Weber State football: Higgins hopes for strong regular season final game

OGDEN — Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins knows his play hasn't been as spectacular during his junior season as it was last year.

Higgins' numbers are down in all statistical categories from last year, when he threw for 4,477 yards and 36 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions. He had a passer rating of 166.4. This season, with one game left to play, Higgins has thrown for 2,644 yards and 25 touchdowns with 15 interceptions. His passer rating is 140.4.

Obviously, several factors have contributed to Higgins not putting up as great numbers as last year. The Wildcats have dealt with numerous injuries, including a season-ending one suffered by standout tight end Cody Nakamura early in the year. Higgins admits his play has been "up and down" this season.

"I think it's been a good learning experience — a good learning season," Higgins said. "Every game is (a learning experience), every down is. You learn from the mistakes you do, and try to cut them down for the next game."

Higgins' play has been great (410 passing yards, four touchdowns vs. Portland State), steady (290 yards, five touchdowns vs. Sacramento State) and below average (a total of 12 interceptions thrown in losses to Wyoming, Montana State and Montana). Higgins said the only numbers that matter to him are the ones that go in the win and loss columns.

"I just want to win," Higgins said. "I care about the team being successful and doing my part to help the team be successful."

Coach Ron McBride said Higgins isn't solely to blame for his numbers being down. A lot of factors have gone into it, such as injuries, receivers occasionally running the wrong routes and dropping passes, and blocking.

Higgins might be playing his last game of the season for the Wildcats, who have slim playoff hopes, against Cal Poly on Saturday, but he'll at least have next season to show what he's learned from his mistakes.

"He's won a lot of games for us and he's had some control of some other situations," McBride said.

FRANCISCO SHINES: Weber State tight end Tyrell Francisco had his most productive day of the season in the stat sheet in the Wildcats' 27-9 win over Northern Arizona last Saturday. He caught two touchdown passes that went for a total of 34 yards. He entered the game with eight receptions for 75 yards and one score for the season.

But Francisco, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams, was productive in other ways as well. He helped the Wildcats rush for 157 yards against a tough Northern Arizona defense.