The Weber State University football team kicked off their home and season opener against Western Oregon on Sept. 1 at Stewart Stadium. The Wildcats handed the Wolves a 41–5 loss.

Finding victories at home was previously a struggle for the ‘Cats after going 6–5 overall and 1–4 at home in the 2021 season.

While working out the kinks of a new offensive coordinator, the Wildcats turned to their run game and collected all five of their touchdowns on the ground.

Anthony Mack Jr. kicked it off for the Wolves after blocking Wildcat punter Jack Burgess’ punt resulting in a safety and giving the Wolves the early 2–0 lead.

It wasn’t long before Maxwell Anderson got the ball rolling for the ‘Cats and intercepted WOU’s pass and got the ball to the Wolves 22-yard line.

Damon Bankston collected the first touchdown of the season after a 6-yard rush to the end zone.

Josh Davis was quick to capitalize on Weber State’s lead and found themselves in the end zone after a 5-yard touchdown. Halfway through the first quarter, the ‘Cats were looking at a 14–2 lead.

The second quarter started out slower for both teams until Kris Jackson pushed themself into the end zone off a 1-yard run.

Sitting at 21–2, the Wildcats didn’t collect any further touchdowns in the half while Kyle Thompson made a 24-yard field goal to head into halftime with a 24–2 lead.

Headed into the second half of the game, the Wildcats were struggling to find a groove in their passing game.

Similarly to the first half, the Wolves were the first to put some points on the board. Danny Cossette completed a 34-yard field goal and cut the Wildcats lead to 24–5.

Jackson responded with their second 1-yard touchdown of the game and bumped Weber State’s lead to 30–5.

Late into the third quarter, Wildcat Sione Lapuaho was ejected from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Anderson was quick to respond with their second interception of the evening.

Steven Shoats-Thomas closed out the night for the Wildcats and collected their first career touchdown off of a 13-yard run.

Bronson Barron completed 16 of 28 passes for 152 passing yards, Kylan Weisser was brought out in the fourth quarter and completed 1 of 2 for 13 yards and the ‘Cats collected a total of 178 rushing yards.

“Obviously with a new offense coming in here, people are learning things about a lot of young guys,” Haze Hadley said. “I felt like it was a great game to just get reps.”

Davis led the squad with 11 carries for 53 yards, Banskton was close behind with 10 carries for 42 yards, Colter May had 35 yards and Shoats-Thomas collected 33 yards.

The Wildcats broke a new school record after allowing -34 rushing yards.

“I feel like we came out and executed,” Anderson said. “I like the way that we came out with aggression, we started from the jump.”

Weber State will still be in state for their next game as they take on the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 10.