WEBER STATE SPORTS INFORMATION
Weber State did something it had only done three times in its history Saturday as the Wildcats won an FCS Playoff game. In the first home playoff game in program history, Weber State defeated Western Illinois 21-19 Saturday to advance to the second round of the FCS Playoffs. The Wildcats will take on in-state and Big Sky rival Southern Utah next Saturday in Cedar City.
The win was just the third FCS Playoff win in school history. It also gives Weber State 10 wins for just the third time ever.
Western Illinois jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before the Wildcats got on the board with a 33-yard pass from Stefan Cantwell to Drew Batchelor early in the second quarter. The Leathernecks added a 45-yard field goal before Cantwell hit Batchelor again for a 3-yard TD to make it 14-6 at halftime.
Weber State senior quarterback Stefan Cantwell/by Brooks Nuanez
Western Illinois scored a touchdown late in the third quarter to make it 14-12 but the Wildcats scored early in the fourth when Cantwell hit Andrew Vollert for a four-yard touchdown. The Leathernecks scored on an 18-yard touchdown with 4:55 to play but Weber State was able to convert four first downs in the final possession to seal the win. The Wildcats controlled the ball for 11:19 of the fourth quarter.
The Leathernecks totaled 318 yards of offense with Weber State posting 296.
Cantwell was 18-of-27 passing for 186 yards with three touchdowns. Vollert had eight catches for a season-high 112 receiving yards with one touchdown and Drew Batchelor had four catches for 52 yards with two touchdowns.
Cantwell also rushed for 43 yards and Kevin Smith had 39 yards rushing.
On defense the Wildcats had four sacks with Cardon Malan recording two and Landon Stice and Adam Rodriguez each with one. Xequille Harry had his fourth interception of the season while Jordan Preator recorded 11 tackles with Taron Johnson adding nine.
Weber State now moves on for a rematch with Southern Utah. The two teams shared the Big Sky title at 7-1 but the Thunderbirds defeated the Wildcats 32-16 on Oct. 14, Weber State’s last loss.
The second round game will be Saturday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Eccles Coliseum in Cedar City. The game will be televised by ESPN3.
Press release by Paul Grua, Weber State sports information. Photos by WSU athletics. All Rights Reserved.
