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OGDEN -- Coming off the Colorado State game, which the Weber State Wildcats (0-2) dominated only to lose in the final minute, Coach Ron McBride told his players he was proud of the effort, but they needed to close the door in crunch time.
"Coach Mac was really positive and told us that we played our hearts out," said junior middle linebacker Taylor Sedillo. "He told us that when it gets down to crunch time you got to make plays and have ball control. He said lets make the adjustments that need to be made and go forward."
Going forward means turning all the attention to this Saturday's opponent, the Idaho State Bengals (0-2).
The Bengals come into Ogden playing perhaps one of the toughest schedules in the first two weeks of any FCS team. Week one against Arizona State, the Bengals were held to just 37 yards of total offense in a 50-3 blowout. Then in week two, they got steam rolled by the Oklahoma Sooners 64-0.
Even though the Bengals have had some hard losses, McBride isn't overlooking them. "It's hard to tell what type of team Idaho State has this season. It's a Big Sky game, so I expect them to give a great effort on Saturday."
One mild concern for the Wildcats this Saturday is the play quarterback Cameron Higgins. In 13 games last season, Higgins threw only 14 interceptions. In the first two games this season, he already has seven. Senior wide receiver, Tim Toone says that nobody needs to worry about his QB. "Cam works hard every day, whether it is film study or whatever, he works hard. The problem is that we haven't gotten our timing together yet like it was last season. Once that happens he will be fine."
This week in practice the Cats' are working on getting their focus back. No more focusing on the two hard losses, but rather focus on what's ahead in conference play. "We will do the same thing we have been for the past two weeks prior to this week," says Sedillo. "Practice hard, study film, get rest, and take care of school."
The last meeting between these two teams saw the Wildcats explode for a 59-27 victory in Pocatello, giving the Cats' a share of the Big Sky Conference Title. Trevyn Smith became Weber State's all-time leading rusher and the Wildcats piled up 666 yards, which is the 6th best single-game total in school history. But that was last year and this season the Cats' know that they are going to have to bring it every game.
"We look at every Saturday as a big game," says Sedillo. "This being a rival game, I am sure that Idaho State will give us everything they have and we intend to do the same so it should be a good battle."
In what is Weber State's only night game of the season, kickoff is at 6:05 p.m. inside Stewart Stadium.
