Even a loss proves Weber State has turned a corner


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OGDEN — On a cold day in Washington, the Wildcats saw their playoff hopes carried off by a cruel and unmerciful wind.

Weber State had three field goal attempts in three consecutive drives to try to pull ahead of Eastern Washington, who led by a score of 14-13.

Each attempt was swept wide by the rain and wind.

The loss dropped Weber to 3-3 in conference play with only two games left on the schedule. The Wildcats playoff hopes were slim already, but any chance at securing an at-large bid ended Saturday afternoon.

This is a heartbreaker for sure. However, it is important to realize what the team has accomplished this year.

The Wildcats brought the No. 5-ranked Eastern Washington team to the brink on their own red field. They came into the game as the third best offense in the country, averaging 547 yards per game.

The Eagles also led the country in passing offense, averaging 407 yards per game through the air and ringing in 30 touchdowns.

This is due to the fantastic two-man combo of quarterback Jordan West and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, each leading the country in passing and receiving touchdowns respectively. West is averaging 330 yards passing per game and Kupp is averaging 161 receiving yards per game. You would be hard-pressed to find a better and more effective two-man offense in the country.


The culture here is a little down, but we are changing that and we are changing that fast. It feels great to show people that we can really do this.

–Weber State linebacker Emmet Tela


Last Saturday, the Wildcats were not intimidated by the opposing players or by the rain and wind that buffeted the field.

They held West to 121 passing yards in the game and Kupp to 74 yards receiving. They held the Eagles to 189 yards of total offense. The Eagles' time of possession on the game was only 18:25 to Weber's 41:35.

Eastern Washington had scored more than 40 points in their last three games. In this game, Weber held them to 14 on two touchdown passes to Kupp.

Looking at the box score, Weber State should have won the game. They bested the Eagles in almost every category. Unfortunately for Weber, it is the final score that determines who gets a W and who gets the L.

Last Saturday's game was a perfect example of the change in performance and mindset that this team has gone through this year. The team has bought in to coach Jay Hill's program and it is showing on the field.

"The culture here is a little down, but we are changing that and we are changing that fast," said linebacker Emmet Tela earlier this season. "It feels great to show people that we can really do this."

Weber was coming off their third straight two-win season entering this year. The Wildcats won the final two games of last season, and it was then you could start to see some change.

They were able to carry that confidence into this year, doubling up on that previous win total with four, with two more games left to play.

The Wildcats face 1-7 UC Davis on Saturday and 2-6 Idaho State the following week. Both of these games are at home.

For the first time in a long time, the 4-5 Weber State Wildcats have a legitimate shot at finishing a season with a winning record.

The wind may have blown away their playoff hopes on Saturday, but the future is bright and clear for this football program. Mark Douglas is a graduate of Weber State University and lives in Ogden. Contact him at markdouglasmail@gmail.com or on Twitter @ThePistolColumn.

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