Wildcats Remain Undefeated With Blowout Win Over Utah Tech
Sep 17, 2022, 9:49 PM | Updated: Sep 22, 2022, 11:30 am
Weber State quarterback Bronson Barron. (Photo courtesy of Weber State Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Weber State Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Weber State Wildcats overcame an early punch from the Trailblazers to pull away in the second half for a 44-14 win over Utah Tech.
No. 13 Weber State (3-0) hosted the Trailblazers (1-2) of Utah Tech in the final non-conference tune-up of the season for each program on Saturday, September 17.
Hoping to maintain the momentum gained in a shocking 35-7 road win over in-state rival Utah State last weekend, Weber State struck early.
On the opening drive, Weber State’s Ty MacPherson caught two passes for 58 yards and the first touchdown of the game. Josh Davis added 17 rushing yards on the drive.
That's how we like to start!
TOUCHDOWN WILDCATS!
Barron to MacPherson for a 13-yard TD on the opening drive! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/mcxtf121m3
— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) September 18, 2022
Three minutes later, following a Trailblazer punt, Bronson Barron connected with Jacob Sharp on a 35-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0. The Wildcats marched 98-yards on just four plays, aided by two Utah Tech penalties. Damon Bankston rushed for 43 yards on three carries on the drive.
On the ensuing Trailblazer drive, quarterback Kobe Tracy methodically led UTU on a 15 play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard Tracy pass to David Fisher. Tracy accounted for all but three yards on the scoring drive.
1Q – TOUCHDOWN!! Kobe Tracy finds David Fisher alone in the end zone from 8-yards out to get the Blazers on the board! UT cuts the @weberstatefb lead in half, 14-7. #UtahTechBlazers #WACfb pic.twitter.com/jYBTt9o9vT
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) September 18, 2022
The Wildcats turned right around and continued the high-scoring opening fifteen minutes when Barron found MacPherson for their second scoring connection of the day. This time it was a 36-yard scoring strike that culminated a 72-yard drive.
Weber State led 21-7 after one quarter.
Offense continued to rule the day when, on fourth-down, Tracy hit a streaking Joey Hobert across the middle for a 37-yard scoring strike to make it 21-14 Weber State with 14:16 left in the half.
2Q – TOUCHDOWN!! Kobe Tracy extends the play and hooks up with Joey Hobert for a 37-yd TD strike on 4th and 8. UT makes a 21-14 game with 14:16 to play in the first half! #UtahTechBlazers #WACfb pic.twitter.com/Z2pg8DDEI1
— Utah Tech Football (@UtahTechFB) September 18, 2022
The defenses arrived when WSU’s Maxwell Anderson made a nice diving catch on an errant Kobe Tracy pass for the first turnover of the game.
Weber State drove to the two-yard line, thanks primarily to 28 rushing yards from Bankston. With the Wildcats on the two-yard line, the Trailblazer defense was able to get a stop on fourth-and-2 to force the turnover on downs.
Midway through the quarter Weber State added a 24-yard Kyle Thompson field goal to make it 24-14. That would remain the score into halftime.
INTERCEPTION!
Maxwell Anderson with his 4️⃣th interception of the season! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/xNsOMwv8MM
— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) September 18, 2022
Barron and MacPherson connected for their third score midway through the third quarter. Barron found MacPherson down the left sideline with a picture perfect 17-yard pass that found the senior wide receiver in stride. The touchdown gave Weber State a three score lead, 31-14.
Thompson added two more field goals in the third to make the score 37-14 heading into the final quarter.
Weber State’s Abraham Williams returned an interception inside the red zone, setting up Bankston for a six-yard scoring run.
After an Abraham Williams interception, Damon Bankston with a 6-yard touchdown!
Wildcats up 44-14
6:35 | 4th quarter#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/d8pVlKn5S8
— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) September 18, 2022
Barron finished with four touchdown passes and 386 yards through the air on 25-for-36 passing. Bankston rushed 15 times for 161 yards and a score. MacPherson (140) and Sharp (116) each finished with hundred-yard receiving games.
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Up Next
Utah Tech will take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Eccles Coliseum on Saturday, September 24. It will be the Western Athletic Conference opener for each team. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (MST).
No. 13 Weber State travels to Davis, CA to face the UC Davis Aggies on Saturday, September 24. This will be the Big Sky conference opener for each team. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (MST).
