Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
at McNeese State
'Cats fall 43-6 to 12th ranked McNeese State
9/22/2013 4:25:00 AM | Football
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Weber State started the game with a quick score but it was all McNeese State after that as the 12th ranked Cowboys defeated Weber State 43-6 on a rainy Saturday night at Cowboy Stadium.
With the win McNeese State improves to 4-0 on the season. The loss drops the Wildcats to 1-3 as they open conference play next week.
The Wildcats got off to a great start when James Washington forced and recovered a fumble on McNeese's opening drive. Three plays later Austin Chipoletti found Cameron Livingston for a 48-yard touchdown to give the 'Cats the opening lead. WSU's two-point conversion failed and the 'Cats led 6-0. It was the Chipoletti's first career touchdown pass and Livingston's first career touchdown reception.
However, it was all McNeese from there as the Cowboys scored 17 unanswered points to end the first half. Late in the first quarter, Wallace Scott intercepted a Chipoletti pass and returned it 69-yards for a touchdown to put the Cowboys on top 7-6.
They started the second quarter with a 48-yard touchdown run by Kelvin Bennett. McNeese later added a 35-yard field goal and led 17-6 at halftime. WSU managed 153 yards of offense and six first downs in the first half.
McNeese picked right back up in the third quarter with a 43-yard completion from Cody Stroud to Erenst Celestie as the Cowboys increased their lead to 24-6 midway through the quarter. They added another touchdown late in the third and opened the fourth quarter with a 60-yard touchdown run by Celestie.
Bennett added a 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the 37-point victory.
The Cowboys finished the game with 585 yards of total offense, compared to 308 for the Wildcats. McNeese State had 363 yards of rushing. Five of McNeese State's touchdowns were plays of more than 40 yards.
“Our consistency hurt us and we couldn't sustain drives,” said WSU head coach Jody Sears. “McNeese State is a really good football team but we just made too many mistakes and were not consistent.”
Individually, Chipoletti started at quarterback for the second-straight game and finished the day 8-27 passing for 85 yards and a touchdown, but did throw two interceptions. He also rushed for 47 yards.
Senior Bo Bolen led the rushing attack with a season-high 90 yards on 15 carries. He also had three receptions for 32 yards.
“We had too many mistakes and didn't execute,” Bolen said. “We had a good game plan coming in we just didn't execute when we needed to. We got things going but didn't finish. We have to stick together as a team and get ready for conference play.”
Defensively sophomore Luke King led the 'Cats with 11 tackles and also recorded a sack and two tackles for loss. Senior Anthony Morales had 10 tackles and moved past Scott Shields into 10th in WSU history in career total tackles with 279.
After three-straight road games the Wildcats will now return home and open Big Sky play next week when they host Sacramento State at Stewart Stadium. Saturday's game will also be the annual Homecoming game at Weber State.
