2015 Record: 6-5 (5-3)
Key Returners: Jadrian Clark, Eric Wilkes, Treshawn Garrett, Cameron Livingston, Emmett Tela, Taron Johnson
Key Losses: Josh Kealamakia
The Weber State Wildcats found themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot last season but ultimately fell short of their goal when all was said and done. The Wildcats basically won the games they were supposed to win and lost the games they were supposed to lose. They escaped Montana with an overtime win, probably their biggest upset of the season. Third year coach Jay Hill might have something brewing in Ogden, and the media has them picked to finish about where they ended last season. The Wildcats return many players from last season on the offensive side of the football, and with any luck can keep their defense right about where they were last season.
The Wildcats finished with the 65th best offense it the country last year, coming in with 369 yards per game. Their defense checked in at 32nd last season, pretty respectable for a Big Sky team. In fact, their defense was the top in the Big Sky last season. They gave up 346 yards per game. The Wildcats were the only Big Sky team to finish in the top 50 in total defense last season. The team finished -2 in the touchdown ratio, which might explain some of their problems last season. The Wildcats also finished -5 in turnovers last season. Quarterback Jadrian Clark finished on the wrong side of touchdowns vs interceptions himself. With a defense as good as they were last season the offense seemed to struggle when facing the better teams in the league. In three of their five losses last season they gave up 40+ points in those contests.
As mentioned above the Wildcats will be returning some notable offensive starters, quarterback Jadrian Clark who threw for 1875 yards and ten touchdowns. He also had eleven interceptions on the season. They will also return Eric Wilkes and Treshawn Garrett, their top two rushers from last season. Combined they went over 1000 yards and had ten touchdowns. Their leading receiver, Cameron Livingston will also be back this season, as well as Darryl Denby. They’ll also return junior corner Taron Johnson who led the team in interceptions last season with two. He was third in the Big Sky last season with 12 pass break-ups. Linebacker Emmett Tela will help anchor the defense this season too. Tela earned second team All-Big Sky last season as a sophomore. He led the team in tackles with 72, along with two forced fumbles and two sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
The Wildcats will kick off their season in Logan, Utah to take on Utah State. Their schedule has them facing Portland State, Southern Utah, North Dakota, and Northern Arizona. Not a fun schedule but they should be much like last season, win the games they’re supposed to win and lose the games they’re supposed to lose. If they can somehow sneak a few wins away from unfavored contests they could make a push for a playoff spot at the end of the season, but they will need to take down some of the league’s best. Two of those contests will be on the road for the Wildcats.
Thu, Sep 01 at Utah State
Sat, Sep 10 at South Dakota
Sat, Sep 17 Sacramento State
Sat, Sep 24 at UC Davis
Sat, Oct 08 Portland State
Sat, Oct 15 Montana State
Sat, Oct 22 at Southern Utah
Sat, Oct 29 at North Dakota
Sat, Nov 05 Northern Arizona
Sat, Nov 12 Cal Poly
Sat, Nov 19 at Idaho State
