• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1984-09-06_Vol49_No06_04

Western Carolinian/September 6, 1984 Sports NCAA After Loss to Boston Cats Set to Attack Davidson Western Carolina, upbeat and encouraged despite a season opening loss to nationally ranked Boston College last weekend, has returned to friendly surroundings and is preparing for its home opener and first-ever football meeting with Davidson College The Catamounts and Wildcats, fellow members of the Southern Conference since 1977, will meet fo the first time on the gridiron this Saturday evening (7:00 p.m.) in E.J. Whitmire Stadium As part of WCU's home schedule opener celebration, a spectacular fireworks show is scheduled at halltime. Despite turning in what veteran coach Bob Water labeled "our best first game in several season", the Catamounts returned for their trip to New England on the short end of a 44-24 score. "Disappointed and encouraged" were words used frequently in his analysis of the loss to the 19th ranked Eagles and their sensational quarterback Doug Flutie. "I was disappointed with the way they beat us, but encouraged by a lot I saw in the game," said an upbeat Waters. "We were beaten by an outstanding football team that, offensively, was the best we ever played," stated Waters. "There is no doubt about their top 20 ranking and Flutie was devasting. He is the best quarterback wee ever faced and gets my vote for the Heisman Trophy." For the record, Flutie completed 21 of 33 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns. Water was pleased with the play of quarterback Jeff Gilbert, the offensive line, the freshmen tailbacks and special teams. "Jeff, except for a couple plays, made good decisions and threw the ba\ well," noted Waters. "Our offensive line did not allow him to be touched. Our young tailbacks (freshmen David Mayfield and Rex Tonkins) were impressive at times. Our special teams did their jobs well and we did not have the usual first game breakdowns." Gilbert completed 20 of 41 passes for 305 yards which is more passing yards than Clemson, Penn State and Alabama combinded for in losses to BC last season. All-American Eric Rasheed was on the receiving end of eight passes that accounted for more than half (184 yards) of WCU aerial yards. "Defensively, we did not play with intensity." said Waters. "We got frustrated in the second quarter when we couldn't stop Flutie, but did comeback with a much better effort in the second half. We know w have we have a better defense that we showed up there." As for the Catamounts next oppenent. Waters is not sure what to expect from Davidson. "Davidson is an unknown for our coaching staff. We have nothing to go on to prepare for them as they did not play last week and we have not played them in the past," he explained. "From what we've seen on last year's filems, Davidson is a fundamentally sound, well coached football team. They have a fine looking quarterbakc (Jeff Haney) and a big, strong, experienced offensive line and a lot of people coming back on defense," noted Waters. The Wildcats were 2-8 last season as they competed for the Southern Conference championship for the first time since 1975. THE GAME: Western Carolina University's Catamounts (0-1) host Davidson College's Wildcats (0-0) in Western Carolina's home opener and Davidson's season opener. Both schools are members of the Southern Conference. However, the game will count in the Southern Conference standings for Davidson and NOT for Western Carolina as Davidson plays only three SC opponents and must have two non- conference games designated as league games. SITE: E.J. Whitemire Stadium (12.000) in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Artificial playing surface (AstroTurf)- A crowd in excess of 10,000 expected. KICKOFFTIME: 7:00 (EDT) SPECIAL EVENTS: Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Western North Carolina will sponser a spectacular fireworks show during halftime. THE SERIES: First meeting THE CATAMOUNTS LAST WEEK: Western Carolina fell prey to the antics of Heisman Trophy candidate Doug Flutie in a 44-24 loss to 19th ranked Boston College in Chesnut Hill, Massachusetts last Saturday night. Flutie riddled the Catamounts defense with his pinpoint passing as he completed 22 of 31 ae-ials that netted 330 yards and four touchdowns. However, there were some bright spots for the Catamounts. Quarterback Jeff Gilbert recovered from a slow start to complete 20 of 41 passes for 305 yards including eight to All-Southern Conference wide receiver Eric Rasheed for 184 yards and five to Tyron Photo by Mark Haskett Catamount defensive end Clyde Simmons puts the pressure on Boston College All-American quarterback Doug Flutie DeLapp for 75 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line, led by All- Southern Conference center Steve Taylor, did not allow Gilbert to be sacked. Freshmen tailbacks David Mayfield and Rex Tonkins displayed signs of promise. Mayfield scored twice on one-yard runs, ran in a two-point conversion and picked up three first downs on strong runs. Tonkins carried four times for 48 yards. Punter Stever Kornegay averaged 40.8 yards a kick. Defensive tackle Jim Luther, who missed the NCAA playoffs last season and all of spring practice with a thigh injury, posted 11 solo tackles and cornerback Miler Nicholson was credited with nine tackles and a pass interception. Sophomore specialist Pete Walker made his first varsity field goal (36 yards). DAVIDSON IN 1983: The '83 Wildcats competed in the Southern Conference football championship race for the first time since 1975 and posted a 2-8 overall record, 0-5 against SC opponentsd that included Cross Country Team to Challenge Bucs By Billy Graham During the past six years East lennessee State Universitv, has dominated t h e Southern Conlerence men's Cross Country scene Ihe Buccaneers have recorded a number ol shutouts during Conlerence meets, in a sport in which a single shutout is rare. Having been ranked in the top five nationally lor sonic time, the Bucs arc obviously the chief competition that Western's Cross Country team, under Coach Don Kenney, will lace this year. However, the conference is strong nearly throughout, with Appalachian, Marshall, VMI, and Furman fielding exceptional teams as well. 1 oi those unfamiliar with Cross Country scoring methods, the technique is as follows: Each team is scored by adding the placements of their top five finishers. The low score wins in much the same fashion as golf. A perfect score, or a shutout, is a tally of fifteen, or I. 2. 3. 4. and 5 added together. A team's sixth and seventh place finishers arc important as well, for by passing as many opposing runners as possible, they raise the final scores of their opponents. Each race is run on a course five to six and one- fifth miles long(or 10.000 meters). Western's runners train by running seventy-five to eighty miles a week, which, of course is quite time consuming. Even with this effort, last year's runners, which are this year's runners as well, as there were no losses or additions, maintained a 2.91 Western Carolina's top two runners, Robert Baker and Phil Roberts, on a daily run average QPR. "Individual runners are basically self-motivated, goal oriented people." says Coach K c n n e y. "I h e y improve themselves by constantly striving to better their own personal marks." The team will feature twelve Photo by Mark Haskett returners. Robert Baker is expected to be the number one runner this season. He was Western's first ever all Southern Conference runner last year. Phil Roberts is reported to be a close second, with just as much talent as Baker. As the only senior on a ten-man roster, Paul Davrs, the number three runner, will be counted on heavily. The runners themselves admit that below the third slot quite a dogfight will occur. Ralph Hensel. a junior transfer from Florida is competing on the Cross Country circuit for the first time, having previously been an outdoor track competitor. Steve Ritter and Jim Moffet. a junior and a sophomore respectively, are battling for the fifth spot, with Joseph Jennifer, a Ireshman from Washington. D.C. following close behind. "Joseph has been impressive," says Kenney. "He may be battling right up there with Moffet and Ritter." Following Jennifer will be Paul Opit/. a freshman from Florida. Dennis Pope another Ireshman Irom Kannapolis. and a junior. Clai Gardener ol Murphy. "These fellows arc hard workers who are hoping to work themselves into the picture as far as the top seven are concerned. "stated Coach Kenney. Chris Shcpher, who has in thc past been a half miler. has the talent to compete and will, in all likelihood, do so "Shepherd is good enough to run." said the coach, "he just doesn't think he is." We at the Carolinian would like to announce thai we will increase our coverage ol Cross Country events during the upcoming season. Coverage that has been sadly lacking in past years. The Citadel and Furman plus three designated league opponents. KEY PLAYERS: Western Carolina's °f?«™"**^*l™"» quarterback Jeff Gilbert who had passed for l™™***™™0"™ in his 16 games as WCU's starting quarterback. He completed 20 of 41 for 305 yards last Saturday night in Western s season, open.ng loss ,0 Boston College. His favorite target iscatback Enc Rasheed who wasan AP 1-AA All All-America selection last season when he pulled in 89 aerials for7T42 yards, and 12 IDs. He opened line is led bv All- Southern Conference center Steve Taylor, guard C harles Stephenson and tackle Mike Herndon. The Catamounts defense has nine starters backlrom 1983 including four All-Southern C onference picks-tackle Mark Buffamoyer. linebacker Ricky Pate and backs Bernard Jones and Tiger Greene Punter Steve Kornegay has been among the nation stop 12 the past two Seasons witha career average of better than 40 yards per Davidson's offense was hit hard by graduation as all of its leaders have departed Senior Jeff Haney has experience at quarterback with 415 yards passing in three seasons, fullbacks Mike Longmire and Horace Manor 'arc experienced with 505 and 344 career yard respective!} The offensive line will be a stron point as guards Larry Spear (245) and Keith Rowlins (250) arc all veterans. Nine Matters ret urn to the defensive unit including three-year starter Kirk Gavel (245) at tackle, Scott Morrison and Micah Downing at the linebackers, Marcus Allen and Dwayne 1 . Wright at the ends and Dvvayne [). Wright and Tony Smith in the secondary, .lav Poag is the Wildcats experienced punter with a 36.7 career average IN I LRU S- Western Carolina came through the Boston C ollege game without a serious injury, and everyone on the two-ddcp is expected lobe health} for the Davidson game. Davidson reports no pre-season injuries. OFFENSES: Western Carolina operates out of a multiple I offense. The Catamounts generated 419 yards against Boston College, 305 yards through the air on 41 pass plays and 114 yards on the ground on 25 rushing plays. Davidson employs a Wing-T offense and averaged 250 yards of offense per game, 113 per game on the ground and 137 through the air. The Wildcats run to pass ration is almost 2 to 1. DEFENSES: Western Carolina uses a multiple 44 defense and Davidson lines up in a 52. COACHES: Bob Water (Presbyterian '60) is in his 16th season at Western Carolina as head football coach. In addition he has served as the school's athletic director since 1971. His coaching record of 92-75-5 ranks as the best of any football coach in WCU's history. His victories rank 10th among active I-A A coaches and his winning percentage (.586) is 18th best. He played his college football at Presbyterian College in Clinton South Carolina, and quarterbacked the Blue Hose to the 1960 Tangerine Bowl where he was voted the game's MVP. He was drafted the San Francisco49ers in 1960 and played quarterback and defensive back in the NFL for five seasons. He is known as the original "shotgun" quarterback. He came to WCU in 1969 from Stanford University where he had served as receiver coach. He also served as an assistant coach at Presbyterian in 1966 and 1967. Ed Farrell (Rutgers '56) enters his I lth season as head football coach at Davidson College and has served as the school's director of athletics since 1981. He owns a34-62-1 recordat Davidson and a 68-71- 1 overall record as head coach. He came to Davidson in 1974 from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut where he posted a 34-9 record in four seasons and took his team to three straight bowl appearances. He was named college division coach of the year in 1972 when Bridgeport won its second consecutive Knute Rockne Bowl game. COACH BOB WATERS ON THE UPCOMING GAME WITH DAVIDSON: "Davidson is an unknown for our coaching staff. We have nothing to go on to prepare for them as they did not play last week, and we have not played in the past." "From what weVe seen on last year's films, Davidson is a fundamentally sound, well-coached football team." "They have a fine looking quarterback who plays behind a big, strong offensive line and an experienced defense." NEXT WEEK: Western Carolina travels to the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga for a Southern Conference meeting with new head coach Buddy Nix and the Moccasins. Kickoff time will be 1:30. p.m.(EDT). Lambda Chi Alpha I I and ) SmokyMt.Distributors presents The 15th A nnual Lambda Chi Alpha Raft Race Sat Sept 8 f^ 1984 \ ttion 9:00 $5.00 Race 11:00 No A Icoholic Beverages in River. Party immediately following. at Lambda CM house. \ I.D. required. A*

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University’s student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1984-09-06
  • Date digitized: 2019-02-19
• Extent
  • Dimension: 22.75" x 15"
  • Pages: 10 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1984-09-06_Vol49_No06
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library