CULLOWHEE, N.C. (Interstat) — Lex Thomas accounted for four touchdowns as Western Carolina beat visiting Eastern Kentucky 45-21 on Saturday at E.J. Whitmire Stadium.

Thomas completed 27 of 35 passes for 320 yards, rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries and caught one pass for 4 yards. He threw three touchdown passes and ran for one score. Bode Burns caught four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, and Michael Rossin had six receptions for 94 yards. Bryan McCollum made all six extra-point attempts for Western Carolina, which led 10-7 at halftime. The Catamounts scored 21 points in the third quarter and 14 in the fourth. Eastern Kentucky scored seven points in each of the first three quarters. Jarvis Hayes had five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown, and Elijah Caldwell added six receptions for 102 yards and a score. Jeffrey Kinley led the Colonels’ defense with 12 tackles. Western Carolina improved to 1-0, while Eastern Kentucky fell to 0-1. The Catamounts visit Campbell next Saturday, and the Colonels play at Jacksonville State.