Wildcats' challenge: Slow down Montana State's QB

OGDEN — Despite dropping a heartbreaker last week to Montana, many Weber State fans might be silently patting the Wildcats on the back and calling the loss a moral victory.

Not Ron McBride.

The head coach was proud of the Wildcats' effort but still can't accept losing.

"You don't play the game to be close," McBride said. "We played hard for 98 percent of the game. But the bottom line is we lost, and that is not acceptable in an important game like that one."

And the schedule doesn't get any easier. Weber State (2-3, 1-1) hosts No. 11 Montana (3-2, 1-0) today in Stewart Stadium, with kickoff set for 1:35 p.m.

McBride hopes the Wildcats can apply the lessons learned from the Montana loss.

"This week we need to make the plays when they need to be made," McBride said. "Not turn the ball over. Not give (MSU) any free scores."

Saturday's game will be the last against Weber State for Montana State quarterback Travis Lulay, who has had his way with the Wildcats over the past two years. In 2004, Lulay threw for 218 yards and led the Bobcats to a come-from-behind 20-17 victory. His heroics included driving MSU into field-goal range in the final minute of the game, setting up E.J. Cochran's 44-yard game-winning kick.

In 2003, Lulay threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Bobcats to a 26-3 win.

MSU has won seven of the past eight games in the series, including the last three in Ogden and four games overall.

McBride said Weber State's defensive game plan would definitely call for as much quarterback pressure and backfield mayhem as the Wildcats can muster.

"(Lulay) is the show," McBride said. "He makes the whole thing go. He can escape, he can throw, he can run. He's impressive. They have a great supporting cast around him. Anytime you play a good quarterback, what you want to do is disrupt his rhythm, keep him off tempo. I expect a very rough and tumble game."

The Wildcats will have to play without starting running back Adrian Conway, who suffered a badly sprained right ankle against Montana. It is undetermined when he will return, so Weber State will get a chance to show its depth at running back.

McBride said Zach Hall, Sione Havili and Armon De'Launey should see playing time against the Bobcats.

"We have good, quality runners and they should play well," McBride said.

To this point in the season, Havili has carried the ball five times for 30 yards. Although he's been medically cleared to play, McBride admitted he's been hesitant to play the former East High star because of lingering effects from his eye stroke. It's been a difficult situation for the coach.

"Everything seems to be OK. We're just being cautious," McBride said. "I'd like to just let him play and see what happens."

Wildcats on the air

Montana State (3-2, 1-0) at Weber State (2-3, 1-1)

Today, 1:35 p.m.

Stewart Stadium

TV: None

Radio: 1430AM