Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
at Northern Colorado
Wildcats Knock Down Bears 45-21 for Second-Straight Big Sky Win
9/25/2011 12:17:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. - Weber State won its second-straight Big Sky game in convincing fashion knocking off the Northern Colorado Bears 45-21 Saturday afternoon in Greeley, Colorado. With the win the Wildcats improve to 2-2 overall and 2-0 in Big Sky play.
The Wildcats got off to a great start and dominated the first half holding a 35-0 lead at the break. Weber State opened the game with junior quarterback Mike Hoke finding Shaydon Kehano for a 16-yard touchdown pass. A few minutes later Hoke found Karl Finai for a one-yard pass, Finai's first career catch and touchdown, and the Wildcats led 14-0 after the first quarter.
The 'Cats scored three times in the second quarter, with freshman Barrinton Collins staring the quarter with a four-yard rushing touchdown. Hoke then found Jordan Clemente for a two-yard touchdown, the first of his career. He then hooked up with Kehano again for a 57-yard touchdown pass that gave WSU the 35-0 lead at halftime.
Northern Colorado started the third quarter out strong with back-to-back touchdowns. Dominic Gunn and Patrick Walker each had a touchdown catch from Seth Lobato to cut the lead to 35-14 with 5:00 to play in the third. But Hoke and Kehano connected again, this time for a 23-yard touchdown pass and the 'Cats led 42-14 after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter Shaun McClain connected on a 35-yard field goal with 14:09 to play before the Bears closed out the scoring with another touchdown pass to Walker.
Weber State totaled 513 yards of total offense in route to the victory with 233 yards coming on the ground. The Bears totaled 305 yards of total offense and the 'Cats held them to just 85 yards rushing.
"I thought we were really efficient in the first half and took advantage of what they gave us," said WSU head coach Ron McBride. "We made some mistakes in the second half and gave them a reason to play. They made some plays and got some momentum but when we had to take the game over we did."
Hoke had another strong game for the 'Cats finishing 20-25 for 280 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. He now has thrown for over 900 yards and 11 touchdowns in four games this season. He has thrown 160 straight passes without an interception, the second-longest active streak in the nation.
"We have been working on starting the games fast and we were able to jump out early today," Hoke said. "We had a great game plan today and we didn't force anything and let the game come to us. It was a great team game for us today."
Hoke's roommate Kehano had four catches for a career-high 100 receiving yards, including the three touchdowns. Austin Raught also caught four passes for 50 yards.
On the ground Barrinton Collins led a very balanced rushing attack with 12 carries for a career-high 79 yards and one touchdown, the first of his career. He also had one reception for 59 yards. C.J. Tuckett had nine carries for 49 yards, Josh Booker had 11 carries for 45 yards, Kris Parham finished with two carries for 36 yards and Tanner Hinds had nine carries for 36 yards.
Defensively Trevor Pletcher finished with six tackles, including one sack and two tackles for loss. Pete Rolf also had one sack and the Wildcats totaled eight tackles for loss.
Nick Webb also had six tackles and moved into the WSU career top ten for unassisted tackles, now with 131 for his career.
With the win Weber State improves to 6-0 all-time against Northern Colorado, who falls to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The Wildcats will be back on the road next week, traveling to defending FCS national champion Eastern Washington next Saturday. The Eagles are 0-4 this season. Saturday's game will begin at 1:30 p.m. Mountain time and will also be televised by Altitude TV.
