LEXINGTON, Va. – The VMI Keydet Football Team will travel to Cullowhee, North Carolina for its last road trip of the year, facing off with the Western Carolina Catamounts at 1:00 p.m.
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VMI Keydets (1-9, 1-5 SoCon)
Roster / Schedule / Last Week – L, 0-34 vs. #10 Mercer / Stats / Notes
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Western Carolina Catamounts (5-5, 4-2 SoCon)
Roster / Schedule / Last Week – L, 21-24 at ETSU / Stats / Notes
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LAST TIME OUT
The Keydets faced a tough task last week, falling to the 10th-ranked Mercer Bears 34-0. After the win, Mercer moved up to No. 7 in the Stats Perform FCS Poll and No. 9 in the AFCA Coaches Poll. The Bears would outgain VMI 518-111 and hold Hunter Rice to just 52 yards on the ground. Rice enters Saturday just five yards on the ground shy of 2,000 for his career.
SCOUTING THE CATAMOUNTS
Western Carolina has spent time in the top 25 this season, and currently are receiving votes in the Stats Perform FCS Poll. The offense is what makes Western Carolina go, despite losing SoCon Preseason Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Cole Gonzales, the Catamounts continued to get strong quarterback play as Taron Dickens has racked up a completion percentage of 68.54 with seven passing touchdowns and two rushing scores. Gonzales still paces the country in total offense (344.4 ypg), and is second in passing yards per game (317.9). Five Catamount receivers have hauled in at least two touchdowns led by De'Andre Tamarez's five scores. Defensively, Hayward McQueen Jr. leads the defense with 54.0 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
SERIES HISTORY
While the Catamounts have owned the series (25-5), VMI has gone 2-2 in the last four contests, including a 27-24 win over a No. 14 Western Carolina squad to end the 2023 season. Hunter Rice carried the Keydets to the win with 138 yards and four rushing touchdowns. VMI has won just once in Cullowhee, topping the Catamounts 30-7 in the Spring Covid season.
