6 for Player Pass also opens at 1 p.m.;
 
WILL CALL:
•     Remember to bring proper photo identification to pick up tickets at WCU's Will Call;
•     The main Will Call for picking up purchased tickets or tickets being left for pick-up is at Gate 1; however, fans can receive Will Call at any entrance gate ticket booth;
•     Guests of the WCU Chancellor's Office can pick up tickets at Will Call at Gate 4;
•     WCU Football Player's Guest will utilize Gate 6 (as well as Dance/Cheer Guests) ... Those who are on the player pass list must show a photo ID to pick up tickets. Player Pass Will Call does not open until 1 p.m. when the stadium gates are open;
•     Football Recruits: Northeast Concourse, enter the Southeast doors of the Ramsey Center. Arrivals after 2:00 p.m., please go to Gate 6;
•     All Other WCU Recruits: Gate 6;
•     High School Coaches: Present a valid ID card to any ticket booth and receive up to TWO free admission tickets ... Pick up tickets from any ticket booth -- NOT the player pass location.
 
TICKET PRICES:
•     Chair Back Reserved: Adult $36 Youth (Ages 3-12) $26 – Sections DD, JJ, KK, LL;
•     Bench Back Reserved: Adult $31, Youth (Ages 3-12) $21 Sections JJ, MM
•     Bleacher Reserved: Adult $31, Youth (Ages 3-12) $21 Sections D, E, F, J, K, L
•     General Admission: Gameday $21 for Adults and $16 for Youth (Ages 3-12) G, GG
•     Full-time WCU students: FREE with Cat Card
•     WCU Student Guest: $13 (WCU students can purchase two guest tickets and sit in the WCU student section)
•     Children 2 and under do not need a ticket.
Please note – there is a $3 transaction fee charged on each ticket when using a credit card
 
Other Helpful Game Day Hints:
•     Arrive early to avoid long lines entering Whitmire Stadium ... Also, numerous gates allow entry to the stadium -- familiarize yourself with the best gates to get you to your seats for all the pregame festivities … There will be a cash-only table for ticketing at Gate 1;

•     Be sure to enjoy a variety of stadium fare at the Catamount Dining concessions stands, proudly serving ice-cold Pepsi products, bottled water, and Gatorade -- or other vendors such as Bojangles', Betty's Funnel Cakes, Tubby's Caramel Corn & More, Kona Ice, the Rice Wagon food truck, the Cactus Mexican Kitchen food truck, and Sweet Caroline's Mobile Ice Cream Shoppe;

•     Alcohol will be available for purchase in both the east and west concourse of the stadium. Beer, wine, cider, and hard seltzers will be available in Whitmire Stadium for fans 21 years of age or older. Fans will need to show their valid ID when purchasing alcohol and may only purchase one alcoholic beverage per valid ID with the ID holder present at the time of the transaction. Sales will begin when gates open 90 minutes before kickoff and close at the end of the 3rd quarter. No alcohol will be permitted to enter or exit the stadium.
 
Catamount Merchandise:
• The WCU Bookstore will have three (3) locations at the stadium to purchase Catamount merchandise. There will be stands on both the east and west concourse, as well as a stand just outside Gate 3 which will be available before gates open. The main WCU Bookstore (311 Memorial Drive, between the Campus Rec Center and Hinds University Center) will be open on Friday (Sept. 22), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. … Saturday (Sept. 23) from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. … and Sunday (Sept. 24), 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
 
GAME DAY PROMOTIONS: 
• WCU Legacy Pinning Ceremony: Is scheduled for the main floor of the Ramsey Center beginning with breakfast at 9 a.m., with the ceremony going from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Legacy Pinning ceremony is held annually to honor incoming Western Carolina Legacy students and their family members during WCU's Family Weekend. It offers an alumnus the opportunity to "pin" their incoming student with a special legacy pin that denotes their WCU heritage. Paid parking ($10) for those attending the ceremony is available in Baseball Parking Deck.

• WCU Family Day 2023 – Western Carolina welcomes friends and family of its students to campus for an opportunity for families to visit their students and see what campus life is like;

• EBCI Day – Western Carolina celebrates its long-standing relationship with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) during Saturday's game. EBCI members can purchase a special $10 General Admission ticket or a $21 Reserved Seat ticket when showing their EBCI card. All EBCI youth football players and cheerleaders are admitted free when wearing their uniform or jersey to the game. Those youth will have the opportunity for high-five tunnel at the Cat Head as the team runs out pregame;
 
Fans are also encouraged to visit the different EBCI vendors that will be on hand just outside the Ramsey Center on their way into the stadium on Saturday afternoon.

• Gather with other Purple & Gold clad faithful to cheer on the Catamounts during the "Cat Walk" to the stadium which begins at approximately 12:05 p.m. … The path winds through the student tailgate lot in the Bardo Student Lot and travels through both the Stadium and Field House parking lots;

• The "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band, WCU Dance Team, and Catamount cheerleader's pregame march to the stadium begins at approximately 1:40 p.m.;

• Stay in your seats at halftime as the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band will perform their show to the East Side stands with an encore presentation following Saturday's game. After the weather delay in the home opener, this Saturday marks the first time that POTM will perform its show in Cullowhee.