Weber State will take on Dixie State on Saturday at 6 p.m. for homecoming. The game will also mark something of a homecoming for Dixie State coach Ron Haun, who quarterbacked the Wildcats in 1964.

Haun's team, which made the jump from a junior college to a four-year, Division II institution two seasons ago, wasn't planning on making the trip up to Ogden. Weber State was supposed to have a bye the week after playing Hawaii, something Wildcats' coach Ron McBride was eagerly looking forward to.

But, Weber State was given an extra game and was able to secure a game with the St. George school.

It marks the first meeting between the two teams.

"Every four years, the [Football Championship Subdivision] can play 12 games. We try to play at least one Division II opponent, even when we have 11 games," Weber State athletic director Jerry Graybeal said. "So for us, it was a natural fit."

The Wildcats have a bye Nov. 15.

"When I was coaching, I liked having the bye late in the conference," Graybeal said. "So if we need to make some changes or have some time for athletes to recover from injuries."

This is the first in-state four-year school Dixie State has faced since becoming a Division II school.

Smooth travels

Although it was Weber State's first trip to Hawaii last weekend, McBride has traveled to the islands before, when he was the coach at the University of Utah. He knows that it can be a draining affair for his players when they get back and they can be sluggish at the next week's practices.

But, this time, the trip wasn't so bad. McBride can thank the Delta direct flights from Salt Lake City to Honolulu for that.

"It didn't feel like the other trips. It was not as big as problem. It took five hours and 45 minutes. We left Thursday and had practice at 2 p.m. We got them in, we let them sleep in a little," McBride said. "It's better than sitting in a plane. The trip to Sacramento State will be longer because we have to stop in [Las] Vegas."

Career high for Toone

Weber State wide receiver Tim Toone recorded a single game high nine receptions for 135 receiving yards in Saturday's game against the University of Hawaii. His previous best was last season, when he caught six passes against both Sacramento State and Idaho State.

mthach@sltrib.com