Weber State football: Team looks to impress playoff committee

OGDEN — The Weber State Wildcats picked up one of their biggest wins in school history when they defeated Cal Poly in the first round of the FCS playoffs last year.

The two teams rematch at Stewart Stadium today, and only the Wildcats have something to play for this time. Kickoff is at noon.

Weber State needs a victory to reach seven wins and become eligible for this year's FCS playoffs. Cal Poly, which was ranked 12th in the nation at one point this season, has faded and lost its last three games.

The Wildcats don't have their postseason fate in their hands. Weber State is hoping an impressive win over Cal Poly today will encourage the FCS playoff committee to award it an at-large bid. The Wildcats also need Montana to beat Montana State, as well as some other help around the country, to be seriously considered for a playoff berth.

Weber State is hoping to take care of business against Cal Poly today, and it will worry about the playoffs after.

"I really think if we take care of what we need to, everything will fall into place," said quarterback Cameron Higgins. "There's nothing we can do right now, just control the things we can control and hope for the best."

The Wildcats eliminated Cal Poly from the FCS playoffs last season in a 49-35 shootout. Today's game could also feature plenty of offensive fireworks.

The Mustangs are coming off a 50-48 loss to South Dakota in which they gained 533 yards of offense. Cal Poly still runs the option offense that gave the Wildcats some trouble in the playoffs last season. The Mustangs are throwing the ball much better with quarterback Tony Smith running the offense. Receiver Dominique Johnson was the FCS national player of the week after grabbing 13 receptions for 273 yards and five touchdowns against South Dakota.

"Their quarterback is a better passer than the guy that they had before, and they spread the ball around a little more," Weber State coach Ron McBride said of the Mustangs. "They still kind of take what you give them in the option game. It's tough to prepare for them in a week. It's a tough matchup."

The Wildcats probably need to defeat the Mustangs by a decent margin to get the attention of the FCS playoff committee. Cal Poly is 4-6 and will wrap up its first losing season in seven years today. Weber State will take second place in the Big Sky if Montana beats Montana State, and it believes it should receive an at-large bid if it beats the Mustangs.

"We still have a chance to make the playoffs," said receiver Tim Toone. "That's our goal and we're going to try and prove that we deserve to go."

Wildcats on the air

Cal Poly (4-6, 1-3 Great West) at Weber State (6-4, 6-2 Big Sky)

Today, noon

Stewart Stadium

TV: None Radio: 1430 AM

e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com