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Show Text: Chris J. Miller Reviewing the 1985 Wildcat football season depends a lot on the perspective of the reviewer. Ask the average fan, and he will remember the closing minute drives that came to symbolize Weber's season. The drives were exciting, to say the least, as most of the Wildcat games were decided in the final seconds. Ask purists of the game, and they'll remember the penalties -all those penalties. This reporter remembers the attitude that the team seemed to develop over the year -that "we'll score against you, we'll keep coming at you, you'd better be ready for us" attitude. It is interesting to note that not once during the entire season was the Wildcat offense stopped inside the 10-yard line. Ask Mike Price, and he'll tell you what he remembers most about the season. "From a coaching standpoint, you always remember the losses or the could-have-beens. But what I hope fans remember about the season was that they saw what could well be the best offensive team in football history . . . cCertainly in the nation," said Price. Price mentioned the exciting Idaho State game when Norm Haney caught the game-winning pass to highlight his career. He remembers the enthusiasm exhibited by the fans during the Idaho game, with Frank Layden leading the cheers at halftime of the SUSC game. He remembers how the team handled the adversity of the Montana trip, "yet came out and played so well." Weber broke all single game total offense records that ever existed in that game, rolling up an even 800 yards in total offense. Weber's 6-5 record is definitely not at all indicative of the season Weber had. With a few breaks, Weber could have been 9-2. Only twice during the year were the Wildcats out of the ballgame before the final gun. Three of Weber's losses came by three points or less, all scored in the final seconds. The 1985 'Cats were offensive-minded, to say the least. Led by all-stars Dave Stireman, Freddie Cook and Craig Slama, Weber rolled up no less than 26 school records and one NCAA Division I-AA record. CKher outstanding performers who closed out their purple and white careers at Weber include Mike Powell, Craig Dumity, Davey Davis, Kelvin Hodrick, Darrell Pollard, Norm Haney, Greg Hansen, Junior Crockett, Tracy Boughn, Todd Boyer, Randy Brown, Pat Johnson, Andre Lewis, Travis McLean, Doug Orr, Saia Pope, Brian Ramsey, Ken Sanders, Phil Sotomayor, Gilbert Vasquez, Kevin Villars and Karl Wilson. Following the season, nine seniors were able to sign professional contracts, the most since 1965 when Sark Arslanian sent several players into the pro ranks. For coaches, the season doesn't mean the end of the work. Wildcat coaches immediately began preparing for an encore of 1985. According to Price, this year's spring football season was the best ever. "We have made the most improvement in spring ball since I've been here," said Price. Although Price feels Weber will be good offensively, his defense will be the squad to watch next year. ".vfiW TOW" 1 5 ' v $ " A1 J |