Three Interceptions, Second-Half Shutout Not Enough in Setback at Campbell

Press Release

Western Carolina's defense pitched a second-half shutout Sunday afternoon and intercepted reigning FCS National Offensive Player of the Week Kamden Sixkiller three times, but No. 24 Western Carolina couldn't overcome a slow start, falling 28-19 to Campbell at Barker-Lane Stadium.

Jai Boyd hauled in two touchdown receptions, while Bryan McCollum connected on field goals of 23 and a career-long 40 yards. However, the Catamounts were held to their lowest scoring output against an NCAA FCS opponent since Campbell limited WCU to 16 points in 2024.

The Catamount defense picked off Sixkiller three times, including two interceptions by defensive linemen, but Western Carolina was unable to turn those takeaways into a road victory.

The teams were forced into a rare Sunday contest after weather delays Saturday kept both squads in their locker rooms following pregame warmups. With a night kickoff anticipated, Campbell officials then discovered an electrical issue affecting the stadium lights, forcing the game to be postponed until Sunday morning.

It was just the second Sunday game on record for the Catamounts. Western Carolina previously played on a Sunday in October 1989, when Hurricane Hugo damage in Charleston forced The Citadel's game against WCU to be relocated to Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C., where the teams played to a 22-22 tie.

Quarterback Lex Thomas finished 25-of-44 passing for 326 yards and two touchdowns, both to Boyd from 48 and 1 yard out. AJ Colombo led the Catamounts with six receptions for 91 yards, while tight end Bode Burns added five catches for 42 yards.

Playing opposite his brother, Stevie, Matthew Keener recorded career highs with four receptions and 53 receiving yards. Stevie Keener totaled six catches for 47 yards for the Camels.

Western Carolina struggled to establish the run, managing just one net rushing yard on 18 attempts. Looking to rally late, the Catamounts did not record a rushing attempt in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, linebacker Joshua Collins posted a career-high nine tackles, including his second sack of the season. Safety Braylon Jones, who missed much of the season opener due to an early disqualification, finished with eight tackles and a pass breakup. Cornerback Andre Jackson Jr. also collected a career-best eight tackles while adding a pass breakup, giving him four through two games.

The Catamounts recorded three interceptions in a game for the first time since picking off three Furman passes last October.

Caleb Turner-Allen secured the first takeaway after Ken Moore Jr. pressured and hit Sixkiller in the backfield, forcing an errant throw. Both Turner-Allen and Moore Jr. also recorded sacks. Jayden Cornelius nearly took his first career interception to the house, returning it 47 yards, while Fernando Jeanty's interception at the 2-yard line halted a potential fourth-quarter scoring drive.

Campbell (2-0) jumped out early, driving 91 and 53 yards on its opening two possessions to build a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter. Meanwhile, Western Carolina managed just 12 yards total on six plays across its first two possessions.

Turner-Allen's interception helped spark the Catamounts, who converted the takeaway into McCollum's first field goal to trim the deficit to 14-3. Consecutive sacks on Campbell's next possession appeared to shift momentum further, but WCU was unable to capitalize. The Camels answered with their third touchdown of the half, extending the lead to 21-3 with 10 minutes remaining before halftime.

Boyd's 48-yard touchdown reception cut the margin to 21-10, but Campbell responded with a touchdown in the final 18 seconds of the half to take a commanding 28-10 lead into the locker room.

Campbell outgained Western Carolina 354-137 in the opening 30 minutes and ran 18 more offensive plays, 48-30.

The Catamounts turned Cornelius' interception into points early in the second half as McCollum drilled a career-long 40-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 28-13 entering the fourth quarter.

Midway through the final frame, Thomas found Boyd from 1 yard out to cap an 11-play, 65-yard drive and pull WCU within 28-19. The extra-point attempt failed, leaving the Catamounts down by two scores.

Moments later, Jeanty's interception near the goal line gave Western Carolina another opportunity. The Catamounts advanced 73 yards before the drive stalled inside Campbell territory. Facing a fourth-down decision, head coach Kerwin Bell elected to attempt a 43-yard field goal, but the kick struck the right upright. Campbell then ran out the remaining time to secure the victory.

Sixkiller finished 29-of-44 passing for 330 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Spencer Jones caught seven passes for a game-high 126 yards and a score, while Brady Ambrose added three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Western Carolina (1-1) remains on the road next week, traveling to Cincinnati (1-0) for a Saturday night matchup at Nippert Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.