OGDEN — Talk about a big Mac attack. Ron McBride's debut as Weber State's football coach couldn't have gone any better if he had scripted it himself.

With a Stewart Stadium record of 17,593 fans cheering the Wildcats on, Weber State took Western State out behind the campus wood shed for a 61-0 thrashing. Fortunately for Western State, the game was called with 8:16 to go in the fourth quarter because of threats of lightning.

The resounding victory set a record as Weber State's highest-scoring shutout. Quarterback Ian Pizarro admitted the Wildcats ran up the score, but there was a purpose behind it.

"We wanted to make a statement," Pizarro said.

Running back Adrian Conway agreed. "We wanted to show what (Mac) instilled in us during the off-season about mental toughness. We wanted to show that this was a totally different program than last year," Conway said. The 'Cats did that and more. Most running backs hope for 100 yards rushing in a full game. Conway had 109 in the first quarter. The sophomore back finished the game with 208 yards and three touchdowns. Senior Zach Hall ran for 64 yards and three scores.

Pizarro marched the Wildcats up and down the field, throwing for 221 yards and two touchdowns. The receiving duo of Terry Larsen and Lynzell Jackson combined to catch eight passes for 148 yards and one touchdown. Kicker Joe Johnson also hit a 52-yard field goal in the second quarter, setting a new career long.

When the game was called, Weber State had 590 yards of total offense.

"This is the best running game I've seen from them in the three years we've played them. The biggest factor I saw was the quarterback. Wow.

"You could see the leadership on the field. A whole different ball club than we played two years ago. More physical too," Western State coach Jeff Zenisek said. "(McBride's) a good football coach no question, (Weber State) was lucky to get him."

While the offense functioned like a well-oiled machine, the defense was also efficient, forcing four turnovers and holding the Mountaineers to 129 yards of total offense. WSU defensive end Brady Fosmark set a record for career sacks. Fosmark was glad to have the record out of the way, but he was more satisfied with the defensive effort.

"(Even with the game cut short), we got done what we wanted to tonight," Fosmark said.

So what did McBride think about the game's result? Other than laying awake through a sleepless night and anxiously awaiting the start of the game all day, he was pleased.

"I didn't know how this team would react in a game situation, but we dominated the line of scrimmage," McBride said. "We did a good job taking advantage of what they gave us. I couldn't ask for anything better."

With the number of fans that turned out and the success on the field, McBride said the Wildcats had a winning formula.

"People came out, players played well, and good things happened," McBride said.

The Wildcats play at Fresno State next week.

HAVILI STATUS: Sione Havili said the pregame prayer with the team. He said he feels better and plans to see a stroke specialist this week.