Weber State football: After bye, Wildcats ready for Idaho State

POCATELLO, Idaho — Since their disappointing loss at home to Eastern Washington two weeks ago, the Weber State Wildcats have had time to get back to basics.

They've also had time to heal up from a brutal five-week stretch to start the season. They've had time to dissect what's gone wrong for them, and if they can run the table and stay in contention for an FCS playoff berth.

Today, they'll find out if the break from game action will help them in the 49th annual Border War game against Idaho State in Pocatello.

WSU head coach Ron McBride said last week's bye came at a good time.

"It helped us in that we could work on the fundamental part of our football team," he said. "We could sit some guys out, get them healthy, and we tried to establish a more physical tempo to what we're doing. For this team, the bye probably came at a pretty good time because we need to be more fundamentally sound in what we're doing."

Specifically, the Wildcats need to take care of the ball and stop the run. They are last in the Big Sky in turnover margin and next to last in run defense.

If there's any team in the conference for Weber State to get well against, it's Idaho State. The Wildcats have defeated the Bengals eight straight times and in 24 of the last 25 meetings between the two teams. Idaho State is young, rebuilding, and dealing with many injuries while entering today's game on a five-game losing streak.

McBride said his team still can't take the Bengals lightly.

"I think they're a really good football team," McBride said. "I don't see them as a 1-5 team at all. I don't see them as a struggling football team. They've had some bad luck at times."

The Wildcats' biggest concern in today's game is Bengals kick returner Tavoy Moore. Twice this season, Moore has returned a kickoff and a punt for touchdowns in the same game. He returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score and had an 84-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Bengals' 47-28 loss to Montana last week.

Weber State's advantage in today's game is quarterback Cameron Higgins and the passing game. Higgins has thrown for 1,058 yards and 11 touchdowns with just one interception in three previous meetings with Idaho State.

"(Higgins) is a guy that's been the MVP of the conference before," said Idaho State coach John Zamberlin. "He can get hot and make plays."

Wildcats on the air

Weber St. (2-3, 1-2 Big Sky)

at Idaho State (1-5, 0-4)

Today, 3:35 p.m.

Holt Arena, Pocatello, Idaho

TV: None; Radio: 1430 AM

e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com