2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football team

2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football
2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football
Conference	Southern Conference
Record	7–5 (6–2 SoCon)
Head coach	Kerwin Bell (4th season);
Offensive coordinator	Rylan Wells (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Jerry Odom (1st season)
Home stadium	Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium
	Seasons ← 2023 2025 →

The 2024 Western Carolina Catamounts football team represents Western Carolina University as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon) during the 2024 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Catamounts are coached by fourth-year head coach Kerwin Bell and play at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

2024 Southern Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 8 Mercer $^	7	–	1	10	–	2
Western Carolina	6	–	2	7	–	5
Chattanooga	5	–	3	7	–	5
East Tennessee State	5	–	3	7	–	5
Samford	3	–	4	4	–	7
The Citadel	3	–	5	5	–	7
Wofford	3	–	5	5	–	7
Furman	2	–	5	3	–	8
VMI	1	–	7	1	–	11

$ – Conference champion ^ – FCS playoff participant As of November 26, 2024 Rankings from STATS Poll

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 29	7:00 p.m.	at No. 24 (FBS) NC State*	No. 20	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC	ACCN	L 21–38	56,919
September 7	1:00 p.m.	Campbell*	No. 17	Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium Cullowhee, NC	ESPN+	L 16–24	12,506
September 14	6:00 p.m.	at No. 22 Elon*		Rhodes Stadium Elon, NC	FloSports/WMYV	W 24–17	5,104
September 21	3:00 p.m.	at No. 9 Montana*	No. 24	Washington–Grizzly Stadium Missoula, MT	ESPN+	L 35–46	25,720
October 5	2:30 p.m.	Wofford		Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium Cullowhee, NC	ESPN+	W 21–17	Behind closed doors^[1]
October 12	2:30 p.m.	The Citadel		Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium Cullowhee, NC	ESPN+	W 30–16	6,278
October 19	2:00 p.m.	at Furman		Paladin Stadium Greenville, SC	ESPN+	W 52–20	9,897
October 26	3:30 p.m.	at No. 14 Mercer	No. 24	Fiver Star Stadium Macon, GA	ESPN+	L 34–44	7,389
November 2	2:30 p.m.	No. 18 Chattanooga		Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium Cullowhee, NC	ESPN+	W 38–34	11,198
November 9	12:00 p.m.	at East Tennessee State	No. 22	William B. Greene Jr. Stadium Johnson City, TN	ESPN+	L 21–24	12,109
November 16	1:00 p.m.	VMI		Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium Cullowhee, NC	ESPN+	W 58–28	13,022
November 23	3:00 p.m.	at Samford		Pete Hanna Stadium Homewood, AL	ESPN+	W 47–42	4,723
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

^[2]^[3]

Game summaries

at No. 24 (FBS) NC State

Game One – No. 20 Western Carolina Catamounts (0–0) at No. 24 (FBS) NC State Wolfpack (0–0) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 20 Catamounts	14	0	7	0	21
No. 24 (FBS) Wolfpack	7	7	3	21	38

at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC

Date: August 29, 2024
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
TV announcers (ACCN): Wes Durham (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), and Dawn Boyle (sideline reporter)

Game information

First quarter

(5:55) WCU – Jake Young 8-yard pass from Cole Gonzales (Christian Lowery kick) (Drive: 1 play, 8 yards, 0:08; Western Carolina 7-0)
(2:39) NCST – Kelvin Concepcion 17-yard pass from Grayson McCall (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:16; Tied 7-7)
(0:05) WCU – AJ Colombo 12-yard pass from Cole Gonzales (Christian Lowery kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:34; Western Carolina 14-7)

Second quarter

(12:03) NCST – Kelvin Concepcion 5-yard pass from Grayson McCall (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:02; Tied 14-14)

Third quarter

(8:00) NCST – Kanoah Vinesett 46-yard field goal (Drive: 14 plays, 39 yards, 6:52; NC State 17-14)
(4:36) WCU – Branson Adams 17-yard run (Christian Lowery kick) (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:24; Western Carolina 21-17)

Fourth quarter

(14:45) NCST – Kelvin Concepcion 35-yard pass from Grayson McCall (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 0:47; NC State 24-21)
(6:33) NCST – Jordan Waters 7-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 5:31; NC State 31-21)
(1:50) NCST – Jordan Waters 50-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick) (Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:28; NC State 38-21)

Statistics	WCU	NCST
First downs	16	28
Total yards	58–364	73–521
Rushing yards	18–123	33–203
Passing yards	241	318
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	24–40–0	26–40–1
Time of possession	24:30	35:30

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing	Cole Gonzales	22/35, 211 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Cole Gonzales	6 carries, 75 yards
	Receiving	AJ Colombo	9 receptions, 97 yards, TD
NC State	Passing	Grayson McCall	26/40, 318 yards, 3 TD, INT
	Rushing	Jordan Waters	20 carries, 123 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Kevin Concepcion	9 receptions, 121 yards, 3 TD

Campbell

Game Two – Campbell Fighting Camels (0–1) at No. 17 Western Carolina Catamounts (0–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Fighting Camels	0	0	0	0	0
No. 17 Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, NC

Date: September 7, 2024
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	CAM	WCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Campbell	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 22 Elon

Game Three – Western Carolina Catamounts (0–2) vs No. 22 Elon Phoenix (1–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0
No. 22 Phoenix	0	0	0	0	0

at Rhodes Stadium, Elon, NC

Date: Saturday September 14, 2024
Game time: 6:00 PM
TV: FloSports

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WCU	ELON
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Elon	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 9 Montana

Game Four – No. 24 Western Carolina Catamounts (1–2) vs No. 9 Montana Grizzlies (2–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 24 Catamounts	14	13	0	8	35
No. 9 Grizzlies	0	21	14	11	46

at Washington–Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT

Date: Saturday September 21, 2024
Game time: 3:00 PM
Game attendance: 25,720
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WCU	MONT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Montana	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

Wofford

Game Five – Wofford Terriers (2–2) at Western Carolina Catamounts (1–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Terriers	0	0	0	0	0
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, NC

Date: Saturday October 5, 2024
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
Game attendance: 6,278
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WOF	WCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Wofford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

The Citadel

Game Six – The Citadel Bulldogs (2–4) at Western Carolina Catamounts (2–3) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium • Cullowhee, NC

Date: Saturday October 12, 2024
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV announcers (ESPN+): TBD

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	CIT	WCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
The Citadel	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Furman

Game Seven – Western Carolina Catamounts (3–3) vs Furman Paladins (2–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0
Paladins	0	0	0	0	0

at Paladin Stadium, Greenville, SC

Date: Saturday October 19, 2024
Game time: 2:00 PM
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WCU	FUR
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Furman	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at No. 14 Mercer

Game Eight – No. 24 Western Carolina Catamounts (4–3) vs No. 14 Mercer Bears (6–1) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 24 Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0
No. 14 Bears	0	0	0	0	0

at Five Star Stadium, Macon, GA

Date: Saturday October 26, 2024
Game time: 3:30 PM
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WCU	MER
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Mercer	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

No. 18 Chattanooga

Game Nine – No. 18 Chattanooga Mocs (5–3) vs Western Carolina Catamounts (4–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 18 Mocs	0	0	0	0	0
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Date: Saturday November 2, 2024
Game time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	UTC	WCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Chattanooga	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at East Tennessee State

Game Ten – No. 22 Western Carolina Catamounts (5–4) vs East Tennessee State Buccaneers (5–4) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
No. 22 Catmounts	0	0	0	0	0
Buccaneers	0	0	0	0	0

at William B. Greene Jr Stadium, Johnson City, TN

Date: Saturday November 9, 2024
Game time: 12:00 PM
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WCU	ETSU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
East Tennessee State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

VMI

Game Eleven – VMI Keydets (1–9) vs Western Carolina Catamounts (5–5) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Keydets	0	0	0	0	0
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0

at Bob Waters Field at E. J. Whitmire Stadium, Cullowhee, NC

Date: Saturday November 16, 2024
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	VMI	WCU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
VMI	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

at Samford

Game Twelve – Western Carolina Catamounts (6–5) at Samford Bulldogs (4–6) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Catamounts	0	0	0	0	0
Bulldogs	0	0	0	0	0

at Pete Hanna Stadium • Homewood, AL

Date: Saturday November 23, 2024
Game time: 3:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 0 °F (−18 °C)
TV: ESPN+

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter

Statistics	WCU	SAM
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Western Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Samford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

References

^ Morris, Julia. "Wofford football game at Western Carolina to be played without spectators". WYFF-4. WYFF-TV. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
^ "Western Carolina Catamounts 2024 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^ Phillips, Carey (February 7, 2024). "WCU's football slate announced". The Sylva Herald and Ruralite. Retrieved March 28, 2024.

[1] Morris, Julia. "Wofford football game at Western Carolina to be played without spectators". WYFF-4. WYFF-TV. Retrieved October 4, 2024.

[2] "Western Carolina Catamounts 2024 football schedule". FBSchedules. Retrieved March 28, 2024.

[3] Phillips, Carey (February 7, 2024). "WCU's football slate announced". The Sylva Herald and Ruralite. Retrieved March 28, 2024.

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