Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
6-2 , 4-1
Montana
5-3 , 3-2
Wildcats force five turnovers and beat Montana 41-27
10/28/2017 7:20:00 PM | Football
OGDEN - Weber State forced five turnovers and had five sacks to beat Montana 41-27 Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium in a key Big Sky Conference game.
The 22-ranked Wildcats improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in Big Sky play, while Montana dropped to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference action.
Wildcats win! No. 22 Weber State beats No. 24 Montana 41-27! Wildcats 6-2 overall; 4-1 in #BigSkyFB play. #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/zTDs328Alq
— Weber State Football (@weberstatefb) October 28, 2017
The Wildcats had a huge first half, jumping out to a 34-6 lead at the break, then held off a Montana rally to secure the win. Montana put up 503 yards of total offense, which is the most WSU has allowed this season and threw for 395 yards. However, WSU's defense had three interceptions and forced two fumbles, while the offense totaled 298 yards.
Weber State scored on all six of its possessions in the first half with four touchdowns. The 'Cats led 31-0 midway through the second quarter.
The five turnovers is tied for the most the 'Cats have given up this season. WSU junior Jordan Preator had two interceptions in a game for the second time this season. His second interception was returned 23 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to keep off the Montana rally.
Senior Xequille Harry had an interception in the Montana end zone in the first quarter and returned it 64 yards, which set up another Wildcat touchdown. The 64-yard return is tied for the fifth longest interception return in Weber State history.
Keilan Benjamin and Justus Brown led the 'Cats with nine tackles each, while Taron Johnson had seven tackles and a sack. LeGrand Toia, Jonah Williams, Adam Rodriguez, Cardon Malan and Jared Schiess all each recorded a sack.
On offense, senior Stefan Cantwell was 17-of-31 passing for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Cantwell also caught a touchdown pass from Andrew Vollert.
Treshawn Garrett led the rushing attack with 16 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Drew Batchelor had seven receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown and Vollert had two catches for 56 yards.
Trey Tuttle made two field goals, including a career-long 48-yard field goal.
The Wildcats head back on the road next Saturday for another key Big Sky game at Eastern Washington.
Hear from @CoachJayHill after the win in the @UtahEyeCenters Coach's Corner. #WeAreWeber ?? pic.twitter.com/IyJWEEl5DP
— Weber State Football (@weberstatefb) October 29, 2017
Team Stats
UM 0, WSU 3
WSU - TUTTLE, Trey 39 yd field goal 8 plays, 43 yards, TOP 3:28
UM 0, WSU 10
WSU - SATUALA, Tui 3 yd pass from CANTWELL, S. (TUTTLE, Trey kick) 4 plays, 45 yards, TOP 1:47
UM 0, WSU 17
WSU - BATCHELOR, Drew 6 yd pass from CANTWELL, S. (TUTTLE, Trey kick) 9 plays, 36 yards, TOP 3:43
UM 0, WSU 24
WSU - CANTWELL, S. 8 yd pass from VOLLERT, Andrew (TUTTLE, Trey kick) 1 plays, 8 yards, TOP 0:06
UM 0, WSU 31
WSU - GARRETT, T. 1 yd run (TUTTLE, Trey kick), 11 plays, 83 yards, TOP 5:02
UM 6, WSU 31
UM - JENSEN, Gresch 1 yd run (PURDY, Brandon kickfailed), 9 plays, 88 yards, TOP 2:56
UM 6, WSU 34
WSU - TUTTLE, Trey 48 yd field goal 6 plays, 43 yards, TOP 1:20
UM 13, WSU 34
UM - CALHOUN, Justin 12 yd pass from JENSEN, Gresch (PURDY, Brandon kick) 8 plays, 47 yards, TOP 1:46
UM 20, WSU 34
UM - TOURE, Samori 81 yd pass from JENSEN, Gresch (PURDY, Brandon kick) 2 plays, 78 yards, TOP 0:41
UM 20, WSU 41
WSU - PREATOR, Jordan 23 yd interception (TUTTLE, Trey kick)
UM 27, WSU 41
UM - LOUIE-McGEE, J. 38 yd pass from JENSEN, Gresch (PURDY, Brandon kick) 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 2:03
