This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Ogden • A month ago, Weber State did not appear ready to defeat perennial Big Sky Conference power Montana.
Turnovers, a lack of confidence and just plain mental mistakes cost the Wildcats a pair of conference games. Idaho State's incompetence prevented a third Big Sky loss.
"I guess I like adversity," WSU coach Ron McBride said moments after his Wildcats landed a 30-21 haymaker on the No. 7-ranked Grizzlies during a wet, overcast "Senior Day" on Saturday afternoon at Stewart Stadium. "We kind of beat Montana at its own game."
McBride also likes power football. For the second consecutive game the Wildcats rushed their way to victory, gaining 259 yards on the ground.
"It appears our offensive line is about to come of age," McBride said. "[Vai] Tafuna ran like a mad man."
Weber State (5-3, 4-2 BSC) rallied from a 21-13 deficit and played its best overall game of 2010. As the Wildcats controlled the ball on the ground, their defense shut out Montana (6-3, 5-2) in the second half.
"They were very powerful," Montana coach Robin Pflugrad said. "Maybe the most powerful team we've played this season."
Weber State's offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, allowing Tafuna to storm through the Grizzlies for 124 yards and four touchdowns. The big back often powered through the initial tackler as he put together his second consecutive 100-yard effort.
"I've never scored more than five touchdowns in a whole season," the 245-pound senior said. "They knew what we were running. The offensive line stuck their heads in and did their job. They made it easy for me.
"It's easy to break tackles when you get to the [secondary] and the guys weigh 100 pounds less."
Tafuna may have exaggerated, but he and Bo Bolen, who added 82 yards, were huge in allowing WSU to keep possession for more than 40 minutes. In the end, the Wildcats simply ran out the clock, converting on a key fourth down to hold possession for nearly the last five minutes.
Meanwhile, Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins played efficiently, completing 13 of 18 passes for 129 yards. He didn't throw a touchdown pass, which could have broken the Big Sky mark for career scoring tosses, but he didn't throw an interception, either.
Often, the senior bought time with his quick feet.
"Higgins made some great plays today," McBride said. "He really played smart."
On the opposite side, Montana quarterback Justin Roper enjoyed an effective first half with 195 passing yards and three touchdowns. The second half was a different story as the Weber State defense harried the Grizzlies quarterback into three interceptions.
"Early on I had pretty good protection," Roper said. "I don't think we picked it up as well [in the second half]. For me, I had a couple of poor throws."
The wet conditions appeared to effect Roper's throws as the football began to sail. Weber State's defense also played with a bit of desperation.
For example, Montana, trailing 27-21 late in the third quarter, appeared to convert a fourth-and-6 from Weber State's 32 only to see WSU corner David James come over the top to strip away the ball.
"I was just trying to redeem myself," James said. "There was a lot of emotion in that play."
Weber State executed better in the second half.
"We knew what they were trying to do," said Weber safety Jordan Brown, who intercepted a pass and caused a fumble. "This was something I knew we could do. We knew we could play with any team in the country. We just needed to put it together.
"I don't think we're there yet. There's a lot to do."
Highlights
R Weber State's Vai Tafuna rushes for 124 yards and scores a career-high four touchdowns.
• Weber State's run game allows it to control the ball for more than 40 minutes.
• The Wildcats shut out Montana in the second half, intercepting three passes. Weber State 30, Montana 21
Montana 7 14 0 0 — 21
Weber St. 6 7 14 3 — 30
First Quarter
Mont • Sambrano 7 pass from Roper (McKnight kick), 7:52.
Web • Tafuna 2 run (kick failed), 3:21.
Second Quarter
Web • Tafuna 1 run (McClain kick), 7:20.
Mont • Gratton 10 pass from Roper (McKnight kick), 2:38.
Mont • Carver 12 pass from Roper (McKnight kick), :26.
Third Quarter
Web • Tafuna 1 run (run failed), 5:56.
Web • Tafuna 3 run (Bolen run), 2:07.
Fourth Quarter
Web • FG McClain 33, 8:39.
Attendance • 6,782.
Mont Web
First downs 18 21
Rushes-yards 24-111 68-259
Passing 261 129
Comp-Att-Int 22-39-3 13-18-0
Return Yards 0 102
Punts-Avg. 4-45.8 6-37.8
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-1
Penalties-yards 6-45 7-61
Time of Possession 19:32 40:28
Individual Statistics
Rushing • Montana, C.Reynolds 14-71, Sambrano 2-14, Atkins 1-13, Kemp 2-11, Moutra 1-7, Roper 4-(minus 5). Weber St., Tafuna 29-124, Bolen 22-82, Booker 10-44, C.Higgins 2-8, Hoke 1-2, Team 4-(minus 1).
Passing • Montana, Roper 22-38-3-261, J.Johnson 0-1-0-0. Weber St., C.Higgins 13-18-0-129.
Receiving • Montana, C.Reynolds 6-54, Sambrano 4-70, Gratton 4-30, Atkins 2-44, Moutra 2-34, Carver 2-16, Kemp 1-11, Larson 1-2. Weber St., Phillips 3-49, Bolen 3-32, Collins 3-21, Raught 1-11, Jankowski 1-8, E.Walker 1-6, Eldridge 1-2.