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SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford College defeated Western Carolina 42-14 on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers took advantage of three first half Catamount turnovers, including two inside the Wofford 10-yard line, to take a 28-7 lead at the half.
The Terriers are 5-1 on the season (3-0 SoCon) and Western Carolina is 2-6 (0-4 SoCon). Wofford was led by Mike Rucker with 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Ben Widmyer was 7-of-7 passing for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Andy Strickland had two touchdowns, one receiving and one rushing. Western Carolina was led by quarterback Zack Jaynes with 126 passing yards and 44 rushing yards.
“They had a great football team and a great first drive,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “We just did not do what we were supposed to do. Their quarterback was able to get out of the pocket and they were winning the battle on the line of scrimmage early and creating problems for us. The true test of a team is when you get challenged, what do you do? I think we came back and fought hard and played better defense in the second half. Offensively we did some good things.
“We are still not where we need to be. We had poor clock management at the end of the first half, and that is on me. Each week, the bar is being raised. Each week you have to play better. We can’t make foolish mistakes and we can’t hurt ourselves with penalties. We are trying to play a lot of guys. Overall I saw a great effort from our kids. I think we are doing some good things and if we can keep hanging together, working hard and getting better each week, I think we have a chance.”
The Catamounts had the ball to open the game and drove 86 yards in 16 plays to take an early 7-0 lead when Zack Jaynes found Marquel Pittman in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown. Wofford was forced three-and-out on their first drive of the game, however the punt return was fumbled by the Catamounts and recovered by Mike Niam. The Terriers took advantage of the turnover and three plays later Mike Rucker scored on a two-yard run to tie the game at 7-7 at 5:40 in the first quarter.
With the ball back, the Catamounts again put together an impressive drive. But once again, a turnover ended the drive when a completed pass was fumbled at the three-yard line. The fumble was forced by Tommy Irvin and recovered by Mychael Johnson. Wofford did not waste time turning the fumble into points as Andy Strickland went 74 yards down the far sideline for a touchdown. The Terriers had a 14-7 lead at 13:21 in the second quarter.
After picking up a first down, the Catamounts were forced to punt and it was downed at the two-yard line. Wofford picked up 37-yards on a completion from Ben Widmyer to Jeremy Marshall. The 98-yard drive ended with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Andy Strickland for a 21-7 lead with 7:04 left in the second quarter.
Western Carolina then was able to put together a drive inside the Wofford 20-yard line, but Zack Jaynes pass was tipped at the line by Matt Norcia and intercepted by Alex Goltry. Goltry returned the ball 86-yards to the three-yard line. On the next play, Dane Romero took it in for a touchdown and a 28-7 lead with 1:48 left in the half.
Wofford forced a three-and-out on Western Carolina’s next possession and were able to go into the half with a 28-7 lead. At the half, Western was out-gaining Wofford 271 to 247 in total yards and had a 21:00 to 9:00 time of possession advantage. Three Catamount turnovers in the half helped Wofford gain the lead.
To start the second half, Wofford needed only three plays to score when Mike Rucker made a couple moves at the line and went 74-yards for a touchdown and a 35-7 lead just 1:12 into the third quarter.
The Terrier defense forced a three-and-out on the first Western Carolina series of second half. Back on offense, Wofford went 79 yards in ten plays with the drive capped by a 23-yard touchdown pass from Ben Widmyer to Jeremy Marshall for a 42-7 lead at 7:31 in the third quarter.
Both teams then struggled getting the offense going and traded punts twice. Western Carolina then was able to pick up three first downs before punting again. With the ball back, Wofford turned it over when Mitch Allen threw the Terriers’ first interception of the season. The Catamounts picked up a key fourth-and-six during a nine-play drive in which Andy Horn found Andrew Rogers for a three yard touchdown pass.
The Terriers got the ball back with 4:43 left on the clock and were able to pick up two first downs to secure the 42-14 victory.
Wofford had a 506 to 381 advantage in total yards, but Western Carolina had a 35:49 to 24:11 time of possession edge. The Terriers were 3-of-7 on third down and Western Carolina was 7-of-16. The Wofford defense had five sacks, while the Terriers offensive line did not allow a sack.
The Terriers will begin a tough road stretch next weekend when Wofford travels to Elon for a 3:00 game on SportSouth. Elon is currently ranked eighth in the FCS Coaches Poll and defeated Chattanooga 42-7 on Saturday. Wofford will play at Applachian State on October 31, which will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Wofford vs. Western Carolina
Post-Game Notes
Andy Strickland had his second rushing touchdown of the season. He added a receiving touchdown for his second two-touchdown game this season.
Wofford had a total of 13 players carry the ball at least once in the game. Dane Romero led the team with eleven carries.
Alex Goltry had the first interception of his career in the second quarter and returned it 86 yards.
Mike Rucker had his first career two-touchdown game and the first 100+ rushing game of his career.
The Terriers had 506 total yards of offense. It marks the fourth time in six games on the year the Terriers have gone over 500 yards.
The Wofford offensive line did not allow a sack for the fifth time in six games this season.
The win was the 50th for Wofford at Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers are 50-19 all-time at Gibbs.
Attendance was at 7,063 at Gibbs Stadium.
