In Weber State's first seven games this year, Markeith Ross rushed for a total of 205 yards.
But Ross, who replaced the injured Von Robinson as a starter Saturday, broke loose for a school-record 280 yards rushing and scored three touchdowns to spark Weber State to a 47-30 victory over Nevada. It was the biggest upset win for the NCAA Division I-AA Wildcats since, well, since a year ago when they surprised Div. I-A Nevada."We played a solid football game on both sides of the ball," Weber coach Dave Arslanian said. "This is a great win for us."
Weber State quarterback Brad Otton, a freshman, completed 25 of 42 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns. He also had three interceptions.
"Brad Otton just continues to improve as a quarterback," said Arslanian, whose young QB is now 2-2 and on a two-game winning streak as a starter.
The Wildcats (4-4) intercepted five passes and recovered two fumbles in holding Nevada (4-3) more than a dozen points below its second-in-the-nation 42.8 average.
"Nevada has such an explosive offense. We didn't shut them down, but we did a good job of keeping them out of the end zone," Arslanian said.
Chris Vargas of Nevada, the nation's leader in total offense at 419.5 yards per game, completed 37 of 58 passes for 451 yards. But he also threw five interceptions and did not have a TD pass for the first time this year.
Nevada rallied from a 13-point halftime deficit on two touchdown runs by Zeke Moore to trail only 26-23 after three quarters, but Weber State wrapped the game up with three fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Ross, who carried the ball 36 times, had two of his scores in the fourth quarter. Otton completed touchdown passes to Wade Lindley, Pat McNerney and Pokey Eckford. Weber place kicker Steve Riggs scored on field goals of 42 and 22 yards.
Weber will attempt to win its third consecutive game when it hosts Southern Utah next week.