Can Wildcats maintain swagger?

OGDEN — Weber State head coach Jerry Graybeal finally got the effort he wanted from his team in the Wildcats' win last week at Idaho State.

Unfortunately, WSU only has two games left to maintain their newly discovered momentum. The Wildcats will play both of those games in Stewart Stadium in the next two weeks, with the first one today against Division I-AA North Dakota State. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The game will also be the first official home game for new athletic director William J. Weidner. He assumed his responsibilities on Nov. 4. Just like Weber State's win over Idaho State in 2003 triggered a four-game winning streak to close the season, Graybeal hopes last week's victory over the Bengals will have a similar effect. He believes the Wildcats have found their swagger.

"We came out with good energy and won the turnover battle. We executed. Everyone was into it and completely focused," Graybeal said. "We also started off 14-0 instead of 6-0. There was no letdown and we had the points to show for it."

Graybeal was also pleased with the play of sophomore quarterback Ian Pizarro, who made his second start against the Bengals. Pizarro made several key plays in the victory.

"Ian showed poise and didn't get flustered," Graybeal said. "He had a huge leap from the first start." Now Weber State (1-8,1-5) will take a break from Big Sky play as it takes on a talented I-AA team. The Wildcats have only played the Bison twice in school history, in 1978 and 1979. WSU lost both games. Now a member of the new Great West Conference, North Dakota State comes into the game with a 6-3 (1-3) record.

NDSU, a program that has earned eight NCAA Division II national titles since 1965, also has one of the best balanced run/pass attacks in I-AA. The Bison average 186.4 yards per game rushing and 186.6 yards per game passing. They also average 31.3 points per game, while holding opponents to just 14.0. Like Weber State, they have lost a handful of games by few points this year. Graybeal said their strength lies in their offensive line.

"This is an NFL size offensive line we will be seeing on Saturday," Graybeal said. "They are huge, physical and have excellent technique.

This is a team that doesn't make mistakes and is fundamentally about as sound as a football team gets. Hopefully we can relax and play and have fun doing it."

NOTES: WSU defensive lineman Brady Fosmark and punter Wyatt Kennah were named Big Sky Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week following their performances in the win over ISU. Fosmark had 12 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Fosmark only needs one more sack to become the Weber State's career quarterback sack leader. Kennah had five punts for an average of 50.2 yards per boot, including two punts inside the 20-yard line.