You know the saying about being ready when opportunity knocks because you never know exactly when it will?
Well, meet Morgan Welch - the poster child for answering the door when opportunity decides to drop in and pay a visit.Just five weeks ago, Welch was an unknown. Even on the Weber State campus where he had toiled the previous three years as a backup running back for the Wildcats.
Now, however, Welch is the big man on campus. As much to credit for ninth-ranked Weber State's perfect 5-0 start as Mr. Everything All-American Scott Shields. In fact, Welch is atop the I-AA rushing charts as the nation's leading rusher with an average of 182 yards per game.
"You're never more than one play, or sometimes two, away from getting your chance," said Weber State coach Jerry Graybeal."That's what happened for Morgan."
Welch started the season exactly as he had the previous three in Ogden, somewhere down the depth chart trying to earn some playing time. After redshirting his first season, Welch languished for two years on the scout team seeing only spot action.
His career totals weren't exactly all-star material - 45 rushes for 272 yards. His junior year wasn't expected be any different. When the season opener against Montana came, he wasn't even on the two-deep. A pair of seniors were ahead of him and figured to get the bulk of the carries.
But opportunity came knocking.
Projected starter Derek Poole went down a few days before the season opener with a stress fracture. Bryan Rubin lasted only a few plays after starting the game, and Welch has been on a roll ever since.
"I'd feel good just being able to help the team. I'd be happy even if I was still third (string)," Welch said. "But this opportunity came and I was going to make the most of it."
He certainly has.
Only five games into the season, Welch is already among the top-10 all-time Wildcat single-season rushers. Should he have an average game Saturday against Montana State, he'll be among Weber State's top five with at least five more games to play.
"It's not even the numbers," Welch says. "I'm not focusing on that. The numbers don't matter as long as we're winning."
And the Wildcats certainly are.
After last week's win over Sacramento State, the Cats are enjoying their highest regular-season ranking ever.
Ironically, however, Welch's opportunity to star for the Wildcats had to take an unusual route before it happened.
You see, Welch grew up in Alberta, Canada - where football is played but not exactly embraced. In fact, the 5-6, 210-pounder had to shop himself around in order to find a team to play for.
"I went to some camps, took some tests on the 40 and stuff," Welch said. "I was calling around to some of the schools and I called Weber State. They said they were about to call me and eventually, everything worked out."
So the football player from hockey territory found a home in Ogden, "I would have gone anywhere in the states," he said. "I just wanted to go to a place that wasn't too fast, get an education and play some football."
Utah fit the bill of not being too fast. "It's nice and quiet and I can focus on the important things," added.
Whatever the reasons, and whatever the path, Graybeal is one man that's happy to have Welch around. His toughness and work ethic are two of the reasons the Wildcats are off to such a hot start.
"He's not flashy, but he's exceptionally strong," Graybeal said. "I think he's the only 5-6 running back around that runs like he's 6-4. His running style fits exactly with what we like to do. He's not a runner that fears contact. He initiates contact and lets you know you've been hit."
Which just goes to show you, Morgan Welch is an equal-opportunity opportunist. He's making the most of his chance to shine for the Wildcats; he'll also give defenders the opportunity to find out exactly why he's leading the nation in rushing.
"I've had to fight to get this chance," Welch said. "Now that I have it, I'm not going to let it go."