This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Logan • Weber State held the football almost 10 minutes longer than Utah State on Thursday night.
Not that it did the Wildcats much good.
Unable to control the Aggies' rushing attack, Weber State struggled during its 2016 season opener. Utah State ran for 428 yards, opened an early three-touchdown lead and cruised to a 45-6 victory over the 'Cats at Maverik Stadium.
Weber State managed 245 yards of total offense, only 89 in the second half.
"You have to give Utah State credit," said Wildcat coach Jay Hill. "You can't allow a team to rush for that many yards and expect to win.
"Utah State did a great job and we were worn down at the end. We have a lot of self-reflection to do and have to move on and prepare for the next one."
In the first half, Weber State drove into Utah State territory three times, but came away with only six points.
On their second possession, the Wildcats used a roughing the kicker penalty on a fourth-down punt to keep the ball. They eventually moved to the Aggie 35. But Weber stalled after a first-down reverse to wide reciever Darryl Denby lost eight yards.
Midway through the second quarter, the 'Cats trailed 21-0 when they put together their best drive of the game.
Taking over on its 29, Weber State marched to the Utah State 40. On first down, quarterback Jadrian Clark threw a strike to running back Treshawn Garrett, who was behind the defense down the middle.
Garrett dropped the certain touchdown pass, however, and the Wildcats ended up settling for a 23-yard field goal attempt. Kicker Taylor Hintze was wide right.
Weber finally got on the scoreboard with 26 seconds left in the half. Clark led the Wildcats on a nine-play, 60-yard drive. Garrett scored on third down from inside the one.
Utah State dominated the second half, however, and the Wildcats dropped their eight straight game to the neighboring Aggies.
Garrett finished with 96 rushing yards for the Wildcats. Clark was 15-of-27 passing for 137 yards with one interception. Junior transfer Andrew Vollert caught passes for 70 yards.
The Wildcats go back on the road next week when they play at South Dakota on Sept. 10. The home opener is Sept. 17 against Sacramento State.
Twitter: @sluhm —
Storylines
• Weber State fails to control Utah State's rushing attack and loses to the Aggies, 45-6.
• The Wildcats holds the ball for almost 35 minutes but can't overcome an early 21-0 deficit.
• Sophomore Treshawn Garrett rushes for 96 yards and Weber State's only touchdown.