Whatever the case, Weber State won a very tough game on the road Saturday, defeating Cal Poly 49-35 in the opening round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. And the prize for that victory is another tough road assignment: a date this coming Saturday with Big Sky Conference nemesis Montana in Missoula.

But the Wildcats don't seem the least bit concerned about it. After all, they've been here before.

"We love playing on the road," senior Bryant Eteuati said. "We couldn't ask for anything more with playing Montana there. We're better prepared and we're more focused. We feel we play a lot better on the road."

Weber State seems to play its best when it is faced with adversity. The Wildcats have won in bad weather. They have won on the road. They have won on the road in bad weather.

No game presented a bigger challenge than playing Cal Poly at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

"[Cal Poly was] the best team we've played this year," running back Trevyn Smith said. "But our defense showed up and [the offense] just had to our part."

Weber State prevailed in that game, setting up a rematch against the Montana Grizzlies and showdown between the two Big Sky Conference co-champs. The Grizzlies will surely be eager to play the Wildcats again and avenge their only loss of the season. And this time, Montana will have home-field advantage. But Weber State welcomes the challenge.

"So far, we have performed well in adverse situations and this Cal Poly game was as adverse as you can get," Weber State coach Ron McBride said. "But that's when you get the most out of the players."

Washington-Grizzly Stadium isn't an easy place to play. Montana averages more than 24,000 fans a game, the second-most in the FCS. It's loud and raucous, and sometimes that can change the momentum of the game for the Grizzlies.

Eteuati remembers playing there as a freshman, walking on to the field and hearing the roar of the crowd.

"People in Montana love their football. As a freshman playing there, I remember it was packed and that's as close to USC or Florida as you're going to get in I-AA," Eteuati said. "The fans are ridiculous, and it's a great football atmosphere."

Eteuati has had great milestones against the Grizzlies. He had his first touchdown kickoff return of his career his sophomore year. He was the team's leading receiver with 74 yards on seven receptions to beat Montana earlier this season. He hopes he can create another memory against the Grizzlies this Saturday.

"We feel like we can come out and rise to anyone's challenge," Eteuati said. "After losing to Eastern [Washington] and having to share the title, we didn't like that too much. But, we're focused on our next goal and we have a national championship to play for."

mthach@sltrib.com

FCS quarterfinals

The rematch

Big Sky Conference co-champions Weber State and Montana meet for the second time this season in Saturday's Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals. Here's a look at some highlights from their first meeting, a 45-28 Weber win in Ogden on Oct. 4:

Weber State (10-3) at Montana (12-1)

Saturday, noon MST

* 'Cats win was their first in 10 years over then-No. 3-ranked Grizzlies.

* Quarterback Cameron Higgins throws for 237 yards and four touchdowns.

* Running back Trevyn Smith rushes for 158 yards and a TD, and adds a receiving touchdown.

* The Wildcats sack Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist seven times.

* The loss ends Montana's 25-game regular-season win streak and 16-game conference win streak.