Adams dazzles as Western Carolina thumps Gardner-Webb 44-14

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) Tyrie Adams passed for 427 yards and five touchdowns, Spearman Robinson had a career-high 13 receptions, and Western Carolina finished

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) Tyrie Adams passed for 427 yards and five touchdowns, Spearman Robinson had a career-high 13 receptions, and Western Carolina finished with 30 straight points in a 44-14 win over Gardner-Webb on Saturday night.

Adams, a redshirt freshman, completed 36 of 43 attempts with two interceptions and added 83 yards rushing in his second collegiate start. He passed for 167 yards on 12-of-24 passing in last week's 52-7 blowout loss at East Carolina.

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After Logan Howard's 38-yard field goal gave Western Carolina a 17-14 lead going into the half, Adams connected on four second-half TD passes - two to Robinson and one each to Michael Helms and Detrez Newsome - as the Catamounts (1-1) pulled away. Robinson finished with 157 yards receiving, and Newsome ran for 148 yards and a score.

Khalil Lewis and Tyrell Maxell each had rushing touchdowns for Gardner-Webb (1-1).

Western Carolina had 690 total yards.