Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Sacramento State
Wildcats celebrate Homecoming with 32-14 win
9/20/2015 5:17:00 AM | Football
OGDEN -- The Weber State football team made it a sweet Homecoming and home opener as the Wildcats knocked off Sacramento State 32-14 on a beautiful Saturday night at Stewart Stadium. The win moved WSU to 1-2 on the season as they prepare to open Big Sky play next week.
The Wildcats never trailed in the game and jumped out to a 9-0 lead after one quarters, scoring on a field goal and a trick play as wide receiver Cameron Livingston found quarterback Jadrian Clark for a 26-yard field goal. After two more field goals in the second quarter, WSU led 15-0 at halftime.
Sacramento State converted on a 69-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to cut it to 15-7. The 'Cats led 18-7 after three quarters. Cory Thompson scored his first career touchdown with a 27-yard TD run with 5:18 to play. After a SAC touchdown, WSU closed the game with a 30-yard pass from Clark to Drew Batchelor.
Several Wildcats stood out with strong performances including sophomore safety Jawian Harrison who had a career-high three interceptions. His first career interception came in the first quarter and one play later, the Wildcats scored a touchdown.
Harrison had another pick later in the first quarter and picked up his third in the third quarter which he returned 37 yards. The three interceptions is tied for the second most in a game in WSU history and is the most picks in a game since 2008.
WSU senior Josh Kealamakia was a perfect 4-of-4 on field goals, tied for the second most field goals in a game in WSU history. Kealamakia had field goals of 37 yards, 45 yards, 38 yards and a career long 48 yards. He also had eight kickoffs with five touchbacks and had three punts for an average of 40.7 yards per punt.
Offensively, Clark finished the night 19-of-36 passing for 246 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Livingston had eight receptions for 94 yards and Darryl Denby had four catches for 71 yards. On the ground freshman Treshawn Garrett had 26 carries for 101 yards.
Emmett Tela led the defense with six tackles. Tre'von Johnson had five tackles with one sack and two tackles for loss.
As a team the Wildcats had 26 first downs and totaled 448 yards of total offense, while running 85 offensive plays, compared to 55 for Sacramento State. The 'Cats had 176 yards on the ground with 272 yards passing. WSU also held the ball for 35:42.
“I'm so proud of this team and it was great to get a win in front of our home crowd,” said Weber State head coach Jay Hill. “We responded on both sides of the ball and had some really great things happen. We still have things to work on but was really pleased with our effort. It was a big step in the right direction.”
Saturday's game with Sacramento State was a non-conference game and did not count in the Big Sky standings. The Wildcats will open conference play next Saturday as they hit the road at Northern Colorado for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
