Western Carolina's Quarterback: A Force to Reckon With

Western Carolina's quarterback, Taron Dickens, has been on fire since his return from a three-game suspension. He's leading the Catamounts to big wins, and his stats are impressive. In just four games, he's thrown for over 1, 600 yards and 17 touchdowns without any interceptions. His completion rate is nearly 80 percent, which is among the best in the nation. Dickens isn't just a good passer; he's also a smart player. He manages the offense well and can make all kinds of throws, especially long ones. His teammates are fast, making it hard for defenses to stop them. The Citadel's defensive coordinator, Raleigh Jackson, knows they have their work cut out for them. He says it will take all 11 defenders working together to limit Dickens' impact. The Catamounts run an "Air Raid" offense, which means they throw a lot of short passes. This makes it tough for defenses to get pressure on the quarterback. The Bulldogs have been good at getting sacks and interceptions this season, but Dickens hasn't turned the ball over at all. Jackson says they need to make the most of their opportunities when they get them. Tackling will be key in this game. The Catamounts like to get their receivers and running backs out on the perimeter, so the Bulldogs need to focus on bringing them down. Defensive back Cale Williams says they need to rally to the ball and keep everything in front of them. Defensive lineman Chris Benton says they need to tackle well and get the ball carriers on the ground as quickly as possible. Dickens has been compared to former Southern Conference quarterbacks Jason Foster and Armanti Edwards. He's a cerebral player who can make plays with his arm and his legs. The Bulldogs will have to be at their best to stop him.