As the August heat bears down on Stewart Stadium, the Weber State University Wildcats are back on the field, ready to kick off the 2024 season under the guidance of head coach Mickey Mental. The Wildcats held their first fall practice on Aug. 1. With the season opener against the University of Washington looming on Aug. 31, Mental and his team are focused on building on last year’s successes while addressing the challenges that lie ahead.
Coming off a 6–5 season, Weber State is eager to return to the Football Championships Subdivision playoffs. The Wildcats finished last season with a strong three-game winning streak, highlighted by a victory over the fourth-ranked University of Idaho. That momentum, combined with a roster that features nine returning starters, has Weber State ranked 22nd in the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 poll. This marks the eighth consecutive year the Wildcats have entered the season with a national ranking.
The quarterback position is one area where Weber State looks to build on last season’s late success. Sophomore Richie Munoz, who took over as the starting quarterback late in the 2023 season, returns with high expectations. Munoz ended last season with a breakout performance, throwing for 329 yards and five touchdowns against Cal Poly. Despite wearing a knee brace due to an offseason injury, Munoz has shown no signs of slowing down, connecting with wide receiver Jaden Thrower for a 45-yard touchdown during the first practice of fall camp.
“I truly believe we’re going to surprise a lot of people this year,” Munoz said. “Our focus is on taking care of the ball and playing great defense.”
Defense remains a cornerstone of Weber State’s game plan, led by junior defensive end Brayden Wilson, who was named to the Big Sky Preseason All-Conference team. Wilson, who led the Big Sky in tackles for loss last season, is joined by a talented group of defensive linemen, including Steven Bryant and sixth-year senior Zeke Birch. The Wildcats’ defensive secondary, though lacking the experience of recent years, is filled with potential, with players like Jalon Rock and Colorado State transfer Angel King expected to make significant contributions.
On the offensive line, Weber State faces the challenge of replacing several key players, including Noah Atagi and Andrew Carter. However, the addition of power-conference transfers such as Jason White from Oregon State and Hunter Deuel from Utah gives the Wildcats hope that they can maintain a strong presence in the trenches.
As the Wildcats prepare for a challenging schedule that includes non-conference matchups against Lamar, Northwestern State and McNeese, as well as Big Sky road games at Montana and Sacramento State, the team’s depth and resilience will be tested. But with Mental at the helm and a roster filled with young talent hungry to prove themselves, Weber State is poised to make a statement in the 2024 season.
The Wildcats’ first home game is set for Sept. 7 against Portland State, marking the beginning of their Big Sky Conference play. Fans can expect an exciting season as Weber State looks to extend its streak of winning seasons and push for a return to the postseason. Season tickets are on sale now, and anticipation is building for what promises to be an action-packed year of Wildcat football.
