Weber State Eliminated From FCS Playoffs With 23-18 Loss To Maine
Dec 7, 2018, 10:07 PM | Updated: 11:47 pm
Weber State Wildcats wide receiver Devon Cooley (85) makes a catch with Maine Black Bears defensive back Katley Joseph (24) defending the pass as Weber State and Maine play in FCS quarterfinal football action in Ogden on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018. Maine won 23-18. (Scott Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott Winterton, Deseret News)
OGDEN, Utah – In a defensive battle in the freezing cold, the Weber State Wildcats were doomed by four interceptions in the second half in a 23-18 loss to Maine in the FCS Playoffs quarterfinals.
The running game was nonexistent for the Wildcats as they rushed for minus-1 yards as a team in the season-ending defeat. In total, they picked up 271 yards and gave up 286 yards to the Black Bears.
Final
Weber State falls 23-18 to Maine in the #FCSPlayoffs!
End of another great year for the Wildcats! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/mS4zoEQQ8F— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) December 8, 2018
Slow Start To The Game
After a scoreless first quarter, Trey Tuttle nailed a 37-yard field to give Weber State the initial 3-0 lead.
Tuttle getting out of trouble!
Weber State take the 3-0 lead with a 37 yd FG. #FCSPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/uOq3Mzn65C
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 8, 2018
After several punts by both teams, Maine finally broke through and completed a nice drive with a 9-yard touchdown reception by Jaquan Blair from Chris Ferguson.
Weber State managed just 12 rushing yards in the first half on 89 yards of total offense. Maine went into the break with 107 yards of offense.
Weber State Can’t Capitalize In Second Half
Maine extended its lead to 14-3 on the third play of the second half as Earnes Edwards received a pass from Ferguson, evaded a tackler and scampered 67 yards to the end zone.
The Wildcats responded by marching down and kicking a 45-yard field goal to reduce the Black Bears’ lead to 14-6.
After a short punt gave Weber State great field position, the Wildcats were unable to capitalize. Jake Constantine’s third down interception handed the ball back to Maine.
Again, however, Maine gave the ball back to Weber State on a short field. This time however, the Wildcats made the most of it. Constantine heaved a fourth-down pass to Devon Cooley who battled with the defender on the catch for a 33-yard touchdown. The PAT was missed to keep Maine in front by two, 14-12, going into the final quarter.
71 percent of the earth is covered by water, the rest is covered by @BlackBearsFB DeVaughn!#FCSPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/rpJLHhHoto
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 8, 2018
Weber State was marching down the field with a chance to take the lead when Constantine threw his third interception of the game to put an end to that scoring opportunity. With the ball back, the Black Bears quickly scored again on a 45-yard rush by Ramon Jefferson.
It wasn’t long before Constantine threw his fourth interception of the second half to set up a 48-yard field goal by Kenny Doak.
Weber State would add a touchdown on the final play of the game, but it was meaningless to the final result.
Maine Moves On, Weber State Done
Maine will advance to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs against the winner of UC Davis and Eastern Washington.
Had Weber State won, it would have been the Wildcats’ first ever appearance in the FCS Playoffs semifinals.
The Wildcats will finish the season with a 10-3 record.
