WCU football will open with three in-state foes

Western Carolina football was the only college team from North Carolina not to play an in-state foe in 2023.

That will change this season. The Catamounts’ 2024 schedule will start with three games against opponents from the Old North State, including one the program has never faced before. WCU, which released its schedule Monday in conjunction with the Southern Conference, will play 12 games in all, including five in the friendly confines of Whitmire Stadium.

The ’24 campaign will begin Thursday, Aug. 29 at NC State. This will be the eighth time the Catamounts have faced the Wolfpack, the most recent meeting coming in 2019.

Week two will bring the home opener against Campbell from the CAA. The “White Out Whitmire” game will be the first meeting between the Catamounts and Camels in football.

Week three brings a renewal of a former conference rivalry, as WCU travels to Elon. These two in-state squads haven’t played since the 2013 season.

After three games within North Carolina’s borders, Western Carolina will travel out west to face the FCS runners-up from 2023, Montana. The Griz went 13-2 a year ago, losing to South Dakota State in the FCS title game.

After a bye week, WCU will gear up for eight Southern Conference games. Wofford, The Citadel, Chattanooga and VMI will travel to Cullowhee. Western will go on the road to face Furman, Mercer, East Tennessee State and Samford. The Chattanooga game on Nov. 2 is homecoming. The VMI contest two weeks later will be senior day.

Spring drills will begin for coach Kerwin Bell’s team on March 12. The spring game will be played Saturday, April 13. Western Carolina posted a 7-4 record last season. The Catamounts went 5-3 in SoCon play.

—> Read more about WCU’s 2024 schedule HERE

2024 Western Carolina Football Schedule

Thursday, Aug. 29 – at North Carolina State
Saturday, Sept. 7 – vs. Campbell (White Out Whitmire)
Saturday, Sept. 14 – at Elon
Saturday, Sept. 21 – at Montana
Saturday, Sept. 28 – BYE
Saturday, Oct. 5 – vs. Wofford (Family Weekend)
Saturday, Oct. 12 – vs. The Citadel (Heroes Day)
Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Furman
Saturday, Oct. 26 – at Mercer
Saturday, Nov. 2 – vs. Chattanooga (Homecoming)
Saturday, Nov. 9 – at East Tennessee State
Saturday, Nov. 16 – vs. VMI (Senior Day/Hall of Fame Day)
Saturday, Nov. 23 – at Samford
Saturday, Nov. 30 – NCAA FCS Playoffs Begin – TBA

Eric Lusk Publisher & Editor

Eric Lusk started NC Football News in 2023. He's an old newspaper guy with a fondness for underdogs, redemption stories and the triple-option offense. He's a proud graduate of Jesse O. Sanderson High School and UNC's School of Journalism. He's thankful for God's mercy, family and second chances.

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