Weber State University Athletics
'Cats head to Louisiana for #12 McNeese Saturday
9/17/2013 4:08:00 PM | Football
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Game #4 Weber State (1-2) at #12 McNeese State (3-0)
Saturday, Sept. 21 • 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Lake Charles, LA • Cowboy Stadium (17,610)
Radio: KLO 1430 AM/103.1 FM
Online video: McNeeseSports.com
Live audio: WeberStateSports.com
Live stats: WeberStateSports.com
Twitter: @weberstate, @weberstatefb
Series: McNeese State leads 2-1
Streak: McNeese State 2 wins
In Lake Charles: Weber State leads 1-0
Last Meeting: 09/15/12 - Ogden - MCN 35, WSU 21
QUICK HITS
• The Weber State football team concludes its three-game road trip and returns to FCS play this Saturday when the 'Cats head to Louisiana to take on McNeese State.
• Weber State is coming off a 70-6 defeat at Utah State on Saturday, the second worst loss in school history.
• McNeese State is 3-0 on the season and ranked 12th in the nation. The Cowboys are looking to start the year 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
• This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two teams. McNeese State defeated the Wildcats 35-21 last season in Ogden.
• Saturday's game will be WSU's final non-conference game before starting Big Sky play next week.
MEDIA FOR SATURDAY'S GAME
Saturday's game with the McNeese State Cowboys will kickoff at 7 p.m. Central time (6 p.m. MST) from Cowboy Stadium in Lake Charles, La. The game will be broadcast live on KLO 1430 AM and 103.1 FM with Steve Klauke calling all the action, filling in for Carl Arky. Former Wildcat standout Ty Sparrow will provide commentary.
Live online video of the game is available for a fee at McNeeseSports.com.
The game can also be heard online at kloradio.com and WeberStateSports.com. Live stats of the game will be at McneeseSports.com and WeberStateSports.com.
WILDCATS FALL 70-6 AT UTAH STATE
For the second-straight week the Wildcats were blown away by an FBS team as WSU fell 70-6 at Utah State Saturday night in Logan. The Aggies jumped out to a 49-0 lead at halftime, the same halftime deficit for WSU against Utah the week before.
The Aggies totaled 587 yards of total offense in the game and held Weber State to just 138 yards. The 'Cats had just seven first downs and just 34 yards passing on the night.
FIFTH TIME GIVING UP 70 POINTS
The 64-point loss to Utah ranks as the second worst loss in school history, one point worse than last Saturday's 70-7 loss at Utah. The 'Cats were outscored 140-13 in the two games against the FBS teams. The all-time worst loss for the Wildcats was a 75-0 loss at Portland State in 1980.
It also marked the fifth time in school history the Wildcats have given up 70 or more points.
DEFENSIVE STRUGGLES
The Wildcats gave up 587 yards of total offense to the Aggies. Over the last two games WSU gave up an average of 607.5 yards per game. The 'Cats also allowed the Aggies to pass for 320 yards and convert 28 first downs.
After three games the Wildcat defense is giving up 60 points per game, which is last in the Big Sky and 113th in the nation out of 114 FCS teams. Weber State's passing defense is also 113th in the nation at 239.7 yards per game. WSU opponents are averaging 593 yards of total offense, 112th worst in the nation.
OFFENSIVE WOES
The Wildcat offense is averaging 21 points per game 10th best in the Big Sky. WSU is averaging 275.7 yards per game of total offense, 95th in the nation. Weber State is 106th in the country in passing offense at 113 yards per game.
RED ZONE PERFECTION
In three games the Wildcats are a perfect 3-3 in the Red Zone and have scored touchdowns all three times, which is tied for the best in the Big Sky and the nation. All three touchdowns have been on the ground with two against Stephen F. Austin and one against Utah. The 'Cats have allowed their opponents to score 15 of 17 times in the Red Zone, 11th best in the Big Sky.
FOUR FOR FOUR ON FOURTH DOWNS
The Wildcats are a perfect 4-4 this season on fourth down conversions, which is tied for the best percentage in the conference and the nation. WSU opponents are 2-5 on fourth down conversions.
ANTHONY MORALES MOVING UP RECORD LISTS
The Wildcat defense was led by senior linebacker and team captain Anthony Morales who recorded 13 tackles in Saturday's game, despite only playing in the first half of the game. The Edmond, Okla., native finished with four solo tackles and nine assisted tackles.
Morales now ranks third in the Big Sky in tackles per game at 9.0 per game. He has also recorded three tackles for loss this season. Morales is also moving up the Weber State records lists and is approaching the WSU top 10 in two categories. Morales needs six more total tackles to pass Scott Shields and move into the WSU career top 10 list. He also needs just 10 more assisted tackles to make the top 10 on that list.
12 MORE PUNTS FOR TONY EPPERSON
For the second-straight year WSU senior Tony Epperson just missed a school record Saturday as he punted the ball 12 times against the Aggies, just one off the school record. Epperson finished the day with 479 punting yards for an average of 39.9 yards per punt.
On the season the Park City native ranks eighth in the Big Sky and 26th in the nation in punting with an average of 41.8 per punt. He currently has a career punting average of 43.8 yards per punt, which is the best average in Weber State history.
FIRST CAREER START FOR AUSTIN CHIPOLETTI
Weber State freshman Austin Chipoletti got his first collegiate start Saturday night at Utah State. WSU senior Jordan Adamczyk was held out of Saturday's game with soreness in his knees. Chipoletti, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., finished the night 12-20 passing for 34 yards against the Aggies. He also had nine carries for 28 yards on the ground.
In three games the true freshman is 18-30 passing for 101 yards, averaging 33.7 yards passing per game.
FRESHMEN MAKE BIG CONTRIBUTIONS FOR WILDCATS
Once again the Wildcats used a number of freshmen against Utah State. A total of 19 true freshmen or red-shirt freshmen saw action in Saturday's game against the Aggies and once again, several freshman made key contributions. In addition to Chipoletti, true freshman running back Zach Smith started the game and rushed for five yards. True freshman Dakota Jenkins-Baty started at center for the third-straight game. True freshman Carson Fackrell had two kickoffs.
UNGA RECORDS LONE TOUCHDOWN FOR WILDCATS
WSU's lone touchdown against the Aggies came with less than a minute left in the game. After a poor snap by Utah State, Weber State freshman linebacker Spencer Unga picked up the ball and ran 38-yards into the end zone for the touchdown, the first of his career.
In three games this season Unga has recorded six total tackles, including one tackle for loss. Unga, a native of Ogden and a graduate of Bonneville High School, is the son of Fine Unga, a former WSU running back who currently ranks fifth in school history in career rushing yards.
NO SACKS FOR WILDCATS
After three games the Wildcats have not recorded a sack this season. WSU averaged 1.3 sacks per game last season but has not recorded one yet this year. Weber State has given up eight sacks on the season, 12th in the Big Sky. Seven of the eight sacks came at Utah.
WSU ADDS BOISE STATE TRANSFER
Prior to the Utah State game Weber State added junior cornerback Deon'tae Florence to the roster. Florence, a native of Largo, Fla., transferred to Weber State from Boise State. He appeared in seven games as a sophomore for the Broncos in 2012, playing primarily on special teams, but also saw action at cornerback. He recorded eight tackles on the year and had one forced fumble.
Prior to attending Boise State, Florence played his freshman season at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., where he recorded 41 tackles, 15 pass break-ups and eight interceptions. He sat out the 2010 season as a red shirt freshman at Butte College in Butte, Mont.
In his first game with the Wildcats on Saturday night Florence recorded three tackles against the Aggies with one solo and two assisted tackles.
Florence will wear #29 at Weber State this season. WSU freshman running back Zach Smith will move to #25.
'CATS RETURN TO FCS GAMES
Saturday's game at McNeese State will mark WSU's second non-conference game against a FCS team this season. Weber State opened the season with a 50-40 win over Stephen F. Austin, a member of the Southland Conference along with McNeese State.
In the last 10 years the Wildcats are 5-8 in non-conference games against FCS teams. Weber State is 3-50 all-time against FBS teams.
AROUND THE BIG SKY
Five Big Sky teams are ranked in the top 25 in the nation. Number two Eastern Washington is 2-0 on the season, as is Southern Utah. Montana State nearly pulled off an upset before a 31-30 loss at SMU. The Bobcats are ranked third in the nation. Montana is 1-0 and 11th with Cal Poly ranked 14th. Northern Arizona is 25th.
INJURY REPORT
WSU junior wide receiver Shaydon Kehano suffered a leg injury during fall camp and is expected to miss another one to three weeks of action. Kehano suffered a similar injury to the same leg last season in the third game of the year and missed the rest of the season. He earned Big Sky All-Conference honors as a sophomore in 2011 and has appeared in 20 career games at WSU.
Senior quarterback Jordan Adamczyk did not play in Saturday's game at Utah State with soreness in his knee. He will be reevaluated prior to Saturday's game to determine his status for this week's game. Freshman Ryan Tuiasoa suffered an ankle sprain in the Sept. 7 game at Utah and will miss the rest of the season.
ABOUT MCNEESE STATE
McNeese State is an FCS school from the Southland Conference located in Lake Charles, La. The Cowboys enter Saturday's game with the Wildcats with a 3-0 record and are ranked 12th in the nation in The Sports Network poll. McNeese is looking to start the season 4-0 for the first time since 2007.
The Cowboys opened the season with a 53-21 win at FBS member South Florida. They followed that up with back-to-back home wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and West Alabama. In Saturday's win over West Alabama the Cowboys scored a touchdown with less than a minute remaining to rally for a 44-42 win over the Division II school. In that game senior quarterback Cody Stroud was 30-43 passing for a career-high 366 yards and a career best five touchdowns. For his performance he was named the Southland Conference Player of the Week.
On the season the Cowboys are second in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 51.7 points per game. McNeese State is also fourth in the nation in third down conversions, fourth in turnover margin, fifth in pass efficiency, seventh in net punting, ninth in interceptions and 13th in passing offense. The Cowboys also lead the nation in time of possession at 36:42 per game.
Individually, Stroud is ranked 14th in the nation in passing yards per game at 274.7 yards per game. He has thrown for 824 yards and nine touchdowns in three games this season. He is fourth in McNeese State history in career passing touchdowns with 38.
Senior Diontae Spencer is seventh in the country in all purpose yards at 180 yards per game. Junior Everett Ellefsen ranks fourth in the country in sacks with five in three games.
Head Coach MATT VIATOR
The Cowboys are coached by Matt Viator who is in his eighth season as head coach at McNeese State. Viator is a 1986 McNeese State graduate who became an assistant coach with the Cowboys in 1999 and spent seven seasons as an assistant coach at McNeese State before becoming head coach in 2006. He has compiled a 55-24 overall record at McNeese State and has led the Cowboys to three FCS playoff appearances. They have had winning seasons in each of his seven years as head coach.
SERIES HISTORY
This will mark the fourth meeting ever between the two schools with McNeese State holding a 2-1 all-time series lead. The two teams first met in 1990 in Lake Charles with the Wildcats winning 27-7, the only game played in the series in Lake Charles. Two seasons later, in November 1992, the Cowboys beat the Wildcats 23-22 in Ogden, in the final game for WSU Hall of Fame quarterback Jamie Martin who won the 1991 Walter Payton Trophy.
The two teams started a home-and-home series last year with the Cowboys winning 35-21 in Ogden.
The Wildcats are 2-4 all-time against teams currently in the Southland Conference. WSU opened this season with a win over Stephen F. Austin, a member of the Southland Conference. The Cowboys are 10-8 all-time against teams from the Big Sky Conference.
LAST MEETING - 09/15/12 - OGDEN - MCN 35, WSU 21
McNeese State defeated Weber State 35-21 last season in the home opener for the Wildcats. The Cowboys came into the game ranked 19th in the nation. After a scoreless quarter McNeese State started the scoring with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead at halftime. The Wildcats cut the lead to 14-7 to start the third quarter but the Cowboys came right back with a school record 91-yard touchdown run by Dionte Spencer to give McNeese a 21-7 lead, and they never looked back. The Cowboys led 35-7 before two late touchdowns by the Wildcats.
McNeese State totaled 301 rushing yards on the game and finished with 557 yards of total offense, 300 yards more than Weber State. McNeese State also recorded three sacks on the night. Chris Stroud finished 20-27 passing for 256 yards and one touchdown and ran for another touchdown.
Tony Epperson set a WSU school record with an average of 55.0 yards per punt. Defensively, Obi Owoh had two sacks and Danny Mullarkey recovered two fumbles.
TEAM CAPTAINS
Coach Sears has selected four team captains for the season. Bo Bolen, Anthony Morales, Connor Myers and Shelton Robinson will serve as the Wildcat team captains for the year. Morales is serving as captain for the third straight season. Combined the four players have appeared in 108 games for Weber State.
WILDCATS COME FROM ALL OVER
Weber State's roster this season includes players from 13 states and Canada. A total of 25 of WSU's roster come from the state of Utah. The 'Cats have 14 players coming from the state of Florida and 13 from California. Eight players come from Idaho, six from Hawaii, five from Oklahoma and four from Texas. The 'Cats also have players from Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington, as well as one from Alberta, Canada.
COACHING STAFF CHANGES
The Wildcats made several key changes to the coaching staff in the offseason. Steve Morton returns for his second season with the Wildcats and was elevated to the position of Associate Head Coach. He also continues to coach the offensive line.
Robin Pflugrad, a former head coach at Montana, joined the program in February as the new offensive coordinator. Pflugrad brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience to Weber State, including several years coaching in the Big Sky. Pflugrad has brought a new up-tempo offense to the Wildcats this season.
Eric Lewis is the new defensive coordinator for the Wildcats. Lewis is in his second season as an assistant at Weber State and also coaches the secondary.
LOOKING AHEAD
After Saturday's game the Wildcats will return home and open Big Sky play when they host Sacramento State Sept. 28 at Stewart Stadium. The game will also be the annual Homecoming game for Weber State.
