A History of Weber State University Football
The Weber State Wildcats football program represents Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. A member of the Big Sky Conference, the team competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Weber State's football program began in 1962, with home games played at Stewart Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 17,312.
The Tumultuous 1990s
Arguably the most eventful decade in the program's history, the 1990s saw both great successes and near disaster for the Weber State Wildcats football team.
1990: Improvement on the Field
In 1990, under Coach Arslanian, the Wildcats showed improvement, finishing with a 5-6 record (3-5 in the Big Sky Conference, tied for 5th). This was a step up from the previous year, moving them to the middle of the conference. A significant factor in this improvement was the emergence of sophomore quarterback Jamie Martin, who began his record-breaking journey. While Martin had the best QB season in school history so far, the team struggled on defense, which caused the ‘Cats to lose a lot of shootouts throughout the season.
Key Players:
- Jamie Martin: The leading passer, threw for 3,700 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
- George Jackson: The leading rusher, with 745 yards and 10 touchdowns.
- Rick Justice: The leading receiver, with 880 yards and 3 touchdowns.
- Trevor Shaw & Jon Fuller: Each led the team in receiving touchdowns with 6.
- Kris Heindel: Led the team in sacks with 9.
- Troy Juergens: Led the team in tackles with 129.
- Fredrick Smith: Led the team in interceptions with 4.
Accolades:
- Jamie Martin: First Team All-American
- Trevor Shaw: Second Team All-American
- Bruce Coverton, Kelvin Dexter, Jamie Martin, George Jackson: All-Big Sky Team
Results:
The Wildcats had some impressive wins, including victories over Southern Utah State (37-21), Idaho State (45-38 in 2OT), Montana State (32-20), and Eastern Washington (36-34). However, they also suffered losses to Boise State (14-24), Idaho (27-37), Montana (37-39), Wyoming (12-21), Nevada (7-28), and Northern Arizona (35-38). They finished the season with a win over McNeese State (27-7).
1991: Jamie Martin's Historic Season
1991 was a landmark year for Weber State. Weber State College officially became Weber State University. Jamie Martin won the Walter Payton Award (the FCS Heisman), becoming the first and only Wildcat to achieve this honor. The offense was a force to be reckoned with, averaging 45 points per game. However, the defense struggled, allowing an average of 35 points per game. The team's potential was limited by the defensive struggles, despite Martin's record-breaking season. The low-point of the season would come in Week 8, when the Wildcats would blow a 35 point lead to lose to #1 Nevada, the largest comeback in Division 1 College Football history, until 2006 (still the largest in FCS history). The team made the playoffs but lost in the First Round to Northern Iowa.
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Key Players:
- Jamie Martin: Threw for 4,215 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions.
- Geoff Mitchell: Rushed for 1,170 yards and 24 touchdowns.
- Alfred Pupunu: Had 1,204 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
- Ty Opheinkens, Larry Anderson, and Chaka Milby: Led the team with 4 sacks each.
- Reid Leland: Led the team with 73 tackles.
- Fredrick X: Led the team in interceptions with 6.
Accolades:
- Jamie Martin: Walter Payton Award Winner
- Bruce Covernton, Jamie Martin, Alfred Pupunu: First Team All-American
- Geoff Mitchell: Honorable Mention All-American
- Bruce Covernton, Alfred Pupunu, Jamie Martin, Geoff Mitchell, Frederick X: All-Big Sky Team
Results:
The Wildcats started the season with a loss to Air Force (31-48) but followed with wins against Southern Utah (33-14), Northern Arizona (43-38), Eastern Washington (63-59), Montana State (36-25), Idaho (45-17), and Boise State (35-32). They suffered losses to Montana (38-47) and Nevada (49-55) before defeating New Mexico Highlands (62-7) and Idaho State (60-41). The season ended with a playoff loss to Northern Iowa (21-38).
1992: A Slight Drop-Off
In 1992, Nevada departed the Big Sky Conference for Division I-A, joining the Big West Conference. This brought the Big Sky back to 8 teams. The Wildcats experienced a slight drop-off, finishing with a 6-5 record (4-3 in the Big Sky, tied for 3rd). The season began with a loss to New Mexico State, followed by inconsistent wins and losses.
Key Players:
- Jamie Martin: Passed for 3,207 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
- Dwight Richards: Rushed for 781 yards and 7 touchdowns.
- Nate Burchette: Had 765 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns.
- Tim Otton: Led the team in sacks with 6.
- Jantz Afuvai: Led the team in tackles with 88.
- Derrick Beatty: Led the team in interceptions with 3.
Accolades:
- Paul Kongaika, Dwight Richards: First Team All-Big Sky
- Jamie Martin, Mark Hood: Second Team All-Big Sky
Results:
The Wildcats lost to New Mexico State (21-37) and Idaho (24-52) but secured wins against Southern Utah (35-24), Montana State (47-19), Montana (24-7), Idaho State (27-11), Nevada (23-21), and Northern Arizona (25-19). They also suffered losses to Eastern Washington (14-32), Boise State (21-24) and McNeese State (22-23).
1993: Near Extinction and a Freshman Spark
The 1993 season was one of the most important in program history, though the most significant event occurred after the season concluded. The team performed well in non-conference play, going 4-0, but struggled in conference play, including a 56-0 loss to Idaho. After an 0-2 start in conference play, quarterback Rob Westervelt was replaced by freshman Brad Otton. With Otton at quarterback, the team went 5-2, including a win over Nevada.
Key Players:
- Brad Otton: Passed for 2,307 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
- Markeith Ross: Rushed for 1,139 yards and 12 touchdowns.
- Trevor Shaw: Had 600 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.
- Rob Hitchcock: Led the team with 5 sacks and interceptions.
- Jantz Afuvai: Led the team in tackles with 127.
Accolades:
- Rob Hitchcock: Second Team All-American
- Pat McNerney: First Team All-Big Sky
- Pat McNerney, Markeith Ross: First Team All-Big Sky
- Miller Atagi, Jantz Afuvai, Derrick Beaty, Roy Hudson: Second Team All-Big Sky
Results:
The Wildcats won against Sonoma State (40-28), Cal State Northridge (27-12), Boise State (21-14), Nevada (47-30), Southern Utah (43-39), Northern Arizona (67-28), and Idaho State (21-17), but lost to Idaho (0-56), Montana State (10-14), Eastern Washington (22-36), and Montana (17-45).
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The Offseason Crisis:
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Weber State Athletics department faced financial difficulties due to the football team. By 1993, the football program was running a deficit of around $900,000 a year. The plan was to cut the football team and instead sanction the Men’s Soccer club as an NCAA team. However, on December 17, 1993, the Board of Trustees voted to keep the football team. University President Paul Thompson identified four problems that needed to be addressed: decreasing discretionary funds, demands to reduce state funding for athletics, gender equity (Title IX) requirements, and deferred athletic facility maintenance. With the help of donors and boosters, the team raised enough money to continue.
1994: Fans Rally to Save the Program
The 1994 season was an average one for the Wildcats, finishing 5-6 (2-5 in the Big Sky, tied for 6th). However, the threat of program shutdown stirred the fans, leading to record attendance. The Wildcats had another strong showing in non-conference play but struggled in conference play, including allowing 79 points to Idaho.
Key Players:
- Bryan Martin: Passed for 2,799 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
- Larry Rogers: Rushed for 591 yards and 5 touchdowns.
- Dell Stilson: Had 1,064 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
- Jason Jensen and Obie Spanic: Led the team in sacks with 10 each.
- Rob Hitchcock: Led the team in tackles with 116 and interceptions with 3.
Accolades:
- Rob Hitchcock: Second Team All-American
- Obie Spanic, Rob Hitchcock, Derrick Beaty: First Team All-Big Sky
- Pat McNerney: Second Team All-Big Sky
NFL Draft:
- Tau Pupua (Round 5, Pick 136) - Cleveland Browns
Results:
The Wildcats defeated Western Montana (30-12), Montana Tech (47-7), Montana State (41-13), and Southern Utah (20-14), and Idaho State (40-6), but lost to Eastern Washington (6-24), Northeast Louisiana (37-62), Boise State (17-24), Montana (20-35), Northern Arizona (20-24), and Idaho (30-79).
1995: A Second-Place Finish
Despite an average season, going 4-3 in conference play, the Wildcats finished 2nd in the conference in 1995. The season saw the emergence of Scott Shields, who received All-American Honors for the first time.
Key Players:
- Bryan Martin: Passed for 2,377 yards, 18 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.
- Clemente Sainten: Rushed for 625 yards and 6 touchdowns.
- Pokey Eckford: Had 1,074 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns.
- Naki Pillivi, Jacob Belmont, and Jason Jensen: Led the team in sacks with 5 each.
- Naki Pillivi: Led the team in tackles with 94.
- Sheddric Mickles, Ian Franklin, and Junior Baker: Led the team in interceptions with 3 each.
Accolades:
- Pokey Eckford: First Team All-American
- Scott Shields: Second Team All-American
- Pokey Eckford, Scott Shields: First Team All-Big Sky
- Bryan Martin: Second Team All-Big Sky
Results:
The Wildcats lost to Western Michigan (21-28) and Central Michigan (31-39) but secured wins against Saint Mary’s (49-14), Cal Poly (53-43), Eastern Washington (40-30), Montana State (14-7), Idaho (25-19), and Northern Arizona (20-14). They also suffered losses to Montana (22-49), Boise State (14-40), and Idaho State (25-35).
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1996: Big Sky Changes
In 1996, Idaho and Boise State left the Big Sky Conference for the Big West Conference. Cal State Northridge, Sacramento State, and Portland State joined the conference. The Wildcats began the season ranked in the preseason poll for the first time.
Key Players:
- Roger Cook: Passed for 3,207 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
- Clemente Sainten: Rushed for 791 yards and 9 touchdowns.
- Taurus McGhee: Had 778 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.
- Dave Stroshine: Led the team in sacks with 7 and tackles with 86.
- Scott Shields: Led the team in interceptions with 10.
Accolades:
- Cam Quayle, Scott Shields: First Team All-American
- Cam Quayle, Scott Shields, Ian Franklin: First Team All-Big Sky
- Taurus McGhee, Kyle Stevens, Clemente Sainten, Weston Weaver, David Stroshine, Scott Shields: Second Team All-Big Sky
Results:
The Wildcats defeated Eastern Washington (22-20), Western State (36-3), and Cal Poly (30-20). They lost to Toledo (24-31), Northern Arizona (45-59), Cal State Northridge (28-35), and Montana (10-24), while securing wins against Portland State (35-10), Montana State (17-7), and Sacramento State.
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