Battle for the Old Mountain Jug

[The Cats]

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"An incident related to WCU's quest for Southern Conference membership occurred during the 1974 season that threw gasoline on the fires of the rivalry. Appalachian State officials informed Dr. H. F. Robinson, WCU's Chancellor, and Bob Waters, the athletics director and head football coach for Western, that if Jerry Gaines, the Catamounts' all-star wide receiver/kick returner - and arguably the school's best athlete ever - were allowed to play in the WCU-ASU football game in Boone, ASU would withdraw their support of Western's membership for the Southern Conference.

The premise was that Gaines was playing in 1974 season as a fifth-year medical red-shirt and red-shirting was not permitted in the Southern Conference. Gaines was injured in the first half of the second game of the 1971 season, incidentally against Appalachian State. Catamount fans believed Appalachian State's motive was based upon Gaines' performance in the previous two meetings in the series, both won handily by Western.

Gaines did not play in 1974, but his replacement, true-freshman Wayne Tolleson, caught what proved to be the winning touchdown pass in a 21-17 Catamount victory.

The old cliché "you can throw away records in this one" always applies to rivalry games and rang to its truest in the 1975 meeting in Cullowhee. The Catamounts were having a miserable 2-7 season and had been humiliated the week before by Furman, 34-0. On that same Saturday, Appalachian had pulled off perhaps its biggest upset ever in a defeat of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and arrived in Whitmire Stadium with an overall mark of 7-2. The Asheville Citizen-Times said the Mountaineers were favored "by the temperature at kickoff," which was predicted to be 62 degrees. The Catamounts supplied perhaps the biggest shocker in the series history with a 20-11 upset win for hits fifth-consecutive victory in the rivalry."

[APPride]

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/wcar/sports/genrel/auto_wide/1497061.jpeg

http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/wcar/sports/m-footbl/auto_wide/1497070.jpeg

"An incident related to WCU's quest for Southern Conference membership occurred during the 1974 season that threw gasoline on the fires of the rivalry. Appalachian State officials informed Dr. H. F. Robinson, WCU's Chancellor, and Bob Waters, the athletics director and head football coach for Western, that if Jerry Gaines, the Catamounts' all-star wide receiver/kick returner - and arguably the school's best athlete ever - were allowed to play in the WCU-ASU football game in Boone, ASU would withdraw their support of Western's membership for the Southern Conference.

The premise was that Gaines was playing in 1974 season as a fifth-year medical red-shirt and red-shirting was not permitted in the Southern Conference. Gaines was injured in the first half of the second game of the 1971 season, incidentally against Appalachian State. Catamount fans believed Appalachian State's motive was based upon Gaines' performance in the previous two meetings in the series, both won handily by Western.

Gaines did not play in 1974, but his replacement, true-freshman Wayne Tolleson, caught what proved to be the winning touchdown pass in a 21-17 Catamount victory.

The old cliché "you can throw away records in this one" always applies to rivalry games and rang to its truest in the 1975 meeting in Cullowhee. The Catamounts were having a miserable 2-7 season and had been humiliated the week before by Furman, 34-0. On that same Saturday, Appalachian had pulled off perhaps its biggest upset ever in a defeat of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and arrived in Whitmire Stadium with an overall mark of 7-2. The Asheville Citizen-Times said the Mountaineers were favored "by the temperature at kickoff," which was predicted to be 62 degrees. The Catamounts supplied perhaps the biggest shocker in the series history with a 20-11 upset win for hits fifth-consecutive victory in the rivalry."

Wow...great post!...if I had this reminder of the past in my back pocket, no way could I have the willpower to wait until Thursday to post it...didn't know about that streak, thanks...

[mikebigg]

There are so many good rivalries in college football that I didn't know about. Seems like yall got a good rivalry game going... what's the series record? How geographically close are the two schools?

[The Cats]

There are so many good rivalries in college football that I didn't know about. Seems like yall got a good rivalry game going... what's the series record? How geographically close are the two schools?

http://catamountsports.cstv.com/genrel/011305aah.html

"The rivalry had natural origins. Appalachian and Western were the only public colleges in the western half of North Carolina for decades and made similar steps to their present status as comprehensive regional universities. Both basically recruited athletes from the same high schools in the early years and their graduates were, in large part, public school teachers. The alumni of the schools found themselves working together, which helped foster the rivalry."

"The schools began meeting on the football field back in 1932 and it was all App State in the first 13 meetings as Western only scored five touchdowns in that dismal stretch. The Catamounts finally found the answer in 1949 with a 13-6, streak-snapping win. WCU went on to win the North State Conference championship and received a postseason bowl bid."

WCU Trails: 18-51-1

At WCU: WCU Trails 9-21-1

At ASU: WCU Trails 9-26-0

At Asheville: WCU Trails 0-5-0

Year Site Result Score
1932 ...... A ......... L ............ 0 20
1933 ...... H ......... L ............ 0 15
1934 ...... A ......... L ............ 0 6
1935 ...... H ......... L ............ 0 12
1936 ...... A ......... L ............ 2 20
1937 ...... H ......... L ............ 0 14
1938 ...... A ......... L ............ 0 27
1939 ...... A ......... L ............ 7 54
1940 ...... H ......... L ............ 8 40
1941 ...... A ......... L ............ 0 35
1946 ...... H ......... L ............ 6 42
1947 ...... A ......... L ............ 0 20
1948 ...... N ......... L .......... 12 14
1949 ...... A ........ W .......... 13 6
1950 ...... H ......... L ........... 6 13
1951 ...... A ......... L ........... 6 26
1952 ...... N ......... L .......... 12 20
1953 ...... A ......... L ........... 0 7
1954 ...... N ......... L .......... 7 27
1955 ...... A ........ W .......... 7 6
1956 ...... N ......... L .......... 7 19
1957 ...... A ......... L .......... 0 25
1958 ...... H ........ W ......... 32 2
1959 ...... A ......... L ......... 12 14
1960 ...... H ......... L .......... 6 22
1961 ...... N ......... L ......... 12 25
1962 ...... H ......... T ...... ... 6 6
1963 ...... A .......... L ......... 3 14
1964 ...... H .......... L ........ 10 27
1965 ...... A ......... W ......... 7 0
1966 ...... H .......... L ....... 33 35
1967 ...... A ......... W ....... 21 0
1968 ...... H .......... L ....... 14 28
1969 ...... A ......... W ........ 35 7
1970 ...... H .......... L ........ 0 17
1971 ...... A ......... W ........ 26 0
1972 ...... H ......... W ........ 35 21
1973 ...... H ......... W ....... 32 14
1974 ...... A ......... W ....... 21 17
1975 ...... H ......... W ....... 20 11
– OLD MOUNTAIN JUG ERA –
1976 ...... A .......... L ....... 17 24
1977 ...... H ......... W ....... 44 14
1978 ...... H .......... L ....... 13 39
1979 ...... A .......... L ....... 27 35
1980 ...... A .......... L ....... 24 27
1981 ...... H ......... W ....... 21 10
1982 ...... A ......... W ....... 26 24
1983 ...... H ......... W ........ 1 15
1984 ...... A ......... W ....... 34 7
1985 ...... H ........... L ...... 14 27
1986 ...... A ........... L ...... 13 17
1987 ...... H ........... L ...... 13 33
1988 ...... A ........... L ...... 21 42
1989 ...... H ........... L ....... 20 31
1990 ...... A ........... L ........ 9 27
1991 ...... H ........... L ....... 14 24
1992 ...... A ........... L ....... 12 14
1993 ...... A ........... L ....... 16 20
1994 ...... H ........... L ........ 7 12
1995 ...... A ........... L ........ 3 28
1996 ...... H ........... L ...... 17 24
1997 ...... A ........... L ........ 7 13
1998 ...... H .......... W ....... 23 6
1999 ...... A ........... L ....... 10 34
2000 ...... H ........... L ....... 28 35
2001 ...... A ........... L ....... 24 34
2002 ...... H ........... L ....... 14 24
2003 ...... A ........... L ....... 18 26
2004 ...... H .......... W ....... 30 27
2005 ...... A ........... L ........ 7 35
2006 ...... H ........... L ........ 9 31

[CharlestonAppFan]

http://catamountsports.cstv.com/genrel/011305aah.html

1989 ...... H ........... L ....... 20 31
1990 ...... A ........... L ........ 9 27
1991 ...... H ........... L ....... 14 24
1992 ...... A ........... L ....... 12 14
1993 ...... A ........... L ....... 16 20
1994 ...... H ........... L ........ 7 12
1995 ...... A ........... L ........ 3 28
1996 ...... H ........... L ...... 17 24
1997 ...... A ........... L ........ 7 13
1998 ...... H .......... W ....... 23 6
1999 ...... A ........... L ....... 10 34
2000 ...... H ........... L ....... 28 35
2001 ...... A ........... L ....... 24 34
2002 ...... H ........... L ....... 14 24
2003 ...... A ........... L ....... 18 26
2004 ...... H .......... W ....... 30 27
2005 ...... A ........... L ........ 7 35
2006 ...... H ........... L ........ 9 31

The Jerry Moore era....:)

[Mountaineer#96]

Sorry about 2004 guys, if you ask most of the team from that year we still are at a loss for words.

[terrierbob]

Sorry about 2004 guys, if you ask most of the team from that year we still are at a loss for words.

What happened in that game? Didn't App still go to the playoffs, though?

[OL FU]

WCU Trails: 18-51-1

I'm surprised you guys look forward to this gamexeyebrowx

[FCS Preview]

The old cliché "you can throw away records in this one" always applies to rivalry games and rang to its truest in the 1975 meeting in Cullowhee. The Catamounts were having a miserable 2-7 season and had been humiliated the week before by Furman, 34-0. On that same Saturday, Appalachian had pulled off perhaps its biggest upset ever in a defeat of the University of South Carolina in Columbia, and arrived in Whitmire Stadium with an overall mark of 7-2. The Asheville Citizen-Times said the Mountaineers were favored "by the temperature at kickoff," which was predicted to be 62 degrees. The Catamounts supplied perhaps the biggest shocker in the series history with a 20-11 upset win for hits fifth-consecutive victory in the rivalry."

Time to update that paragraph...

[asu3peat]

I think our fans look forward to the game due the close proximity of the schools and similar settings in the mountains. Most students/alums have friends that attend/ed the rival school which always makes for good natured smack talk. Not to mention our rivalry actually has a name and a trophy. I think we need to come up with a name and trophy for our rivalries with Furman and Ga. Southern.

[OL FU]

I think our fans look forward to the game due the close proximity of the schools and similar settings in the mountains. Most students/alums have friends that attend/ed the rival school which always makes for good natured smack talk. Not to mention our rivalry actually has a name and a trophy. I think we need to come up with a name and trophy for our rivalries with Furman and Ga. Southern.

I was talking about WCU, I know why you guys look forward to itxnodx

[asu3peat]

My bad FU...I thought you were talking about the fans in general. I have to pull for the WCU women's softball team because a female on their team won my families scholarship. I'd like to see their football program step up and make improvements on the field to make our conference more competitive and light a new fire into the rivalry. Do you have any good ideas for names and trophies for our rivalry with Furman?

[CharlestonAppFan]

Sorry about 2004 guys, if you ask most of the team from that year we still are at a loss for words.

You have to look at it from the standpoint that it lit a fire under the next couple of years teamsxnodx . So, although I hated the fact that we (well you guys that played on the team) lost to WCUxbawlingx , it was actually a blessing in disguise. xthumbsupx

[HiHiYikas]

There's not as much geographic proximity in this one as there might seem. Both universities are in western NC, but there's a lot of NC that juts to the southwest of Boone. Boone is pretty far east as western NC towns go - about 10 miles from Tennesee, 25 miles from Virginia as the crow flies, tucked up in the corner of the state.

There's not much worse than the ride out 221/40/74 from Boone to Cullowhee. Or the ride back.

Boone is about 200 miles from Murphy, one of the westernmost towns in North Carolina's "nose." Boone is only 188 miles from Raleigh.

Boone to Elon - 132 miles (2 hrs, 34 mins)
Boone to Cullowhee - 134 miles (2 hrs, 55 mins)
Boone to Spartanburg - 134 miles (2 hrs, 35 mins)
Boone to Greenville - 154 miles (2 hrs, 58 mins)

Cullowhee NC to Atlanta GA - 153 miles (3 hrs, 8 mins)

[Mountaineer#96]

What happened in that game? Didn't App still go to the playoffs, though?

Well to sum it all up we had physically beaten WCU up and down the field that day, but really didn't have too many points to show. Then in the 4th Nygel Rodgers intercepted a pass and scored a TD. We began to relax thinking that sealed the win. WCU scored 17 unanswered points in the final 3 minutes or so and beat us 30 - 27. We finished the year 6 -5 and did not win a game on the road. Had we won the game we would have had a shot at the playoffs.

Many ASU fans credit this as the turning point in recent football history since the sparked the 2005 championship run and many changes within our program. I can tell you that the mood in our locker room after that game is something I never wish upon any player ever, it was like each and everyone of us died.

[WUTNDITWAA]

Cullowhee is Cherokee for, "You can't get there from here."

[Mountaineer#96]

There's not as much geographic proximity in this one as there might seem. Both universities are in western NC, but there's a lot of NC that juts to the southwest of Boone. Boone is pretty far east as western NC towns go - about 10 miles from Tennesee, 25 miles from Virginia as the crow flies, tucked up in the corner of the state.

There's not much worse than the ride out 221/40/74 from Boone to Cullowhee. Or the ride back.

Boone is about 200 miles from Murphy, one of the westernmost towns in North Carolina's "nose." Boone is only 188 miles from Raleigh.

Boone to Elon - 132 miles (2 hrs, 34 mins)
Boone to Cullowhee - 134 miles (2 hrs, 55 mins)
Boone to Spartanburg - 134 miles (2 hrs, 35 mins)
Boone to Greenville - 154 miles (2 hrs, 58 mins)

Cullowhee NC to Atlanta GA - 153 miles (3 hrs, 8 mins)

Or the ride out of town with your tail between your legs and every car honking it's horn at the bus......... - '04

[OL FU]

My bad FU...I thought you were talking about the fans in general. I have to pull for the WCU women's softball team because a female on their team won my families scholarship. I'd like to see their football program step up and make improvements on the field to make our conference more competitive and light a new fire into the rivalry. Do you have any good ideas for names and trophies for our rivalry with Furman?

In years past the SoCon Championship would have been a good one but after this year maybe we should come up with something differentxbawlingx

[catamount man]

I'm surprised you guys look forward to this gamexeyebrowx

It's actually 18-52-1. This year will be the 72nd meeting. Hey man, it's our rival. Of course, we look forward to it.

GO CATS!!!

[The Moody1]

Sorry about 2004 guys, if you ask most of the team from that year we still are at a loss for words.

If I remember correctly, if we would have just ran the ball on our final possession WCU would ran out of time. I believe we threw thew ball so that Devon Folkes (I think) could pad his stats.

[catamount man]

If I remember correctly, if we would have just ran the ball on our final possession WCU would ran out of time. I believe we threw thew ball so that Devon Folkes (I think) could pad his stats.

It was 9-3 WCU at halftime so as I remember, we didn't get ran up and down the field in the 1st half as someone else remembers and I watched the game again last night.

27-16 after Nygel Rodgers ran the interception in and I cussed our students that left the game. And then of course, the comeback led by backup QB Justin Clark.

What sucks is that we caused a fumble with 25 seconds left and the stupid officials declared it an incomplete pass giving ASU another chance. Meanwhile, our idiot field crew began to take down the other goal post while all the sorting out was going on. Good thing Rauch did miss that field goal after all eh?!xbowx

Walking out of Boone and Cullowhee with my head low the last 2 years though has been terrible as I really thought 2004 was the turning of the tide and until Briggs leaves, it's more of the same I'm afraid.xsmhx

[OL FU]

It's actually 18-52-1. This year will be the 72nd meeting. Hey man, it's our rival. Of course, we look forward to it.

GO CATS!!!
I know. I was being a smart ass:o

[Sports Guy Guru]

So is this rivalry going to end now that Appalachian has moved to the Sun Belt?

[PaladinFan]

So is this rivalry going to end now that Appalachian has moved to the Sun Belt?

I would wager with a great deal of certainty this is the last time these two programs will play for a long time.

[Apphole]

So is this rivalry going to end now that Appalachian has moved to the Sun Belt?

The rivalry has been dead for years. At least on our end.

[CID1990]

The rivalry has been dead for years. At least on our end.

The best and most significant win is always the LAST one!

[citdog]

I would wager.


NOT if you went to furman you wouldn't.



http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3057/3025381707_3bcaae2ecd.jpg

[pike51]

How awesome would it be if WCU could win the Jug of Goat Pee this year and keep it indefinitely? App would never live that down!

[Apphole]

How awesome would it be if WCU could win the Jug of Goat Pee this year and keep it indefinitely? App would never live that down!

It would certainly sting, but we would forget all about the Can'tamounts very shortly, win or lose. There is no institutional comparison anymore. We have nothing in common except the nature of our terrain.

[catamount man]

It would certainly sting, but we would forget all about the Can'tamounts very shortly, win or lose. There is no institutional comparison anymore. We have nothing in common except the nature of our terrain.

Exhibit A as to why we will not miss them. GO CATS!

[Apphole]

Exhibit A as to why we will not miss them. GO CATS!

We hate hearing the truth. GOOD RIDDANCE!

[catamount man]

We hate hearing the truth. GOOD RIDDANCE!

It's gonna be fun seeing Idaho and Troy make APP bend over and grab their ankles. LOL!

[CID1990]

It's gonna be fun seeing Idaho and Troy make APP bend over and grab their ankles. LOL!


Idaho, probably not so much.

But yeah, Troy. maybe.

[Apphole]

It's gonna be fun seeing Idaho and Troy make APP bend over and grab their ankles. LOL!

You should follow sports better.

[ASUMountaineer]

Idaho, probably not so much.

But yeah, Troy. maybe.

Troy certainly could. I'm not-so-naive to not expect a rough go at first. A second-year HC and first year in a new conference and subdivision. The deck is stacked against us, and I'd be pleased with a .500 record the first year (even that may be pushing it). We shall see. I think eventually App could have a program similar to ECU's, and I'd be happy with that...though, of course, I'd prefer us to be more like Boise, but that's a unique situation and the exception not the rule.

As for the Old Mountain Jug, I want to win it in grand fashion. I told my wife at the beginning of the year that we had to win two games for me to be satisfied with leaving the SoCon: Elon and WCU. We had to preserve the streak against Elon, and we need to maintain the jug. Other than that, whatever happens is just gravy for me! xlolx Step 1 has been accomplished, and it's a while until Step 2 gets here. May as well win some along the way!

[SpeedkingATL]

It's gonna be fun seeing Idaho and Troy make APP bend over and grab their ankles. LOL!

You should know what that's like better than anyone in the SoCon and most of the FCS. The Kats have been bending over for the entire conference for years.

[CID1990]

I think eventually App could have a program similar to ECU's, and I'd be happy with that...

If ASU can do that while at the same time not developing the UNC/ACC penis envy that the ECU fans have, that would be a good achievement.

[asu3peat]

If ASU can do that while at the same time not developing the UNC/ACC penis envy that the ECU fans have, that would be a good achievement.

Amen! The only 2 teams I care to play in NC are Wake and ECU due to having some history of playing one another. I believe the old 421 Wake series is more likely since the two institutions have academic ties now with the new PA program at App. I don't want to see our leadership begging the state to pass some legislation that forces other in-state programs to play ASU. Don't get me wrong, I'd be amped up to play UNC since my dad and brother both went there but I don't want the fan base crying about it. I'd also enjoy seeing a series with NC State as I have several friends who graduated from there so the tailgate would be awesome.

[Apphole]

If ASU can do that while at the same time not developing the UNC/ACC penis envy that the ECU fans have, that would be a good achievement.

UNC doesn't have a penis and ECU's penis is covered in sores. I envy no such peni and I never will.

[ASUMountaineer]

If ASU can do that while at the same time not developing the UNC/ACC penis envy that the ECU fans have, that would be a good achievement.

Agreed. I couldn't care less about playing the Tobacco Road teams.

[CID1990]

I actually would like to see App play the Heels and the Wolfpack. I think that after some time in FBS ASU could be competitive with them on occasion.

The problem with the ECU crowd is that they have this perpetual Rodney Dangerfield syndrome when it comes to the ACC. This of course hasn't been helped by the ACC literally going to the ends of the earth to avoid inviting ECU, but still. There have been years where ECU was the best football team in the state, and they need to get over the animosity towards the piedmont universities. Hell, I was at ECU-NCSU back in I think it was 1987 when ECU won in Carter Finley and the ECU fans ran on the field and tore down NCSU's goalposts. Then they got pissed when the Wolfpack stopped scheduling them for being such a bunch of rednecks over the victory. They had waited for all that time to get some respect from the other schools and then they crapped their own beds.

I don't forsee the ASU faithful acting like the ECU crowd.

[ASUMountaineer]

I actually would like to see App play the Heels and the Wolfpack. I think that after some time in FBS ASU could be competitive with them on occasion.

The problem with the ECU crowd is that they have this perpetual Rodney Dangerfield syndrome when it comes to the ACC. This of course hasn't been helped by the ACC literally going to the ends of the earth to avoid inviting ECU, but still. There have been years where ECU was the best football team in the state, and they need to get over the animosity towards the piedmont universities. Hell, I was at ECU-NCSU back in I think it was 1987 when ECU won in Carter Finley and the ECU fans ran on the field and tore down NCSU's goalposts. Then they got pissed when the Wolfpack stopped scheduling them for being such a bunch of rednecks over the victory. They had waited for all that time to get some respect from the other schools and then they crapped their own beds.

I don't forsee the ASU faithful acting like the ECU crowd.

Well, the eastern part of the state yields the most political power...I'm sure they felt/feel entitled. xlolx