Feb. 1, 2001
Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina will play six home football games, including its home opener on August 30, and travel to the University of Louisville (Sept. 8) during the 2001 season, it was announced today.
The schedule features three consecutive games versus teams that finished the 2000 season ranked among the nation's top 25. The Catamounts will host Furman (Sept. 29), which will coincide with Mountain Heritage Day, play at defending national champion Georgia Southern (Oct. 6) and return home to face Wofford (Oct. 13).
Other key dates for Western Carolina include Virginia Military Institute on Oct. 27, which will be the centerpiece of WCU's Homecoming weekend, and the regular-season finale at Appalachian State on Nov. 10 in the annual battle for the Old Mountain Jug. The Mountaineers, which reached the national semifinals this past fall, join Furman, Georgia Southern and Wofford as SoCon teams to be ranked among the nation's top 25 at season's end.
The Catamounts will start the 2001 season with a Thursday night contest at home versus Mars Hill. The early start is to accommodate WCU supporters prior to the Labor Day Holiday. Western Carolina will then face its second non-conference opponent on Sept. 8 when it travels to Louisville. The Cardinals, led by returning All-American safety Anthony Floyd, are coming off a 9-3 season, winning seven of their final eight regular-season games to earn a berth in the 2000 Liberty Bowl. The Cats will step out of conference for a third time when they host Liberty on Nov. 3.
"The Thursday opener (versus Mars Hill) is great for our fans and students," said head coach Bill Bleil. "I also like the overall layout of the schedule. I especially like playing our big rival, Appalachian State, in our final regular-season game again.
"As it was last year, the Southern Conference will be the best in the country top-to-bottom. I am excited about the upcoming season."
Western Carolina will return 10 starters on offense in 2001, which will be the school's 68th season of football. On defense, the Catamounts will be led by senior defensive tackle Jeff Chambers and junior linebacker Seth Hansen.
Western Carolina 2001 Football Schedule
(dates are subject to change, times are to be announced)
Date Opponent Site Aug. 30 (Thurs.) Mars Hill E.J. Whitmire Stadium Sept. 8 at Louisville Louisville, Ky. Sept. 15 The Citadel * E.J. Whitmire Stadium Sept. 22 at East Tennessee State * Johnson City, Tenn. Sept. 29 Furman * (Mountain Heritage Day) E.J. Whitmire Stadium Oct. 6 at Georgia Southern * Statesboro, Ga. Oct. 13 Wofford * E.J. Whitmire Stadium Oct. 20 at Chattanooga * Chattanooga, Tenn. Oct. 27 VMI * (Homecoming) E.J. Whitmire Stadium Nov. 3 Liberty E.J. Whitmire Stadium Nov. 10 at Appalachian State * Boone, N.C.Bold - Home Games * - Southern Conference Games
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