The Signpost: A RENOVATION TO REMEMBER

Friday | September 10, 2021 | Volume 94 | Issue 64

>>PAGE 8

Nikki Dorber | The Signpost

NEWS » PAGE 2

SPORTS » PAGE 12

VACCINATING THE CAMPUS

TWENTY-THREE POINT THROWDOWN ENDS IN WILDCAT LOSS

PAIGE MCKINNON| The Signpost

Weber State Athletics

2 | MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021

Reporter

community, our facilities, our staff and our students safe,” Hess said. “We really want to encourage everyone to get the vaccine. We want to return to a safe place of learning as quickly as possible, so we’re asking students to get vaccinated and we’re making vaccine clinics easily accessible to students.”

The Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing is also recommending vaccination for their parties. According to an email sent out to students, staff and faculty of the Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing on the morning of Sept. 7, “starting January 2022, supported by the Utah State Higher Education, Weber State University, along with other Utah Higher Education

systems, will be mandating the COVID vaccine for all of their students, with some exemptions that will be communicated at a later date.”

The vaccine will be offered in the Shepherd Union and at the Community Education Center, located off-campus, at upcoming dates.

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PAIGE MCKINNON | The Signpost

Weber State University is working to initiate a vaccine mandate by spring 2022, according to university Public Relations Director Allison Hess. She said the university is currently working out the details of the mandate and students will be exempted for religious, medical and personal reasons only.

On Sept. 8, the WSU President’s Office emailed all students, asking them to complete a vaccine survey before Jan. 10, 2022, which students also received via email. The email provided information on how to get vaccinat-

ed and stated that the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised that “the vaccine can help in returning to normal activity and protecting you and your loved ones from becoming ill.”

Hess said the university can ask its students to be vaccinated with only a limited amount of exemptions.

HB308, also known as the COVID-19 Vaccine Amendments, prohibits a governmental entity from mandating the COVID vaccine as a means of getting employment and for participation and attendance in any activity.

“Getting the vaccines is the number one way to keep our campus members, campus

PAIGE MCKINNON | The Signpost

By DALTON GALLEGOS

The Student Health Center is located in the Student Services Building and offers various services for all students.

One of the exam rooms located in the Student Health Center.

Students can collect COVID-19 information in this center as well as receive the vaccine.

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CORRECTION The Weber State volleyball team went head-to-head with Brigham Young University on Sept.

4.

By ALEC CIPOLLINI Reporter

The Weber State University volleyball team went head-to-head with Brigham Young University in Provo on Sept. 2. Weber State fell just short of pulling off an upset as BYU broke the deadlock and pulled together a near-perfect fifth set to close out a 3–2 victory at the Smith Fieldhouse in Provo on Sept. 2.

This was the first of three games for both teams in the Brigham Young Invitational tournament, and they both performed to impress in front of a near full-capacity crowd.

The Cougars began the first set with a 6–3 lead including 2 kills from graduate opposite hitter Kenzie Koerber before WSU strung together 5 straight points to pull ahead 8–6 as senior outside hitter Rylin Adams served up an ace and forced BYU outside hitter Taylen Ballard-Nixon to commit two attack errors.

Both teams found it difficult to hold the lead as Weber State was up 18–15 and looked comfortable before a 6–2 run for BYU crashed the momentum and the Cougars erased the deficit to lead 21–20.

A pair of kills by Adams saw WSU edging closer to taking the first set with the score 23– 22, but couldn’t get the control they needed as both Adams and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Emma Mangum were not able to avoid attack errors as BYU came back to win the first set 25–23.

The second set was also back-and-forth before the Cougars went on a 10–3 run after five straight serves by libero Madi Allen caused defensive mishaps in the Wildcats’ half and the lead widened to 20–14.

Weber State pulled off a comeback of their own and silenced the Cougars fans as the Wildcats put together an 11–3 run thanks to

4 kills by redshirt sophomore outside hitter Dani Nay and 3 kills by Adams to even up the game 1–1.

It didn’t look great for WSU at the beginning of the third set as senior setter Ashlyn Power mistimed her serve and the Cougars’ strong front line forced two attack errors from Mangum and Nay to give an early 3–0 advantage to BYU. BYU ran away with the set as they were winning 23–13 as Koerber, Ballard-Nixon and middle blocker Heather Gneiting combined for 10 kills and Ballard-Nixon recorded an ace in the third set.

There was a late Wildcat surge as Nay put 3 kills on the board to minimize the deficit to 23–16, but Weber State couldn’t get back into the set at that point as Koerber scored a kill and Nay committed a service error to end the set 25–18 for BYU and 2–1 for set wins.

Going into the fourth set, WSU needed a

spark to gain the momentum back in their favor and force a fifth set.

Nay and Adams were ready and positioned to continue to provide the offensive firepower needed for the Wildcats.

Both outside hitters racked up 15 of the 25 points scored for WSU in the fourth set, 14 kills and an ace by Nay, while BYU was slowly falling behind.

The ace by Nay gave the Wildcats a healthy 13–7 lead until Adams and Mangum received two attack errors and the Cougars’ middle blocker, Kennedy Eschenberg, forced Power to be charged with a block error after reaching over the net with her hand and touching the ball. The 6-point lead turned into a 2-point margin as BYU cut the score to 13–11 for Weber State.

Please see PAGE 4

››continued from page 3

cats quickly vanished as BYU continued to put the pressure on WSU. Weber State would only score 2 more points before Koerber finished the game with an ace and BYU captured a 15–4 dominant showing in the fifth frame to win the game 3–2.

Three WSU players recorded double-doubles in the loss.

Adams would finish with 14 digs and a career-high 25 kills to lead the team, and Nay had 22 kills and 19 digs for the Wildcats. Power had 50 assists and 13 digs on the night in Provo.

As for BYU, Koerber had 17 kills and 13 digs, while Ballard-Nixon and outside hitter Erin Livingston had 12 kills. Setter Whitney Bower assisted 55 times and had 13 digs, and Allen had 4 aces and 14 digs.

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In the first game of the Brigham Young Invitational, the Wildcat’s fell behind and lost 2 setsv to BYU.

M A R W G E OR N P

blocker, Kennedy Eschenberg, forced Power to be charged with a block error after reaching over the net with her hand and touching the ball. The 6-point lead turned into a 2-point margin as BYU cut the score to 13–11 for Weber State.

WSU regrouped with a timeout soon after and came back on the floor in astonishing fashion. Adams earned 3 kills in a row, the Wildcats extended their lead to 20–13 and eventually closed the fourth set to 25–19 by slowing down a late comeback attempt by the Cougars.

Things took a turn for the worst for Weber State in the fifth set as BYU came out and proved why they are a nationally-ranked volleyball program.

It was tied at 2 in the beginning of the set as both Nay and BYU outside hitter Erin Livingston both scored a pair of kills.

All the hope that the Wildcats could pull off a major upset vanished after a kill by Eschenberg.

BYU used one of their substitutions on setter Tayler Tausinga Hifo, who proved to be a game changer.

Tausinga Hifo served back-to-back aces and watched as the grit and desire from the Wild-

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‘CATS COLLECT OF BYU Weber State Athletics

6 | MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021

Weber State Wildcats huddle together following their loss to the Michigan State Spartans.

By EMILY MILLER

Asst. Section Editor

After going 3–0 in the Northern Utah Classic, Weber State volleyball hit the road for another in-state tournament. The Wildcats traveled down to Provo and lost two of the three games at the BYU Invitational this past weekend.

The ‘Cats kicked the weekend off by falling to No.13 BYU in a five-set thriller, taking home the victory in sets two and four and BYU winning the first, third and fifth set: 25–23, 25–23, 25–18, 25–19 and 15–4, respectively.

The Wildcats opened their second day of the invitational against the Michigan State Spartans.

The Spartans started their weekend on Sept. 3 with back-to-back straight-set victories against Dixie State and the ‘Cats.

MSU showed no mercy for the Trailblazers and tallied scores of 25–19, 25-17 and 25–20.

Already on a roll, the Spartans were ready for their second match of the day, and Weber State had already opened their weekend with a loss.

The first set of the match was a tight game for the two squads as the first 14 points were put on the board. The teams sat at 7–7 until

errors from the Wildcats let the Spartans establish a lead. The ‘Cats weren’t able to claw their way back, totaling only 20 points before the Spartans hit 25.

MSU suffered from some hitting errors, leading to the Wildcats being able to kick off the second set with a 4–1 lead before the Spartans were able to rally back and establish a 12–10 lead. The squads faced another backand-forth match before MSU secured a 3-point lead and finished the match 25–22.

With little room for error, the ‘Cats headed into the third set of the match trailing 2–0.

Weber State was starting to gain a lead after going 10–8 against the Spartans before MSU

was able to put a stop on their scoring streak.

The Spartans gained their lead back and closed out the second loss for the ‘Cats at 25–20.

The Wildcats closed out the match with a hitting percentage of 0.168 with 36 kills, 35 assists, eight aces and two blocks.

Rylin Adams led the squad with 12 kills and one ace, Dani Nay followed with 11 kills and two aces, Sam Schiess tallied 7 kills and one block and Baylee Bodily had 3 kills and one block.

Weber State headed into Saturday searching for their first win of the weekend against the Trailblazers, and like the Wildcats, DSU lost the match 0–2 after falling to both BYU and

FIRST WIN INVITATIONAL

MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021 | 7

before the ‘Cats were able to collect themselves and go on a 24–7 run and close out the second set 25–12.

As the third set came around, the Wildcats were hopeful to see the same fate from the second match, but the Trailblazers had other plans and tied the set at 17.

After a few errors from DSU, the Wildcats were able to stabilize their lead and close the third set 25–22 and had their first lead of the match 2–1.

Headed into their final set, the ‘Cats were

ready to close out the tournament on a higher note than how they started.

Weber State blazed past DSU with a lead of 19–9 before the Trailblazer gave their final efforts and fell to the victorious ‘Cats 25–18.

In total, the Wildcats had a hitting percentage of 0.152, 52 kills, 49 assists, seven aces and thirteen blocks.

Nay led the squad with 17 kills, 2 assists and two aces. Adams collected 14 kills and 2 assists, Emma Mangum had 8 kills and four blocks, Schiess had 9 kills and Bodily had

4 kills. Ashlyn Power had 43 assists and two aces.

Weber State hosted Utah Valley University Sept. 8 at Swenson Gym and will travel to Salt Lake City to play against the University of Utah on Sept. 9.

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Weber State Athletics

Michigan State.

The Trailblazers kicked off the match by winning the first set 25–23.

The Wildcats played a game of catch-up after the score hit 10–7 in favor of Dixie State. WSU found a small chance at gaining a lead when the set tied 16–16, but DSU quickly closed out the opportunity before the ‘Cats had a chance.

Headed into the next three sets of the match, the Wildcats didn’t see losing as an option.

Dixie State was able to establish a 4–1 lead

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The Wildcats wave-off the Trailblazers, following the win that brought the BYU invitational to its close.

8 | MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021

Jim Craig

Weber State University

BROWNING CENTER: BACK WITH CLASS

The new sound recording studio is still under construction, set to be finished later in September and opened in October.

Weber State University

equipment, such as personnel lifts. The 21 removable panels, called “traps,” allow the stage to be changed according to performance needs, such as a small opening for a lower stage level, or removing all of the panels to house a live orchestra.

Craig said the stage renovations should be completed by Sept. 17.

The next big addition for The Browning Center is a state-of-the-art sound recording studio being built on the first floor. Craig said this project has been in the works for about three or more years.

“It seems like, maybe two and a half years ago, the stars aligned,” Mark Maxson, director of the Sound Production and Recording program, said. “We had a space, a donor and a dean who was super ready to commit to building a world-class recording space.”

Crews install a new stage floor and orchestra pit in the Allred Theater in the Maxson described how, when a recording Browning Center for the Performing Arts on July 6. studio in Salt Lake City, HUGE Studios went good seats, and they couldn’t hear anything out of business a few years ago, the dean of

By CAITLYN NICHOLS and that drove us mad,” Kokai said. the Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities Section Editor The Allred Theater is also under construction at the time, Scott Sprenger, arranged to buy After a full summer of construction and to receive a new stage floor and orchestra pit almost all of the studio’s high-quality studio equipment at a great price. renovation, The Val A. Browning Center for the cover.

Jim Craig, director of the Browning Center, The newly-acquired Neve studio console Performing Arts will be ready to present with described the new main performance fl oor as went into a small lab in the Browning Center its own new features and upgrades this fall. a “sprung fl oor,” which is soft enough to profor the time being, but the department othThe first renovations are in the Austad Autect dancers and other performers from injury. erwise had all of this new equipment with ditorium and Allred Theater, which both reHe then described that the softer fl oor gradunowhere to put it. Maxson said that’s when ceived new sound-system upgrades. This was ally becomes stiffer towards the edges so that donors came forward to fund the construction especially significant in the Austad, where the stage can still support heavy equipment. of a new, professional recording studio. every seat was analyzed to perfect an even “While the audience won’t notice a differCraig said the studio, which was designed sound level across the audience. Jenny Kokai, ence, this fl oor will be much safer for our perby Peter Grueneisen of studio bau:ton and chair of the Department of Performing Arts, formers, particularly for dance,” Kokai said. nonzero\architecture, is scheduled to be finsaid this new system was sorely needed.

Craig said the orchestra pit has also been ished around Sept.

15.

It’ll then take a week or “The old sound system created a hole in re-engineered so that the removable panmore to install all of the equipment, and the rows three through five, which should be

studio will be ready to open sometime in October. Its official name will be The Ray L. Kimber Music and Sound Recording Studio, named after the donor.

“We are really excited about the recording studio and the sound production and recording program,” Craig said. “This will give Weber State students the opportunity to work with tools that are second to none.”

While the whole of the performing arts department is excited for the new studio addition, it will be especially influential for students of the new Sound Production/Recording minor and associate degree.

Mark Maxson

The new, soft “sprung floor” in the Allred Theater will be safer for performers, while the new sound system will make performances better for the audience. els are also strong enough to support heavy

Callie Oyama sits at the Neve sound console. While it used to be housed in a small lab for the Sound Production/Recording students, it is now in storage awaiting the completion of the new recording studio.

Weber State University

Though far from complete, the Browning Center’s exterior renovations have made some drastic changes to the building’s appearance.

NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost

The Austad Auditorium, located in the Browning Center, has received a brand new sound-system and pit cover for the orchestra to go alongside their new studio.

NIKKI DORBER | The Signpost

Jim Craig

“We’re going to have an environment that will be the real world,” Maxson said. “It will not be a typical classroom. We’ll have class, but when you walk in there you’ll go, ‘Wow. This is a studio.’”

Oyama said having this studio would’ve been helpful to her for interactive learning, especially in one class she took where they learned about how to build a studio.

“I think I would have had a first look experience into actually understanding what a studio is supposed to be instead of just reading about in a textbook or just, like, looking at pictures online,” Oyama said.

Weston Larsen, who previously graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music in 2013, is now a current student of the Sound Production/Recording associate degree, set to graduate in spring 2022. With a passion for composing and writing music and hopes to eventually work in a recordAn up-close look at the Allred Theater floor and orchestra pit under renovation. ing studio, or even open his own where he can apply some of his ideas, he said this Students in these programs learn how to station. professionally record and edit audio and how Maxson said the workstations, isolation new studio feels like the important missing to use sound equipment and software, as well booth and upstairs lab the students have had “piece of the puzzle.”

“I think this should have happened a long as how to manage time and work with other to work with the last couple of years have gotpeople in ways that can prepare them to be ten them by, but this new studio will change time ago,” Larsen said. “I feel like recording is becoming more important as we get more future recording engineers or studio owners the game. and managers.

“To have a real studio with a real control and more into technology and being able to Callie Oyama, a communication grad stu- and a real recording area that is divided and stream, broadcast, and record music and viddent who recently minored in Sound Pro- the whole room is completely soundproofed eo… but better late than never.”

These new studio renovations come with a duction/Recording, said the program can be — that’s the next level,” Maxson said. “Our stuinteresting and useful for many different de- dents are going to be in a world-class facility.” second phase that will eventually enable the grees, not just those students studying music.

Maxson said this will also allow them to recording of music and events in every perforFor her, it helped diversify her knowledge of bring in outside musicians for the students mance space in the Browning Center remotely different digital audio workstation programs to gain real-world experiences working with from the recording studio.

Craig said completion of this last project and understand better the production process people they don’t know in a real recording depends on raising additional funding due when she was working an internship at a TV studio setting.

MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021 | 9

The Austad Auditorium, located in the Val A. Browning Center, received a new floor, lights and a new sound system.

It is still in progress and will continue throughout fall semester.

to the greatly increased prices of building materials during the pandemic. These supply issues and raised prices have impacted all of the Browning Center renovations, which were originally supposed to be finished during the summer of 2021.

On top of the construction inside, Bus Rapid Transit construction outside of the Browning Center has also been a little frustrating to some. Kokai said while she’s excited for the access from downtown Ogden the BRT will provide, enduring the construction has been rough.

“There was a point this summer where our parking lot was gone, the front entrance was gone and none of us were sure how to get in the building,” Kokai said.

Once all is completed, though, the renovations will provide the needed enhancement for future performances.

“A performing arts center is more than a building,” Craig said. “It’s a giant machine that allows us to support the fantastic performances we present.”

The Browning Center was built in 1964 and dedicated in 1965. Since then, it has undergone several renovations, including the addition of the Allred Theater in 1966 and replacement of the Austad stage floor in 1985. The last major remodeling was started in 1997 and finished in 1999.

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By JACE COOK Reporter

Weber State men’s soccer lost 3–0 to the University of Utah on Sept. 4 in their season opener.

The Wildcats travelled to Salt Lake City and played on Crimson Field at the University of Utah campus at 7 p.m.

The first goal was scored by Utes player Jesus Sandres close to the 59th minute of play, then Josh Vance scored the Utes’ second goal around the 75th minute. Utah’s Nikko Wood scored the third and final goal near the 89th minute.

“For it being our first game, especially with a lot of us who haven’t played together, I thought we played pretty well,” Weber State freshman Cole Jones said. “I think we needed to connect more passes in the midfield. Just

kind of connect more passes as a squad. But honestly as a whole, for our first game, not terrible, especially coming to the U. We know they were a good, tough, physical team, and they were ready to play, and they also had a game under their belts.”

Utah played Boise State on Aug. 28. The Utes won that game 4–0.

“Honestly, not a bad way to start,” Jones said. “Not the outcome that we wanted, but it was a good game.”

Wildcat Marshall Scroggin, who is a junior, also provided his thoughts after the game.

“We’re kind of a new team, like we have a lot of freshmen on the team,” Scroggin said.

The Weber State sports clubs website has eight freshmen listed on the men’s soccer roster.

“I feel like this game was really promising,” Scroggin said. “It showed us what we can do

and just good things to come really.”

Another Wildcat freshman player who expressed his thoughts was Gabe Woods.

“We had a solid first half,” Woods said. “We were a little slow to start out, but I think we look promising, and I’m really excited for the rest of the season because I think we’ll show some people some exciting games.”

This is the beginning of the Wildcats’ season. They will be playing more games in the future.

“We enjoyed having our fans out here today. We’re glad they all came out, so if we could get more of you out, that would be great to have all the support we can,” Scroggin said.

Men’s Soccer Club Facebook Page

10 | MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021

Weber State University’s men’s soccer team recently went up against the University of Utah on Sept. 4.

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Senior wide receiver Rashid Shaheed bolts into the open field on his record-breaking sixth career kickoff return at Rice Eccles Stadium on Sept. 2.

By MILES SHAW Section Editor

The playing field held many challenges for the Wildcats during their opening football game on Sept. 2 when inclement weather caused a weather delay. Weber State pounced on an early lead, but they were cornered and defeated by the Utah Utes with a 40–17 blowout.

“That’s a very tough, disciplined physical team, which we knew they’d be under Coach Whittingham,” Wildcats head coach Jay Hill said. “I do like the resilience and toughness of our football team, and I think we’ll only get better. This is a real team that we have.”

Despite the toughness of the Utes, 8:26 in the first quarter held magic for the Wildcats when senior wide receiver Rashid Shaheed caught the second kickoff of the game, cut left of the Utes’ defenders, found a hole in the defense and took the football straight to the end zone, giving Weber State the early 7–3 lead.

“It’s a blessing to be able to make plays for my team,” Shaheed said.

The return was Shaheed’s sixth career kickoff-return touchdown and is a Big Sky Confer-

ence record and tied the FCS record.

The early rhythm of the Wildcats was broken when a weather delay was called just after the 100-yard kickoff return, and the game in the sold-out stadium of 51,511 people had to come to a halt.

With the energy of the last play, the fans brought their own entertainment to the field, as some stripped their clothes off and ran as the rain poured. One fan had to be rescued from the Mighty Utah Student Section after he was pulled from the sideline.

After more than an hour of pouring rain and streakers running wild on the field, play resumed, and the No. 24-ranked Utes struck back with force to defend their home turf.

2020’s First Team All-Pac-12 linebacker Devin Lloyd led the Utes’ ferocious defense with 12 total, seven solo tackles and an interception.

The defense paired with a scouring onslaught in the second half led by senior signal-caller and Utah newcomer Charlie Brewer stopped the Wildcats in their tracks.

“That team’s picked to win the Pac-12, and it’s the best team we’ll face all year,” Wildcat senior safety Preston Smith said.

Shaheed’s 100-yard touchdown was met

with a five-play, 75-yard drive by the Utes, capped off by tight end Dalton Kincaid’s 17yard touchdown, giving the Utes the lead heading into the second half of the first quarter.

“They have one of the best tight end groups in the country,” Smith said. “We won’t face tight ends like that again, especially at the FCS level.”

Brewer finished the game 19 of 27, throwing for a total of 233 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

After a Wildcat three-and-out, Weber State punter Mackenzie Morgan punts to Utes junior wide receiver Britain Covey who put the moves until he was knocked out of bounds at the Weber State 17-yard line, leading to a Jadon Redding 31-yard field goal, giving Utah a 13–7 lead with 2:53 to play in the first quarter.

Offensively, Wildcats quarterback Bronson Barron attempted to get rolling with a 4-yard scamper that he followed up with a 7-yard pass to junior wide receiver Ty MacPherson, who caught five passes for 48 yards in the Sept. 2 game.

Barron ended his night 21 of 33 with 213

Weber State Athletics

MILES SHAW | The Signpost

MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021 | 13

Weber State Athletics

Senior wide receiver Rashid Shaheed watches his Wildcats battle the Utah Utes from the sideline on Sept. 2 in Salt Lake City.

Senior wide receiver Rashid Shaheed blows past his blockers and Ute defenders on Sept. 2 in Salt Lake City.

yards, a touchdown and an interception.

“I think Bronson’s got an opportunity to be a really great player,” Hill said. “We didn’t help

him out tonight.”

Utah went three-and-out, punting the ball back to Weber State’s 27-yard line, but on the

Rain pours down on the turf at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Sept.

2.

3rd-and-14, 23-yard line Barron was picked off

by Ute Devin Lloyd.

The Utes kept up their hard push, ending the drive on a 12-yard Tavion Thomas touchdown run, putting the U of U up 19–7.

The Wildcats weren’t going down easy.

They scratched and clawed to a 17-play drive that took 7:28 off the clock, but the team was called on a penalty for a delay of game.

“I was not really happy with the cleanliness on our side,” Hill said. “Eleven penalties is way too many. Going up against this team, you can’t afford to do that, and we did not handle the noise well.”

On second and third down, Barron found MacPherson for back-to-back catches for a 20yard gain to their 48-yard line. Barron then found junior tight end Justin Malone on a first-and-10 play, picking up 14 yards, moving

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the ball to the Ute 36, and the freshman again found Malone for another 13 yards, taking the Wildcats to the Utah 13.

“I felt like we moved the ball really well,” Shaheed said. “There were times we had a lot of momentum on the offensive side.”

Junior running back Josh Davis picked up 13 yards to get Weber State within the Utes 1-yard line.

On third-and-goal, Barron looked to his right and passed to Clay Moss running wide open in the end zone, but the ball bounced in and out of the arms of the senior fullback, bringing the Wildcats to fourth down.

“We had three or four key drops and flipped field position,” Hill said. “We did not do a good enough job of getting yards on first down, which put us into too many third and longs.” ››continued on page 14

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14 | MyWeberMedia.com | September 10, 2021

State punted to the Utes 28-yard line. A 9-play, 71-yard Ute drive ensued but ended with a Wildcat goal line stand when the defense swarmed Ute running back Chris Curry.

“To start off the game, I felt like we were ready. We came out prepared and we did our assignments—As the game went on, it kind of got away from us.”

RASHID SHAHEED Senior Wide Receiver

what if...

Junior running back Josh Davis bulldozes through Ute defenders at Rice Eccles Stadium.

“In our situation, if we don’t get this we’re in a bad spot. The call was basically an all-out blitz, so we’re lucky they ran it, to be honest,” Smith said of the goal line stand. “But it felt really good to do that. To get the ball back to the offense after such a momentum change.”

Two possessions later, Thomas ran another touchdown from 14 yards out, taking Utah’s lead to 33–10.

“To start off the game, I felt like we were ready. We came out prepared and we did our assignments,” Shaheed said. “As the game went on, it kind of got away from us.”

Kincaid caught his second touchdown of the day with 7:49 to play in the fourth, taking the Utes to a 40–10 lead.

Weber State gave it their all, ending the game with a 75-yard touchdown.

“We’re never going to let our culture, toughness or work ethic slip,” Hill said.

Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com Weber State Athletics

Fourth-and-goal resulted in a turnover when freshman quarterback Creyton Cooper was stopped short of the goal line.

Brewer led the Utes to the 47-yard line where he heaved a pass downfield that was picked off by Wildcat sophomore safety Ja’Kobe Harris ending the half with the Utes up 12 points over the Wildcats.

Utah took control in the second half building a 26–10 lead off a Brewer 8-yard touchdown pass to Ute wide receiver Solomon Enis.

“We’re a physical team,” Smith said. “We’re not going to back down; we’re not going to quit.”

With 1:23 left in the third quarter, Weber

Weber State Athletics

››continued from page 13

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The Wildcat’s defensive line faces down the Utah Utes on Sept. 2, in Salt Lake City.

MyWeberMedia.com| September 10, 2021 | 15

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