Western Carolina University’s Catamount football team is scheduled to conclude its regular season on Saturday against the VMI Keydets in Lexington, Virginia. The game will kick off at noon at Foster Stadium and will be part of the “Ingles Southern Conference Game of the Week.” This matchup is crucial as the Catamounts aim to secure their seventh win of the season and a potential second consecutive second-place finish in the Southern Conference.
Game Details
The Catamounts have made significant strides this season, striving for a sixth win in the conference. Fans can catch the game on regional broadcast through Nexstar stations WYCW and The CW, as well as on ESPN+.
Broadcast Information
- Kickoff: Saturday, noon
- Live audio starts at 11 a.m. on Catamount Sports Network
- Coverage includes major radio affiliates across several frequencies
Season Highlights and Statistics
Western Carolina is having one of its most successful seasons to date. They have already achieved a program-best six wins in the conference, a record previously unbroken before this season. With a chance to finish with a seventh victory, the Catamounts look to surpass their record from last year, which marked the sixteenth time in school history of achieving seven or more wins in a season.
Team Performance
The Catamounts have established themselves offensively, boasting the third-best total offense in the nation, with an average of 491.0 yards per game. Their passing game is particularly strong, averaging 356.5 yards per game, leading the NCAA FCS. They have recorded a total of 5,401 offensive yards this season, with the team achieving notable success in passing touchdowns.
Player Highlights
- Quarterback Dickens has thrown for 3,178 yards this season, breaking the school record.
- With 35 passing touchdowns, he leads the NCAA and is just one shy of the Southern Conference record.
- Receiver James Tyre currently ranks fourth in the NCAA with 11 receiving touchdowns.
VMI Keydets: An Overview
The VMI Keydets enter this match with a challenging record of 1-10 and are searching for their second consecutive win over Western Carolina. Despite a rough season that includes nine consecutive losses, VMI has shown competitiveness in several close games.
VMI Season Statistics
- Quarterback Collin Shannon: 1,984 passing yards and 13 touchdowns.
- Top receiver Owen Sweeney: 44 catches for 723 yards and eight touchdowns.
- Defensively, Stephen Dean III leads the SoCon with over 100 tackles this season.
Historical Context
This will mark the 31st meeting between Western Carolina and VMI, with the Catamounts holding a significant advantage in the series with a 26-5 record. However, VMI has triumphed in two of their last five encounters, including a critical victory in 2023 that disrupted Western Carolina’s playoff ambitions.
As the Catamounts gear up for their season finale, there is a palpable sense of excitement and determination to finish strong. Fans are encouraged to tune in for what promises to be an engaging and historic matchup.
