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OGDEN — Weber State knows this conference opponent well for a couple of reasons.
First, Sacramento State and Weber State are Big Sky foes; second, Sacramento State head coach Jody Sears was previously the head coach at Weber State. The bottom line is, these teams know each other well and both sides have motivation to win this game.
Sears wants to prove to Weber made a mistake in firing him; the Wildcats want to prove to Sears the program has improved since he left. The game will likely boil down to several keys, which are mentioned below.
Emotions can be a player’s best friend in football and they can also be a player’s worst nightmare. In a 24-7 loss to FCS-powerhouse North Dakota State, Weber had three personal fouls that extended Bison drives that turned into scores. Those penalties came on extracurricular activities after the whistle which led to better field position for the opposing team.
Weber’s players will be fired up to see their former coach, but they must control the urge to beat him. On the road, personal fouls lead to losses.
One reason Weber fell short against the Bison was a lack of production in the running game. The Wildcats rushed for only 66 yards in the loss and gained most of that on a couple of big plays. Also, the Wildcats were stuffed repeatedly in the red zone (more on this later). On the road, the Wildcats will have to run the ball more effectively if they hope to limit the Hornets’ offense.
For Weber to have first-and-goal against the Bison and not score, even after getting extra downs due to a pass interference call in the end zone, is unacceptable. The Wildcats will have to make the most of red zone opportunities, as their lack of production in that part of the field played a role in the first two games of the season. Improving the running game will go a long way, but the Wildcats need to make the most of red zone opportunities.
The Wildcats won the turnover battle against North Dakota State, but lost the war to the Bison. The Weber secondary played well, and they need to keep playing well against a pass-happy Sacramento State attack. Winning the turnover margin doesn’t always indicate victory, but it does help.
Wide receivers Shaydon Kehano and Cam Livingston showcased their potential during the North Dakota State game, routinely beating their defender. If Weber quarterback Billy Green can establish them as early threats down field, the Wildcats will be able to get pressure off of their running game.
