OGDEN -- Jerry Graybeal went into the season knowing it was going to be a rebuilding year.
He knew the Weber State team he inherited the year before was loaded with upperclassmen.He knew the 1999 version of the Wildcats had few veterans and little experience.
Still, finishing the year on an ugly six-game losing streak and getting blown out in a few games was most definitely not the way Graybeal was hoping to rebuild.
" I knew it was going to be a tough year," Graybeal said. " But, honestly, I expected more every week than what we've been getting."
Of course, having but nine seniors on the team -- and not all healthy at the same time -- coupled with what seemed to be a season-ending injury for a starter every week, and it's easy to say the Wildcats were playing like a team cursed from the get-go. Even with a 3-8 record, though, the Wildcats are able to move into the recruiting season with a few positives.
Sure, WSU had that ugly 81-22 loss at Montana. OK, there was also the 39-7 setback to Southern Utah that ended a perfect record in the series. And there was the 29-6 loss at Montana State.
But there were many games and moments the Wildcats will be sure to use as building blocks for the 2000 season. For instance, Weber State saw an offense that was begging to bust out all season in a 52-49 barnburner against Sacramento State. The 'Cats showed plenty of heart in a 27-24 win over Idaho State when Mike Minnoch hit a 44-yard field goal as the clock expired. And in the silver-lining department, WSU had two of its last three games in reach before faltering in the final minute to lose by a field goal or less.
"Except for a couple of games," Graybeal said, " I really can't fault the effort or the desire down the stretch. We have had our opportunities, but it's come down to execution in critical situations. In critical situations we just didn't execute."
Weber State's third-down conversion rate was just 35 percent. Many of those execution woes can be attributed to inexperience. Only three players on offense were involved in much of the previous season. Those three performed well enough at times but didn't have the supporting cast Graybeal would have liked.
Morgan Welch, after setting records the year before when he was virtually the only offensive weapon WSU had, took a back seat and was the team's second best running back. Derek Poole returned after an injury year and put in a solid season with 1,023 yards on the ground. Welch added 736 yards to make a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield. The only problem is they are both seniors and won't be around to carry the ball next year.
Quarterback was perhaps where the inexperience was most evident. Transfers Cole Cooper and Dusty Harris battled for the starting job in the preseason. Cooper won out after a pair of games but was spotty at best in his efficiency. Harris saw only a handful of snaps the rest of the season. Combined, the duo passed for 2,132 yards and 16 touchdowns. They also tossed 12 interceptions and were sacked 36 times.
But the offense, though not executing in critical situations, was far from the only problem the Wildcats had. The defense started as many freshmen as seniors most games and lost several starters as the season progressed. WSU gained 362 yards a game but allowed 467.
" We've had problems stopping people all year long," Graybeal said. "Sometimes it seems like when it gets to be third and long, we just sit back and watch them get a first down. It's something that I, as a defensive guy, take pretty seriously, and we've got to address those things."
But as bad as the season might have seemed, there is something to look forward to for Wildcat fans. Cooper and Harris will be back and will have a year in the system. Receivers Damon Greenberry and John Jefferson struggled to start the season but made strides at the end, and both put in solid performances. They also will be back.
Kicker Mike Minnoch led the team in scoring, was injured for the final two games but will be back as well.
And, of course, all those freshman and sophomores forced into duty this year will have all that playing time to draw on next year.
" We know where our needs are," Graybeal said. " We know what we need to address in recruiting, and we intend to get the players we need to help us get where we know this program should be."