The rain that has been drenching Clinton followed the Hose up the mountains of North Carolina. The Blue Hose looked to secure their second win of the season (and first road victory) as they took on Western Carolina. However the Blue Hose came up short as they fell to the Catamounts 33-21.

The first quarter was tightly contested as both teams seemed to try and feel each other out. Mid way through the first quarter the Blue Hose were able to secure a touchdown off of a Darrell Bridges touchdown run and after the Brett Norton PAT, they held a 7-0 lead. The Hose were not able to keep the lead for long though, because the Catamounts quickly responded with a Troy Mitchell touchdown pass. After the PAT the game stood tied at 7-7. The rest of the quarter was a stalemate.

The second quarter was similar to the first as it had the two teams feeling each other out as they battled the inclimate weather. Early into the first quarter the Catamounts took the lead off of a 46 yard field goal from Logan Howard.  The defensives battled it out for a while but momentum swung in favor of the Hose as Ugonna Akoh secured a fumble and returned it back 73 yards for a touchdown. After this defensive touchdown the Blue Hose held a 14-10 lead. Shortly after this the Catamounts took back some of the momentum as Detrez Newsome had a 72 yard rushing touchdown. Going into half time neither team had fully gained momentum as the score stood 17-14 Western.

The third quarter saw two defensives battle it out. Early into the third quarter Logan Howard made a field goal for the Catamounts pushing their lead to 20-14. However late in the quarter the Hose responded with a touchdown pass from Tamyn Garrick and, following the PAT, the Hose took a 21-20 lead. Both teams knew they would have to be at their best in the fourth quarter in order to secure a victory.

Early into the fourth quarter the Catamounts were able to score a touchdown and regain the lead off of a Detrez Newsome touchdown run. The Catamounts then went for 2 instead of kicking a PAT but came up short. After this touchdown the Catamounts held a 26-21 lead but knew the game was nowhere near over. Unfortunately for the Hose the Catamounts had gained momentum again and quickly scored again this time off of a Troy Mitchell touchdown run. Following the PAT they held a 33-21 lead. Sadly the Hose were never able to secure a touchdown this quarter and they fell 33-21.

Next week the Hose will look to rebound as they open up Big South play against Coastal Carolina.