Wildcats feel good after win

OGDEN — Finally a winner this year, Weber State is understandably feeling better about itself.

Ron McBride, who was beginning to wonder if his young-but-talented team would ever put a complete game together, is now just one win away from a significant milestone.

The next victory McBride coaches will be his 100th as a head coach after earning 88 in 13 years at Utah. That victory very well may come Saturday at Northern Colorado.

The Bears, playing in only their second season as a Division I school, have lost 14 consecutive football games, including an embarrassing 31-0 loss to Chadron State this season.

McBride, naturally, is not taking UNC lightly.

"They are a hungry team. They have only played one home game this season and we are their first league game at home," he said, "so I would expect them to come out and play hard and play with a lot of passion."

ALL THE RIGHT NOTES: Through four games, sophomore receiver Tim Toone was out of sync. He had only three catches for 78 yards.

Saturday against Sacramento State, Toone had the breakthrough game WSU coaches and fans have been waiting for. With six receptions for 128 yards and a school-record-tying four touchdowns, Toone was named Big Sky Conference offensive player of the week.

It was the first player of the week honor for a Wildcat this season.

SACK EXCHANGE: One of the biggest reasons Weber State finally broke through into the win column was its offensive line.

Quarterback Cameron Higgins, despite the horrid weather, had a splendid day in the pocket — completing 13 of 20 passes for 245 yards.

More importantly, he was not sacked once and was rarely pressured despite Sacramento State entering the game leading the Big Sky in sacks with 18.

WSU quarterbacks have been sacked only seven times this year.

Getting a big assist in Toone's award was Higgins. Starting only his second game, Higgins found a lot of composure and earned the praise of his coach.

"Cameron grew up a lot today," McBride said after the win. "He became a Division I football player with that game."

ALOHA MEANS HELLO: Weber State opened up 2007 playing against Boise State, the feel-good story of the 2006 season.

In 2008 the Wildcats will make it a repeat, playing at Hawaii — one of the BCS-buster hopefuls from the current season.

The game, scheduled for Sept. 6, will be a homecoming for several WSU players who hail from the Islands including starting quarterback Cameron Higgins, his little brother Zack — a redshirting defensive back — and other players like receivers Akamu Aki and Cody Nakamura and linemen Lawaia Naihe and Alex Tupulua.

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E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com