Catamounts Drop SoCon Opener, ‘Blue Ridge Border Battle’ at ETSU

Press Release

Johnson City, Tenn. – Lex Thomas accounted for 215 yards of offense and rushed for three touchdowns on Saturday to lead Western Carolina, but ETSU built a commanding first-half advantage and never allowed the Catamounts to gain traction in a 58-31 victory in the latest installment of the ‘Blue Ridge Border Battle’ and Southern Conference opener for both teams at Greene Stadium.

The Buccaneers scored on their first eight possessions, including six in the first half alone, to take a 44-7 lead midway through the third quarter, capitalizing on a fast start on both sides of the ball. Western Carolina managed just 17 yards of offense in the opening quarter and was limited to four first downs through the first two quarters as ETSU controlled the game's tempo from the outset.

Despite the early deficit, the Catamounts continued to battle offensively in the second half behind Thomas. WCU totaled 24 second-half points and 248 yards after the intermission but couldn't close the gap as ETSU matched the production with 24 points of its own.

ETSU finished with 542 yards of total offense, including 309 through the air and 233 on the ground, while scoring six rushing touchdowns.

Thomas completed 16-of-32 passes for 163 yards and added 52 rushing yards with his three scores. Freshman Patrick Harding saw extended action late, completing 4-of-6 passes for 24 yards and tossing the first touchdown pass of his collegiate career, an eight-yard strike to fellow freshman Santana Carlos.

Carlos finished with a career-high four receptions for 37 yards and the score.

Josh Perry paced the Catamount rushing attack with 50 yards on 12 carries and added an eight-yard reception. AJ Colombo hauled in five passes for a team-best 60 receiving yards, while Michael Rossin added five catches for 40 yards.

Defensively, Braylon Jones recorded a team-high eight tackles, including six solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss. Jayden Cornelius, Marco Patierno and Na'koma Simpson-Nealy each added six tackles. Cornelius was credited with two pass breakups, while Simpson-Nealy posted 1.5 tackles for loss and one of Western Carolina's two sacks, while Trystan Anderson recorded the other sack among his four tackles.

For ETSU, Mason Mims completed 20-of-27 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown. Jason Albritton rushed for three touchdowns, while TJ Peyton topped the century mark with 102 rushing yards and a score. D'Marius Rucker added 68 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Buccaneers controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the afternoon.

Defensively, ETSU registered six tackles for loss, including four sacks, and broke up seven passes.

Western Carolina (2-3, 0-1 SoCon) returns home next Saturday, Oct. 3, welcoming nationally ranked Tennessee Tech (4-0, 2-0 SoCon) to E.J. Whitmire Stadium / Bob Waters Field for a primetime Southern Conference matchup. The Catamounts will also celebrate Football Alumni Weekend, highlighted by the Bob Waters Memorial Golf Tournament at Sequoyah National Golf Club in Cherokee on Friday.