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2011 Big Sky Conference Preview: Can Another BSC Team Win The National Championship?
By Kent Schmidt
West Columnist
College Sporting News
Another team that hopes to improve on a 2010 6-5 mark is Weber State.
The Wildcats advanced to the FCS playoffs in 2008 and 2009 but slipped a little a season ago. This year will have a similar schedule for Coach Ron McBride's team as last year with two FBS opponents but neither are from BCS conferences as was the case a year ago in trips to Wyoming and Utah State.
Last year, WSU had trips to Boston College and Texas Tech.
Offensively, the post-Cameron Higgins quarterback era begins in Ogden.
Higgins finished his career with more touchdown passes (98) than any player in Big Sky history and ranked second all-time in passing yards (12,274).
Junior Mike Hoke, who has been the backup the past two seasons, appears to be the heir apparent.
He has thrown for 419 yards and three touchdowns, and has rushed 42 times for 144 yards and one touchdown in his career thus far.
The running game will be headed by sophomore running back Josh Booker, who rushed for 563 yards and two touchdowns last season. Elsewhere in the backfield, the Wildcats lost all-conference fullback Vai Tafuna to graduation and Bo Bolen has left on a two-year LDS Mission.
The passing game for the new Wildcat signal caller will have several new hands catching too.
The top receiver back was the fourth leading receiver a year ago in now senior Austin Raught, who had just 18 catches for 184 yards in 2010.
The one area of the Wildcats that should not be a concern offensively is the offensive line where all five starters return with seniors guard J.C. Oram and tackle Caleb Turner leading the group.
Both were named to the All-BSC first team last year and Oram received All-American accolades.
Adding to the line is returning junior tight end Brian Jankowski, who took over for now senior Tyrell Francisco, who had an Achilles tendon injury before the 2010 season began.
A strong blocker, and an able-handed receiver, Jankowski had 10 catches for 89 yards and one touchdown. Francisco is back but has been moved to the receiver position during spring practices.
Weber State's defense will be led by All-BSC senior linebacker Nick Webb, who tallied a team second best 99 tackles last season. Ryan Eastman, a junior defensive tackle, has returned to Weber State.
Eastman played for the Wildcats in 2008 and 2009, earning honorable mention All-Conference honors both seasons.
Eastman transferred to FBS Hawaii for the spring semester of 2010, but returned to Weber State last fall. Senior Blake Keller returns at a safety spot where he had 79 tackles, and should be the secondary leader.
Big Sky Games of the Week
Idaho State @ Weber State, Oct. 15
This rivalry game has been rather one-sided in favor of WSU over the past few years. Will that trend continue this year?
Weber State @ Montana, Oct. 29
Both of these schools were off from their recent historically good season last year. Will this game tell us which one might still be a conference contender to end the 2011 season?
Weber State Wildcats
Location: Ogden, UT
Stadium: Stewart Stadium (17,500)
Head Coach: Ron McBride (38-26, WSU & 126-95 Overall) 7th Season
Who's Gone: QB Cameron Higgins, WR Joe Collins, FB Vai Tafuna, RB Bo Bolin, S Jordan Brown.
Who's Back: WR Caleb Turner, ROV Nick Webb, OG J.C. Oram, OC Tyson Tiatia, TE Brian Jankowski, OT Adam Sagapolutele-White, P Josh Kealamakia, OG Jiniki Timoteo OT Tytan Timoteo, OC Tyson Tiatia, DE Gabe Bowers, CB David James, S Blake Keller, LB Mo Neal, DE Trevor Pletcher, DT Adam Sagapolutele-White.
Historical Fact: QB Jamie Martin won the Payton Award in 1991 and played in the NFL from 1993-2008.
Last Season: The Wildcats fell off a little last year, finishing 6-5 overall after reaching the FCS playoffs the prior two seasons.
This Season: The Wildcats and Coach McBride need to replace all-time great quarterback Cameron Higgins but they do return 14 total starters to try to better the mark from a year ago to get back to the postseason.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Montana State
2. Eastern Washington
3. Montana
4. Sacramento State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Weber State
7. Portland State
8. Northern Colorado
9. Idaho State
2011 Big Sky Conference Preview: Can Another BSC Team Win The National Championship?
By Kent Schmidt
West Columnist
College Sporting News
Another team that hopes to improve on a 2010 6-5 mark is Weber State.
The Wildcats advanced to the FCS playoffs in 2008 and 2009 but slipped a little a season ago. This year will have a similar schedule for Coach Ron McBride's team as last year with two FBS opponents but neither are from BCS conferences as was the case a year ago in trips to Wyoming and Utah State.
Last year, WSU had trips to Boston College and Texas Tech.
Offensively, the post-Cameron Higgins quarterback era begins in Ogden.
Higgins finished his career with more touchdown passes (98) than any player in Big Sky history and ranked second all-time in passing yards (12,274).
Junior Mike Hoke, who has been the backup the past two seasons, appears to be the heir apparent.
He has thrown for 419 yards and three touchdowns, and has rushed 42 times for 144 yards and one touchdown in his career thus far.
The running game will be headed by sophomore running back Josh Booker, who rushed for 563 yards and two touchdowns last season. Elsewhere in the backfield, the Wildcats lost all-conference fullback Vai Tafuna to graduation and Bo Bolen has left on a two-year LDS Mission.
The passing game for the new Wildcat signal caller will have several new hands catching too.
The top receiver back was the fourth leading receiver a year ago in now senior Austin Raught, who had just 18 catches for 184 yards in 2010.
The one area of the Wildcats that should not be a concern offensively is the offensive line where all five starters return with seniors guard J.C. Oram and tackle Caleb Turner leading the group.
Both were named to the All-BSC first team last year and Oram received All-American accolades.
Adding to the line is returning junior tight end Brian Jankowski, who took over for now senior Tyrell Francisco, who had an Achilles tendon injury before the 2010 season began.
A strong blocker, and an able-handed receiver, Jankowski had 10 catches for 89 yards and one touchdown. Francisco is back but has been moved to the receiver position during spring practices.
Weber State's defense will be led by All-BSC senior linebacker Nick Webb, who tallied a team second best 99 tackles last season. Ryan Eastman, a junior defensive tackle, has returned to Weber State.
Eastman played for the Wildcats in 2008 and 2009, earning honorable mention All-Conference honors both seasons.
Eastman transferred to FBS Hawaii for the spring semester of 2010, but returned to Weber State last fall. Senior Blake Keller returns at a safety spot where he had 79 tackles, and should be the secondary leader.
Big Sky Games of the Week
Idaho State @ Weber State, Oct. 15
This rivalry game has been rather one-sided in favor of WSU over the past few years. Will that trend continue this year?
Weber State @ Montana, Oct. 29
Both of these schools were off from their recent historically good season last year. Will this game tell us which one might still be a conference contender to end the 2011 season?
Weber State Wildcats
Location: Ogden, UT
Stadium: Stewart Stadium (17,500)
Head Coach: Ron McBride (38-26, WSU & 126-95 Overall) 7th Season
Who's Gone: QB Cameron Higgins, WR Joe Collins, FB Vai Tafuna, RB Bo Bolin, S Jordan Brown.
Who's Back: WR Caleb Turner, ROV Nick Webb, OG J.C. Oram, OC Tyson Tiatia, TE Brian Jankowski, OT Adam Sagapolutele-White, P Josh Kealamakia, OG Jiniki Timoteo OT Tytan Timoteo, OC Tyson Tiatia, DE Gabe Bowers, CB David James, S Blake Keller, LB Mo Neal, DE Trevor Pletcher, DT Adam Sagapolutele-White.
Historical Fact: QB Jamie Martin won the Payton Award in 1991 and played in the NFL from 1993-2008.
Last Season: The Wildcats fell off a little last year, finishing 6-5 overall after reaching the FCS playoffs the prior two seasons.
This Season: The Wildcats and Coach McBride need to replace all-time great quarterback Cameron Higgins but they do return 14 total starters to try to better the mark from a year ago to get back to the postseason.
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Montana State
2. Eastern Washington
3. Montana
4. Sacramento State
5. Northern Arizona
6. Weber State
7. Portland State
8. Northern Colorado
9. Idaho State
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