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Schedule

2023 - FB - WCU vs. Samford - FRONT

Football Daniel Hooker, Assistant AD for Media Relations

Western Carolina Opens Home, SoCon Schedule by Hosting Samford

The “Ingles SoCon Game of the Week” kicks off at 2:30 p.m.

Cullowhee, N.C. – With the nationally-ranked, defending Southern Conference football champion Samford Bulldogs rolling into town on Saturday afternoon, Western Carolina opens both the home and league portion of the 2023 schedule on the turf of Bob Waters Field at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
 
As the conference's best game day atmosphere roars back to life, Western Carolina looks to "White Out Whitmire" on Saturday, encouraging all fans to wear their white Catamount gear to the game as WCU will wear its white Nike uniforms. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will also receive a free "White Out Whitmire" T-shirt, presented by Ingles, 99.9 Kiss Country, and Star 104.3.
 
In addition to wearing its white uniform for the home-opener, the Catamounts will honor the 40th anniversary of the 1983 WCU football team which made a run at the NCAA I-AA national championship, finishing as the national runner-up by wearing the legacy "The Cats" logo its purple helmets again Saturday. Team members from the 1983 squad are scheduled to be on hand for a special pregame tailgate and a halftime recognition commemorating that season's success as the first SoCon team to play for the national championship.
 
A large crowd is expected to descend upon Jackson County for the home opener. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets and game day parking in advance by calling (828) 227-2401 or to buy online at CatamountSports.com to avoid lines on game day.
 
"If you're a WCU fan, then you need to have a ticket for this Saturday's game," said head coach Kerwin Bell in advance of the home-opener. "We need all of Catamount Nation here. We are counting on you to be our 12th man."

Saturday's "Ingles Game of the Week" will be broadcast live on the Nexstar family of stations (check local listings for clearances and availability) and simulcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required). The game can also be heard through the Catamount Sports Network with the Pepsi Tailgate Show airtime at 1:30 p.m. Fans across western North Carolina can hear the broadcast locally on five CSN affiliates: 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 with timely in-game updates on Twitter using @Catamounts and @CatamountsFB.
 
Western Carolina (0-1) and Samford (1-0) meet for the 21st time on the football gridiron with the Catamounts looking to put the clamps on a five-game winless drought that dates to the heart-stopping 38-34 Catamount victory over the then No. 17 Bulldogs back in 2017. WCU trails in the series 3-17 with two of the three head-to-head wins coming in Cullowhee (2-7).
 
WCU is coming off a season-opening 56-13 road loss at SEC-foe Arkansas, while Samford rode 35 second-quarter points to a 69-14 home win over Division II foe Shorter College in its nonconference tune-up.
 
A combined 14 preseason All-Southern Conference players are scheduled to suit up on Saturday afternoon highlighted by the reigning – and preseason – SoCon Offensive Player of the Year and preseason All-America selection in Samford QB Michael Hiers. Last season, Hiers threw for 3,544 yards and 36 touchdowns, many of which going to fellow All-America selection in WR Chandler Smith who caught 100 balls for 1,071 yards and 11 scores.
 
WCU's seven active preseason All-SoCon players includes the top returning freshman from 2022 in RB Desmond Reid, while also including preseason All-America honoree in transfer linebacker Antoine Williams who looks to make his debut this weekend.
 
Saturday's game marks the first SoCon game on the 2023 football schedule. The Bulldogs shared the preseason No. 1 spot with Furman in the coaches poll while were picked second behind the Paladins by the voting media. WCU was slotted right in the middle of the league in fifth in both polls, but looks to make an early-season statement against a Top 10 opponent. The match-up with Samford marks the second-straight nationally-ranked SoCon team to visit Whitmire Stadium as WCU upset No. 15 Chattanooga 32-29 in the 2022 season finale in Cullowhee.
 
WCU's last victory over a NCAA FCS Top 10 opponent came back in 2005 when the Catamounts thumped No. 2 Furman 41-21 on nearly the same exact date – Sept. 10.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
  

 
Game 2: Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023 • 2:30 pm
Location: Cullowhee, N.C. (Bob Waters Field / E.J. Whitmire Stadium – 13,790)
Records: #7/8 Samford (1-0) at Western Carolina (0-1)
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
TV: Nexstar (check local listings for clearances)
Video Stream:  ESPN+ (subscription required)
PBP: Pete Yanity; Color: Jared Singleton

Live Stats Link
 
Radio: 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).
 
 
Things to Know Before You Go:
 
GAMEDAY TIMELINE BASICS:
- On-campus parking Lots open at 8 a.m.
- Gate 1 Ticket Booth opens at 9 a.m. for walk-up sales
- Ticket Booths at Gates 2, 3, & 4 open at 11 a.m.
- Tailgating officially begins at 11 a.m.
- Pregame "Cat Walk" begins at 12:05 p.m.
- Inflatables and Wolf Street Bistro Food Truck open on the Ramsey Lawn at 12:30 p.m.
- Stadium Gates open at 1 p.m.
- Game Day Information Booth, located inside Gate 1, opens at 1 p.m.
- "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band joined by regional High School Bands at 2:15 p.m.
- 12th annual Freshmen Run at 2:25 p.m.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

Where to Buy Tickets / Game Day Parking:
•     Purchase – and PRINT – tickets in advance through CatamountSports.com.
 

Where to Park:
•     REMINDER – Western Carolina's pay-for-parking model for many of the lots include: 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 in order to buy the $25 season pass;
 
•     Parking lots on campus open for entry at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9 … 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. 9, 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, credential): Located on the patio of the Jordan Phillips Field House; doors open at 2 p.m.;
•     Catamount Corner (requires a ticket, 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 – 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 1:00 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;
•     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 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 2:00 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 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 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 charge 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 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 Saturday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
 
Game Day Promotions: 
• "White Out Whitmire" – fans are encouraged to wear their white Catamount gear to the game as WCU wears its white Nike uniforms … the first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a FREE "White Out Whitmire" T-shirt;

• High School Band Day – regional high school bands are slated to perform with the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band in this second-annual event … the guest band members will sit in Section GG during the game;

Honoring the 40th Anniversary of the 1983 football team – Join Catamount Athletics in welcoming home team members of the 1983 WCU football team which finished as the national I-AA runner-up as the first Southern Conference team to play in the national title game … these alums will have a special pregame tailgate near the Ramsey Center and will be honored in a special on-field presentation;

• 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 cheerleaders pregame march to the stadium begins at approximately 1:40 p.m.;

• 12th Annual Freshmen Run – WCU's freshman class of 2023 will stream through the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band tunnel just before the entrance of the Catamount football team;

• At halftime, the "Pride of the Mountains" Marching Band will perform their show to the East Side stands with an encore presentation following Saturday's game.
 
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Players Mentioned

Desmond Reid

#1 Desmond Reid

RB
5' 8"
Sophomore
Antoine Williams

#15 Antoine Williams

LB
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Desmond Reid

#1 Desmond Reid

5' 8"
Sophomore
RB
Antoine Williams

#15 Antoine Williams

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
LB