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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Turnovers decide whether teams win or lose football games.
Weber State football lost three fumbles Saturday in a non-conference game against Big Sky foe Sacramento State, and promptly lost the game, 42-31.
The Hornets scored 20 points in the first quarter and led the entire game. And while the Wildcats were within a score in the second half, Weber continually allowed Sacramento State to move the ball at will.
Thus, the game day grades for the Wildcats reflect a game that was a struggle at best for Weber. >
Scoring 31 points on the road, a team should expect to win. However, Weber State had a few fatal flaws in its offensive performance. First, losing three fumbles is a critical mistake that no team can overcome. Also, a failure to rush for over 100 yards is not a good sign for an offense.
Quarterback Billy Green passed the ball 60 times during the game, which was most likely a reaction to the early 20-0 deficit the Wildcats found themselves in.
Three turnovers definitely put the defense in a rough spot, but the Wildcats allowed 265 rushing yards. To put another spin on the Hornets’ rushing success, Sacramento State averaged 7.2 yards per rush. Those numbers hardly indicate defensive success. Neither does the Hornets’ 467 total offensive yards.
Wildcats kicker Josh Kealamakia made one of two field goals, and punter Blake O’Neill punted three times, averaging 46.7 yards per punt. Also, the Wildcats averaged 32.2 yards per kick return.
This was the first truly winnable game for Weber, and losing three fumbles doesn’t help the cause. Also, throwing the ball 60 times doesn’t help offensive balance. The Wildcats will have to rush the ball better going forward.
