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 First-year head coach Dennis Wagner talking with several of his returning players at his formal introduction. |
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Jan. 10, 2008
2008 Catamount Football Schedule
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina and first-year head coach Dennis Wagner today officially announced the Catamount Football schedule for 2008. The 12-game schedule features six home dates, including hosting new Southern Conference member Samford for Homecoming and culminating with the annual "Battle for the Old Mountain Jug" against arch-rival Appalachian State to end the regular season at home.
"We have compiled a very competitive schedule for next season," said Wagner, who was named head coach at WCU on New Year's Eve. "This schedule will offer us an opportunity to gain national exposure against a storied program in Florida State. Our non-conference slate will also offer the opportunity to prepare for a very competitive Southern Conference schedule. We look forward to the challenge to prove that Western Carolina football is something to be reckoned with."
After playing its first three games on the road a year ago, Western's 2008 schedule opens at home and does not include more than two-consecutive road contests back-to-back. The Catamounts are set to open the Wagner Era prior to the Labor Day holiday on Thursday, August 28 as it hosts NAIA-member, Shorter College which is coming off a 7-4 season in its second year of football competition.
The Thursday game will allow WCU a few extra days to prepare to face the winningest head coach in NCAA history as the Catamounts travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to face the Bobby Bowden-led Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Doak Campbell Stadium.
Following a home date against the Liberty Flames on Sept. 13, Western hits the road for consecutive road contests in the Palmetto State. The Catamounts visit Presbyterian out of the Big South on Sept. 20 before opening SoCon play at The Citadel one week later at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
The month of October opens with the annual Homecoming game as Western Carolina welcomes the conference's newest member, Samford, to Whitmire Stadium/Waters Field. The Bulldogs officially join the SoCon next season and will contend for the conference title. The first-ever conference match-up between WCU and Samford is set for Oct. 4 in Cullowhee.
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The Catamounts have two scheduled games in November with an open date sandwiched in between. Western visits Elon on Nov. 8 before hosting arch-rival Appalachian State in the annual "Battle for the Old Mountain Jug" in Cullowhee on Nov. 22. It will be the 33rd time the Old Mountain Jug will be up for grabs in the gridiron grudge match Sports Illustrated once deemed "the best football rivalry you've never heard of."
Season ticket information for 2008 is expected to be announced by the beginning of February, with season ticket renewal information released at the same time.
Western Carolina 2008 Catamount Football Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 28 - vs. Shorter College in Cullowhee
Saturday, Sept. 6 - at Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla.
Saturday, Sept. 13 - vs. Liberty in Cullowhee
Saturday, Sept. 20 - at Presbyterian in Clinton, S.C.
Saturday, Sept. 27 - at The Citadel * in Charleston, S.C.
Saturday, Oct. 4 - vs. Samford * in Cullowhee - Homecoming
Saturday, Oct. 11 - at Furman * in Greenville, S.C.
Saturday, Oct. 18 - at Wofford * in Spartanburg, S.C.
Saturday, Oct. 25 - vs. Georgia Southern * in Cullowhee
Saturday, Nov. 1 - vs. Chattanooga * in Cullowhee
Saturday, Nov. 8 - at Elon * in Elon, N.C.
Saturday, Nov. 15 - OPEN
Saturday, Nov. 22 - vs. Appalachian State * in Cullowhee
* - denotes Southern Conference game
BOLD - denotes home games at E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field
Subject to change
