OCR Text |
Show Signpost Tuesday, September 24, 1985 7B Price predicts tight race by Chris J. Miller Sports Editor The 1985 Wildcat football team put the finishing touches on their preseason football campaign last week with a convincing 45-24 win over Portland State. With the win the 'Cats are 2-1 and will enter the Big Sky regular season in two weeks against the Montana State Bobcats. Every year, there are questions that a coaching staff doesn't know the answer to until they have a few games under the belt, and this is no exception for Mike Price and his coaches. Questions concern the following situations: would the kicking game and running game be strengths or weaknesses this year; how would the defensive backfield respond in game situations; how could injuries that plagued the 'Cats so much last year be cut down. Following Saturday's win, Price felt these questions had been answered positively. "This has been a good pre-season, for several reasons," said Price. "In pre-season, we have tried not to put as much emphasis on winning. Sure, we want to win, but we want to develop our players. We have played a lot of players these first three games," Price added. One big plus for the 'Cats so far this year has been the relatively few injuries. Last year, there were injuries every week; this year, the team has not suffered any major injuries. Price has emphasized more self-motivation with this year's team. Although admitting that motivation is a coach's job. Price felt the players could take more of the responsibility of motivation. After only three games several things have become evident . The running game appears to be solid with Freddie Cook, Eric Brown, and Willie McDonald providing the strength of the attack. The kicking and punting game also appears to be solid, and the specialty teams have performed well. Price feels Weber is more balanced overall than in past years, and he credits his staff for their hard work. But, just when it looks as though Weber State might be able to challenge for the Big Sky title, everybody else in the conference has improved. Conceivably the 'Cats could be a much better team this year and still not improve on their 5-6 record of a year ago. Price sees Nevada-Reno as the team to aim at, although there are no clear favorites. "Nobody is down this year, although Reno might be the favorite," said Price. Several teams have been picked as dark horses behind Nevada-Reno, including Idaho State, Montana State, and, yes, even Weber State. "I think the key to winning the conference this year will involve two things. The team that has a good positive expectancy each week and has good health should win," said Price. The standings after three weeks in the 1985 season are as follows: All games Nevada-Reno Idaho Weber State Idaho State NAU Montana MSU Boise State 3-0 2--1 2-1 2-1 2-1 1-1 1-2 1-2 Conference 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-0 0-0 The Heat is still on!! i : i -t 1 r fa""' 17 2J HCSDOOnc'MdS'M Ii Ar tt if, -u M ! A - 1 j'nl om-i'f -O I3IEV1ERLY IHILLS PAMMlliM flf.liWS IHSNIS A M; K V-V:-; ':.A! :', feo..-';-. Wink! A MARTIN BfiiSl HlM-tOK WSW-RUi L!1i" $"$: ?' W HW -S! ! t)1 wtW W S WO 111 PE T HIE JR nam m sum a ,t h vhwkh r--.f -gii (uscsi VWJ Sept. 25 - 28 Wednesday - Saturday 7:00 & 9:30 pm V V XX x Dave Stircman scrambles for yardage against ( he Portland State Vikings. Weber won the game Ihulo by Matthew frown VP MMf VIMk B?H 1IIIIII1IH1HHIIIIII11IITTIIIIIIIII1 3965 Wash. Blvd. (Next toAlbertson's) Open Mon. - Sat. 10-9 394-6539 COUPON SPECIAL STUDENT MEMBERSHIP AND GET 1 MOVIE FREE! Expires Oct. 31, 85 COUPON o I Birth, 0 if COUPON Back to School Special j j RENT i i 21 OO add. Movies .99C I I AND GET FREE 1 I MOVIES l'h Pn.-el ICT 1, J-t0 tog) vip( Offer good Sept - Oct. I I I I I I J L. Offer good Sept - Oct. TUESDAYS MOVIES Sl.OO VCR'S $2.00 I 1AHP vioi Offer good Sept. - Oct. . j L. |