COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Wildcats Remain Undefeated With Blowout Win Over Utah Tech

Sep 17, 2022, 9:49 PM | Updated: Sep 22, 2022, 11:30 am

Bronson Barron - Weber State vs. Idaho State...

Weber State quarterback Bronson Barron. (Photo courtesy of Weber State Athletics)

(Photo courtesy of Weber State Athletics)

SALT LAKE CITY – The Weber State Wildcats overcame an early punch from the Trailblazers to pull away in the second half for a 44-14 win over Utah Tech.

No. 13 Weber State (3-0) hosted the Trailblazers (1-2) of Utah Tech in the final non-conference tune-up of the season for each program on Saturday, September 17.

Hoping to maintain the momentum gained in a shocking 35-7 road win over in-state rival Utah State last weekend, Weber State struck early.

On the opening drive, Weber State’s Ty MacPherson caught two passes for 58 yards and the first touchdown of the game. Josh Davis added 17 rushing yards on the drive.

Three minutes later, following a Trailblazer punt, Bronson Barron connected with Jacob Sharp on a 35-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0. The Wildcats marched 98-yards on just four plays, aided by two Utah Tech penalties. Damon Bankston rushed for 43 yards on three carries on the drive.

On the ensuing Trailblazer drive, quarterback Kobe Tracy methodically led UTU on a 15 play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard Tracy pass to David Fisher. Tracy accounted for all but three yards on the scoring drive.

The Wildcats turned right around and continued the high-scoring opening fifteen minutes when Barron found MacPherson for their second scoring connection of the day. This time it was a 36-yard scoring strike that culminated a 72-yard drive.

Weber State led 21-7 after one quarter.

Offense continued to rule the day when, on fourth-down, Tracy hit a streaking Joey Hobert across the middle for a 37-yard scoring strike to make it 21-14 Weber State with 14:16 left in the half.

The defenses arrived when WSU’s Maxwell Anderson made a nice diving catch on an errant Kobe Tracy pass for the first turnover of the game.

Weber State drove to the two-yard line, thanks primarily to 28 rushing yards from Bankston. With the Wildcats on the two-yard line, the Trailblazer defense was able to get a stop on fourth-and-2 to force the turnover on downs.

Midway through the quarter Weber State added a 24-yard Kyle Thompson field goal to make it 24-14. That would remain the score into halftime.

Barron and MacPherson connected for their third score midway through the third quarter. Barron found MacPherson down the left sideline with a picture perfect 17-yard pass that found the senior wide receiver in stride. The touchdown gave Weber State a three score lead, 31-14.

Thompson added two more field goals in the third to make the score 37-14 heading into the final quarter.

Weber State’s Abraham Williams returned an interception inside the red zone, setting up Bankston for a six-yard scoring run.

Barron finished with four touchdown passes and 386 yards through the air on 25-for-36 passing. Bankston rushed 15 times for 161 yards and a score. MacPherson (140) and Sharp (116) each finished with hundred-yard receiving games.

Up Next

Utah Tech will take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Eccles Coliseum on Saturday, September 24.  It will be the Western Athletic Conference opener for each team. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (MST).

No. 13 Weber State travels to Davis, CA to face the UC Davis Aggies on Saturday, September 24. This will be the Big Sky conference opener for each team. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. (MST).

College Football

University-Of-Utah-Team-Issued-Football-With-22-Forever-Stitching-Sits-On-Tee-Pre-Game...

Michelle Bodkin

Utah Athletics Adds Accelerate Sports Ventures To NIL Resources Arsenal

Utah Athletics announced the addition of Accelerate Sports Ventures to their arsenal of NIL resources Tuesday afternoon.

2 days ago

Cam-Rising-Passes-Ball-To-Brant-Kuithe-At-RES...

Michelle Bodkin

What Early Previews Say About Utah Football In 2023

Utah football just started summer workouts as pundits take an early stab at what they think the Utes will look like in 2023.

2 days ago

BYU Football, Aisea Moa, Freshmen to Watch...

Mitch Harper

Eight BYU Freshmen Who Could Make An Impact In 2023

BYU freshmen that appear poised to make an impact this fall.

3 days ago

Branden-Carlson-Against-Washington-At-The-Huntsman-Center...

Michelle Bodkin

Utes Bulletin: Things Happening In Utah Athletics (Week Of 6/5/23)

It's officially summer "break" for Utah Athletics, but the Utes Bulletin will continue on with key points of interest as they come.

3 days ago

Alex-Smith-Eric-Weddle-Play-Football-For-Utah-Utes...

Michelle Bodkin

Alex Smith, Eric Weddle Up For 2024 College Football Hall Of Fame

Utah quarterback Alex Smith and safety Eric Weddle are up for the 2024 College Football HOF nearly 20 years after "Busting" the BCS.

3 days ago

Cam Rising - Dalton Kincaid - Utah Utes - Colorado Buffaloes...

Michelle Bodkin

Counting Down Utah Football’s Best 2022 Plays: SUU

We thought it would be fun to countdown the best play in each of Utah football’s 14 games in 2022 to celebrate with this week's focus on SUU.

3 days ago

Sponsored Articles

3 kids wearing real salt lake jerseys smiling...

Real Salt Lake

6 Reasons You Need to Experience a RSL Matchday

RSL Games are a great way to spend time with your family with fun activities, good food, and traditions you can only experience at the field.

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.

Jordan-Clarkson-Utah-Jazz...

KSL Digital Sales

Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season… So Far

At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz were second to last. Now they rank in the top 10 teams in the Western Conference.

Football soccer ball on grass field on stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

Everything You Need to Know to Watch the 2022 World Cup

Find out where and when to watch the upcoming games and final match for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, including where to find live updates.

ksl sports logos...

KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.

jimmy-buffett-tour-art...

KSL Sports

Win Tickets Wednesday: Jimmy Buffett

Get your Hawaiian shirts ready.

Wildcats Remain Undefeated With Blowout Win Over Utah Tech