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OGDEN -- The Montana State Bobcats (2-1) stroll into Ogden this weekend looking to continue their recent domination of Weber State (2-2). Even though the Wildcats won last year's game up in Bozeman, the Bobcats have won 10 of the last 12 games played between the two teams. Weber State Head Coach Ron McBride knows that this Saturday's game will be a big, big test for his Wildcats.
"These guys are always very tough and physical on both sides of the ball," said McBride. "I have been here four years and they have been one of the most solid, strongest teams on both sides of the line that we have played year in and year out in Big Sky Conference play. This is a good, solid football team."
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WSU's Higgins 1 of 3 Big Sky offensive Players of the Week
Weber State's QB Cameron Higgins is one of three players elected Offensive Player of the Week in the Big Sky Conference.The Wildcats, coming off their last-second victory at Portland State, remained No. 11 in both the Sports Network poll and the FCS Coaches' poll. For the first time since October 2007, the Bobcats are ranked, coming in at No. 25.
Both teams are strong and it shows in the Big Sky Conference statistics as both teams are among the leaders in a number of categories. Notably, the Wildcats are the Big Sky leaders in first downs this season, averaging almost 24 a game. Montana State, on the other hand, leads the Big Sky in the least first downs by opponents, allowing just 66 in their first three games this season. Weber State is the Big Sky's number two scoring offense at just over 31 points per game. Montana State is the Big Sky's number two scoring defense holding teams to fewer than 24 points per game.
If the Wildcats want to have a strong performance on Saturday, they have got to find a way to get running back Trevyn Smith going against the Bobcats. Smith has played 40 career games and has rushed for at least 100 or more yards against every team in the Big Sky Conference except for Montana State. In three games against the Bobcats, Smith has rushed for totals of 65, 78, and 73 yards.
The Wildcats will also be looking to have another strong performance from quarterback Cameron Higgins. Higgins shared Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors with Montana's Andrew Selle and Eastern Washington's Taiwan Jones. Last year in Bozeman, Higgins completed 29 of 36 pass attempts for 366 yards and four touchdowns, to help the Wildcats snap the seven-game losing streak they had against Montana State.
Weather is not expected to be a factor for this Saturday's game as the forecast calls for high 60's and partly cloudy for the 1:35 p.m. kickoff inside Weber State's Stewart Stadium.
