College football: Weber State hopes for better results vs. McNeese State
Lake Charles, La. • No offense to McNeese State, but Weber State is probably thrilled to be playing the undefeated and 12th-ranked Cowboys on Saturday night.
The Wildcats, you see, have stepped up to the Football Bowl Subdivision in consecutive weeks and come away with nothing but two big paychecks.
In back-to-back games, Weber lost at Utah (70-7) and Utah State (70-6). The 'Cats allowed over 1,200 yards of offense and trailed at halftime by identical scores of 49-0.
"We've got a bunch of young kids and we played two bowl teams," said Weber State coach Jody Sears. "No excuses, but those guys are good."
Because the Wildcats came out of the games "fairly healthy," Sears believes playing Utah and Utah State will benefit his team in the long run.
"To be on that stage — in those environments — was awesome," he said. "We had to throw a bunch of young kids under the bus, but it really was a good experience for us."
While McNeese State presents a huge challenge, Weber State is happy to be playing somebody closer to its own size.
"We're definitely looking forward to getting back to an FCS schedule," Sears said. "But we know McNeese is an outstanding football team."
The Cowboys are third in the Football Championship Subdivision in scoring (51.7). Last season in Ogden, they defeated Weber, 35-21.
In that game, the Cowboys owned a 14-7 lead in the third quarter before a Weber turnover and 91-yard touchdown run turned things in McNeese's favor.
There's more evidence Weber State might match up with the Cowboys better than it did against Utah or Utah State.
In the season-opener, the Wildcats defeated Stephen F. Austin, 50-40. Both Stephen F. Austin and McNeese play in the Southland Conference.
"It will be a hostile environment but we're looking forward to it," said Sears, who knows his team must play well defensively against the high-scoring Cowboys. —
Weber State at McNeese State
P At Cowboy Stadium (Lake Charles, La.)
Kickoff • 6 p.m. MDT
Radio • 1430 AM, 103.1 FM
Records • Weber State 1-2; McNeese State 3-0
Series • McNeese State leads 2-1
Last meeting • McNeese State, 35-21 (2012)