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 Junior tailback Nicholas Wishart, who was injured late in the Catamounts' 31-26 victory over Elon, will miss the remainder of the season, suffering a fractured tibial plateau. |
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Nov. 1, 2005
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina junior tailback Nicholas Wishart, who was injured late in the Catamounts' 31-26 victory over Elon, will miss the remainder of the season, suffering a fractured tibial plateau. The Toronto, Ontario native had successful surgery today (Nov. 1) and his prognosis for next season will be determined at a later date.
Wishart was Western's leading rusher during his freshman and sophomore seasons (2003 and `04) and has 1,267 yards on 304 career rushes, an impressive average of 4.2 yards per attempt. He additionally has 41 career receptions for 295 yards, including a career-long, 33-yarder versus Elon to set up a WCU touchdown. In addition to scoring 11 TDs over his career, he accounted for an additional score this season, blocking a Chattanooga punt which was recovered by Marcus Nelums in the endzone for a score.
Western Carolina will return to action this Saturday (Nov. 5), hosting Wofford in a key Southern Conference battle. Both teams own identical 3-2 league records and stand one back in the loss column behind seventh-ranked Appalachian State (4-1) and top-ranked Furman (3-1). Kickoff for the game is set for 2:00 pm at Whitmire Stadium/Waters Field.
The Catamount Sports Network will carry the football game on Saturday, 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 pregame radio show starts 45 minutes prior to kickoff.
Before the game, the Department of Athletics will honor numerous Catamounts. At 10:00 am on the Ramsey Center concourse, Western will induct four members into its Hall of Fame, including Louis Cooper (football), Phillip Grundy (baseball), Susan Persons (gymnastics coach) and Devondia "Von" Ross (track). Also during the ceremony, Western will give Nathan Arthur its prestigious Patron Award and honor basketball great Mel Gibson, who will have his jersey retired.
After those ceremonies and prior to kickoff, Western will honor its 18 seniors, including #2 Francis Brown, #8 Andre Hemphill, #12 Josh Lee, #15 Jomo Fagan, #20 Lamont Reid, #21 Primus Glover, #33 John Bush, #38 Andre Brown, #40 James Conklin, #44 Lamar Barnes, #50 Luis Herron, #59 Buck Freeman, #62 Kevin McAlmont, #65 Linden Ryan, #77 Wendell Singletary, #78 Joe Patton, #81 Jacob Hannah and #99 Rico Reese.
Most of this group came in with then first-year head coach Kent Briggs for the 2002 season. They have accomplished a lot of their four years. Individually, center Linden Ryan has started all 41 games since the 2002 season, with Rico Reese and Andre Brown being the only other two Catamounts to play in each of the last 41 games. As a team, they upset Appalachian State to win the Old Mountain Jug for the first time since 1998 and, earlier this season, snapped a seven-game losing streak to Furman, who is now the nation's top-ranked team.
During the 2002 and `03 season, the Catamount offense led the Southern Conference in passing and allowed the fewest sacks per pass attempt in the league over the time. Over the past two years, the defense took center stage, leading the SoCon in rush defense for the first time since 1976 in 2003 and set a school record by ranking 12th nationally in total offense allowed in 2005.
