Weber State ran over Idaho (Photo by Weber State Athletics)
BYU, Utah and Weber State keep on winning!
BYU 5-0 (3-0 in the Big 12)
Despite some special teams and short-yardage struggles, BYU beat Iowa State 24-10. The Cougars did it behind a big game from Bear Bachmeier, both passing and running the ball. Bachmeier was 22 of 30 for 329 yards with a couple of passing touchdowns and had nine carries for 109 yards rushing. Next week against Notre Dame might be a bit rough for BYU. BYU is tough, resourceful, resilient, and great at home. The Irish are just too strong this season. They’re balanced offensively and are very strong in the trenches. Their defense will give anyone trouble, but especially BYU without LJ Martin. BYU will need a perfect game to upset Notre Dame in a top-10 matchup next week.
Utah 5-0 (2-0 in the Big 12)
Kansas was in this game, trailing only 27-24 to begin the final quarter. Utah went with a simple but effective offensive philosophy, and that was to give the ball to Wayshawn Parker. Parker would get 18 touches for 207 total yards and two touchdowns, including a back-breaking 90-yard touchdown to make the score 41-24 and ice the game. Parker has 66 carries for 499 yards and seven touchdowns rushing the ball and 17 catches for 190 yards and four touchdowns catching it. Utah will play at Colorado this week.
Utah State 2-4 (1-1 in the Pac-12)
The Aggies battled hard in their first Pac-12 game in Logan. Washington State led Utah State, 16-3 at halftime. It looked like it would be another defeat for Utah State. But Bronco Mendenhall, Grady Brosterhaus, and Eli Wood battled back. USU would score 14 unanswered to take a 17-16 lead late in the fourth quarter. Utah State’s defense would lock it down, keeping Washington State scoreless in the second half, and Utah State would hold on and get the 17-16 win. USU desperately needed that win to stay alive in the Pac-12 standings and keep fighting to play in a bowl game. The Aggies have their bye this coming week and will follow that up with a game at Texas State on October 24th.
Weber State 4-3 (3-1 in the Big Sky)
Weber State got off to a good start, racing out to a 14-0 lead before a weather delay hit Ogden. Idaho came alive after the delay, and Weber State led only 17-14 heading into the fourth quarter. That’s when the Wildcats erupted. Weber State scored 21 unanswered to begin the quarter, so by the time Idaho got going and got a couple of touchdowns, the game was out of reach. Weber State would win 38-27. They’re at home against another Idaho team next week when the Idaho State Bengals come to Ogden. The Wildcats are tied for first place in the Big Sky Conference with Cal Poly, Montana, and Northern Arizona!
Utah Tech 0-7 (0-4 in the Big Sky)
More of the same from the Trailblazers. Portland State would lead Utah Tech, 30-7 at halftime. The second half was bland, and Utah Tech would get what would amount to a garbage-time touchdown. This would make the final score 30-14 in Portland State’s favor. Tech is alone at the bottom of the Big Sky standings. The Trailblazers will still be looking for win number one on the road next week at Cal Poly.
Southern Utah 2-4 (1-2 in the Big Sky)
The Thunderbirds had their bye this week. They’ll look to win when they return to action next week against UC Davis at home in Cedar City.
Roberts-Hall Award Player of the Week
Weber State’s running backs Spencer Ferguson and Seth Rigtrup carried the Wildcats to victory over Idaho. Each back had 14 carries and two touchdowns, while Ferguson had 153 yards and Rigtrup had 129 yards. Weber State would run for 305 yards on Idaho, and the Wildcats are second in the Big Sky, only to #2 Montana.
Writer’s Note: All FBS team rankings referenced are from the College Football Power Rankings here at TheForkball.com. All FCS rankings are from the FCS STATS poll.
