Weber State University Athletics
Saturday, November 14
Ogden, UT
12:00 p.m.
Weber State University
27
vs
9
Northern Arizona
Tim Toone's 90-Yard Punt Return Sparks The Wildcats To A 27-9 Win Over Northern Arizona
11/14/2009 7:00:00 AM | Football
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.
Players Mentioned
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