Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Portland State
Wildcats Win In Record-Setting Game
10/27/2007 6:00:00 AM | Football
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Weber State University football team (3-5 overall; 3-3 Big Sky) displayed an offensive outburst not seen since the days of Jamie Martin on Saturday as they defeated Portland State (2-6; 2-3) 73-68 at PGE Park.
The two teams combined for 11 points, an NCAA record for most points in a game. The total is the highest across all collegiate divisions since the NCAA began tracking records.
The previous record for most points by two teams was 136, set in 1968 when North Park beat North Central 104-32 in a Division III game. The Division I record was 133, set in 2004 when San Jose State beat Rice 70-63. Before the NCAA began to track records, Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland 222-0 in 1916.
The Wildcats racked up 687 yards of total offense, led by quarterback Cameron Higgins, who accounted for 440 yards and seven touchdowns on the day. The red-shirt freshman completed 22 of 36 passes for 334 yards and four touchdowns in the air, while running nine times for 106 yards and three scores.
The Vikings put on an impressive display of their own, gaining 502 yards. PSU was also led by its quarterback, Drew Hubel, who hit on 35 of 56 passing attempts for 485 yards and nine touchdowns.
After an average first quarter, the Wildcats trailed 7-3. Mike Snoy hit on a 23-yard field goal to give WSU the lead with 4:01 remaining in the quarter, but Portland State answered with a Hubel pass to David Lewis with 1:23 left.
From there, the floodgates opened. The Wildcats scored five times in the second stanza and held a 38-20 lead when Higgins hit Bryant Eteuati on a 23-yard scoring strike with 43 seconds left in the opening half. But, Portland State quickly countered with a five-play, 69-yard drive capped by Hubel hitting T. Kirkland on a 28-yard play with four ticks left.
The Vikings picked up right where they left off as the second half got underway when M. D'Ambrosio returned the Wildcat kickoff 65 yards to the WSU 22-yard line. Hubel wasted no time, finding Lewis on the first play for another touchdown to cut the Wildcat lead to 38-34.
Higgins was intercepted on the ensuing Wildcat possession, setting up Hubel again with a short field. The PSU signal caller struck again, hitting Kirkland on a nine-yard score to give the Vikings touchdowns on three-straight plays from scrimmage, dating back to their final play of the second quarter.
The Wildcats answered with a big play and a quick score of their own. On the ensuing kickoff, Eteuati broke loose for a 84-yard return, taking the ball to the Viking 8-yard line. The 'Cats posted their seventh touchdown of the day on the third play of the drive, as Higgins found Mike Phillips on a four-yard pass, and WSU reclaimed the lead at 45-41. The score came with 11:30 left in the third quarter, as the two teams combined for 21 points over the first three-and-a-half minutes of the period.
After the two squads traded an additional touchdown each, Eteuati hit on another special teams play, returning a Viking punt 77 yards for a score to put Weber State ahead 59-48 with 34 seconds left in the quarter.
Another trade of TD's opened the fourth quarter, before Trevyn Smith capped off a nine-play drive with a two-yard plunge to put the Wildcats on top 73-55 with 4:22 left in the game.
From there, the Wildcats tried to hang on as Portland State continued to strike. Hubel found Kirkland again to cut the lead to 73-62 with 2:55 remaining, but on the next possession, WSU appeared to be putting the game away as they marched deep into Viking territory with less than a minute left.
Portland State found new life, however, as Marcus Mailei fumbled. The ball was recovered by PSU's Andy Schantz, who sprinted 84 yards to cut the lead to five points. Hubel's two-point try to cut the lead to three with 31 seconds left failed, as did an onside kick, allowing WSU to run the clock out for the win.
Smith posted 225 yards on 38 carries, while a duo of WSU wideouts each topped 130 yards receiving. Tim Toone caught eight balls for 135 yards, while Phillips grabbed eight passes for 131 yards and two scores.
Players Mentioned
