Cullowhee, N.C. – Following a standout performance in his first collegiate start for the Catamounts, Western Carolina junior quarterback
Lex Thomas was named the Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.
Thomas guided Western Carolina to a season-opening victory, accounting for 389 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in the Catamounts' 45-21 triumph.
The SoCon's weekly awards are selected by the conference office from nominations submitted by the communications staffs of each member institution.
A transfer from Raleigh, N.C., Thomas completed 27-of-35 passes for a career-high 320 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday's victory, giving WCU its first season-opening win since 2022. He also rushed for a team-high 69 yards, highlighted by a game-sealing 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Adding to his versatile performance, Thomas recorded a four-yard reception after hauling in a batted pass at the line of scrimmage.
Thomas was efficient from the outset, opening the game by connecting on 10 of his first 11 pass attempts. He took control in the decisive third quarter, completing 11-of-15 passes for 180 yards and all three of his touchdown throws. Two of those scoring passes went to running back
Josh Perry, while tight end
Bode Burns hauled in the third.
Western Carolina (1-0) hits the road for the next two weeks, beginning Saturday, Sept. 5, with a 3:30 p.m. matchup against Campbell (1-0) at Barker-Lane Stadium in Buies Creek, N.C. The Camels enter their home opener after posting a 49-37 road victory over ETSU last Saturday in Johnson City, Tenn.
Sixth-year head coach
Kerwin Bell will be live on location Monday at Catamount Jaxe (114 Market Street) in Cullowhee for "Catamount Football Weekly," presented by Stanberry Insurance. The
Souly Flavor food trailer will be on site from 6 p.m. through 8 p.m. for food purchases, while beverages will be available inside the Catamount Jaxe social house.
"Catamount Football Weekly" airs at 6 p.m. on the Catamount Athletics
YouTube channel and the
department's official Facebook page.
Keep up with Catamount football and all WCU Athletics through the department's social media channels on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports; FB.com/CatamountSportsNetwork) and X (@Catamounts, @CatamountsFB).
