Update #16: A 54-yard touchdown pass down the seam caps a short two-play, 66-yard scoring drive. ASU leads 46-14 with 3:23 left in the game.
Update #15: It has been a dominating performance by the Mountaineers, bouncing back from last week's loss at Furman. ASU's reserves have driven downfield and scored again, this time on a nine-play, 58-yard drive. Former West Wilkes quarterback Logan Hallock recovers a fumble in the end zone for the touchdown.
With 3:58 left to play, ASU holds a 46-7 lead. ASU will claim the Old Mountain Jug, move to 7-3 for the season and travel to Elon next Saturday afternoon to close out the regular season.
Update #14: WCU breaks onto the scoreboard with 9:44 to play on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Pechloff to George Richardson. The PAT cuts the lead to 39-7.
Update #13: ASU and Western played before a capacity crowd of 30,622 fans, the fourth largest attendance in Kidd Brewer Stadium history and 40th consecutive contest that the attendance is over capacity. With many fans headed for the exits, perhaps the only drama remaining is whether the Mountaineers defense can pitch the shutout.
Update #12: The Mountaineers are again driving as the third period closes. Another march to the red zone against a tiring Western defense could make for a difficult final 15 minutes for the Catamounts. A penalty pushes ASU to the WCU seven-yard line, where Stewart again converts a field goal, a 24-yarder, to extend the ASU lead to 39-0. The drive takes 5:26 to march 69 yards over 10 plays.
With 12:36 left in the game, ASU running back Steven Miller has as many rushing yards (76) as WCU has in total offense.
Update #11: ASU has a touchdown run called back by a holding penalty, and the Mountaineers are forced to settle for a fifth field goal by Stewart, a 27-yard field goal, to give ASU a 36-0 lead. The fifth field goal sets a new school record by the ASU placekicker, once held by Jay Millson (1991) and Nittmo (most recently in 1988). The nine-play, 58-yard drive elapsed 3:41 off the clock.
Stewart accounts now for 18 points in the game, also eclipsing the old mark of 15, set twice previously by Nittmo.
Update #10: With the opening drive of the second half, ASU strikes again, this time on a TD recpetion from Jackson to Quick to cap a five-play, 55-yard scoring drive. The reception puts Quick at 101 yards for the game, his sixth 100-yard game of the season and 12th of his career, as the Mountaineers now lead 33-0 with 12:56 left in the third quarter.
ASU currently has 349 yards in total offense, compared to only 30 yards for WCU.
Update #9: WCU's first pass from its backup quarterback after ASU's touchdown is picked off and returned more than 20 yards by Dominique McDuffie. ASU's offense is again in business inside the WCU 20-yard line.
Jamal Jackson finishes the drive with a 12-yard scramble into the end zone with seven seconds left in the half. Three plays, 33 yards and 20 seconds change the score for the Mountaineers, as ASU holds a commanding 26-0 lead into the locker room at halftime..
Update #8: The Mountaineer offense gets in gear following WCU's latest punt, marching 59 yards. This time the Mountaineers cash in with a touchdown on a two-yard tote by Jamal Jackson. The drive elapses six plays and 59 yards. The two-yard touchdown and extra point pushes ASU ahead 19-0 with 54 seconds to play in the half.
ASU holds a decisive 262-30 advantage in total yards for the half, illustrating the Mountaineers' strong first-half effort.
Update #7: ASU forces a WCU turnover as a pass is intercepted by Rodger Walker and returned 24 yards. It's Walker's fourth pick of the season and ASU sets up shop in Western territory.
Jackson returns at quarterback for ASU and has led the Mountaineers back into the WCU red zone. ASU gets as close as the WCU five-yard line, but is again forced to settle for a field goal, a 22-yard boot to stake the Mountaineers a 12-0 lead. The drive took 10 plays and moved 35 yards, elapsing 4:19 off the second period clock. Slightly more than four minutes remain in the half, and ASU holds a 12-0 advantage.
The field goal ties an ASU record with four field goals in a game, tying a mark that has been accomplished four other times, including three by Bjorn Nittmo. A huge sack by ASU's Demetrius McCray shook up the WCU quarterback, who was helped off the field.
Update #6: For the third time in the first half, ASU must settle for three points, this time on a 29-yard field goal from Stewart. The drive was 11 plays and consumed 68 yards while elapsing 5:10 off the clock. With 9:37 to play before halftime, ASU now leads 9-0 over Western.
Update #5: As suspected, Presley enters the game at quarterback following a WCU punt.
A Brian Quick completion of 33 yards on ASU's next drive from Presley, makes Quick the leading yardage receiver in ASU history with 3,149 yards, breaking a 31-year-old school record.
Update #4: ASU's defense has held Western in check for the balance of the opening period, but with the Mountaineers offense stalling inside the 20-yard line on two occasions, as well as a punt, a quarterback change might be imminent as DeAndre Presley is throwing on the Mountaineer sideline.
With ASU's defense on the field, it will be interesting to see if Coach Jerry Moore pulls the trigger and makes the quarterback change.
At the end of the period, WCU has amassed only 32 yards as ASU leads 6-0.
Update #3: For the second straight possession, ASU drives the football into the WCU red zone and cannot come away with a touchdown, settling for a 32-yard Stewart field goal, spotting ASU a 6-0 lead with 7:26 left in the opening quarter. The drive encompassed 12 plays, 63 yards and elapsed 3:08 off the first quarter clock.
Update #2: Following an WCU three-and-out to start the game, ASU marches 25 yards over six plays. Drew Stewart boots a career-long 44-yard field goal to give the Mountaineers a 3-0 advantage with 11:52 left in the first quarter. The field goal is ASU's fifth successful try in six attempts from outside 40 yards this season.
Update #1: Ready for kickoff from Kidd Brewer Stadium. A 55-degree afternoon at time of kickoff and clear skies equal a near-perfect day for gridiron action.
ASU says goodbye to its seniors on this sunny Saturday afternoon as the Mountaineers play host to Western Carolina.
The Mountaineers have won 24 of the past 26 games against the Catamounts and looks to maintain possession of The Old Mountain Jug in this rivalry contest.
ASU's hopes for a seventh straight SoCon championship were severely hampered by a loss at Furman last week. However, with help, the Mountaineers maintain a slim chance of sharing a conference championship with Georgia Southern and Wofford.
Western is 1-8 thus far this season, with ASU standing at 6-3 overall. We'll be providing updates throughout this afternoon's contest of the action from Kidd Brewer Stadium. Thanks for reading!
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