Jarmarcus Douglas (28) brings down George Richardson (85), who was among several Catamounts to play for both sides in the Spring Game.

Annual game culminates spring drills as the 15th practice for Western Carolina

April 25, 2009

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Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina culminated its 2009 spring drills with the annual Spring Game on a hot Saturday afternoon on the turf at E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field. The Purple Squad, comprised of the first teamers, blanked the Gold Squad, 30-0, in front of nearly 500 fans.

Several players had the opportunity to play for both squads as the roster was shortened here at the end of spring practice. A total of 10 players, including three starting defensive linemen and three wide receivers, did not dress for the spring game for various reasons.

"I thought we did some good things, but we were a little inconsistent at times," said second-year head coach, Dennis Wagner. "There was a lack of offensive efficiency at times. Overall, it was a good end to spring practice despite the numbers being small. But hopefully by the time we bring in the new players and walk-ons this fall, we'll have some more depth."

WCU's wide receiving corps was taxed the most on the warm April afternoon as three wideouts - Marquel Pittman, Andrerius Thomas and newcomer George Richardson - played "ironman" football in a sense as they worked for both of the offensive units.

Pittman flourished as the go-to receiver for all three quarterbacks, hauling in 12 catches for 182 yards and a score on the afternoon. Richardson caught three passes for 17 yards, adding three rushes for 89 yards and a score. Thomas caught one pass to round-out the wide receivers.

Quarterback Zack Jaynes completed 17-of-23 passes for a game-high 227 yards and a touchdown in guiding the purple squad. Second team quarterbacks Jonathan Efird and Colby McCoy combined to finish 11-for-22 for 97 yards for the gold unit.

Blake Bostic lit the scoreboard first as a 10-play drive for the purple squad stalled despite a 44-yard Warley gallop. The Bostic, N.C., native connected from 23-yards out for the early, 3-0, lead.

The lone turnover of the contest came as purple linebacker Adrian McLeod stripped Dion Wilson with defensive back Jarmarcus Douglas falling on the bouncing football deep in the gold team's territory. Two plays later, Warley rushed right before cutting back to his left for a 17-yard scoring romp and a 10-0 purple advantage.

Jaynes hooked up with Pittman just before the halftime break on a 16-yard scoring strike as the purple squad drove from its own five yard line for the score and 17-0 lead. After a Blake Cain 40-yad punt backed the purple squad to its own five, Jaynes guided the offense 95-yard drive on five snaps as two big plays shortened the field. Richardson scampered 40-yards on an end-around on a first down play from their own 17 yard line, with Jaynes finding converted tight end Chris Everett for his first reception of 32 yards on a go route up the middle.

In the second half, Jaynes found pay-dirt on a 14-yard scramble for the 23-0 advantage, with Richardson rushing 33 yards on his third end-around play to cap an 89-yard scoring drive late in the fourth to provide the final tally.

Highlighting the defense were Brett Allen and Ricky Schwarz, each recording seven tackles apiece with Allen adding a sack and tackle for loss. Abram Scott tallied six stops, with McLeod posting four tackles and a pass breakup in addition to his forced fumble.

All told, the two defensive units combined for 10 tackles for loss in stopping runners behind the line of scrimmage and one sack.

Western Carolina will now turn its attention to summer workouts with weight room and conditioning work to precede fall camp which opens the first part of August. The Catamounts will open the 2009 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 in Nashville, Tenn., against the Vanderbilt Commodores.

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