Tyrie Adams throws for 424 yards and five TDs in loss
Greenville, S.C. – Tyrie Adams tossed a career-high tying five touchdown passes including two apiece to Daquan Patten and Owen Cosenke while accounting for 472 yards of total offense on Saturday afternoon, but Western Carolina was unable to overcome a 21-point halftime deficit, falling to the Furman Paladins, 44-38, in Southern Conference action at Paladin Stadium.
Two fumbles inside the red zone thwarted would-be scoring drives for the Catamounts while the Paladins cashed in a 97-yard kickoff return for a TD and a blocked punt that led to a field goal in special teams in picking up their first victory of the season.
Adams just missed his career-high with 424 passing yards on 25-of-36 passing, adding 48 rushing yards despite missing the closing drive of the first half due to injury. He returned to the field without incident in the second half. Patten led two Catamount receivers with 100+ yard games, catching six passes for a career-high 159 yards with two scores while Jordan Mathis hauled in five passes for 100 yards. Nate Mullen matched his career-best with eight receptions for 61 yards.
After an opening-drive touchdown by the Catamounts, Furman (1-3, 1-1 SoCon) score 21-straight points as a part of closing the first half with a 31-10 advantage.
In addition to the special teams score, Furman tallied four rushing touchdowns by four different running backs while quarterback Harris Roberts was efficient in completing 9-of-11 passes with a touchdown and an interception in the win.
WCU senior LB Mitchell Chancey led the defense with 10 tackles, reaching double-digits for the fourth-time in four games this season. Ty Harris came away with his first career interception, setting up the Catamounts for a third quarter score on Saturday afternoon.
Western Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SoCon) stays on the road next weekend as it travels to Birmingham, Ala., to face the Samford Bulldogs. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 pm ET / 12:30 pm CT at Seibert Stadium.
