GAME DAY CENTRAL
Catawba at Livingstone
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Salisbury, N.C. – Alumni Memorial Stadium
5:00 p.m.
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SALISBURY, N.C. – The Catawba College football team is set to open the 2022 season against cross-town rival Livingstone College tomorrow night at Alumni Memorial Stadium with a 5:00 p.m. kick-off. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2013.
The Return of the Mayor's Cup
September 3rd, 2022 will mark the return of the "Mayor's Cup" which has not been played since the 2013 season. In the previous 14 matchups between Catawba and the Blue Bears, the Indians are a perfect 14-0. In the last meeting, which was also head football coach, Curtis Walker's first season at the helm, Catawba took down Livingstone by a final score of 42-16. Catawba amassed 516 total yards with three scores through the air and on the ground.
Catawba football has outscored the Blue Bears 646-105 in the all-time series.
Head coach Curtis Walker enters his tenth season at the helm of the Catawba College football program, and his 2022 squad bolsters both youth and expierence as well as some new faces from the transfer portal.
Offense
Catawba's offense ranked seventh in the South Atlantic Conference in scoring offense, total yards, rushing, and passing last year. The 2022 attack will be under the direction of Everette Sands and the offensive unit features experience at each position for a group that looks to make a big jump this season.
The offensive line will again be bolstered by junior Cam Ivy-Young who has started 22 games over the last three seasons. Kanyon James and Zyriq Rufus also return to the fold after James played in all nine games, and Rufus appeared in eight games a season ago. New to the offensive trenches are transfer Jalen Brooks (NC A&T) and several freshmen including Avery Swinton, Curtis Wade III, Nyjah Wooten, and Aidan Widerberg.
In the backfield, Catawba brings back Daniel Parker who rushed for 288 yards in seven games last year. Leroy Bracey Jr. and newcomers Marquece Williams, LJ Turner, Justis Dorsett, and William Nelson will also be in the mix for work at running back.
At quarterback, Catawba lost last year's starter, Ken Avent, but brought in transfers Ridge Jacobs (USF), Preston Brown (UNC-C), and added freshman Kameron Hill (Reagan HS) to help lead the 2022 offensive unit.
On the perimeter, the Indians return their top-two pass catchers from last year in Kujuan Pryor and Jaden Lockhart. Pryor caught 32 passes for 327 yards and three scores. Lockhart had 155 yards with 12 catches in 2021. The football team also gets back several returners including veteran Will Sheehan, Dominic Burnam, Joshua Grant, Christopher Rivers, Aedan Brady, and Brandon Thomas. Newcomers to the receiver room are Connor McCarthy (Coastal Carolina), Tyson Resper, Hagen Glasgow, Runye Norton, and Cianan Williams.
Defense
Catawba's defense ranked middle of the pack in most statistical categories in 2021 including points allowed (5th), turnovers forced (5th), and yards allowed per game (7th), but brought in former Georgia Tech defensive analyst, Josh Linam to lead the defensive unit in 2022.
The Indians' defense lost the top two tacklers from a season ago, but preseason all-conference selection Izaiah Taylor returns to hold down the outside at corner back. Taylor looks to build off of the 40 tackles, eight pass break-ups, and a pair of interceptions that he recorded last season. Also returning in the secondary is Jordan Gregg, who also had a solid 2021 season. Gregg notched 37 tackles, five pass break-ups, a pair of tackles for loss, and an interception.
At linebacker, Catawba returns linebacker duo Christian Bennett and Christian Campbell. Bennett and Campbell combined for 82 stops, 12 tackles for loss, and three fumble recoveries in 2021. Bennett, a Salisbury native, also had a pair of interceptions and two pass break-ups.
On the defensive line, Catawba gets back Joe Camara who had 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks, as well as Mike Jones who recorded 14 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and picked off a pass for a touchdown last year.
Special Teams
Junior punter Clayton Crile is back for his junior season after a historic year kicking the football in 2021. Crile was named to the Elite 100 Watchlist by D2Football.com as well as a preseason all-conference selection ahead of this year after leading the nation in nearly all punting statistical categories and breaking the school record for punting average. The Duncan, SC native also made all 21 extra-point attempts and converted on 8-of-13 field goal attempts.
Livingstone Blue Bears
The Blue Bears compete in the Central Intercollegiate Conference and went 1-8 last season with a 1-5 record in conference play. Livingstone will bring back their leading receiver (Lasirton Bryant), top two rushers (Tecorey Tutson and Derrick Noiles-Dandy) and starting quarterback, Lazarus Anderson. On defense, leading tacklers, Jaden Echols and Terrance McPherson, Jr. also return to the fold.
About Catawba College Athletics
Catawba College Athletics has been a part of the College since its beginning in 1851. Baseball and tennis were among the first sports played at Catawba followed by football which started in 1906. Approximately 43% of Catawba's student body are student athletes competing on 23 NCAA Division II sports teams that offer more than 120 full athletic scholarships. Men's sports include Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, and Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. Women's sports include Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field, and Volleyball. Catawba College is located conveniently in Salisbury, NC and is ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South. Find out more at gocatawbaindians.com.
About Catawba College
Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college conveniently located in Salisbury, N.C. Ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South, Catawba is a learning community providing students unique opportunities to discover their vocation, calling, passions, and purpose as they prepare to reach their highest potential. The College offers more than 70 undergraduate and three graduate programs allowing students to explore diverse interests and create their own academic pathway. Additional information is available at catawba.edu.
