Wildcats Advance To FCS Quarterfinals
Dec 1, 2018, 5:49 PM | Updated: Dec 3, 2018, 11:08 am
OGDEN, Utah – The Weber State Wildcats overcame a slow start to advance to the next round of the FCS Playoffs with a 48-23 win over Southeast Missouri State.
HELLO QUARTERFINALS! @weberstatefb defeats @GoSoutheast 48-23. More #FCSPlayoffs at home next week! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/gWFpi96wQN
— Weber State Univ. (@WeberStateU) December 2, 2018
Weber State played stingy defense, forcing four turnovers in the victory, all interceptions by SEMo quarterback Daniel Santacaterina. Conversely, Wildcat quarterback Jake Constantine had the opposite kind of game, throwing for four touchdowns in the win.
The Redhawks struck first at the end of the first quarter on a 2-rush by Santacaterina to take an early 7-0 lead. Weber State however would respond in a big way, scoring 34 straight points to take a commanding lead in the third quarter.
WILDCATS GOING WILD!
Weber State 20, SEMO 7#FCSPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RG0qhHFqab
— FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 1, 2018
The Wildcats scored quickly on four straight drives with no a single drive lasting longer than eight plays.
SEMo responded by scoring on a fumble by Constantine early in the fourth to make it 34-23 but another Constantine TD followed by a pick-six by Jordan Preator put the game out of reach and sealed the win for the Wildcats.
After the game, head coach Jay Hill said he was especially pleased with his defensive lineman and front seven.
“Those guys have been real good all year,” said Hill. “It’s a very talented group, they played very well tonight. The secondary helps those guys a lot.”
The No. 2 seeded Wildcats will next host No. 7 Maine next week for the right to go to the FCS Semifinals. Game time will be announced later Saturday night.
