WCU holds off Mocs 35-28 behind Dickens’ 4 TDs

**Dickens Dazzles, Catamounts Hold Off Mocs 35-28 for Sixth Straight Win, Unbeaten in SoCon**

Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina’s high-flying Catamounts continued their dominant run on Saturday night, October 14, 2023, securing their sixth consecutive victory with a hard-fought 35-28 win over Southern Conference rival Chattanooga at a raucous P.A.W.S. Stadium. Quarterback Taron Dickens delivered a masterful performance, tossing four touchdown passes as the Catamounts moved to an impressive 6-1 overall and remained perfect at 4-0 in league play.

Playing in front of 14,082 fervent fans at the Catamount Athletics Complex, Western Carolina roared out of the gate, quickly building a commanding 21-0 lead early in the second quarter. However, the visiting Mocs, known for their tenacity, mounted a determined comeback, methodically erasing the deficit to knot the score at 21-all midway through the third frame, setting up a tense finish.

It was at this pivotal moment that Dickens, the Catamounts’ sophomore sensation, truly shined, demonstrating poise and precision to reclaim the lead. He reconnected with David Holloman for a crucial 31-yard touchdown strike, putting Western Carolina back ahead 28-21. Later in the third quarter, he extended the Catamount advantage with a 13-yard pass to AJ Sedbrook, pushing the score to 35-21. While Chattanooga managed a late touchdown to narrow the margin to 35-28 and threatened with a potential game-tying or winning drive in the final moments, a crucial fourth-down stop by the Catamount defense sealed the hard-earned victory.

On the defensive side, linebacker C.J. Worley was a game-changer for Western Carolina. He recorded two pivotal interceptions, including one in the end zone to thwart a Mocs scoring threat late in the second quarter and another with approximately 4:49 remaining in the game, stopping a Chattanooga drive deep in Western Carolina territory inside the 20-yard line. Running back Desmond Reid complemented the aerial attack with a stellar ground performance, rushing for 140 yards.

For Chattanooga, quarterback Luke Schomburg finished the night with 211 passing yards and two touchdowns, completing 18 of 32 attempts, despite being intercepted twice by Worley. Wide receiver Jamoi Mayes was Schomburg’s primary target, catching six passes for 102 yards and both of the Mocs’ touchdown receptions.

The victory carries significant weight for Western Carolina, solidifying their position atop the Southern Conference standings and boosting their aspirations for a potential FCS playoff berth. For Chattanooga, the loss drops them to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, moving them just behind the surging Catamounts in the tightly contested SoCon title race.

Western Carolina will look to continue their impressive run next Saturday, October 21, as they travel to take on Mercer in another key conference matchup. Chattanooga will aim to rebound when they host ETSU on the same day.