Defense leads Wildcats to 27-10 win over Coyotes

OGDEN - The Weber State defense had eight sacks and forced three turnovers as the 11th ranked Wildcats opened the home season with a 27-10 win over No. 22 South Dakota Saturday night at Stewart Stadium.

The eight sacks by the Wildcats is the most in a game since 2011. Weber State held the Coyotes to 238 yards of total offense, including just 28 yards rushing.

After a Wildcat field goal, the defense got on the board as Parker Preator forced a fumble which Landon Stice picked up and returned 28 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion put the Wildcats up 11-0 after the first quarter.

The Coyotes scored on a 26-yard field goal but the Wildcats came back with a five-yard touchdown from Jake Constantine to Darryl Denby and the 'Cats led 18-3 at halftime.

Three-straight Trey Tuttle field goals put the 'Cats up 27-3 before a late touchdown by South Dakota.

Stice led the Wildcat defense with six tackles, including a half sack, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception, which he returned 28 yards. Senior LeGrand Toia had a season-high 13 tackles with two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Jayden Palauni had two sacks and Kawika Tupuola and Parker Preator each had one. Keilan Benjamin also had an interception for the Wildcats.

Highlights of tonight's win over No. 22 South Dakota. #WeAreWeber #BigSkyFB pic.twitter.com/7A9utMB0WM
— Weber State Football ???? (@weberstatefb) September 16, 2018

Tuttle connected on four field goals, tied for the second-most in a game in WSU history. He made field goals of 43, 18, 39 and 28 yards.

On offense, the 'Cats totaled 252 yards with 140 passing and 112 rushing and the Wildcats did not turn the ball over. Freshman Josh Davis rushed for 27 carries for 105 yards and had four punt returns for 80 yards. Constantine was 15 of 27 passing for 140 yards and one touchdown and Devon Cooley led the receivers with three catches for 49 yards.

Up next

The Wildcats are back home Saturday night to host Northern Colorado in the Big Sky Conference opener.

.@CoachJayHill after the win in the @UtahEyeCenters Coaches Corner. #WeAreWeber ?? pic.twitter.com/okeoUwFeut
— Weber State Football ???? (@weberstatefb) September 16, 2018

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Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Keilan Benjamin

Jake Constantine

Devon Cooley

Josh Davis

Darryl Denby

Jayden Palauni

Parker Preator

Landon Stice

LeGrand Toia

Kawika Tupuola

Trey Tuttle