Weber State football: Bye came at a good time
OGDEN ?— Since he started coaching college football in 1965, Ron McBride hasn't had many open fall afternoons.
He had one last weekend when his Weber State Wildcats were on a bye from Big Sky football. He didn't take a break from football when he had the chance.
McBride had his team practice early on Saturday, and then he headed to the gym where he completed his swim workout routine. From there, it was time to follow college football on TV, as McBride said he watched at least parts of the BYU-Wyoming, Utah-New Mexico, USC-Arizona State, Mississippi-Northern Arizona and Hawaii-Utah State games over the course of about eight straight hours.
"I enjoyed it," McBride said. "I know most of the coaches at those schools. I like to watch their teams play, see how they're doing."
McBride said he followed his team's break from playing on Saturday by watching "Saturday Night Fights" at about 5 a.m. on Sunday.
"I got a full fix of everything," he said.
McBride said the bye week was well-timed for his team. McBride, his players and assistant coaches had gone through nine consecutive weeks of Saturday football games that included road games against FBS teams Wyoming and Colorado State, a rivalry game against Idaho State and a humbling road loss to Montana. The three long bus rides to Wyoming, Colorado State and Northern Colorado added to the grind.
"I think it (the bye) was good for this team," McBride said. "We probably needed a little time off. I'm not always for byes, but I think for this team it was probably a positive."
Weber State had its bye a week later last year, but its schedule wasn't as demanding early on. The Wildcats played FBS teams at Hawaii and Utah, and had a couple of easy victories over Montana-Western and Dixie State.
"Last year's schedule was set up a little bit better, but you can't worry about stuff you can't control," said safety Beau Hadley. "We knew it was a tougher schedule, but we needed to step up and take care of business. It was tougher on us. But if we would have done what we were supposed to, we would have been in a really good spot, too."
The Wildcats were able to regroup and recharge for their final two games while enjoying their bye. They have no shot at winning the Big Sky championship, and they have slim hopes for an at-large berth in the FCS playoffs. They close the season with home games against Northern Arizona and Cal Poly. The Northern Arizona game on Saturday basically serves as an elimination game, as the loser will certainly be out of playoff contention.
Recent comments
It's go time Wildcats! Blow out NAU and Cal Poly and show the FCS...
Gut check | Nov. 12, 2009 at 12:22 p.m.
If Eastman can walk, he'll play, he is THE BEAST. Also, this is a...
Wildcat 100 | Nov. 11, 2009 at 8:37 p.m.
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling 1:19 a.m.
- Brems outlasts 2nd round of votes 1:04 a.m.
- 2 families divided over slaying 1:04 a.m.
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper 1:03 a.m.
- Nature's Way leaving Utah County 1:03 a.m.
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend 12:31 a.m.
- 'Cyber Monday' sales top records 12:29 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game 12:26 a.m.
- No drugs in driver of Am.F. band bus 12:15 a.m.
- Governor Mansion to begin free tours 12:14 a.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Teen shot in scuffle with trooper
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
379 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
370 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
316 - Utes won't respond to Hall
257 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
110
There's a chance the BYU Cougars could be without the services of...
There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.
Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...
Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...
The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...
TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...
could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...
Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...
I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...
quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.
I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...


