Weber State Football Beats NAU On Hail Mary As Time Expires
Mar 27, 2021, 4:25 PM | Updated: 4:54 pm
Weber State quarterback Randall Johnson (Courtesy of Robert Casey / Weber State Athletics)
(Courtesy of Robert Casey / Weber State Athletics)
OGDEN, Utah – The Weber State Wildcats remained perfect this spring by defeating the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on a “Hail Mary” play as time expired.
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The Wildcats hosted the Lumberjacks on Saturday, March 27.
With two seconds left in the fourth quarter and NAU owning a 23-22 lead, Weber State quarterback Randall Johnson unloaded a 50-yard pass towards the end zone.
Wildcats receiver Justin Malone leaped for the ball and came down with a catch to win the game for Weber State, 28-23.
🚨 THE WILDCATS WIN ON A HAIL MARY AS TIME EXPIRES. 🚨
FINAL@NAU_Football 23@weberstatefb 28
Weber State improves to 3-0 this spring.#WeAreWeber #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/0TJhEZsN9F
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021
Before The Bomb
Prior to the miracle connection between Johnson and Malone, the Lumberjacks had marched nearly the length of the field to score a g0-ahead touchdown and extra point with 17 seconds to go.
It was Northern Arizona’s first lead of the contest.
The Lumberjacks take advantage of a Wildcat fumble and drive the field for their first lead of the game.@NAU_Football 23@weberstatefb 22
0:17 4Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/i6zMvSUVet
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021
After Weber State dominated the first half, especially the opening quarter, the Lumberjacks outscored the Wildcats 23-8 from the second quarter to the final seconds.
The last second miracle maintained Weber State’s unblemished record.
Wonderful Wildcats
Johnson finished the game 11/19 passing for 133 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in his first start this season.
The Wildcats look explosive. 🧨
Weber State turns an NAU interception into a touchdown drive. @NAU_Football 0@weberstatefb 7
10:47 1Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/ul4uiyVYgV
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021
Malone’s game-winning reception was his second catch of the contest. He finished with 54 receiving yards and the score.
We can't stop watching this🙌@justin_malone @Randallrjohnson #PurpleReign #WeAreWeber #BigSkyFB #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/OLHURO3tbo
— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) March 27, 2021
Rashid Shaheed led Weber State’s receivers with three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Shaheed also brought back a kick return 100 yards for a touchdown.
The Wildcats open the second half with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown and then get tricky on a two-point conversion. 👀 @NAU_Football 10@weberstatefb 22
14:47 3Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReignpic.twitter.com/ZSxYEvFAjI
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021
Josh Davis led the Wildcats on the ground with 16 carries for 141 yards.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Lumberjacks QB Keondre Wudtee finished 21/40 passing for 204 yards.
NAU’s Draycen Hall ran the ball 19 times for 136 yards and a touchdown.
The Lumberjacks cut into the Wildcats' lead with a huge run.@NAU_Football 10@weberstatefb 14
5:03 2Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReignpic.twitter.com/GsgWWWXrLB
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021
The Lumberjacks turned the ball over three times in the loss.
Northern Arizona fell to 1-2 on the spring season with the result.
Up Next
With the win, the Wildcats improved to a 3-0 record this spring.
The victory was Jay Hill’s 50th win as Weber State’s head coach.
BIG WIN MOOD🚨#PurpleReign #WeAreWeber #BigSkyFB pic.twitter.com/KlgCBd22GT
— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) March 27, 2021
Weber State’s next game is against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday, April 3 at 2 p.m. (MDT).
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