By DANIEL HOOKER | Assistant AD for Media Relations
Sophomore running back Desmond Reid set a school record with a career-best five first-half rushing touchdowns as #21/17 Western Carolina downed The Citadel 49-14 in Southern Conference action on a sun-splashed Saturday afternoon at Johnson Haygood Stadium.
Reid posted rushing scores of 11, 1, 9, 1, and 13 yards to cap WCU’s five first-half drives as the Catamounts saw one player account for five scores in the opening two quarters for the second consecutive week. Last Saturday against Charleston Southern, Cole Gonzales tossed five TD passes in the home victory. Reid eclipsed the school benchmark for rushing scores in a half while also tying the SoCon’s record for two quarters.
Reid ran for his first score of the game on WCU’s opening drive, rushing for 61 yards in the series including an 11-yard scamper into the end zone. The Bulldogs responded with a 75-yard drive with RB Johnny Crawford III scoring as the Bulldogs pulled even midway through the first half.
Reid capped a second scoring drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge to give WCU a 14-7 lead with 2:37 remaining in the opening quarter as the Catamounts recorded four consecutive scores – each by Reid – to carry the 35-7 lead into the halftime locker room.
WCU outscored the Bulldogs 14-7 in the second stanza with a pair of scores through the air to AJ Colombo and De’Andre Tamarez providing the final tally.
Reid finished with 167 yards on 18 first-half carries with Branson Adams carrying 12 times for 61 yards after intermission. Freshman Markel Townsend had four rushes for 14 yards in the winning effort. Reid accounted for 195 all-purpose yards, adding 28 receiving yards.
Gonzales finished an efficient 22-of-28 passing for 237 yards and a touchdown pass to Colombo who was in the right spot at the right time for the scoring reception on a deflection. Backup QB Brody Palhegyi was 7-of-10 for 71 yards and the TD toss to Tamarez. The two QBs added rushing totals of 10 and nine yards respectively.
Sophomore WR Censere Lee led 12 different receivers with receptions, catching six passes for a game-high 81 yards, with Calvin Jones making five receptions for 65 yards. Colombo caught five passes for 40 yards and the score.
After surrendering 75 yards on the opening possession, the Catamounts held the Bulldogs to just 24 yards for the remainder of the half as The Citadel hit the locker room with 99 yards of total offense. The Bulldogs finished with 226 yards of total offense including 123 on the ground and 103 through the air. Cornerbacks Rod Gattison and Darian Anderson Jr. were credited with a team-high four tackles apiece with Jaquairus Guinn posting three stops including a six-yard sack. Curtis Fann Jr., forced two fumbles, recovering one for a Catamount takeaway
Boasting the nation’s top offensive unit, the Catamounts amassed 569 yards on Saturday — 308 passing and 261 rushing — giving WCU four-consecuive games with 500-or-more total yards of total offense.
The Citadel had two touchdowns first half taken off the board on Saturday by penalties – one on an 89-yard kickoff return for a score negated by an illegal block with a TD pass erased by a holding call.
Western Carolina remains on the road next Saturday, Oct. 7, visiting nationally-ranked Chattanooga for a key SoCon match-up in the Scenic City. Kickoff from Finley Stadium is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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