Catamounts opened Southern Conference (SOCON) play Saturday, Sept. 20, against the Samford Bulldogs on Family weekend in Cullowhee.
The Catamounts had a record-setting win, beating the Bulldogs 50 to 35. It was the season debut for Quarterback Taron “Tyger” Dickens, and he did not disappoint.
Dickens is tied with Carlos Davis and Troy Mitchell for most passing touchdowns in a game in WCU history with 6. He also set the record for most receivers to catch a pass at E.J. Whitmire Stadium with 10. He has the most passing yards in a game in FCS this season with 582. Dickens accounted for 624 total yards of offense, easily setting the E.J. Whitmire Stadium record for total offense. Last but not least, Dickens is now tied for second in SOCON history with passing yards in a game and second in WCU history for passing yards in a game. That record was set last year by WCU Quarterback Cole Gonzales with 620 passing yards.
Dickens was named both the SOCON Offensive player of the week and FCS Offensive Player of the Week by The College Football Network.
The Bulldogs were first on the scoreboard with a field goal. The Cats came back with a passing touchdown to Camuy Reid. The Catamount defense stopped the Bulldogs in the red zone and forced a second field goal. Dickens passed for his second touchdown of the night to James Tyre, giving the Cats a bigger lead at the end of the first quarter, 14-6. Samford strikes back with two straight touchdowns to former Catamount Calvin Jones. Samford retakes the lead 20-14. Near the end of the half, Dickens throws for his third passing touchdown of the game to Josiah Thomas, retaking the lead 21-20.
To start the second half, both teams score a touchdown to make the score 28-26 with the Cats on top. Then Camury Reid scores three straight touchdowns for the Catamounts, two receiving and one on the ground, to bring the score up to 50-26 Catamounts. Samford scored 9 points to close out the game. The Cats got their first win of the season, winning 50-35.
Dickens threw the ball 46 times and completed 35 of them giving him a 76% completion percentage. Camury Reid has the sole rushing touchdown.
