LEXINGTON, Va. – Powered by Hunter Rice's 138 yards and four rushing touchdowns, the VMI Football team held on to defeat 14^th-ranked Western Carolina at Alumni Memorial Field on Saturday afternoon.

The defense, which came up with a crucial stop to end the game, was led by the senior tandem of Evan Eller (16.0 tackles, INT, forced fumble) and Josh Knapp (10.0 tackles, 1.0 sack, fumble recovered).

The win caps off head coach Danny Rocco's first season in impressive fashion, as the Keydets – who were 1-10, 0-8 SoCon last season – finish 5-6 overall and an even 4-4 in conference play.  

"Both teams gave it everything they had," Rocco said. "Western Carolina had a lot to play for, they were coming in here and a win guaranteed them a playoff spot – I personally believe that team belongs and I hope the SoCon can get four teams in – but our kids came with really strong confidence. Defense took control of the game early…In the second half we started running the football. We started to wear them down. To their credit, they bounced back and took us down to the wire, but we made one last big play."


Key Stats
- The win gives the Keydets a 5-win season for just the 4th time in 20 years
- The victory is also the team's first win over a nationally-ranked opponent since October 2021 (Chattanooga, 37-34 OT)
- Hunter Rice rushes for 138 yards and records the first 4-touchdown game for VMI since 2019, (just the second since 2009)
- Saturday marked the third time this season Rice has scored three touchdowns (Chattanooga, ETSU) and is the 5^th multi-touchdown game of the season for the junior (6^th of career)
- Aidan Twombly posts career-high 133 yards receiving, Ivan Thorpe totals 30 yards
- Eric Rankin has 9.0 tackles, 1.0 TFL and a break up
- Christian Dunn, Austin White finish with 6.0 tackles each
- Collin Ironside gets the start, earns win with 194 yards passing
- Jack Culbreath punts six times for 261 yards (43.5 avg)
 
Words from the Winners
Coach Rocco on the Seniors
"Our Seniors have experienced the highs of the highs and lows of the lows, but to be able to finish up their career at home with a win I think will resonate with them for a long time. When I came here, it was obvious to me that we had enough talent and experience in our senior class in our league."

Evan Eller on going out with a Win
"Words can't explain. The stuff this senior class has been through…it's just a blessing. I can't thank God enough for putting me with this group of guys."

Hunter Rice on the Seniors
"I think the Senior class this year is one of the most important classes football-wise that has come through VMI. I think this last game we had to honor them."

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
- Teams trade possessions to start, as Eric Rankin (break up) and the defense come up big twice on 4^th downs
- Keydets drive late in the first quarter, Rice punches in 7-yard score (7-0, 14:27 in the 2^nd quarter)
- Western Carolina gets on the board with a field goal at the 11-minute mark, adds a rushing touchdown with 2:29 to play in the half (7-10)
- Keydets drive down to the 20, Catamounts intercept Ironside and take three-point lead into the break

Second Half
- Penalty extends VMI drive, Ironside hits Twombly for a 36-yard gain setting up Rice's second touchdown of the game (13-10, 4:58 third quarter)
- Defense gets the ball back, Rice breaks a 63-yarder for his third score of the afternoon (20-10, 4:01 third quarter)

- Evan Eller record first interception of his career (3:34), setting up Rice's 4^th rushing touchdown of the day (27-10 with 14:20 to play)
- Western Carolina scores two touchdowns to cut the deficit to four with 8:59 remaining (27-24)
- Catamounts get the ball back with 1:50 remaining as the defense holds up with a sack (Rankin, Dunn) and a forced fumble (Artis, Knapp) to seal the game