 |
 Western Carolina sophomore corner back Carlton Bailey has been named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week. |
 |
Oct. 24, 2005
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina sophomore corner back Carlton Bailey has been named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced today. He joins Appalachian State quarterback Richie Williams (Offense) and Georgia Southern defensive end Larry Beard (Freshman) as the conference's weekly honorees.
Bailey (Jonesboro, Ga./Jonesboro HS) tallied a career- and game-high 10 tackles, leading the Catamounts to a 38-20 victory at Chattanooga. Of his 10 tackles, eight were solo stops. Bailey, who added a pass breakup as well, gave WCU a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter with a 28-yard interception return for a touchdown, a lead Western would not relinquish. The interception was the first of Bailey's career.
This marks the first time a Catamount has been named SoCon Defensive Player of the Week this season and the first time Bailey has been honored by the league in his short career. However, fellow Jonesboro, Ga., native and WCU tailback Darius Fudge was tabbed SoCon Offensive Player of the Week when he rushed for 133 yards in Western's 41-21 victory over second-ranked Furman earlier this season.
In addition to Bailey's outstanding play on defense, Western got solid play from two other potential SoCon Player of the Week honorees. Catamount senior running back Lamont Reid rushed for a career-high 108 yards, scoring once on the ground, and hauled in a 63-yard touchdown reception. Also, WCU placekicker Jonathan Parsons was in the running for SoCon Freshman of the Week. In his first game as the placekicker, Parsons gave the Cats' an early 3-0 lead with a 38-yard field goal and the Summerville, S.C., native made all five of his extra points.
Western Carolina will return to action this Saturday (Oct. 29), hosting Elon for Homecoming week in Cullowhee. Kickoff is set for 2:00 pm. Even though Western has won three straight versus the Phoenix -- as well as six of the last eight and nine of the last 11 -- Elon still owns a 17-15-2 advantage overall in the series. However, the Catamounts enjoy a 12-6-1 edge versus Elon in games played in Cullowhee and are 2-0 against Elon since it joined the Southern Conference for the 2003 season.
Since Western moved into Whitmire Stadium for the 1974 season, the Cats are 15-15-1 all-time in Homecoming games. Western had won four-straight Homecoming games from 1998-2002, before dropping a 38-6 decision to Wofford in 2003 and a 27-24 setback to Chattanooga last season.
According to available records, which dates as far back as 1949 season, Western Carolina was 11-6-2 in Homecoming games on record from 1949-73 in Memorial Stadium.
Western has faced Elon for Homecoming on five previous occasions. Much like its Homecoming record in Whitmire Stadium, Western is 2-2-1 versus Elon in the Cats' Homecoming games. The schools played to a 20-20 tie in 1954, with Elon winning 26-6 and 15-6 in 1956 and `58, respectively, and Western winning 41-6 and 17-7 in 1060 and `70, respectively.
If you can not be in Cullowhee, the game will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network, which includes radio affiliates in Asheville (WZNN, 1350 AM), Cullowhee (WWCU, 90.5 FM), Franklin (WFSC, 1050 AM), Hendersonville (WTZQ, 1600 AM) and Sylva (WRGC, 680 AM). If you are out of those media markets, fans can follow the game on the internet at www.wwcufm.com (free), www.supertalk1350.com (free) or www.catamountsports.com (subscription). The pre-game radio show starts 45 minutes prior to kickoff.
