After coming off their worst two-year stretch since the 2013 and 2014 seasons, the Weber State University football team is looking to return to its winning ways.
In 2023, coming off a 10–3 record, the Wildcats looked like a contender again. However, after longtime head coach Jay Hill, who brought the Wildcats to national prominence, was hired as the defensive coordinator for Brigham Young University, along with starting quarterback Bronson Barron transferring to Western Kentucky University, many questions arose.
After a rough start to the season, the Wildcats won three straight to finish the season with a winning record. In the final game against California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, freshman quarterback Richie Muñoz finished with six total touchdowns, five passing, and one rushing. Things looked promising for the Wildcats in 2024.
After losing to Football Bowl Subdivision powerhouse the University of Washington, the Wildcats would dominate Portland State University in the Big Sky Conference opener, but fell to Lamar University in heartbreaking fashion after senior kicker Kyle Thompson missed a game-winning field goal as time expired, losing 17–16.
After another dominating win against Northwestern State University, the Wildcats lost another close game, this time to McNeese State University, 28–26.
However, the next week, the Wildcats played the University of Montana, the eighth-ranked team in the nation. The game was in Missoula, where the Wildcats have won once since 1987, but after a six-touchdown performance by Muñoz and a game-sealing strip-sack by senior linebacker Garrett Beck, the Wildcats won 55–48 in overtime.
However, this was the last game the Wildcats won until November. After losing 21–17 to the University of Northern Colorado, a team that had not won a game since 2022, and a 51–48 overtime loss to the California State University, Sacramento, the Wildcats had lost by a total of 10 points over the season.
Then, Weber lost to Northern Arizona University 27–3; Idaho State University 43–35, which was the first time Idaho State had beaten Weber State since 2014, and the first time they beat Weber in Ogden since 1984; and finally to the University of Idaho 31–24.
Finally, in the last week against Cal Poly, the Wildcats got a win, beating the Mustangs 28–17. However, it was too late; the Wildcats finished with a losing record for the first time since 2014.
The offseason proved interesting, with many key players either graduating or transferring, including Muñoz, which meant that the Wildcats would have a new starting quarterback in 2025.
Muñoz’s backup, Dijon Jennings, looked like the favorite, but the Wildcats brought in two transfer quarterbacks.
First, Jackson Gilkey from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and then Cash McCollum from the University of North Texas. The quarterback room also saw the addition of freshman Kingston Tisdall.
“I love the room, I love the intent of those four young men. Jackson, Cash, Dijon and Kingston all bring something different and unique to the offense,” Wildcat head coach Mickey Mental said.
After a tough quarterback battle, Gilkey ended up on top, being named the starter for the first game of the season.
The Wildcats also lost star running back Damon Bankston, who transferred to the University of New Mexico. Sophomore running back Davion Godley is looking to build off his freshman season, in which he accumulated 630 yards and four touchdowns.
“Since I don’t have to look up to someone, I have to step up and make a change. I have to lead in some areas. I’m not much of a leader by voice, I’m a leader by performance,” Godley said.
The Wildcat defense experienced a lot of change, with the departure of key players such as defensive ends Kemari Munier-Bailey and Brayden Wilson, linebacker Garrett Beck and cornerbacks Jalon Rock and Frankie Edwards. However, junior defensive tackle Matt Herron is confident in how the defense performed during fall camp.
“I think reestablishing the standard and using the guys who do have experience to lead the younger guys. I think we’re getting back to where we need to be”, Herron said.
Not only has Weber seen turnover in players, but there has also been turnover in the coaches. Defensive coordinator Grant Duff, running backs coach David Fiefia, linebackers coach Matty Ah You and cornerbacks coach Andre Dyson all left to take positions at other schools.
“They understand the tradition here. At Weber State, they played for championships, and they know what it looks like,” said Mental.
The Wildcats start the season with three away games, the first two against FBS schools. The season began on Aug. 30 against James Madison University, and will be followed by the University of Arizona on Sep. 6. The away stretch will finish against McNeese on Sep. 13, in a rematch from last year.
After returning home to face Butler University on Sept. 20, the Wildcats will return on the road to face the University of California, Davis on Sept. 27.
Following the bye week, Weber will take on Sacramento State in the homecoming game on Oct. 11. On Oct. 25, Eastern Washington University will come to Ogden, followed by Montana on Nov. 1.
The Wildcats will take on the Football Championship Subdivision runner-ups Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, on Nov. 8, followed by Idaho State in Pocatello on Nov. 15. To finish off the season, Weber and Northern Arizona will face off to decide the winner of the “Red Rock Rivalry.”
