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Ogden • With a daunting schedule in its future, Weber State badly needed a victory to open the 2013 season.Following a dream start and a fabulous return to action by Bo Bolen, the Wildcats outlasted Stephen F. Austin, 50-40, Saturday evening at Stewart Stadium.At this time last year, Bolen was on an LDS Church mission. Saturday, he scored three touchdowns, including a 100-yard kick return."With 20 yards to go, 'Hey, I'm going to score.'"The next three weeks finds the Wildcats at Utah, Utah State and McNeese State. And considering the questions surrounding the quarterback position, depth and experience, WSU could have been facing an 0-4 start.Instead, despite the loss of eight players, including the kicker and starting center, to academic ineligibility, Weber State took charge from the beginning and never trailed."This is the most bought-in team I've been on," said Bolen, who gained 215 total yards."This game was won in January," said WSU coach Jody Sears, who wondered, when Stephen F. Austin closed to 43-40, if his Wildcats were going to walk the walk.They did.Three plays after the Lumberjacks, who gained 564 total yards, closed to within three points, Zach Smith swept around the right side on a reverse and scored from 57 yards out to push the lead back to 10, the eventual margin of victory."We had a goal to score on the sixth play [of the game]," WSU quarterback Jordan Adamczyk said. "We scored on the sixth play."Weber State scored on offense, defense and special teams. The Wildcats gained 315 rushing yards as Bolen and Josh Booker combined for 162 yards.In the air, Adamcyzk wasn't spectacular, but he was efficient. Erik Walker caught seven passes for 127 yards.Meanwhile, SFA quarterback Brady Attaway threw for 450 yards, but he was also picked three times. The first pick was returned 70 yards by D.J. Ward to put WSU in front 16-0."Obviously this feels real good," Sears said. "But like I said in April, this is a process. The kids learned what it takes to win. It was a lot of work, but it really feels great."martyr@sltrib.comTwitter:@tribmarty —

Storylines Wildcats win wild one

R Weber State and Stephen F. Austin combine for 1,048 total yards and 90 points.

• Weber State runner Bo Bolen gains 215 total yards and scores three TDs, including a 100-yard kickoff return.

• SFA QB Brady Attaway is 37 of 62 passing for 450 yards and four touchdowns.