This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Four games into 2010, Weber State football coach Ron McBride continues to call his Wildcats a work in progress.
Yet, three games into the Big Sky Conference season, the Wildcats already face a make-or-break game with conference implications.
Weber State (2-2, 1-1 BSC) and today's opponent, Eastern Washington (2-2, 1-1), are two in a pack of five teams with 1-1 BSC records. Rarely has a team with two losses emerged as a conference champion.
"[Eastern Washington] is a good, solid football team," McBride said about today's 1:30 p.m. game at Stewart Stadium. "They are disciplined and don't beat themselves.
"We're a long ways from being the football team we need to be. Hopefully, we'll get better each week."
Overall, there should be a clearer picture of the conference race following today's play. Montana State (3-1, 1-0) is at Sacramento State (2-2, 1-1), while defending champion Montana (2-2, 1-1) travels to Northern Colorado (2-2, 1-1).
Portland State (1-2, 0-0) opens its BSC schedule against visiting Idaho State (1-3, 0-2). Meanwhile, Northern Arizona (2-1, 1-0) has a nonconference matchup with Southern Utah.
Eastern Washington comes off a 30-7 blowout loss at Montana State, while Weber State defeated a stubborn UC Davis 20-9.
"Obviously, [two losses] makes it difficult, but not improbable," Eastern Washington coach Beau Baldwin said about the conference outlook. "Both teams are focused less on the total number of losses. They're more concerned about winning this weekend."
On the surface, it might seem that being at home would be an advantage for the Wildcats. However, young and with a handful of senior leaders, inconsistency has been WSU's constant companion.
The Wildcats have yet to score a touchdown in the first quarter this season, and the visiting team has won each of the past two games. WSU beat EWU in Cheney, Wash., last year 31-13.
"We were fundamentally better against UC Davis than we were against Sacramento State," said McBride about the Wildcats' conference road loss. "Sometimes, a loss teaches you more than a win. The key is how you react."
Defensively, Weber State reacted well, holding Davis without a touchdown. This week, the Wildcats will have their hands full with the Eagles' Taiwan Jones, conference leader in rushing yards per game at 129.5.
He is the current 2010 NCAA Division I FCS all-purpose yards leader, averaging a more than 238 a game.
"We are keeping ourselves basic on both sides of the ball and trying not to complicate things," McBride said. "We need to just dig in and do a better a job of playing simple and making plays and making ourselves tougher, mentally and physically."
WSU's position in the conference race should then take care of itself.
Eastern Washington at Weber State
P At Stewart Stadium, Ogden
Kickoff • 1:30 p.m.
Radio • 1420 AM
TV • Altitude
Records • EWU 2-2 (1-1 BSC), WSU 2-2 (1-1)
Series • Tied, 14-14.
About the Eagles • Eastern Washington back Taiwan Jones has 66 carries for 518 yards and three touchdowns and 11 catches for 218 yards and two touchdowns as a receiver.
About the Wildcats • With a touchdown pass against UC Davis, Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins has 91 for his career, which ties him with former Idaho quarterback Doug Nussmeier for fourth on the Big Sky Conference career touchdown passes chart.