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OGDEN — In 2013, Weber State football’s passing attack could best be described as anemic, and that would be taking it lightly.
All joking aside, the Wildcats averaged only 159 yards of passing a game, while league leader Eastern Washington averaged 350 yards a game. With that in mind, Weber has focused much of its fall camp on improving the offense’s execution throughout the season. In improving a passing attack, it’s important to have a good quarterback, and transfer Billy Green has impressed in his snaps with the first team.
However, a good quarterback also needs a solid receiving corps, and the Wildcats are hopeful that an almost entirely new squad of receivers can help the offense quickly jump-start itself out of last season’s doldrums.
Fesi Sitake, brother of Utah defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake, is the passing game coordinator for the Wildcats, and said the unit’s work ethic over fall camp has impressed him.
“They have been a great group,” said Sitake, who played at Southern Utah. “We have three receivers with us that were with us last spring — eight brand new ones — so I was curious to see how these guys would pick it up. They’re very smart; very talented; been learning their plays quick, and this offense is not easy, so I’m very pleased with their progress.”
Weber scrimmaged on Tuesday and returned to two-a-day practices Wednesday. Wildcats coach Jay Hill said he was impressed with the effort in the day’s morning practice.
“I thought (Wednesday morning) was outstanding,” he said. “We’ve still got a bunch of stuff to clean up, with some coverages and just some of the mental aspects of the game, but I think we’re progressing. We’re getting it.”
Installing a new offense isn’t easy, and players are often forced to learn an entirely new set of plays, signals and directions. However, veteran wide receiver Shaydon Kehano said the new receiving corps should showcase its ability quickly.
“I’m loving how the progression of the team is (coming along),” said Kehano, who caught one touchdown pass last season. “Overall, I’m excited for the season, and I’m ready.”
With only three returning receivers, Hill and his staff had to find recruits who matched their system. In the process, they added players like Dixie High graduate Drew Batchelor and Darryl Denby, a receiver from California. In his analysis of the receiving corps, Hill said the talent level in the receiving corps has been upgraded significantly.
“They’re so much better than they were this spring,” he said. “We added a couple guys to the group that have really solidified it; I think (Kehano) and Cameron Livingston continue to be really outstanding wide receivers, and that group is really starting to take shape.”
Sitake said Batchelor and Denby both are in the hunt for significant minutes during the season.
“We have a couple of true freshmen that have really shined,” he said. “(Batchelor and Denby) are both competing for playing time this fall, and they’re right there on the verge. It’s just a matter of them learning their playbook. Those are two guys that I believe can play at any Division I program, so we’re fortunate to have them.”
As the Wildcats prepare for another scrimmage on Saturday at Stewart Stadium, Hill said it’s important that his team maintain its focus on improvement.
“We can’t have a lull,” he said. “This is that grind of camp now; the next week is going to be a grind before you hit that decline of camp. We’ve got to just keep battling through it.”
