Wildcats hold on

It was a story of survival for the Weber State University Football Team this weekend. After going up 31-0, the Wildcats gave up three second-half scores, but escaped with a 31-21 victory over Portland State University on Saturday. The win is WSU's fifth straight, moving the Wildcats to 6-0 in Big Sky Conference play, and an 8-2 overall record. The win gives WSU a chance to at least tie for the conference title when they take on Idaho State University next week. "I want to give credit to the coaching staff at Weber State," said PSU Head Coach Jerry Glanville. "Watching their players is kind of fun, especially if you're a Big Sky fan. It's kind of fun to watch what they are getting done this year." The Wildcat defense set the tone early in the first quarter. After the Viking offense moved into WSU territory, the Wildcats forced PSU to turn the ball over on downs on a fourth-down attempt. From there, WSU quarterback Cameron Higgins moved the offense down the field, highlighted by an impressive catch and run by receiver Tim Toone. One play later, running back Trevyn Smith dove over the pile for a one-yard touchdown run. WSU's defensive dominance continued throughout the half. On the Vikings' ensuing possession, they moved down the field only to have a long field goal attempt blocked by WSU nose guard Bryce Scanlon. Early in the second quarter, Wildcat safety Scotty Goodloe intercepted a pass from PSU quarterback Drew Hubel, and then returned it 41 yards for a touchdown, putting WSU up 17-0 early. "I just saw green grass in front of me, and I didn't want to get caught by one of their lineman," Goodloe said. "But I got a big block by Bryce (Scanlon) and I just took advantage of it." Goodloe's interception was the first of three for the Wildcats. Cornerbacks Josh Morris and Terrell Cloud each snagged interceptions as well late in the second quarter and early in the third quarter respectively. There were about a half-dozen more interception opportunities that went through the hands of Wildcat defenders as well. "I dropped one personally," Goodloe said. "It hit me in the face, and I was mad about that, but I'm glad we capitalized on the ones we got." Smith and the WSU offense also responded from some of the defense's big plays. Wildcat defensive end Kevin Linehan forced a fumble in the second quarter that was recovered by linebacker JD Folsom. One play later, Smith rumbled down the field for a 70-yard touchdown scamper, a new career long. "I've been trying to get that getaway run for a while now," Smith said. WSU Head Coach Ron McBride was also impressed with Smith's run and his overall play on the day. "He's a warrior that guy," McBride said. "I don't care what day it is, that guy comes to play football. However, the second half was a different story for the Wildcats. Higgins took advantage of the Cloud interception, hitting tight end Cody Nakamura for a 32-yard touchdown strike. But the Wildcats' 31-0 lead dwindled from there. PSU put together several long drives, seemingly moving the ball at will throughout the remainder of the game, highlighted by a 95-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter that brought the Vikings within 10 points. A few possessions later, WSU's offense would run out the clock, hanging on for a 31-21 victory "We were kind of hanging on for dear life in the fourth quarter," McBride said. "You don't want them to make a play, get an onside kick, make another play and you get your butt beat because the momentum switched." The WSU offense continually turned in quick three-and-outs as the game waned on, keeping the defense on the field often, and the big plays slowly stopped coming from the Wildcats as a result. "The defense played amazing, and they saved us today," Toone said. "They got us all pumped up with those turnovers, but from there we kind of just tailed off." PSU fronted four different quarterbacks throughout the game, not allowing the WSU defense to get comfortable. "Every time I looked up there was somebody new in there," McBride said. Smith finished with a big day on the ground, gaining 161 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns. Higgins had a modest outing, netting 242 passing yards, one touchdown pass and one interception. Toone finished with a hard-fought 93 receiving yards on six catches. Defensively, Linehan forced a fumble and recorded a sack, moving him to 9.5 on the year. Next week, WSU travels to Idaho State University to take on a winless Bengal squad in Pocatello, Idaho at 1:30 p.m.