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Daniel Hooker

Catamounts Advance to No. 17 in Stats Perform FCS Top 25


Following Western Carolina’s season-opening clash with nationally-ranked NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) foe NC State, Western Carolina climbed three spots in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 media poll to No. 17 this week as the media unveiled its weekly ranking.

 

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Coaches Poll, the second most widely used and respected weekly tabulation for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), will be released around 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

 

The FCS-ranked Catamounts thrice led over ACC-for North Carolina State last Thursday night in opening the 2024 season. WCU scored first as Jake Young cashed in a Ken Moore Jr., 51-yard interception return with his first career receiving score on an eight-yard strike from Cole Gonzales who threw for 211 yards and a pair of scores while adding a team-best 75 rushing yards. WCU also carried a four-point, 21-17, lead into the fourth quarter before the Wolfpack managed to pull away with 21 unanswered points.

 

Elsewhere around the Southern Conference, Chattanooga slipped from No. 9 to No. 11 and Furman dropped from No. 12 to No. 15 in the media tabulations. Mercer remains just outside of the Top 25, second among the others receiving votes with Samford falling out of favor in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25.

 

Additionally, two nonconference foes on WCU’s schedule in the coming weeks also appeared in Monday’s release with Montana sliding one position into fourth and Elon continuing to receive votes, the first team outside of the Top 25.

 

WCU entered 2024 ranked in the preseason for the first time since 1994.

 

Western Carolina (0-1) opens the home portion of its 2024 schedule this Saturday, Sept. 7, hosting the Campbell Camels with an adjusted 1 p.m. kickoff at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. WCU looks to “White Out Whitmire” with fans encouraged to wear their white Catamount gear to the game as the football team will wear its white Nike uniforms for the home opener. The first 5,000 fans through the gates will receive a free commemorative “White Out Whitmire” T-shirt as the department begins its celebration of 50 Years of Catamount football at Whitmire Stadium, presented by First Bank.

 

Dubbed the “Ingles Southern Conference Game of the Week,” Saturday’s affair will be broadcast regionally through the Nexstar Media Group (check local listings) and simulcast through ESPN+ (paid subscription required). Fans can also listen to the game through the Catamount Sports Network with pregame beginning at Noon along five CSN affiliate frequencies: in Sylva, 105.7 FM and 540 AM WRGC “The River” (wrgc.com); 104.9 FM and 1050 AM WFSC “Franklin’s First Voice” in Franklin (1050wfsc.com); and 1310 WISE Sports Radio in Asheville (wisesportsradio.com); and through free, live streaming audio online at CatamountSports.com.

 

The best game day atmosphere in the SoCon roars back to life on Saturday with parking lots opening at 8 a.m., with alcohol-permitted tailgating beginning at 10 a.m. The Catamount Club’s “Purple Zone” pregame event begins at Noon for qualifying Club members. Fans will want to be inside the stadium early for the pregame festivities including the first performances of the “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band and spirit squads. One of the top traditions in the NCAA FCS is WCU’s Freshmen Run, celebrating its 13th season as WCU’s Class of 2028 runs through the tunnel to lead the Catamounts onto the field.

 

Saturday’s game is presented by Ingles with Asheville media partners 99.9 FM Kiss Country and Star 104.3.

 

There is still time to purchase season tickets for all five of Western Carolina’s home games in #CatamountCountry. For a third straight year, WCU has eclipsed the previous benchmark for tickets and revenue from season ticket sales.

 

Single-game tickets and game day parking permits for each of WCU’s home dates remain on sale now through the WCU Athletics Ticket Office, located on the first floor of the Ramsey Center, or by phone at (828) 227-2401. Fans can also purchase tickets and game day parking in advance online at CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets. Game day parking is $15 in advance and $20 on game days.

 

Keep track of everything related to Catamount football and WCU Athletics through its social media outlets on Facebook (FB.com/CatamountSports, FB.com/WesternCarolinaFootball), Twitter (@catamounts, @CatamountsFB), and Instagram (wcu_catamounts, catamountsfb).This Week in Catamount Athletics & Catamount Football:

Mon., Sept. 2 – Catamount Football Weekly presented by Stanberry Insurance at Rodgers Bros (7 p.m.)

Thurs., Sept. 5 – Catamount Women's Soccer – vs. Gardner-Webb (CAC, 7 p.m.)

Fri., Sept. 6 – The Bob Waters Memorial – Sequoyah National Golf Club (Cherokee, N.C.)

Sat., Sept. 7 – 2024 Catamount Football home-opener, vs. Campbell (1 pmupdated)

 

 

Stats Perform FCS Top 25 Poll (Sept. 2)

 

1. South Dakota State (0-1, 0–0 MVFC), 1,363 points (36 of 56 first-place votes)

Previous Ranking: 1; Week 1: 44-20 loss at Oklahoma State; Week 2: UIW

 

2. North Dakota State (0-1, 0-0 MVFC), 1,330 (11)

Previous Ranking: 2; Week 1: 31-26 loss at Colorado; Week 2: Tennessee State

 

3. Montana State (2-0, 0-0 Big Sky), 1,288 (8)

Previous Ranking: 4; Week 0: 35-31 win at New Mexico; Week 1: 31-7 win at Utah Tech; Week 2: Maine

 

4. Montana (1-0, 0-0 Big Sky), 1,239 (1)

Previous Ranking: 3; Week 1: 29-24 win over Missouri State; Week 2: at North Dakota

 

5. Villanova (1-0, 0-0 CAA), 1,144

Previous Ranking: 6; Week 1: 24-17 win over then-No. 25 Youngstown State; Week 2: at Colgate

 

6. South Dakota (1-0, 0-0 MVFC), 1,128

Previous Ranking: 5; Week 1: 45-3 win over Northern State; Week 2: at Wisconsin

 

7. Idaho (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky), 1,098

Previous Ranking: 7; Week 1: 24-14 loss at Oregon; Week 2: at Wyoming

 

8. Sacramento State (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky), 881

Previous Ranking: 8; Week 1: 42-24 loss at San Jose State; Week 2: at Fresno State

 

9. Central Arkansas (0-1, 0-0 UAC), 850

Previous Ranking: 11; Week 1: 34-31 loss at Arkansas State; Week 2: at Lindenwood

 

10. Southern Illinois (0-1, 0-0 MVFC), 807

Previous Ranking: 10; Week 1: 41-13 loss at BYU; Week 2: at Austin Peay

 

11. Chattanooga (0-1, 0-0 SoCon), 738

Previous Ranking: 9; Week 1: 69-3 loss at Tennessee; Week 2: at Georgia State

 

12. UIW (1-0, 0-0 Southland), 698

Previous Ranking: 14; Week 1: 28-7 win over Northern Colorado; Week 2: at South Dakota State

 

13. William & Mary (1-0, 0-0 CAA), 666

Previous Ranking: 15; Week 1: 41-7 win over VMI; Week 2: at Coastal Carolina

 

14. Richmond (0-1, 0-0 CAA), 658

Previous Ranking: 13; Week 1: 34-13 loss at Virginia; Week 2: Wofford

 

15. Furman (0-1, 0-0 SoCon), 523

Previous Ranking: 12; Week 1: 76-0 loss at Ole Miss; Week 2: Charleston Southern

 

16. UAlbany (1-0, 0-0 CAA), 502

Previous Ranking: 16; Week 1: 27-21 win over LIU; Week 2: at West Virginia

 

17. Western Carolina (0-1, 0-0 SoCon), 459

Previous Ranking: 20; Week 1: 38-21 loss at NC State; Week 2: Campbell

 

18. UC Davis (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky), 437

Previous Ranking: 18; Week 1: 31-13 loss at California; Week 2: Texas A&M-Commerce

 

19. Lafayette (0-1, 0-0 Patriot), 332

Previous Ranking: 17; Week 1: 30-13 loss at Buffalo; Week 2: at Monmouth

 

20. Tarleton State (1-1, 0-0 UAC), 308

Previous Ranking: 21; Week 0: 26-23 win over McNeese; Week 1: 45-3 loss at Baylor; Week 2: at HCU

 

21. Illinois State (0-1, 0-0 MVFC), 295

Previous Ranking: 19; Week 1: 40-0 loss at Iowa; Week 2: at North Alabama

 

22. Nicholls (0-1, 0-0 Southland), 204

Previous Ranking: 23; Week 1: 25-17 loss at Louisiana Tech; Week 2: at LSU

 

23. North Dakota (0-1, 0-0 MVFC), 175

Previous Ranking: 24; Week 1: 21-3 loss at Iowa State; Week 2: Montana

 

24. Weber State (0-1, 0-0 Big Sky), 171

Previous Ranking: 22; Week 1: 35-3 loss at Washington; Week 2: Portland State

 

25. Youngstown State (0-1, 0-0 MVFC), 133

Previous Ranking: 25; Week 1: 24-17 loss at then-No. 6 Villanova; Week 2: Valparaiso

 

Others Receiving Votes (schools listed on two or more ballots): Elon (0-1, 0-0 CAA) 120; Mercer (1-0, 0-0 SoCon) 117; Florida A&M (2-0, 0-0 SWAC) 99; UT Martin (0-1, 0-0 Big South-OVC) 98; Abilene Christian (0-1, 0-0 UAC) 74; North Carolina Central (1-0, 0-0 MEAC) 73; Eastern Illinois (0-1, 0-0 Big South-OVC) 59; Eastern Washington (1-0, 0-0 Big Sky) 41; Northern Iowa (1-0, 0-0 MVFC) 29; Austin Peay (0-1, 0-0 UAC) 19; Alabama State (0-1, 0-0 SWAC) 10; Rhode Island (1-0, 0-0 CAA) 9; Southeast Missouri (1-1, 0-0 Big South-OVC) 8; Harvard (0-0, 0-0 Ivy) 4; Lamar (0-1, 0-0 Southland) 4; West Georgia (1-0, 0-0 UAC) 2

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