Was one of the greatest football teams that Western Carolina University had ever produced
Had 11 All-Southern Conference Selections
Two All-American Athletes
Head coach Bob Walters won the SoCon Coach of the Year award in 1983
Had an overall record of 11-3-1
Former linebacker Ricky Pate, one of the players on the All-Southern Conference Selection, shared his experience with some of the greatest comeback victories in school history:
Eastern Tennessee State University- "We were trailing East Tennessee State 16-6 with 4:31 left to play. Western started a drive on its own nine yard line and drove 91 yards in eight plays. The Drive was capped with the "Immaculate Reception II" when Eric Rasheed hauled in a 37-yard Willie Perkins pass, which hadbeen tipped twice by ETSU defenders. Western then converted the two-point conversion to make the score 16-14 and recovered the on-side kick with 2:25 left. Six plays later Dean Biasucci kicked a 43-yard field goal with 32 seconds left to provide the final 17-16 margin".
"The Catamounts went on to win 11 of its next 12 games"
Colgate University-"The Cats' first-round win over Colgate at Whitmire Stadium in the 1983 NCAA I-AA playoffs was tabbed one, if not THE greatest comebcak victory in Western's first 50 years of football. The Red Raiders led at half time 23-0 and amassed 281 yards of total offense. The second half was dominating performance by Western as it held Colgate to just 91 yards of total offense and four first downs in route to the 24-23 win"
The 1983 team would go on and play Southern Illinois University for the national championship but sadly lost
The team was inducted into the Western Carolina Hall of Fame in 2003