Last Edit: 2 days 21 hours ago (Nov 13 2009 - 10:51pm)
OGDEN — Fans with disabilities will be able to watch Weber State football games from an improved vantage point beginning today.
Gone are the games when fans in wheelchairs had to watch games at Stewart Stadium from the track or by the long-jump area under the scoreboard. Those views made any type of depth perception or game progress difficult to watch. The university, with budgeted funds from the athletic department, has installed a permanent ramp on the south side of the west stands.
The ramp leads to an approximately 6-foot-high platform area with approximately room for six wheelchairs and space for companion chairs. The upgrade cost $60,000.
“It’s something that has taken longer than it should,” said former Weber State athletic director Jerry Graybeal, who resigned that position to take a fundraising role for the department.
“But we are happy it is here.”
Work continued on the ramp through Friday with workers from West Haven’s CK Construction Corp. doing final spot welds on the ramp and installing the chainlink screen behind the ramp’s railings.
It took time to figure out the right place at the stadium for the ramp, Graybeal said.
It took plenty of study to determine the best placement to meet code for the slope of ramp.
The Americans With Disabilities Act says for every inch of rise there must be 12 inches of ramp.
Officials also looked at the north side of the stands but determined there was not enough room.
The new ramp runs to the side of the west stands and has one switchback. Graybeal said it required workers to move part of the stadium fence back in the area to allow needed room.
The ramp also is close to accessible restrooms. Disabled parking may also be moved closer to the ramp as well.
There was also worry that the new ramp would block passage to storage for game day material, such as tents and signs. However, Graybeal said he can still turn a golf cart in and out of the area between the ramp and the storage area and that is no longer an issue.
“The thing that is great is that fans with disabilities will get a whole new view of the game,” said Graybeal, who has a brother who is disabled.
“We can also expand the platform in the future, if needed.”
The game against Northern Arizona University starts at noon today.
Tickets for the platform area are $10.
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The Big Sky Conference has selected its football Players of the Week for games played on Saturday, Nov. 14. Eastern Washington quarterback Matt Nichols is the Offensive Player of the Week. Montana State defensive end Dane Fletcher is the Defensive Player of the Week.Weber State punt returner/wide receiver Tim Toone is the Special Teams Player of the Week.
Toone, a 5-10, 175-pound senior from Peoria, Ariz., returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown and finished with 181 all-purpose yards in 19th-ranked Weber State’s 29-7 victory over Northern Arizona. Toone’s return, on a snow-covered slippery field, put the Wildcats ahead 13-9 with 6:50 to play in the third quarter. It was Toone’s second 90-plus yard puntreturn for a touchdown this season. He leads the nation in punt returns with an average of 21.2 yards per return. Toone also caught eight passes for 91 yards as Weber State moved to 6-4 and kept its at-large playoff hopes alive. This is Toone’s fourth career Player of the Week honor, and the second this season.
Nichols, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior from Cottonwood, Calif., completed 28-of-38 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns in the 18th-ranked Eagles’ 41-28 victory over Southern Utah of the Great WestConference. Nichols amassed 455 yards of total offense and accounted for five touchdowns. He rushed for 75 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown run to put the Eagles up 28-7 in the third quarter. Nichols became the Big Sky’s career leader in total offense, surpassing the 17-year-old mark of Weber State’s Jamie Martin. Nichols enters the final regular-season game with 12,440 yards of total offense. Eastern Washington handed Southern Utah its first home loss of the season, and moved to 7-3 overall to remain in the hunt for an at-large playoff bid. In his last four games, the Walter Payton Award candidate has completed 67.7 percent of his passes for 1,432 yards with 15 touchdowns and no interceptions. This is Nichols’ second Player of the Week honor this season and the sixth of his career.
Fletcher, a 6-2, 245-pound senior from Bozeman, Mont., matched his career high with 11 tackles – four for loss – tallied 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and broke up a pass in Montana State’s 27-17 must-win over Sacramento State. It was Fletcher’s first healthy game back since a bout with mononucleosis. With the Bobcats leading by seven in the fourth quarter, Sacramento State blocked an MSU field goal to grab momentum and state a potential game-tying drive. But Fletcher registered a sack on second down, flushed the QB from the pocked and into a Dan Ogden sack on third down to force a punt. On Sacramento State’s final drive, Fletcher had ½ sack, a QB hurry and a pass breakup. Fletcher, a Buck Buchanan Award winner, ranks second nationally in tackles-for-loss per game (2.06). This is Fletcher’s second Player of the Week honor this season and the fourth of his career. The victory helped MSU improve to 7-3 overall and keep its at-large playoff hopes alive.
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Tim Toone’s 90-yard punt return with 6:50 left in the third quarter, ignited a 21-0 scoring and lifted the Wildcats from a 9-6 deficit to a 27-9 victory on a cold, and very snowy day, in Ogden, Utah.
An unrelenting snow storm pounded the Wasatch Front one hour before kickoff leaving three inches of powder on the field when the game began at noon.
It took 30 minutes of football for both sides to acclimatized themselves to the conditions. Weber State got field goals of 35 and 34 yards from Mike Snoy in the first quarter and Northern Arizona got field goals of 28 and 24 yards from Matt Myers in the second quarter producing a 6-6 tie at half.
The Wildcats let a golden scoring opportunity turn into a turnover at the end of the first half. WSU quarterback Cameron Higgins drove the Wildcats 65 yards in 10 plays to the NAU 15 but on third down and ten his pass intended for Mike Phillips in the end zone was picked off by Taylor Julio.
The Lumberjacks struck early in the third quarter on a Wildcat miscue. Trevor Pletcher’s snap to Mike Snoy for a punt on fourth down, went over his head but was recovered by WSU’s Sam Fenn at the NAU five-yard line.
Weber State’s defense, which held the high powered NAU offense to just 235 yards of offense, buckled down and held, forcing 23-yard field goal by Myers. The kick, however was, blocked by Caldwell Taylor and it appeared the ‘Cats would have the ball at their own 30. But off-setting penalties - WSU holding, NAU illegal procedure, gave Myers another shot and he made good giving the Lumberjacks their only lead of the game at 9-6 with 11:42 left in the third quarter.
NAU’s defense then took the field and forced a three-and-out series, and it appeared the ‘Jacks were picking up some momentum. But the Wildcat defense held NAU to just five plays and 17 yards and NAU’s Ryan Rauschert pooched kicked on from WSU’s 45-yardline.
That’s where the tide turned as Toone, who had a Big Sky record 95-yard punt return on Oct. 17 at home vs. Sacramento State, took the ball at the 10-yard line, ran up the middle, then found a crease on the left side and headed for the sideline. With the treacherous footing due to the snow, Toone danced and wove through players from both sides, made a sudden stop, waited for the purple calvary to arrive, and was then escorted into the end zone for the touchdown with 6:50 left in the quarter.
Weber State tight end Tyrell Francisco, who came into the game with just eight catches for 75 yards and one touchdown the entire season, caught a 15-yd TD toss from Cameron Higgins with 14:07 left in the game, and a 19-yd toss from backup quarterback Mike Hoke with 3:51 remaining, to seal the victory. The win was Weber State’s 250th team victory in 48 seasons for four-year collegiate football.
Northern Arizona came into the game as the top passing team in the Big Sky Conference in 2009, but were held to just 6-25 passing for 66 yards by the snow and a tenacious Wildcat defense.
Despite the snowy, slick conditions, the interception thrown by Higgins in the second quarter was the only turnover of the game. Neither team had a quarterback sack but Kevin Linehan had three of WSU’s five tackles for loss. The Wildcats also had six pass break ups.
Cameron Higgins ended the game completing 14-21 passes for 146 yards and one touchdown. Bo Bolen and Trevyn Smith share running back duties all afternoon. Bolen had 21 carries for 92 yards and Smith had 17 carries for 84 yards, but had a nice 39-yard run called back on a holding penalty. Tim Toone had eight catches for 91 yards and two punt returns for 90 yards. He becomes just the third Wildcats in WSU football history to have three career punt returns for touchdowns joining Randall Anderson and Jim Edwards. He is now averaging 21.2 yards per return for the season.
The Wildcats assured themselves of a winning record. They are now 6-4 overall this season and 6-2 in Big Sky Conference play and can do no worst than a tie for second. Weber State is 13-3 in league games over the past two season. Next week the Wildcats conclude the 2009 regular season hosting Cal Poly of the Great West Conference in a 12:05 kickoff in Stewart Stadium. The Wildcats will need a victory over the Mustangs to have any hope for a 2009 NCAA Division I FCS playoff berth. They will also need a Montana win over Montana State and a Northern Arizona win over Eastern Washington to further enhance their chances.
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MOSCOW, Idaho — Two things we know about Idaho football coach Robb Akey: He’s led the Vandals to their finest season in a decade, and, man, can he jump.
Akey’s acrobatic leaps when he gets excited (and he is often excited) are the stuff of legend, replayed often on local television. The former defensive lineman vaults off the ground and his knees seem to rise to the level of his head.
In his third season rebuilding the Idaho program, Akey has had plenty of reasons to display this ability. His Vandals are 7-3 heading into their annual showdown with archrival No. 6 Boise State (9-0, 4-0 WAC) on Saturday and Idaho is almost certainly heading to its first bowl game since 1998.
The rejuvenated fan base in Moscow, now dubbed Akey’s Army, is thrilled with the first winning season since 1999. And Akey is thrilled with them.
After victories, he’ll swap high-fives with fans in the stands. That’s after sprinting up and down the sidelines all during the game, and chest-bumping his players when they do well.
“You’ve got to coach in a positive fashion, and with energy,” Akey said.
Akey, 43, is a native of Colorado Springs, Colo., who played on the defensive line at Weber State in Utah, where he once held the sacks record.
After ending his playing career at Weber State, he joined the coaching staff there. Then he moved on to Northern Arizona for a few years before joining the staff at Washington State in 1999. He rose to defensive coordinator and helped lead the Cougars to three consecutive 10-win seasons earlier this decade.
Akey was hired by the Vandals in December 2006 to replace Dennis Erickson, who bolted after one season for Arizona State. He was Idaho’s fourth coach in five years. Akey called the players over Christmas break to introduce himself.
“I told them, we’re going to build a family,” Akey said. “A few had the courage to say ‘that sounds great, but that’s what the last guy said. Why would you be any different?”‘
He showed them first with some tough love, purging 17 players he thought were troublemakers. He gave a simple message to the rest.
“I didn’t come here to be the principal or the sheriff,” Akey said. “Just do the right thing.”
How would they know the right thing? If your name appeared on the screen crawl on ESPN, “would your mom and dad and grandma be proud or disappointed in you?” Akey said.
He led by example. In July, Akey was one of five college football coaches who toured military bases in the Middle East. Akey said he was humbled by a visit to a military hospital.
“Had a fantastic conversation with a special forces member who had been injured in a firefight and I will tell you, he is one tough son of a gun,” Akey e-mailed back to Idaho fans.
It put the challenges of playing college football into perspective, Akey said.
The Vandals endured seasons of 1-11 and 2-10 in Akey’s first two years, and were ranked among the worst teams in the nation.
But young players like quarterback Nathan Enderle, offensive lineman Mike Iupati and running back Deonte Jackson, plus defensive stalwarts like Shiloh Keo and linebacker JoJo Dickson, got plenty of playing time during the losing. They form the heart of this team.
“We’re all close to Coach Akey,” said De’Maundray Woolridge, a running back who flunked out of Washington State a few years ago but was given a chance at Idaho by Akey. Woolridge leads the WAC with 14 rushing touchdowns.
Akey said this Vandals team is larger, faster and more athletic than the squad he inherited.
“We didn’t have the passing game we needed the first two years,” he said. “We have three running backs contributing.”
Also important is the rise in confidence that has allowed the Vandals to overcome deficits in several games and come back to win.
“We would not have dug out of a hole like we have in a couple of ballgames with teams from the past,” Akey said.
Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley reflects the general amazement in the WAC with what Akey has done with a team predicted to finish last in the league.
“It’s incredible what they’ve done at Idaho,” Dooley said before the Vandals beat his team 35-34.
Akey is paid $240,000 a year. He’s also likely to pick up some of his bonus incentives this year. There’s $5,000 if he is named conference coach of the year (a foregone conclusion) and nearly $12,000 if the Vandals play in a bowl game (also likely).
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The Signpost
The Signpost
If the Weber State University Football Team wants to go to the playoffs this year then Saturday, Nov. 14’s game is a must win. The Wildcats will play the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks in their last conference game of the year. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:05 p.m.
Head Coach Ron McBride said if the Wildcats win their next two games they are almost guaranteed a playoff spot.
“It should put us in second place in the league,” McBride said. “Basically, they always take two teams from this conference because this is the second (best) conference in the (FCS). We have to win this game first though, otherwise it doesn’t matter.”
With the loss to the University of Montana Saturday, Oct. 31, the Wildcats let Eastern Washington University pull alongside them in the Big Sky Conference rankings; both teams are 5-2 in conference play. If the Wildcats lose the game, they could potentially finish as far down as fifth in the conference. However, if they win they will be, at worst, tied for second. If first-place Montana loses their final two games, which is unlikely as the Grizzlies are 6-0 in the season, then WSU would be tied for first in the conference.
WSU had a bye last week but tight end Tyrell Francisco said the team prepared the same as they always do.
“We got a day off and then, you know, back to work,” Francisco said. “It’s not any different from any other week. You prepare the same, you just get extra time to do it.”
McBride said the team got some much-needed rest and time to heal from injuries thanks to the bye week.
“For this time, because we’ve been on the road so much, it was a good break for us, it was an important time to have a break, and it enabled us to regroup a little bit and just get some guys healthy,” McBride said. “If we would have played last week we wouldn’t have had Trevyn Smith and we wouldn’t have had Eastman and wouldn’t have had Webb. All three of those guys should be back for this game.”
NAU has a 4-2 Big Sky record with one more conference game after playing WSU.
“To be honest with you, you got two motivated teams, we’re both going for the same goal, and we both want to be in the playoffs,” Francisco said. “It’s going to be an old-fashioned, grind it out football game on Saturday. That’s what I’m looking forward to, I hope that it snows, it rains; you know, it’s just a classic college football game. End of the season, that’s what it all comes down to, this is what it’s all about, you got 11 guys on offense, you got 11 guys on defense, and you just leave it out on the field and see who wants it more, basically, that’s what I’m looking forward to this weekend. I’m excited for this weekend and I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of guys who feel the same way, especially the seniors.”
NAU leads the league in several key statistics. Their passing offense (306.0 yards per game) and passing efficiency (153.5) are both league bests. Lumberjack quarterback Michael Herrick, who is a University of Mississippi transfer, is the total offense leader in the league with 294.0 yards per game.
“You got to take certain things away from them,” McBride said. “They have what’s called a hitch screen and a bubble screen. The two outside receivers, 13 and 3, are the best two receivers in the conference other than our guys; other than Toone, Phillips and Collins. Their primary receivers are excellent and their running back is excellent so they’ve got some people that are difference-makers on the offensive side of the ball.”
With senior Tim Toone (who is WSU’s all-time leader in career receiving yards and career touchdown catches), running back Trevyn Smith (who has led the league in rushing the past three seasons), cornerback Thyrell Lewis (who leads the league in passes defended), and many other talented athletes, the Wildcats have no shortage of weapons to counter NAU’s offensive firepower.
The Wildcats will look to bounce back after their loss to UM where they were held to a season-low 10 points and threw four interceptions. The ’Cats, despite leading the league in time of possession, only had the ball for 22:06, almost 10 minutes less than the 32:07 they average.
“Defensively they have a different front than I’ve seen this year so far,” Francisco said. “On film they run pretty well so it’s not like we’re going to walk all over them. They’re a solid football team; they’re a solid defense. It will be interesting to see what we can do against their front.”
McBride said the team is prepared and all that is left to do is show up Saturday and play.
“Everybody knows what we have to do. It’s just a matter of whether we go out and do it or not. We’ve had plenty of time to prepare and now we’ve just got to execute the game plan on both sides of the ball. So all the work is done, from here on out its just a matter of getting it done on the field.”
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OGDEN — For more than 25 years, the Weber State University Gridiron Club has not only allowed former Wildcat football players the opportunity to stay in touch through annual activities, but it has also given a way for them and WSU fans to provide resources and equipment to help the current team stay competitive.
Giving back to the program was an initial thought when former football players Ron McCall and John Knight were part of a group, which also included then-head coach Mike Price and assistant coach Dave Arslanian, which helped start the Gridiron Club.
“We were looking at getting the former football players more involved in the program,” said McCall, who played for WSU in the early 1960s and was elected as the club’s first chair in 1982.
That continues today, as former football player and current WSU assistant coach Tom Stackaruk stays busy also serving as the club’s chair.
“It’s tough because what it means is at the time when there’s a lot going on with football, that means there’s a lot going on with the Gridiron Club,” said Stackaruk, who became the club’s fourth chair when he took over for Knight. “There are so many things you can do, but just not enough time to do all the things you want to do.”
But all the hard work is definitely worth it, as the Gridiron Club, which is now around 100 members and growing each year. Though the club began as a group for former players, it is open to anyone who wants to help contribute to WSU’s football program.
Raising money might not have been the first purpose of the club, but it has become one of the main objectives of the organization.
“It became more of a fundraiser type of an organization later on when we realized we could tap into old football players for resources for different equipment that the university wasn’t supplying or the budget didn’t allow for,” said former WSU football player Phil Sotomayor, who was the chair after McCall.
Sotomayor, McCall and Stackaruk all mention video equipment as one of the key contributions the club has made to the football program.
“They need that assistance and the money all goes right back into the program,” McCall said. “Plus we sponsor the senior banquet, buying the jackets and watches for the seniors.”
The senior banquet is held at the end of spring practices and last year had close to 400 people in attendance.
One of the future projects planed by the Gridiron Club is to update the Wildcats’ locker room with a way to remind the current Wildcats of the team’s great history, which the club hopes to have done by January.
“We have some designs and some ideas we’ve been throwing around,” Stackaruk said. “We’re going to have one wall that will have all the All-Americans that played at Weber State to honor those guys, and another wall that will have the best of Weber State football.”
As the club has tried to grow and raise more money for the program, it faced one major obstacle.
“The most difficult time we’ve had over the years is making contact with former ballplayers,” McCall said. “But now with the computer systems we have, it’s been a lot easier for us.”
Not only has technology helped the program grow, since while people may move and change addresses and phone numbers, their e-mail addresses remain the same, but the club has also benefited from what the Wildcats have done on the field.
“We’re also building on Coach (Ron McBride’s) success,” said Sotomayor. “People want to be around a winner.”
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OGDEN — With their bye week on tap this week, the Weber State Wildcats have time to regroup and refocus after their humbling loss at Montana on Saturday.
The Wildcats now have no shot at repeating as Big Sky champions, and making a return trip to the FCS playoffs is a long shot. Weber State wraps up its season with home games against Northern Arizona on Nov. 14 and Cal Poly on Nov. 21.
Weber State had what coach Ron McBride called a “mind-cleansing” film session on Monday, will take today off and return to practice on Thursday.
“You can carry on a thing like this (the Montana loss) through the rest of the season, so you’ve got to cleanse their minds and get it out of their minds, and you’ve kind of got to reset your goals of what you want to do,” McBride said. “We still have a legitimate shot to get into the playoffs. We really have to win our next two games.”
But winning their next two games might not be enough for the Wildcats to qualify for the FCS playoffs. The four losses they’ve suffered, including bad ones to Colorado State and Montana State that McBride said were “thrown in the garbage can,” will probably keep them out of the 16-team playoff field.”I don’t see any way that Weber State earns an at-large bid with four losses,” said Dave Coulson, the FCS executive director for The Sports Network. “There are going to be too many one-loss, two-loss and three-loss teams trying to gobble those up. Weber State killed itself with throwing away wins over Montana State and Colorado State in the final minute of those games. It is unfortunate that one of the most talented teams in the country and one that is capable of beating any team in the country will be on the sidelines for the playoffs.”
Weber State would still likely finish in second place in the Big Sky if it beats Northern Arizona. Since 1981, there have been only two seasons that the conference has gotten just one team into the playoffs. Even if Weber State takes second place, Coulson said a team that finishes below the Wildcats in the conference standings could get into the playoffs instead of them. It’s also a strong possibility that Montana will be the only Big Sky team in the playoffs.
“Finishing second isn’t going to make a difference,” Coulson said. “The only way the Big Sky gets a second bid is if Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington or Montana State finishes with three losses.”
The Wildcats would like to think that their difficult schedule will help their cause with the FCS playoff committee. They played two FBS teams in Wyoming and Colorado State to start the season, and are barely having their bye week this week.”We played two (FBS) schools to begin with, stayed right with them,” McBride said. “We had no gimmes on our schedule. Every game we had was a legit game. There was not like some Western Montana or those people out there, Eastern Oregon or whatever.”
Weber State no longer has its fate in its own hands when it comes to qualifying for the FCS playoffs. McBride said the team has to at least play with the idea that it still has a shot in order to compete with its last two tough opponents.
Wildcats safety Beau Hadley said they shouldn’t worry about what they can’t control.
“We shouldn’t think about it,” Hadley said. “We should think about Northern Arizona. I think sometimes when you put too much into a game or too much looking (into the future), that can hurt us. Yeah, we’d love to go to the playoffs. I’m sure there’s still a decent chance, but we just need to not even talk about that.”
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OGDEN ?— Since he started coaching college football in 1965, Ron McBride hasn’t had many open fall afternoons.
He had one last weekend when his Weber State Wildcats were on a bye from Big Sky football. He didn’t take a break from football when he had the chance.
McBride had his team practice early on Saturday, and then he headed to the gym where he completed his swim workout routine. From there, it was time to follow college football on TV, as McBride said he watched at least parts of the BYU-Wyoming, Utah-New Mexico, USC-Arizona State, Mississippi-Northern Arizona and Hawaii-Utah State games over the course of about eight straight hours.
“I enjoyed it,” McBride said. “I know most of the coaches at those schools. I like to watch their teams play, see how they’re doing.”
McBride said he followed his team’s break from playing on Saturday by watching “Saturday Night Fights” at about 5 a.m. on Sunday.
“I got a full fix of everything,” he said.McBride said the bye week was well-timed for his team. McBride, his players and assistant coaches had gone through nine consecutive weeks of Saturday football games that included road games against FBS teams Wyoming and Colorado State, a rivalry game against Idaho State and a humbling road loss to Montana. The three long bus rides to Wyoming, Colorado State and Northern Colorado added to the grind.
“I think it (the bye) was good for this team,” McBride said. “We probably needed a little time off. I’m not always for byes, but I think for this team it was probably a positive.”
Weber State had its bye a week later last year, but its schedule wasn’t as demanding early on. The Wildcats played FBS teams at Hawaii and Utah, and had a couple of easy victories over Montana-Western and Dixie State.
“Last year’s schedule was set up a little bit better, but you can’t worry about stuff you can’t control,” said safety Beau Hadley. “We knew it was a tougher schedule, but we needed to step up and take care of business. It was tougher on us. But if we would have done what we were supposed to, we would have been in a really good spot, too.”
The Wildcats were able to regroup and recharge for their final two games while enjoying their bye. They have no shot at winning the Big Sky championship, and they have slim hopes for an at-large berth in the FCS playoffs. They close the season with home games against Northern Arizona and Cal Poly. The Northern Arizona game on Saturday basically serves as an elimination game, as the loser will certainly be out of playoff contention.BEAST’ MIGHT SIT: Defensive tackle Ryan “The Beast” Eastman isn’t likely to play in Weber State’s key conference game against the Lumberjacks on Saturday. He tore his MCL against Montana in the Wildcats’ last game, and he is still recovering.
“I would say right now it doesn’t look real good,” McBride said. “He hasn’t practiced. He’s still in a brace. Knowing Eastman, you never know about him. He seems to reappear at the strangest times. He’ll walk in Friday and say, ‘I’m going to play.’?”
Two other important players are dealing with injuries. Running back Trevyn Smith injured his ankle against Montana but expects to be ready for Northern Arizona. Linebacker Nick Webb is still out with a shoulder injury and will have to go through a full practice in order to be cleared for Saturday’s game.
Smith is coming off a game in which he rushed for just 64 yards on 20 carries.
“He’s getting better,” McBride said. “Hopefully, he’ll be OK. At this point in his career, he’s got to play.”
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OGDEN — When Weber State and Northern Arizona meet in a key Big Sky game today, the two teams might feel like they’re looking in the mirror.
Both teams are balanced offensively, equally dangerous running and passing the ball. Each has a bad conference loss, and both of them have FCS playoff chances that are hanging on by a thread.
Kickoff is at noon at Stewart Stadium.
“We got to win the game — there’s no question,” said Weber State coach Ron McBride. “There are a lot of implications in this game. We understand how important it is. Neither team has a game to waste, so it should be an interesting afternoon.”
Weber State, Northern Arizona, Eastern Washington and Montana State are all Big Sky teams hoping to earn an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs. The problem for them is that all four teams have two conference losses, and Weber State and Northern Arizona each have four overall losses.
It’s highly unlikely that the FCS playoff committee will put a four-loss team in the postseason, so the loser of today’s Weber State-Northern Arizona game can really forget about extending their season.The Wildcats and Lumberjacks have had similar seasons. Both lost two games to FBS teams. Northern Arizona played up against Arizona and Mississippi and lost both times. Weber State lost a game to Montana State when it scored one touchdown in seven red-zone appearances. Northern Arizona lost to Sacramento State when it was blanked in the second half.
“They got a lot to play for just like we do,” McBride said.
Northern Arizona is certainly capable of coming into Ogden today and keeping its playoff hopes alive with a victory. The Lumberjacks lead the Big Sky in passing offense and passing efficiency. Quarterback Michael Herrick, a transfer from Mississippi, has thrown for 2,716 yards and 19 touchdowns.
McBride is also concerned with Northern Arizona’s running game. Alex Henderson is a dangerous runner, and he’s rushed for 872 yards and 11 scores.
“You got to play square on defense because this guy is an awful good back,” McBride said. “He’s got good vision, he sees the hole, and he’s a good cutback runner. He’s a special player.”
The Wildcats are coming off a bye week, while Northern Arizona played in a guarantee game at Mississippi last week. The Lumberjacks put up a good fight against the Rebels before falling, 38-14.
Northern Arizona is in the same boat as the Wildcats today — needing a win to keep slim playoff hopes alive while trying not to think about the postseason.
“We’re focused on this game,” said Lumberjacks coach Jerome Souers. “This is the most important game of the year for us – period.”
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It is a sad day for Wildcats. Brent Crompton “Shake” has passed away. He was not only the son of former Athletic Director Gary Crompton but a great Wildcat fan. I can’t remember coaching a football or attending a basketball game where I didn’t see Shake. Because I’m in the box during the game I would always see Shake in the elevator after the game. Like a true Wildcat fan his emotions where very high after a win and very low after a loss. He was a great individual that was presented with many challenges that he met with many more achievements. He will be sorely missed.
–Coach Tom Stack
BRENT THOMAS CROMPTON
Brent Thomas Crompton 55, a truly unique and inspiring individual, passed away peacefully on WEdnesday November 4th, 2009 while surrounded by family and friends.
Brent was born on July 15, 1954 in Ogden, Utah to Gary Crompton and Karole Maw Crompton. Shortly after birth, due to complications, he lost the use of his hearing and developed Cerebral Palsy. While life would be a challenge filled with obstacles from then on, Brent and his parens refused to allow his handicaps to hold him back from experiencing and achieving a rich, full life.
His parents were told by the experts that he would never walk or lead any resemblance of a normal life. Like everything else in life, Brent took this as a challenge, and 8 hard years later after countless falls and spills, Brent took his first steps. Soon after, he was running, and then he was biking, and swimmingm and diving, and sledding, and motoring, and then he walked some more.
He went on to graduate with Honors from the Utah School for the Deaf. To communicate, he learned to read lips and taught himself to use sign language.
Brent held numerous jobs throughout his life, including time spent at IRS, DDO, Weber State University and Tony’s Pizza. He was very thankful for those that supported him during his time of employment.
Feeling the need to give back to those less fortunate than himself, Brent began to volunteer his time to the March of Dimes. He participated in and comleted the 20 mile March of Dimes Walkathon for numerous years. He was recognized and received numerous awards for collecting the largest amount of cash pledges. In 1981, he recieved the Handicap Citizen of the Year award, for all his efforts and achievements.
Brent had a passion and a love for all Weber State Athletics, Micheal Jordon and the Chicago Bulls, and the Oakland Raiders. Two out of three isn’t bad, maybe the Raiders will finally win in heaven.
Brent took the opportunity to touch a lot of lives; he loved people and was very quick with a smile and a huge hug for everyone he met. He was a great son, the best brother that anyone could ask for, a loving Uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews, and most of all a friend and an inspiration to everyone that allowed him to be part of their lives. You were truly blessed if you knew him.
We look forward to the day that we can reunite with this valiant warrior in heaven, to see his perfect body, and listen to his eloquent voice.
Brent is survived by Karole Maw Crompton (mother), Kathy Ann Crompton (Sister), Bruce G. Crompton (Brother), Joni, and their children Mckenzi, JayCee, Carter and Caden. He was preceded in death by his Father Gary T. Crompton, and his Brother Brad Rufus Crompton.
Funeral services wil be held Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:00 AM in the South Ogden 7th Ward Chapel, 720 Nancy Drive, Ogden, Utah.
Friends may call at the Leavitt’s Mortuary, 836 36th St., Ogden, Utah on Sunday November 9, 2009 from 6 PM to 8PM and Monday at the South Ogden 7th Ward Chapel from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM.
Contributions may be made to the Brent Crompton Scholarship Fund at:
Weber State University
c/o Development Office
4018 University Circle
Ogden, UT. 84403-4018
Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.leavittsmortuary.com
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