Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
1-0 , 0-0
Western Oregon
0-1 , 0-0
'Cats open the season with 41-5 win
9/1/2022 11:13:00 PM | Football
WSU held Western Oregon to a school record -34 rushing yards.
The Wildcats and Wolves opened the month of September in record heat as the temperature was in the upper 90s at kickoff.
The Wildcats gave up a safety to the Wolves just over one minute into the game that gave Western Oregon a 2-0 lead.
But just two players later, Maxwell Anderson recorded his first interception and returned the ball to the Western Oregon 22-yard line. Three plays later, Damon Bankston scored on a 6-yard touchdown that put the 'Cats up 7-2.
Josh Davis scored on a five-yard touchdown a few minutes later to make it 14-2.
The Wildcats scored twice in the second quarter, a 1-yard touchdown by Kris Jackson and a 24-yard field goal by Kyle Thompson to make it 24-2 at halftime.
The Wolves added a field goal midway through the third quarter before another Kris Jackson 1-yard touchdown made it 31-5 after three quarters.
Thompson made a 39-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter and Steven Shoats-Thomas added his first career touchdown that sealed the 41-5 win.
The Wildcats held Western Oregon to -34 rushing yards, the lowest total allowed in school history. The Wolves had 26 carries but totaled -34 yards.
Weber State had 343 yards of total offense, compared to 95 for Western Oregon. The Wildcats rushed for 178 yards and threw for 165.
Defensively, Weber State had 10 tackles for loss, led by 3.5 from Naseme Colvin and two from Zeke Birch.
Maxwell Anderson recorded two interceptions and Shad Pulsipher led the way with seven tackles. Garret Beck also had an interception.
On offense, Bronson Barron was 16 of 28 for 152 yards passing. On the ground, the Wildcats were led by Josh Davis with 11 carries for 53 yards and one touchdown. Damon Bankston had 10 carries for 42 yards and a touchdown. Colter May had 35 yards and Steven Shoats-Thomas rushed for 33.
Jacob Sharp had two receptions for 43 yards and Haze Hadley had two for 33 yards. Hadley also had six punt returns for 131 yards, including a long of 47 yards.
"I thought the defense played phenomenal for the most part tonight and we did a lot of good things," said head coach Jay Hill. "And we were in great field position throughout the game. We have a lot to cleanup and improve on but I'm really excited about the potential of this football team.
The Wildcats opened the season at home for just the second time in the last nine years.
The Wildcats now hit the road for an in-state battle at Utah State next Saturday, September 10 in a 5 p.m. kickoff at Maverik Stadium in Logan.
1-0! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/0fmXdVNxex
— Weber State Football ?? (@weberstatefb) September 2, 2022
Team Stats
WOU 2, WSU 0
WOU - 0 yd safety
WOU 2, WSU 7
WSU - Bankston,Damon 6 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 3 plays, 22 yards, TOP 00:53
WOU 2, WSU 14
WSU - Davis,Josh 5 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 4 plays, 14 yards, TOP 01:33
WOU 2, WSU 21
WSU - Jackson,Kris 1 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 8 plays, 49 yards, TOP 03:15
WOU 2, WSU 24
WSU - Thompson,Kyle 24 yd field goal 4 plays, 2 yards, TOP 01:38
WOU 5, WSU 24
WOU - Cossette,Daniel 34 yd field goal 14 plays, 59 yards, TOP 06:22
WOU 5, WSU 31
WSU - Jackson,Kris 1 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 9 plays, 61 yards, TOP 03:32
WOU 5, WSU 34
WSU - Thompson,Kyle 39 yd field goal 4 plays, -2 yards, TOP 02:16
WOU 5, WSU 41
WSU - Shoats-Thomas,Steven 13 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 8 plays, 64 yards, TOP 04:00
