Western Carolina RB Desmond Reid leads FCS in rushing yards

Desmond Reid’s career day at Chattanooga put the Western Carolina sophomore running back at the top of the FCS leaderboard in rushing yards and rushing yards-per-game.

Reid, from Miami Gardens, Fla., galloped for a collegiate-best 211 yards in roughly two quarters of action Saturday, helping the Catamounts fell the Mocs 52-50. Reid has now tallied 847 yards on the season — eight yards ahead of UT Martin’s Sam Franklin for most among FCS players.

Reid’s 141.8 yards-per-game average is also No. 1 among FCS rushers. His 12 touchdowns is one shy of the FCS lead held by Jordan Fuller of Holly Cross. Reid is eighth nationally in yards-per-carry, grinding out 7.37 each time he’s handed the ball.

“He’s a special kid,” Western Carolina coach Kerwin Bell said in an ESPN interview after the Sept. 30 win over The Citadel. “He has helped us so much when we wanted to build this program back a couple of years ago. He committed to us out of Miami and we think he’s one of the best that’s ever come out of there the last few of years. He’s a dynamic player.”

Other notes on the 5-8, 170-pounder courtesy of WCU sports information:

* Saturday’s effort marked Reid’s fifth-straight game of surpassing the magical 100-yard rushing mark and the eighth time in his career as a Catamount.

* His 211 yards ranks as the 10th best single-game rushing performance by an FCS player this season.

* Reid became the 13th WCU player to achieve a 200-yard rushing day. He’s the first since Detrez Newsome went for 277 yards in 2016 (also against Chattanooga).

* Reid scored touchdowns Saturday on runs of 70 and 58 yards before exiting the game with an apparent injury.

As a team, Western Carolina is averaging 531.8 yards per game. That number leads the FCS by more than 28 yards. Montana State is second in total offense with 503.4 ypg, while Davidson ranks third at 489.

“Our offensive line, it starts with them,” Bell said. “We think they are as good as anybody in FCS.”

Western Carolina has a bye week, then will host a top-five Furman team on Oct. 21 with the Southern Conference lead on the line.

.

More Western Carolina football headlines

• 
  WCU football coach Kerwin Bell inks 5-year extensionDecember 14, 2024
  Catamounts have enjoyed winning seasons last three years
• 
  WCU QB Taron Dickens and Elon DL Kahmari Brown Collect Freshman All-America HonorsDecember 12, 2024
  Two North Carolina FCS football standouts have been named to the 2024 FCS Football Central Freshman All-America team. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens and Elon defensive lineman Kahmari Brown delivered breakout seasons, showcasing their talent and earning a place among the best freshman athletes in the subdivision. Taron Dickens | Western Carolina | QB Taking… Read more: WCU QB Taron Dickens and Elon DL Kahmari Brown Collect Freshman All-America Honors
• 
  LOOKING AHEAD! Early peek at 2025 NC college football scheduleDecember 10, 2024
  Charlotte-App State, ECU-NC State to meet on Labor Day weekend
• 
  Coaching News: Seriously, Belichick To UNC? Will Charlotte Ever Hire A Coach? Duke Losing Key AssistantDecember 7, 2024
  Checking in on the latest NC college football coaching carousel happenings
• 
  NC college football trio named Walter Payton Award finalistsNovember 27, 2024
  NCCU’s J’Mari Taylor, Davidson’s Mari Adams, WCU’s Cole Gonzales in running for top FCS honor

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.

See Full Bio