Cullowhee, N.C. – Ranked in both NCAA FCS polls for the first time since 2017, No. 21/17 Western Carolina opens a two-game Southern Conference road swing on Saturday as it travels down I-26 into South Carolina to Charleston for a meeting with The Citadel Bulldogs. Kickoff from Johnson Hagood Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with live audio from the Catamount Sports Network beginning with the Pepsi Tailgate Show at 1 p.m. Fans across Western North Carolina can hear the broadcast locally on five CSN affiliates 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 free 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.
 
Western Carolina (3-1, 1-0 SoCon) is riding a three-game seasonal winning streak and vies for its seventh consecutive win over NCAA FCS competition dating back to last year after closing 2022 with three-straight victories. WCU is also looking to win its fifth-straight league game that would put the Catamounts at 2-0 in SoCon play to match its best start since 2017.
 
WCU enters the final game of September with momentum from downing another South Carolina Lowcountry team a week ago, cruising to a 77-21 victory over Charleston Southern last Saturday in Cullowhee. The Catamount offense scored 11 touchdowns and rolled up 638 yards of total offense in the victory. Sophomore QB Cole Gonzales collected SoCon Offensive Player of the Week plaudits after tossing five first-half touchdowns and passing for 299 yards in just over a half of action. Two of his TD passes went to classmate AJ Colombo while second-year RB Desmond Reid scored twice on the ground with 111 total yards.
 
Having tallied 500-plus yards of offense the past three weeks, Western Carolina enters the weekend leading the NCAA FCS in total offense at 517.8 yards per game. The Catamounts have also racked up an NCAA-leading 109 first downs. WCU continues to lead the SoCon in both rushing offense (199.0 yds/gm – 19th in the NCAA) and rushing defense, limiting opponents to a league-low 108.8 yards per game – 20th nationally.
 
Conversely, WCU faces a Bulldog squad that has struggled to start the Maurice Drayton era in the Lowcountry. The Citadel ranks ninth in the SoCon with an average of 226.0 yards per game on offense which puts the 'Dogs 116th out of 122 FCS teams. Defensively, The Citadel surrenders 520.5 yards per game to the opposition, ranking 119th out of 122 FCS schools, and has given up 110 first downs (120th).
 
The Catamounts head to Charleston looking to avenge a disappointing 34-21 loss to the Bulldogs at home in Cullowhee a season ago. The Citadel ran its way to a 24-0 halftime lead then kept the home squad at arm's length by chewing up a total of 312 yards on the ground and 42 minutes of clock time in snapping WCU's two-game series win streak. Catamount RB Desmond Reid rushed for 129 yards and QB Cole Gonzales tossed a pair of touchdown passes in the loss.
 
WCU has won two of the last three road games in Charleston dating back to 2017, but trails in the all-time series 19-27-1 that includes an 8-14 mark on the road. The Catamounts return to the site of head coach Kerwin Bell's first victory as WCU head coach – a 45-31 win in Charleston back in 2021.
 
Following Saturday's game, the Catamounts head to the Scenic City for a nationally-ranked SoCon showdown with the Chattanooga Mocs which entered the FCS Coaches poll at No. 22 this week just behind the Catamounts.
 
Kickoff this Saturday is 2 p.m. in Charleston, S.C.  
Game 5: Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 • 2:00 pm
Location: Charleston, S.C. (Johnson Hagood Stadium – 11,427)
Records: #21/17 Western Carolina (3-1, 1-0 SoCon) at The Citadel (0-4, 0-1 SoCon)
Live Stats Link
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
TV Stream: ESPN+ (subscription required)
PBP: Dave Weinstein; Color: Jason Kampf; Sideline: Taylor Wall
 
Radio/Audio: Catamount Sports Network
PBP: Gary Ayers; Color: Daniel Hooker; 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).