OGDEN — After putting on a couple of jukes and getting past the first wave of tacklers on what ended up being the longest punt return in Weber State and Big Sky Conference history, all Tim Toone could think about was his team's upcoming film session.
And how he wouldn't be the butt of his teammates' jokes.
Toone returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to spark Weber State to an easy 49-10 win over Sacramento State in the Wildcats' homecoming game on Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium. The punt return, the second that Toone has returned for a touchdown in his career, gave Weber State a 21-0 lead.
"It was nice to finally get one where I didn't get tackled by the kicker and get crap from everyone," Toone said.
Toone was untouchable on the play — and the rest of the Wildcats followed suit against the Hornets.
In addition to setting school and conference records with his return, Toone hauled in eight passes for 154 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He had 263 all-purpose yards.
"He's pretty spectacular. ... He's just a heck of an athlete," Sacramento State coach Marshall Sperbeck said of Toone.
It was a milestone day for Toone, as he became the first player in Weber State history to record more than 3,000 receiving yards. He is just the seventh player in Big Sky history to reach the milestone.
"He always makes me look good," quarterback Cameron Higgins said of Toone. "I can put it anywhere and he'll come down with it."
The Hornets had to pick their poison against Weber State's high-octane offense, and they chose to put eight in the box to slow down running back Trevyn Smith. They also paid close attention to receiver Mike Phillips, who was coming off the two best games of his collegiate career.
Sacramento State held Smith to 56 rushing yards, but the rest of Weber State's offense opened up. Higgins completed 23 of 30 passes for 290 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Joe Collins caught six passes for 36 yards and a touchdown. Phillips caught a 30-yard score.
"We expect these kind of points every game," Higgins said. "I think things are finally starting to click pretty good."
Saturday's game was hardly ever in doubt. The Wildcats scored on their opening possession when Higgins threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Toone. Toone's punt return in the second quarter was a backbreaker for the Hornets, and for the second straight week, the Wildcats put together a couple of late first-half scores to take a comfortable lead into halftime.
After Higgins and Phillips hooked up for their score with 1:06 left in the first half, Weber State safety Jordan Brown intercepted a pass by Sacramento State quarterback Jason Smith and returned it to the Hornets' 24-yard line. The Wildcats quickly cashed in, as Higgins hit Toone for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give his team a 35-7 lead.
"That was good," said Weber State coach Ron McBride. "The guys executed what they had to do, and did a real good job understanding how much time was left (before halftime)."
Brown led a defense that had little trouble stopping the Hornets' attack with nine total tackles. Linebacker Taylor Sedillo added seven tackles.
The Wildcats (4-1 in conference play) remained one game behind Montana in the loss column. Montana State and Northern Arizona also have one loss in the Big Sky. Weber State, following its disappointing loss to Montana State two weeks ago, is back in the conference title race and playing its best ball of the season.
"I think Weber State is a very good football team and they took it to us today," Sperbeck said. "They played a very sound game in all three phases. I think overall they gave a whipping to us."
e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com