Wildcats hope infusion of new talent will add confidence, rhythm

OGDEN — In his second season at Weber State, Ron McBride suffered through all sorts of problems. Injuries decimated the running back corps, the tight ends and both sides of the line.

Offensive stability and confidence were never found as the team switched back and forth between quarterbacks most of the season and there was never much rhythm to go with.

This year, McBride and the Wildcats — just 4-7 last year and 3-5 in the Big Sky — are hoping to avoid all that turmoil.

"Some of the new players are really going to help us," McBride said after the Wildcats opened practice Friday morning.

The player most people have their hopes pinned on is Jimmy Barnes. The sophomore transfer from Alabama has all the tools one could hope for but left the Crimson Tide after new coach Nick Saban brought in a new mindset that didn't sit well with the young quarterback.

He's in Ogden now and the Wildcats hope his big-time background will translate into some big-time results at WSU.

Joining him on offense is the best running back in the Big Sky. Trevyn Smith didn't start until the fifth week of the season, yet he still led the league in rushing as a freshman with 1,129 yards.

Smith will be joined in the backfield by a pair of experienced veterans. Senior Adrian Conway was a starter for two seasons before injuries allowed Smith to take over. Junior fullback Marcus Mailei also returns and is a dependable receiver, blocker and runner.

Though the top receivers Terry Larsen and Marky Filipe have graduated, WSU still has plenty of targets for Barnes to throw to.

Junior Bryant Eteuati will be called on to add more receiving to his all-conference special teams abilities. Tim Toone is a speedy sophomore with big-play skills that might fall right into Barnes' wheelhouse.

Add Cody Nakamura, Akami Aki and some newcomers and the passing game should be much improved.

Naturally, without an offensive line, the passing game won't happen. David Hale returns for his senior season after earning all-conference honors last year. Dimitri Tsoumpas, Travis Harris, Paul Carpenter and Justin Fritz will be asked to make sure everything runs smoothly.

On defense, the Wildcats lost all conference players Tyler DeBry (linebacker), Bo Smith (corner) and Rio Stotler (line) but still have plenty of returning players to keep things tight.