April 13, 2002
Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina football team wrapped its final spring practice under first-year head coach Kent Briggs with the annual Purple-Gold Game Saturday evening at Whitmire Stadium/Waters Field. In a format had the offense playing the defense and each unit was able to score points from the conventional touchdowns to getting credit for a big play. The new scoring system saw the defense defeat the offense by a score of 95-68.
"I though our guys came out and fought hard and had a lot of fun on both sides of the ball," Briggs said. "We had good intensity. I was pleased with the progress we made throughout spring practice."
Prior to the game, the Catamount coaching staff announced its awards for spring practice. Tight end Brian Pesci was named "Most Improved" while quarterback Brian Gaither was the "Most Valuable Perimeter Player" and guard Jason Whaley was tabbed "Most Valuable Offensive Lineman." On defense, Dunstan Kendrick, who made the move from end to linebacker, was named the unit's "Most Improved" with linebacker Rod Dunlap being selected "Most Valuable Defensive Back/Linebacker" and tackle Jeb Hall being selected "Most Valuable Defensive Lineman."
The defense jumped out to an early 11-0 lead on the first play, getting five points for recovering a fumble and six for returning it for a touchdown. Junior defensive end Nick McNeil caused a fumble on the Brian Gaither to Brenden Roy completion. Junior corner back B.J. Jessup scooped up the fumble and returned it 31 yards for the score. The defense continued to put points on the board by getting tackles for losses (one point each) and sacks (two points each).
The offense, who got points for first downs (one point each) and for plays over 20 yards or more (two points each), put its first six points on the board on a one-yard plunge by Johnta Philyaw.
The defense added five more points when Caleb Reel recovered a fumble and an additional 12 points on a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown by Jessup. Jessup, who was named the game's "Most Valuable Defensive Player," finished with a tackle and two defensive touchdowns. Redshirt freshman corner back Andre Brown picked off the first of his two passes to give the defense five points.
After the Brown interception, the offense began to click. Senior quarterback Pat Cilento hit junior Lamont Seward on an 80-yards touchdown strike. Earlier in the scrimmage, Cilento nearly had another big TD pass, but the completion to Chris Lane would only cover 47 yards before a fumble in the open field on the 23 yard line. Gaither also added a passing TD as the first half came to a close, connecting with All-SoCon receiver Michael Banks on a 13-yard post pattern.
On the first drive of the second half, Gaither led an impressive drive, completing five straight passes. A 47-yard completion to Banks set up a one-yard rushing TD by Scooter Dalton.
Gaither was named the "Most Valuable Offensive Player" in the scrimmage, finishing with 24 completions on 39 attempts for 311 yards. He was picked off twice with one TD. Cilento was 12-of-19 for 193 yards with two interceptions and a TD. Three WCU receivers had six catches, including Banks (139 yards), Seward (156 yards) and Lane 89 (yards). Roy finished with seven catches for 47 yards.
The running back corps was minus its starting tailback and two-time All-SoCon pick Fred Boateng, who was nursing a minor knee injury. Philyaw carried most of the load, rushing 12 times for 58 yards and a TD. Dalton, who was also slowed due to an injury early in the week, rushed six times for nine yards. Converted safety Carlos Moore had 10 rushes for 18 yards, while converted linebacker John Bush had nine rushes for 24 yards.
Defensive leaders, other than Jessup, included McNeil (seven tackles and a caused fumble), Teddy Burgis (five tackles, two pass breakups), Adam Bridges (eight tackles, three for losses including a sack), Brown (two interceptions) and Michale Spicer (two tackles for losses including a sack).
Offense: 68Passing Brian Gaither 24-39, 311 yds, 2 INT, 1 TD, Pat Cilento 12-19, 193 yds, 2 INT, 1 TD, Jamaal Mayo 1-6, 7 yds, Josh Lee 1-4, 3 yds, Chris Beal 0-2.
Rushing John Bush 9-24 yds, Johnta Philyaw 12-58 yds, 1 TD, Scooter Dalton 6-9 yds, 1 TD, Carlos Moore 10-18, Jason Stepp 8-14 yds.
Receiving Brenden Roy 7-47 yds, L.J. Williams 1-8 yds, Marques Parks 2-13, Michael Banks 6-139 yds, Lamont Seward 6-156 yds, 1 TD, Craig Younce 3-28 yds, Chris Lane 6-89 yds, Sam McKoy 1-12 yds, Eddie Correa 1-0 yds, Johnta Philyaw 1-7 yds.
Defense: 95 Nick McNeil 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 caused fumble, B.J. Jessup 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT, Teddy Burgis 5 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 pass break up, Jason Woodby 2 tackles, 1 TFL, Rico Reese 4 tackles, 1 sack, Albert Reid 2 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, Adam Bridges 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, Rod Dunlap 3 tackles, 1 pass break up, Brent Silver 3 tackles, Chuck Holland 2 tackles, Justin Fryer 2 tackles, Fred Seiuli 3 tackles, Dunstan Kendrick 2 tackles, Ahmed Green 4 tackles, Michale Spicer 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, Jeb Hall 5 tackles, 1 TFL, Mitch Miller 2 tackles, 1 TFL, Wes Rumbough 5 tackles, Otis Powell 1 tackle, 1 INT, Dwain Johnson 2 tackles, Caleb Reel 2 tackles, 1 TFL, Pat Leach 1 tackle, 1 pass break up, Andre Brown 2 tackles, 2 INT, Luis Herron 1 tackle, 1 TFL, Jacob Hannah 1 tackle, 1 sack, Marcus Jones 1 tackle.
Scrimmage Format
The format for this year's Purple-Gold Game had the Catamount Offense facing the Catamount Defense. The quarterback was not live and was considered "tackled" when he was tagged with two hands or wrapped up. Since the offense always had the ball, the staff developed a way for the defense to score as well. Below is how today's game was scored:
Offense: *6 pts for a TD *3 pts for a FG *2 pts for each play over 20 yds *2 pts for each PAT (run/pass) *1 pt for a each PAT (kick) *1 pt for each 1st down earnedDefense: *12 pts for returning an interception for a TD *5 pts for a recovered fumble *5 pts for a pass interception *3 pts for blocking a field goal *2 pts for forcing a punt *2 pts for stopping the offense on 4th down play *2 pts for a sack *2 pts for stopping a 2-pt conversion *1 pt for a tackle for loss *1 pt for blocking a PAT
