Events and traditions have filled the calendar during the week leading up to Weber State’s first home game where the Wildcats will have a homecoming game Saturday 19 against the Sacramento State Hornets.
Weber State punts the ball away in last year’s meeting between the Bison of North Dakota State and the Wildcats (Lichelle Jenkins / The Signpost).
Normally, these two teams play with Big Sky Conference standings on the line. However, Saturday’s game will bring a twist — this game will be the opening game of conference play for the two teams.
The Wildcats look to continue the strong defensive play they’ve shown in the previous two weeks against Oregon State and North Dakota State University.
Despite a less than ideal start on offense, the Wildcats have steadily built on their offensive outputs from week one to week two. In week one the Wildcats tallied just 178 offensive yards against Oregon State’s Beavers. Week two, though, the Wildcats managed to build on those efforts and posted 206 yards of offense against North Dakota State University.
Weber State Head Coach Jay Hill talked about the offense, saying, “It starts on first and second downs and putting us in opportunities to get more manageable third downs. That is what has hurt us offensively, is getting in too many third and long situations.”
Jody Sears, current head coach of the Sacramento State Hornets, was the Wildcat’s head coach from 2012-2013. The all-time series between Weber State and Sacramento State favors the Wildcats with a record of 11-8. Sacramento State won last year’s encounter, but Weber State has won eight of the nine games they’ve played at home against the Hornets.
Regarding the team’s first game at home, coach Hill says, “We can’t wait to play at home. We are excited to be in front of our own fans.”
Coach Hill talked about the environment and the turnout he’s hoping to see Saturday at the homecoming game, saying, “We want to pack the place. The last two weeks, we have played in some great environments. We need that for ourselves and need our fans to come out and support us.”
The previous two weeks, the Wildcats have played a Pac-12 opponent and the reigning FCS national champions in Oregon State and North Dakota State, respectively.
Among the traditions leading up to the game is the annual homecoming tailgate party at 4 p.m. in Stewart Stadium’s North parking lot. Starting shortly after at 4:30 p.m. is the Greek Life tailgate party, and soon after that is the high school tailgate party.
The homecoming game starts at 6 p.m. Saturday Sept. 19 at Stewart Stadium.
Weber State played NDSU last year for their home opener (Lichelle Jenkins / The Signpost).
