Weber State: Wildcats clinch Big Sky crown, playoff berth

For the first time in 17 years, the Weber State Wildcats are playoff-bound.

The Wildcats routed winless Idaho State 59-27 in Pocatello on Saturday afternoon, clinching the Big Sky's automatic bid into the FCS playoffs. It was a banner day for the Weber State football program, which also earned at least a share of the Big Sky crown for the first time in 21 years.

The Wildcats will open the FCS playoffs on Nov. 29 at a site to be determined. It will be their first postseason appearance since 1991. They can win the Big Sky championship outright for the first time in school history by beating Eastern Washington at Stewart Stadium on Nov. 22.

Junior running back Trevyn Smith became Weber State's all-time leading rusher on a 41-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Smith passed former career leader Nick Chournos and has now rushed for a total of 3,616 yards in less than three seasons. Chournos rushed for 3,593 yards in four seasons.

The Wildcats and Bengals were tied 3-3 at the end of the first quarter. Shortly after the whistle blew to open the second quarter, the floodgates opened for Weber State. Quarterback Cameron Higgins threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Tim Toone to give the Wildcats a 10-3 lead. The Bengals fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and Weber State quickly capitalized with another score to go up by 14 points.

Higgins' touchdown strike to Toone was the beginning of an offensive clinic put on by the Wildcats.

During an impressive offensive stretch in the game, Weber State scored touchdowns on seven consecutive possessions, and it gained a whopping 666 total yards in its victory. Higgins made it look easy, completing 18-of-23 passes for 369 yards. Smith rushed for 143 yards. His backup, Justin White, rushed six times for 113 yards, including an 80-yard score.

Smith also caught seven passes for 86 yards. Toone was the Wildcats' leading receiver, as he caught five passes for 179 yards.

The Wildcats improved to 7-0 in the Big Sky and 9-2 overall. The nine victories are the second-most Weber State has won in a single season. The Wildcats have won 23 of their last 25 meetings with Idaho State.