Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
1-0 , 0-0
Central Washington
0-1 , 0-0
Weber State opens new season with a 35-10 win
8/31/2023 10:41:00 PM | Football
Weber State got off to a slow start but rallied with a big third quarter and shut out CWU in the second half.
The game was played on the brand new turf field at Stewart Stadium, which is receiving an upgrade. The east stands are being completely rebuilt, along with a new field and track.
The 'Cats opened the game with a seven-yard touchdown from Kylan Weisser to Jayleen Record three minutes into the game.
Central Washington tied the game 7-7 with 3:14 to play in the first quarter, when magic struck again for Weber State's Abraham Williams. The Wildcat junior and returning All-American broke off another 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give the 'Cats a 14-7 lead. It was the fifth career 100 yard kickoff return for Williams.
CWU added a 40-yard field goal at the end of the half to make it 14-10 Weber State.
The Wildcats outscored Central Washington 21-0 the rest of the way.
Damon Bankston had two touchdowns in the third quarter, including a 66-yard score that made it 28-10. Kris Jackson capped the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
Weber State finished with 306 yard of offense, compared to 276 for CWU. The Wildcats rushed for 190 yards and had 116 yards passing.
"We have to start faster on all aspects of the game, but I loved how the guys responded in the third quarter to score 21 points and shut them out," said new Wildcat head coach Mickey Mental who won his first game as head coach.
Individually, Bankston ran for 119 yards with two touchdowns, averaging 9.2 yards per game. Weisser was 12 of 21 for 116 yards and a touchdown. Hayden Meacham led the receivers with three catches for 37 yards.
On defense, senior captain Winston Reid, the Big Sky preseason MVP, finished with 10 tackles with 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Brayden Wilson added seven tackles with three tackles for loss.
The Wildcats now hit the road for the next two games starting on September 9 at Northern Iowa. WSU plays at Utah on September 16, before the next home game and first Big Sky game on September 23 against Montana State.
1-0!
— Weber State Football ?? (@weberstatefb) September 1, 2023
WILDCATS WIN! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/hfUbWyHTCG
Sure feels great to sing this again! #WeAreWeber | #Greatx3 ?? pic.twitter.com/Ea6BSXU001
— Weber State Football ?? (@weberstatefb) September 1, 2023
.@mmental7 after his first win as head coach! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/M7CTEgsx2G
— Weber State Football ?? (@weberstatefb) September 1, 2023
Team Stats
CWU 0, WSU 7
WSU - Record,Jayleen 7 yd pass from Weisser,Kylan (Thompson,Kyle kick) 3 plays, 13 yards, TOP 00:44
CWU 7, WSU 7
CWU - Flanagan,Tyler 15 yd run (Jones,Josh kick), 6 plays, 60 yards, TOP 02:41
CWU 7, WSU 14
WSU - Williams,Abraham 100 yd kickoff return (Thompson,Kyle kick)
CWU 10, WSU 14
CWU - Jones,Josh 40 yd field goal 9 plays, 36 yards, TOP 03:41
CWU 10, WSU 21
WSU - Bankston,Damon 1 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 9 plays, 54 yards, TOP 04:10
CWU 10, WSU 28
WSU - Bankston,Damon 66 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 1 plays, 66 yards, TOP 00:13
CWU 10, WSU 35
WSU - Jackson,Kris 1 yd run (Thompson,Kyle kick), 3 plays, 36 yards, TOP 01:00
