The Weber State University Wildcats put together a "complete" game for the first time this season to overwhelm Big Sky rival Idaho State University 40-6 Saturday at Wildcat Stadium.
The win brings Weber to 5-5 on the year and salvages a shot at a winning season. The Wildcats meet the University of Idaho on the road next Saturday in the season finale."I'm pleased with the way our men came to play," said Weber coach Dave Arslanian. "We got a good effort from them for four quarters."
Weber quarterback Bryan Martin and defensive end Obie Spanic said the knowledge that WSU football will be back next year also helped. The school's Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to continue football based on increased community support that put more than 14,000 fans per game in the stands the first four games. Saturday's attendance was listed at 8,253, the lowest of ther season. Inclement weather plus the fact the game was on cable TV may have cut into the total.
"It (commitment from trustees) got something off our back, it was a relief," Spanic said.
"We won't have to split our focus anymore, we can concentrate on football," Martin added.
Martin was obviously focused, throwing for 401 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on an eight-yard run.
The defense was equally focused, holding Idaho State to 232 yards total offense, 94 yards on the ground and 138 through the air. Defensive back Nick McDaniel and linebacker Jacob Belmont each had an interception while linebacker Jason Jensen gathered in a Bengal fumble. 'Catback Rob Hitchcock was all over the field registering 15 tackles, seven unassisted.
Weber opened the scoring at 5:57 in the first quarter as Martin hit wide receive Dell Stilson on a 31 yard pass to cap an 82 yard drive.
Early in the second quarter, Mike Minnoch notched a 32 yard field goal and just before the half, running back Von Robinson rambled in from the 3-yard line for a touchdown to give Weber a 16-0 halftime advantage.
Weber marched the second half kick down to the Idaho State five before settling for a 22-yard Minnoch field goal. Later in the third quarter, Martin rambled in from eight yards out to make it 25-0.
With :03 remaining in the third quarter, Idaho State registered its lone score on a 1-yard plunge by fullback Chad Kay.
The Wildcats dominated the fourth quarter with Martin hooking up with wide receivers Pokey Eckford and Joel Palagio- Williams on touchdown tosses of 28 and 18 yards respectively.