Tag: Western Carolina Catamounts

Oklahoma Sooners have record breaking day in win over Western Carolina

The Oklahoma Sooners set a program record for points in their win over Western Carolina.

It was field trip day for the Oklahoma Sooners at the Lloyd Noble Center. And they put on a show for those in attendance. The Sooners beat Western Carolina 122 to 56 to move to 3-0 on the season.

It was a big day for the Sooners, who continue to light up the scoreboard and put forth fantastic defensive efforts. Through three games, OU hasn’t allowed an opponent to score more than 56 points in a game this season.

Here are three takeaways from Oklahoma’s 122-56 win over Western Carolina.

1. Setting Records

The Oklahoma Sooners have been on a tear at the offensive end of the floor. On Wednesday morning, they kept it rolling, setting a new program record for points in a game at 122. That surpasses the former record of 121 points from 2007 and 1990.

Oklahoma’s 66-point margin of victory is the largest under Jennie Baranczyk and the fifth-largest margin of victory in Sooner’s history.

The Sooners shot an incredible 63.2% from the field. After struggling from three-point range for the first couple of games, OU came to life from deep in this one, hitting 50% of their threes in the win. They were 7 of 8 in the second half from three.

The Sooners have increased their scoring output in each of their three games and are now averaging 97.67 points per game this season.

2. Raegan Beers dominates

The reigning AP National and SEC Player of the Week had another fantastic performance for the Sooners against Western Carolina. Raegan Beers was 12 of 14 from the field and scored 27 points in the win. She had nine rebounds, including five offensive boards.

Beers has been dominant to start the season for the Sooners and her presence opens everything else up for the rest of the offense.

3. Three ball comes to life

Even though the Oklahoma Sooners were dominant in their opening pair of victories, they struggled to get their three-point stroke going. It looked like it was going to be another rough outing after starting out 3 of 10 from three in the first half. But the Sooners turned it around in the second 20 minutes, hitting 7 of 8 from downtown.

Lexy Keys and Aubrey Joens each went 3-for-3 from three.

If the Sooners can hit from deep on a regular basis, they’ll be incredibly tough to defend this season.

What’s Next for Oklahoma

The Sooners are now 3-0 on the season and sit at No. 9 in this week’s USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll. They’ll have a week off before they go on the road to take on Wichita State on Tuesday, November 19.

Gators soccer earns win in season opener vs Western Carolina

Gators soccer kicked off the 2024 season in style on Friday night.

The Florida soccer program opened its 30th season on Friday with a 2-0 win over the Western Carolina Catamounts — who were the 2023 Southern Conference champions — at Donald R. Dizney Stadium in Gainesville.

The Gators struck in the first half on a goal by Madison Young assisted by Delaney Tauzel at 39:54 for the opening score of the 2024 campaign. The second goal came at 87:43 off the foot of Delaney Tellex on an assist from Njeri Butts and Lauren McCloskey.

Florida took 20 total shots (13 in the first half and seven in the second) against Western Carolina’s seven (two and five, respectively). The Catamounts saved seven shots while the Gators’ goalie made five.

The Orange and Blue are now 24-3-3 all-time in home openers and head coach Samantha Bohon is now 3-for-3 in home opening matches (2022: 2-1 win vs South Florida; 2023: 2-0 win vs East Carolina). Florida’s 20 shots are the most since recording 27 in 8-0 win versus Stetson on Aug. 27, 2023, while the Gators have scored at least one goal in 28 of its 30 season openers.

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Women’s college golf notebook: Western Carolina, Montana State set numerous records, Mississippi State wins Mason Rudolph

Here’s what you missed in the women’s college golf world.

Western Carolina could do no wrong.

The Catamounts set numerous records en route to its victory at the Aggie Invitational, their second win of the season. Western Carolina obliterated the school’s 54-hole record of 872 set a year ago by 24 strokes, finishing with a program-best 848 over the three-round event at the Players Course at Bryan Park in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Senior Madison Isaacson claimed individual medalist honors with a school-record 54-hole score of 10-under 206. She was seven strokes better than the previous school record of 213 shot by Amy Wooten in spring 2019. Isaacson carded rounds of 69-70-67, each of which either matched or bested her previous low collegiate round.

Paced by Isaacson, the Catamounts held the top five positions in the final standings with four of its scoring five and one individual grouped at the top of the leaderboard. The next four in the standings for Western Carolina – runner-up Elizabeth Lohbauer, freshman Brie Mapanao in third, redshirt freshman Kayleigh Baker in fourth and individual competitor Kaitlyn Wingnean in fifth – each posted the best finish and 54-hole scores of their career.

In the second round, the Catamounts shot a school-record 10-under 278. They won by 53 strokes over second-place Appalachian State.

Mississippi State wins Mason Rudolph

Mississippi State trailed by six shots going into the final round at the Mason Rudolph Collegiate at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tennessee, but the Bulldogs had one of the best rounds in team history up their sleeve.

As a team, Mississippi State recorded the fourth lowest third round in school history (7 under) to capture the title, topping Arizona by four strokes and Vanderbilt by five. The 19-under total is the fifth-lowest tally after 54 holes by the team in school history.

“It’s a very special feeling to win the Mason Rudolph Championship and a week that certainly we will all cherish for a long time,” Mississippi State coach Charlie Ewing said.

Julia Lopez Ramirez and Izzy Pellot combined to play the last five holes at 6 under. Lopez Ramirez was just 1-under on the day through 13 holes but played the last five holes in 5 under to finish at 6-under 66 for the day. The reigning SEC Freshman of the Year eagled the par-5 14th hole and birdied the last three holes, finishing in fourth at 6-under 210.

Hannah Levi also had a big tournament, finishing at 6 under. Auburn’s Megan Schofill won the individual competition at 9 under. LSU’s Ingrid Lindblad finished T-7 at 5-under 211.

Montana State, Weidig Velazquez make history at Eagle Invitational

The Montana State University women’s golf team finished second at Eastern Washington’s Eagle Invitational with an 883 (294-291-298) at the par-72, 6,000-yard Indian Canyon Golf Course. The Bobcats’ three-round score is the best single-round tournament score in program history.

Weidig Velazquez, who won the individual title, is the first Bobcat to win back-to-back individual titles in this century. She joins Jen McGregor (1993-97), Kelly Gillum (2004-09) and Melanie Wasmann (1996-2000) as the only Bobcats to win multiple tournaments.

Weidig Velazquez
Weidig Velazquez won her second straight tournament at the 2022 Eagle Invitational. (Photo: Montana State Golf)

Velazquez shot 1-under 215 over the 54-hole tournament.

Florida State holds off late-charging TCU in Schooner Classic

TCU sat in seventh place heading into the final round of the Schooner Classic at Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Oklahoma, but the Horned Frogs got hot in the third round.

With a final-round 12-under 268, the third lowest round of the week, TCU vaulted into second place, but Florida State’s 4 under final round was enough to give the Seminoles the title.

Florida State led after every round, taking control with a 13-under 267 in the first round. Lottie Woad finished in eighth at 5 under while Charlotte Heath finished ninth a stroke behind.

TCU’s Caitlyn Macnab shot 6-under 64 in the final round to finish at 10 under and beat Iowa State’s Karisa Chul-Ak-Sorn by one shot. Chul-Ak-Sorn also shot 6 under in the final round.

Cameron Jourdan covers college and amateur golf for Golfweek. Got a college or amateur story? Email him at cjourdan@golfweek.com.

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Oklahoma Sooners’ 11 wins from the 2021 college football season ranked

The Oklahoma Sooners racked up 11 wins last season, but which one stands out as the best of the 2021 college football season.

The 2021 college football season didn’t go as expected for the Oklahoma Sooners, but at the end of the day, they won 11 games. It was a full of drama and close games. They had last-second wins and blowouts. They beat ranked teams and struggled to win against some of the worst teams in the country. Everything that could happen in a college football season went down with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2021, but they won 11 games for the seventh time in the last nine years (only played 11 games in 2020).

As we look back at the 2021 season for the Oklahoma Sooners, let’s rank each of the Sooners wins from 11 to 1.

3 Offensive Keys to the game for the Oklahoma Sooners vs. TCU

As the Oklahoma Sooners get ready to play the TCU Horned Frogs, here are three keys for the offensive side of the ball.

On Saturday night, Oklahoma pushes forward and looks to take one step closer to an undefeated regular season. This week’s opponent will be the TCU Horned Frogs led by Gary Patterson. Patterson’s team is far from a heavyweight but they aren’t pushovers either. They come into the game with a record of 3-2 with losses to Texas and their big rival in SMU.

Defensively, they do not resemble the TCU defenses of the past. For years, TCU was a stingy, stingy defense that had impactful players at every level. While the talent isn’t bad, they lack the edge of TCU defenses from the past.

So, how does Oklahoma attack them when the Sooners have the ball? Let’s take a look at three offensive keys to put Oklahoma in a spot to come out victorious Saturday night.

Protect the Ball

Yes, it’s quite obvious. However, there is still uncertainty about who will be taking the snaps as starting quarterback. There has been no official word from Lincoln Riley about his decision but the point stands for either Spencer Rattler or Caleb Williams. Rattler was benched for his turnovers against Texas. A fumble on a scramble sealed his fate for that game and opened the door for Caleb Williams.

However, Williams has had some issues securing shotgun snaps. TCU quarterback Max Duggan is a veteran player and has the running and throwing ability to make Oklahoma pay if they give them extra possessions.

The Oklahoma Sooners are the more talented team. They can’t afford to let a team like TCU hand around by giving them good field position off of turnovers. Whoever the quarterback is the Saturday night has to protect the football.

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How does Lincoln Riley feel about these Sooners through week 2?

Lincoln Riley spoke with the media on Tuesday afternoon. The #Sooners head coach provided insight on numerous Sooners through two weeks of action.

Tuesday afternoon, Lincoln Riley sat down with the media to provide his final thoughts on the 76-0 win over WCU and discuss Saturday’s matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

While there is much we still don’t know about the 2021 rendition of the Oklahoma Sooners (for example, how they will play against real competition), Riley did discuss the progression of numerous Sooners through the first two weeks – and how he views their impact moving forward.

On the progression of Perrion Winfrey

After missing some time during preseason camp, the 2020 All-Big 12 selection is returning to form. In response to Sooner Scoops’ Bob Przyblo, Riley believes defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey has “improved significantly from week 1 to week 2.” The senior pressured WCU quarterback Rogan Wells on multiple occasions, earning 1.5 sacks for a Sooners defense that held the Catamounts to 178 total yards.

Winfrey’s production is sure to increase alongside his snap count. As Riley and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch are likely to give their starting defense a longer leash against Nebraska.

Cornhuskers’ quarterback Adrian Martinez was sacked five times by an Illinois team that ranks 120th in the FBS in total defense. That’s a green light for Winfrey and the defensive front to bring the pressure early and often.

On his confidence in Jaden Knowles and Todd Hudson

Due to last-minute ineligibilities and sudden changes of heart, the Sooners entered the 2021 campaign top-heavy in the running back room. Eric Gray and Kennedy Brooks are both capable of being RB1, and each has led the Sooners in rushing through the first two weeks. But the depth behind them has been the primary storyline in OU’s backfield.

Walk-on running backs Jaden Knowles and Todd Hudson carried the ball 13 times against WCU. Knowles rushed just four times but was highly productive with 37 yards and two touchdowns. While Hudson also found the endzone twice in just nine attempts.

The sample size may be small, but both running backs appear to have impressed Lincoln Riley.

If Knowles and Hudson can continue to make the most of their opportunities, however, limited they may be, then OU’s running back worries could become a distant memory.

2 Sooners are Pro Football Focus’ highest graded players through week 2

2 Oklahoma Sooners have the highest Pro Football Focus grades at their position through the first two weeks of the season.

The Oklahoma Sooners leveled the Western Carolina Catamounts 76-0 on Saturday in Norman. Oklahoma was dominant on both sides of the football, as Spencer Rattler threw five touchdowns to four different receivers while the defense terrorized WCU into four fumbles and eight tackles for loss.

To say every single Sooner shined in the blowout win would hardly be hyperbole. In total, 13 receivers, three quarterbacks, four running backs, and 25 different defenders got a piece of the action in a game neither OU nor Western Carolina will soon forget.

But two particular Sooners – one on each side of the football – have stuck out to Pro Football Focus through week 2, earning the highest grades at their positions (behind a paywall).

Up Next: An H-Back is PFF’s top-graded Tight End in the Power Five

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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams offers a glimpse of the future

Though it came in the second half of the Sooners blowout of Western Carolina, Caleb Williams performance provided a glimpse of OU’s future.

The Oklahoma Sooners aren’t looking to 2022 or the year after that. Their sights are solely set on 2021 and taking this team as far as it can go this year. However, Saturday in Norman provided a glimpse of what the future of the quarterback position looks like for the Oklahoma Sooners.

After Spencer Rattler threw for five touchdowns to lead the Sooners to a 45-0 halftime lead against Western Carolina, he sat down and gave way to true freshman quarterback Caleb Williams.

The number one quarterback in the 2021 class, Williams did not disappoint. Though he completed just 50% of his passes for 84 yards, he averaged 8.4 yards per attempt and his average depth of target (aDOT) was 11.6 yards down the field. He displayed a nice arm with good touch on the Jaden Knowles catch and run that made up a good portion of his passing yards.

Williams suffered one drop during his time in the Sooners’ domination of Western Carolina.

The athleticism and speed he displayed on his 59-yard run were impressive. He got downhill in a hurry and ran away from much of the Western Carolina defense, putting the Sooners in an excellent position to add to their lead.

Caleb Williams isn’t likely to need his redshirt and should get more opportunities this season to show off his talents. Though he shouldn’t figure much into the outcomes of games in 2021, every snap he takes provides a glimpse into the future of the Sooners offense.

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Perrion Winfrey dominant in Sooners 76-0 win over WCU

Perrion Winfrey continued his hot start to the season in week two with a dominating performance against Western Carolina.

The breakout has been long anticipated for Oklahoma Sooners defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey. A strong and super athletic player, Winfrey had all the tools to be a dominating force in the middle of Alex Grinch’s defense.

In 2020, he flashed his physical ability to take over a game, but the stat sheet didn’t necessarily reflect it. Though he didn’t record a sack in 2020, he was a force in the middle and was a reason why so many were high on this Oklahoma Sooners defense heading into 2021 despite losing edge rusher Ronnie Perkins.

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In just two games in 2021, Winfrey already has two sacks after collecting 0.5 sacks in the win over Tulane and another 1.5 sacks in last night’s 76-0 win over Western Carolina. His two total sacks are tied with Isaiah Thomas for the team’s lead through two games.

Winfrey led the way for the Sooners pass rush, collecting six total pressures of Catamounts quarterbacks who were pressured on 49% of their dropbacks by the Oklahoma pass rush.

Winfrey accounted for six of those pressures on just 19 snaps as the Sooners starting nose tackle played only in the first half. He played 16 of those snaps on pass-rushing downs and recorded a pressure on 37.5% of his pass-rush snaps. That’s a dominant day rushing the passer.

Winfrey ended the day with the fourth-highest defensive grade from Pro Football Focus on the day and second to only Nik Bonitto among Oklahoma Sooners’ starters.

As the competition takes a step up in the coming weeks with Nebraska next week and then West Virginia and Kansas State after that, the Oklahoma Sooners will need Perrion Winfrey to continue to be the dominant force he’s shown to be in the first two games of the season.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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5 takeaways from the Sooners 76-0 win over Western Carolina

There was a lot to like from the Sooners dominant performance over WCU. Both the offense and defense did what they wanted in the 76-0 win.

There was a lot to like in the Oklahoma Sooners 76-0 win over the Western Carolina Catamounts on Saturday. The offense had their way with the WCU defense and the the OU defense kept the Catamounts from mounting any serious offensives.

There were touchdowns for everyone and the defense forced three turnovers and recorded four sacks.

Most importantly, after building a huge halftime lead, the Sooners didn’t let up. The backups were relentless in the second half of the game, flying around the football and making plays.

It was encouraging to see both the offense and defense put it on Western Carolina after the second half let down they endured last week.

With that, here are five takeaways from last night’s game.