A bye week on the heels of snapping a seven-game losing streak would be bad news for some.
Of course, Weber State football coach Jody Sears, a self-confessed glass-half-full guy, is all about the positive.
—
Montana at Weber State
At Stewart StadiumSaturday, 1:30 p.m.
TV » ROOT
 |
Join the Discussion |
 |
Post a Comment |
"Maybe a little bit [poor timing]," Sears said about the bye, "but we’re not very deep and we needed some time off. We needed a little breather. The way the guys came back [to practice], it came at a good time."
Weber State wasn’t perfect two weeks ago in upsetting Southern Utah 24-22, but it was the most consistent the Wildcats (1-7, 1-4 Big Sky) had played all season.
The week off not only provided some medicinal benefits, but it also gave Weber State a day or more to prepare for Montana (4-5, 2-4), which had struggled before clobbering Idaho State 70-24 on Saturday.
Although the Grizzlies are 17-7 all-time in Ogden, Weber State has won the last two games there.
In addition, Montana will be without four players who were suspended for violating team rules. Included is offensive tackle Trevor Poole, who was arrested for criminal possession of dangerous drugs. Quarterback Jordan Johnson was kicked off the team before the start of the season after being charged with rape.
"Any time a program goes through change, adversity, transition, there’s going to be a ripple effect," said Sears, who knows all about program transition, having taking over the coaching reins after spring football. "We’re not using that as an excuse for a loss or negative impact. We use it as a tool to grow stronger."
Hoke reaches 4,000 yards
-
Ogden cop-shooting suspect Matthew Stewart dead in jailhouse suicide
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:08AM -
Tuacahn gears up for three outdoor plays, one indoor production
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:06AM -
On the Job: Learn how to avoid procrastination
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:06AM -
Small Talk: Made in the USA back in style for small businesses
Published May 25, 2013 01:01:06AM
With his 206 yards against Southern Utah, Weber State quarterback Mike Hoke became the 11th player in Weber State history to reach 4,000 yards passing. In 34 career games, Hoke ranks 11th in school history with 4,010 yards passing.
Hoke also has thrown 30 career touchdown passes and boasts a 60.7 career pass completion percentage.
Hoke has thrown for 1,511 yards with eight touchdowns this season. He ranks ninth in the Big Sky in total offense and 10th in passing.
Epperson out for season
Safety Tony Epperson, who also leads the nation in punting at 48.0 yards per game, likely will miss the rest of the season due to an MCL tear in his right knee suffered against Cal Poly.
Copyright 2013 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
