Transfer placekicker Christian Lowery factored in all four of Western Carolina’s scores in Saturday afternoon’s home-opening whiteout against Campbell, splitting the uprights on three field goals from 31, 47, and 25 yards out. However, the Catamounts were unable to overcome five turnovers or capitalize on multiple opportunities in suffering a 24-26 setback as WCU opened its celebration of 50 years at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.
Lowery scored a combined 10 points in the loss, tacking on a PAT on WCU’s lone touchdown in which he was indirectly involved. Campbell blocked his 36-yard field goal attempt on the first play of the second quarter with the loose football bouncing seemingly aimlessly towards the goal line.
However, Fighting Camel special teams attempted to recover and advance the batted ball. On the subsequent tackle, WCU jarred the football loose and freshman defensive lineman Edwin Moore Jr. playing on the specialty unit pounced on the orb in the end zone resulting in a touchdown and a 10-0 lead for the home squad.
Campbell (1-1) then scored 24 unanswered points including 17 in a strong second-quarter effort to take a two-score advantage that the Catamounts were unable to overcome, handing WCU its third-straight defeat dating back to last season and halting a two-game win streak in home-openers under Kerwin Bell.
The Fighting Camels held the Catamounts without an offensive touchdown while also limiting WCU to the third-fewest total offensive yards (287) against like competition in four seasons under Bell. Campbell, which reinstated its football program in 2008, also scored its first victory over a nationally-ranked NCAA FCS team with the victory.
Catamount quarterback Cole Conzales finished 18-of-35 for 172 yards but was intercepted four times, the most in a single game in his two years as a starter. AJ Colombo caught four passes for 59 yards to lead WCU as nine different players recorded receptions. Tight end Jake Young added 41 yards on three receptions with Santana Fleming hauling in a pair of catches.
Redshirt sophomore tailback Corey Reddick Jr. provided an offensive lift off the bench in the run game, posting positive yards on each of his seven carries for a team-best 52 yards. Branson Adams ran for 36 yards while adding three catches for 16 out of the backfield.
Campbel QB Chad Mascoe Jr. passed for 306 yards and two touchdowns to VJ Wilkins who totaled 68 yards on five catches. Sincere Brown had four receptions for a game-high 108 yards. Mascoe added a rushing score while Mark Biggins ran for 81 yards on 23 carries.
Western Carolina bookended Saturday’s game with scores, taking a 10-0 lead through a quarter and one play. Then trailing 24-10, WCU tacked on a pair of field goals to cap the scoring.
Down two scores, WCU turned to Reddick who rushed on six-straight plays to move the Catamounts to the cusp of the redzone. However, an arrant snap and six-yard loss taken by Gonzales pushed WCU to the brink of field goal range, but Lowery nailed his WCU-long 47-yard field goal to lose the deficit to 11.
WCU’s defense kept the Catamounts within striking distance, forcing a punt and a pair of missed field goals from 36 and 30 yards out. But the Catamounts were unable to capitalize with a three-and-out for the offense and an interception stymieing progress.
Midway through the final frame, Gonzales orchestrated WCU’s third, three-play scoring drive as the Catamounts drove to the Campbell eight-yard line but had to settle for a 25-yard Lowery field goal that made it a one-possession game, 24-16.
On the ensuing possession, the Catamount defense recorded a three-and-out with 2:15 to play and a chance to drive for the equalizing score. However, Campbell linebacker Jojo Pace intercepted Gonzales for the fourth pick of the game that appeared to be the final dagger. WCU’s defense again stiffened and managed the clock to give the ball back to the offense with 37 ticks remaining. Gonzales moved the squad off its own 31-yard line to the Campbell 27 before a final effort on a deep throw endzone did not connect as Campbell held on for the win.
Before exiting the game late with an injury, safety Samaurie Dukes led two Catamounts with double-digit tackles, finishing with a career-high 12 total hits including 10 solo stops. Mateo Sudipo was credited with a career-best 10 tackles including one of WCU’s seven tackles for loss. Antarron Turner and Jordy Lowery had a career days as Lowery finished with a career-best eight tackles including both of WCU’s sacks and Lowery recorded his first career interception to accompany a pair of tackles. CJ Williams also created a turnover with an interception.
Western Carolina returns to action next Saturday, Sep. 14, in the front end of a two-game road swing ahead of Southern Conference play. The Catamounts visit former league foe Elon on Saturday, Sept. 14, with a 6 p.m. kickoff at Rhodes Stadium. Saturday’s game will be broadcast on FloSports (paid subscription required) with live-streaming audio from the Catamount Sports Network beginning at 5 p.m.
WCU head football coach Kerwin Bell is the featured guest on Monday’s “Catamount Football Weekly,” presented by Stanberry Insurance and airing live on location at Rodgers Bros & Speedy’s Pizza and available through WCU’s Athletics Facebook page beginning at 6 p.m.
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