If the Weber State defense hasn't hit rock bottom, well then it's quickly on its way there.
Touted in the preseason by coaches as perhaps the best defense in Dave Arslanian's coaching career, the Wildcats have taken a wild tumble in performance level over the past two weeks giving up 90 points in two losses.Last Saturday's outing against Northern Arizona was especially disheartening for the 3-2 'Cats. Not only did running back Archie Amerson rack up 281 rushing yards and a record seven touchdowns, but NAU scored the final 31 points of the game to erase a 17-point deficit and take a 59-45 victory. The Lumberjacks also amassed 645 total yards, including a huge fourth quarter in which they outgained Weber 242-43.
It left the Wildcats humiliated.
"I couldn't believe it," said WSU defensive end Brandon Smith. "I was really disappointed. This is a game we know we should have won."
"We're very embarrassed by the way we let them get back into the game," added Arslanian. "But certainly you have to credit the young man (Amerson) from Northern Arizona. He just did everything. He is a tremendous football player."
The Wildcats were a far cry from the WSU defense that after three games was ranked No. 5 in the nation in rushing defense and first in the Big Sky in total defense.
"Our defense right now has not progressed, it's digressed," said Arslanian.
Smith said the Wildcats simply need to start playing as a team again.
"We're just losing our focus. I think we're playing as individuals. We need to come together and start playing as a unit," said Smith, an honorable mention Big Sky last year.
The problem, according to Smith, stems from the defensive line which has shuffled several different starters this year. Smith and tackle Weston Weaver have been the only two to start all five games.
"We're starting a different guy nearly each week. I'd put most of the blame on the D-Line," he said.
GREAT SCOTT!: Sophomore Scott Shields, WSU's version of "Slash," continues to excel from the three separate positions he plays - placekicker, punter and free safety. Saturday, the Big-Sky leading kicker was perfect with six PATs and boomed his second 52-yard field goal of the season. He also had four punts for an average of 42.4 yards. Plus, on defense he picked off a pair of passes to bring his season interception total to four, second best in the Big Sky.
THIS 'N THAT: WSU dropped three spots to No. 21 in the Sports Network's Div. I-AA Top 25 rankings . . . Senior cornerback Ian Franklin had two pass deflections to become WSU's all-time leader in the category with 18 . . . Tight end Cam Quayle had his third straight 100-plus-yard receiving game with 101 yards on eight catches . . . Running back Clemente Sainten gained a career-best 163 yards and three TDs vs. NAU . . . Weber plays its homecoming game against CS-Northridge at Wildcat Stadium Saturday at 12:35 p.m.