Weber State football: Wildcats face tough defense in FCS playoff opener

They're traveling to a region of the country they've never been, facing one of the nation's top defenses, and will have their earliest kickoff of the season.

But there will be no complaints from the Weber State Wildcats, who face William & Mary in a first-round FCS playoff game today. They spent so much time and effort just qualifying for the playoffs, winning five of their last six games and getting some help from other teams on the final day of the regular season. The stress of reaching the postseason is gone, and now the Wildcats can just go out and play football today.

"It seems like we're into a new season now," said Wildcats safety Beau Hadley. "Everyone is 0-0 and, yeah, people are seeded, but we're in and that's all that matters. It's a relief. Now we can just focus on this game and see what happens."

Weber State got a difficult draw in William & Mary, which is in the FCS playoffs for the first time in five years. The Tribe is built on a defense that allows 1.8 yards per rush and 55.5 rushing yards per game. They're a veteran team that defeated an FBS team in Virginia and has been building up to this season to make a run in the FCS playoffs. The only losses suffered this season by William & Mary were to second-ranked Villanova and fourth-ranked Richmond.

Defensive end Adrian Tracy anchors the Tribe's stout defense. He has recorded 30 career sacks, which is a school record.

The Tribe isn't anything special on offense. With their reliable defense, it's basically the offense's job to manage field position, take care of the ball and make a few plays. Running back Jonathan Grimes is productive, as he's gained 963 yards rushing this season. Quarterback R.J. Archer is an efficient game manager.

"They look like a good, solid football team," Hadley said. "It looks like their offense wants to come in and do a good job. They have a good defense and they know they don't have to do anything spectacular. They're smart. They don't make many mistakes. They have plenty of weapons to make things happen."

Facing a strong run defense without starting center Kyle Mutcher is going to be a chore for the Wildcats. But they say they aren't going go concede anything to the Tribe, and they'll play their typical game.

"Throwing is a part of our offense, it's not like we have to resort to it," said Weber State receiver Tim Toone. "We're going to get a mixture of run-pass and we're going to get them on their heels, and they're not going to know what we're doing."

William & Mary plays in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). The Big Sky and CAA account for seven of this year's 16 FCS playoff spots. It is the first-ever meeting between the Wildcats and the Tribe.

The Wildcats are in the playoffs for the second straight year and just the fourth time in school history, and they don't want to waste the opportunity.

"Getting to the playoffs is huge," said coach Ron McBride. "It gives you an opportunity to see how you match up with everybody else, how tough you are and how committed you are to get it done."

e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com