Weber State Football Beats NAU On Hail Mary As Time Expires

OGDEN, Utah – The Weber State Wildcats remained perfect this spring by defeating the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on a “Hail Mary” play as time expired.

The Wildcats hosted the Lumberjacks on Saturday, March 27.

With two seconds left in the fourth quarter and NAU owning a 23-22 lead, Weber State quarterback Randall Johnson unloaded a 50-yard pass towards the end zone.

Wildcats receiver Justin Malone leaped for the ball and came down with a catch to win the game for Weber State, 28-23.

🚨 THE WILDCATS WIN ON A HAIL MARY AS TIME EXPIRES. 🚨

FINAL@NAU_Football 23@weberstatefb 28

Weber State improves to 3-0 this spring.#WeAreWeber #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/0TJhEZsN9F

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021

Before The Bomb

Prior to the miracle connection between Johnson and Malone, the Lumberjacks had marched nearly the length of the field to score a g0-ahead touchdown and extra point with 17 seconds to go.

It was Northern Arizona’s first lead of the contest.

The Lumberjacks take advantage of a Wildcat fumble and drive the field for their first lead of the game.@NAU_Football 23@weberstatefb 22

0:17 4Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/i6zMvSUVet

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021

After Weber State dominated the first half, especially the opening quarter, the Lumberjacks outscored the Wildcats 23-8 from the second quarter to the final seconds.

The last second miracle maintained Weber State’s unblemished record.

Wonderful Wildcats

Johnson finished the game 11/19 passing for 133 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in his first start this season.

The Wildcats look explosive. 🧨

Weber State turns an NAU interception into a touchdown drive. @NAU_Football 0@weberstatefb 7

10:47 1Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/ul4uiyVYgV

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021

Malone’s game-winning reception was his second catch of the contest. He finished with 54 receiving yards and the score.

We can't stop watching this🙌@justin_malone @Randallrjohnson #PurpleReign #WeAreWeber #BigSkyFB #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/OLHURO3tbo

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) March 27, 2021

Rashid Shaheed led Weber State’s receivers with three catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Shaheed also brought back a kick return 100 yards for a touchdown.

The Wildcats open the second half with a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown and then get tricky on a two-point conversion. 👀 @NAU_Football 10@weberstatefb 22

14:47 3Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReignpic.twitter.com/ZSxYEvFAjI

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021

Josh Davis led the Wildcats on the ground with 16 carries for 141 yards.

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks QB Keondre Wudtee finished 21/40 passing for 204 yards.

NAU’s Draycen Hall ran the ball 19 times for 136 yards and a touchdown.

The Lumberjacks cut into the Wildcats' lead with a huge run.@NAU_Football 10@weberstatefb 14

5:03 2Q#WeAreWeber #PurpleReignpic.twitter.com/GsgWWWXrLB

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 27, 2021

The Lumberjacks turned the ball over three times in the loss.

Northern Arizona fell to 1-2 on the spring season with the result.

Up Next

With the win, the Wildcats improved to a 3-0 record this spring.

The victory was Jay Hill’s 50th win as Weber State’s head coach.

BIG WIN MOOD🚨#PurpleReign #WeAreWeber #BigSkyFB pic.twitter.com/KlgCBd22GT

— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) March 27, 2021

Weber State’s next game is against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds on Saturday, April 3 at 2 p.m. (MDT).