Up in Cullowhee, reportedly not far from Mayberry, Western Carolina finished up spring practice Saturday with the Offense thrashing the Defense, 34 - 16.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Hearns heaved a pair of touchdowns and the offense scored four TDs in all, adding a pair of field goals late.
First-year Coach Dennis Wagner said that nearly half to two-thirds of his offense was installed this spring, but the lessons start over in the fall. "There are currently 58 players on roster and we are allowed 90 in fall camp, so almost half of our team will be new. We are going to count on these guys who went through spring practice to help the new guys in the transition as they continue to improve," said Wagner."
Cats will get a jump on the season. Just as the Catamounts are an early season tune-up for the Noles, Western Carolina has its own version of a creampuff kickoff. The Cats will play Shorter College of Rome, Georgia, the week before their trip to Tallahassee. Shorter is an NAIA school entering its fourth season of football. Older Noles will recognize a familiar name on the Shorter coaching staff: Bill Peterson, Jr., the son of the architect of FSU's early success in the 60s. The younger Peterson doubles as Shorter's running backs coach and Athletic Director.
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