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Very little was pretty in Weber State’s second-week matchup against the University of Utah.
The score was out of control, the offensive yardage (628 to 205) was widely stacked in Utah’s favor, and the Wildcats only mustered 69 rushing yards after gaining more than 300 yards against Stephen F. Austin.
And now, the Wildcats are left with question marks at the quarterback position as both Jordan Adamczyk and Austin Chipoletti took snaps during the game.
Adamczyk finished with 88 yards passing, completing 8 of 17 passes. However, a 3-of-8 performance in the first half led to his being benched for the second quarter in favor of Chipoletti.
Weber State coach Jody Sears noted the move was made for health and depth reasons.
“That was the plan because we have one quarterback on our team that has college snap,” Sears said. “For us to think we can go a 12-game schedules and two Division I schools and stay healthy, we’ve got to prepare and develop ourselves some depth.
“I’m proud of Austin, and he did some good things while he was in there, but we have to keep growing.”
Despite Sears’ statements that the quarterback switch was planned, Adamczyk said he was unaware of the plan.
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“I didn’t know that was going to happen,” Adamczyk said. “Going into the game, we started running the wide splits with the offensive line, and they wanted Chipoletti to run that because he’s a better runner. But I didn’t expect that.”
And while the play book appeared to be bigger for Chipoletti in the second quarter, as he is considered the team’s better running quarterback, the true freshman finished only 4-of-7 for 16 yards with no rushing yards.
Adamczyk re-entered the game in the third quarter, and promptly led the Wildcats on a 13-play, 75-yard drive, which gave Weber State its only score of the game.
“We got off to a good start on that drive and were able to finish,” Adamczyk noted. “I didn’t know I was going to go in the third quarter until right before halftime was done, but your adrenaline kicks in and it's pretty easy to get in and warm up.”
Even as the Weber offense outgained Utah in the third quarter 112 yards to 104 yards, Sears was open about his disappointment in the offense’s execution, even against Utah’s second-team defense in the second half.
“Just the size, the speed and the strength reared its head and exposed us on several occasions,” he noted. “I offer no excuse. … We can’t let this define us, or use youth or this or that as an excuse.”
Now, the Wildcats turn their attention to their matchup against Utah State, where all indications are Adamczyk will remain the starter for Weber State.
“Jordan’s our starter,” Sears said after the game.
For Adamczyk, the need to improve for the Aggies is palpable.
“We just need to continue to get better — both of us,” said Adamczyk, referring to him and Chipoletti. “Whether I’m in or he’s in, we both have to be ready. Going into this week, I just need to keep practicing harder and getting better.”
