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Show Friday, September 28, 2007 HE SIGNPOST SPORTS arnes out, Higgins in reshman quarterback to Montana CS n first col egiate start By Dallas Stephens sr. sports reporter I The Signpost PHOTO BY MATT GLASS I THE S1CNPOS1 Weber State University quarterback Cameron Higgins throws a pass over a Montana State University player last Saturday at Stewart Stadium. Higgins was one of three quarterbacks who played portions of Saturday's game. WSU Head Coach Ron McBride said Higgins will start tomorrow's game against the University of Montana. It will be the first collegiate start of his career. Wildcats hit some After losing the first three games of the season, Weber State University football coaches have announced that Cameron Higgins will replace Jimmy Barnes as the starting quarterback for Saturday's game against FCS (Formerly known as I-AA) No.l, the University of Montana. WSU coaches came to the executive decision after looking over game footage from last week's game in which former starter Jimmy Barnes threw two interceptions for touchdowns resulting in 14 of MSU's 21 points. "We are trying to solidify it," said WSU offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kevin McGiven about the quarterback position. "We are trying to find the guy that the team responds to the best. We have three guys that are really talented. We don't necessarily need him to be a superstar; we need him to be able to manage the game. We have a very solid offensive line and a lot of skilled guys." Last season, the team struggled with the quarterback position. Ian Pizarro and Shawn Woods were rotated in and out, and it became a problem. Neither were able to execute effectively and it contributed to a losing season. Barnes was a top-five quarterback in the country coming out of high school. He was highly sought after and was expected to provide crucial leadership. on road WSU falls at Utah, preps for Sacramento State at home Weber State University's Jenna Leggat digs a ball in a practice earlier this season. PHOTO BY MATT CLASS I THE SIGNPOST The Weber State University Volleyball team took on in-state rival, the University of Utah, Tuesday night, resulting in a 3-0 loss. The 'Cats held control of the match at the beginning, starting off game one with a score of 105. The Utes caught up, tying the game at 12-12 before overcoming the Wildcats to win the game 30-20. WSU would keep hot on Utah's heels during the second game, keeping a point behind at 19-18 until the Utes found their stride and overtook the 'Cats for a victory of 30-21. Game three started out with the Utes ahead of WSU 25-23. Utah would continue to stay ahead, winning the game 30-25. WSU middle blocker Brittney Bisaillon led the 'Cats with seven blocks and eight kills. WSU liberos (defensive player) Caitlyn Anderson recorded 11 digs. WSU setter Kim Ussinna recorded two serving aces while fellow setter Sierra Clark would have 17 assists. WSU will return home Saturday, Sept. 29 to take on Sacramento State University at the Swenson Gym, 7 p.m. The game will also be broadcast on KWCR 88.1 Weber FM. ;.:-;>.'* v solid throughout fall campr but it seems that he still has some kinks to work out. I still see a lot of potential in the kid, but for now I think it's best to see how Higgins will perform." Although the Wildcats are 0-3, the team has been making progress every week. "We were down in the red zone a lot this last game," Mcgiven said. "We moved the ball pretty well. We made some big plays, but we just didn't finish our drives." The team needs a quarterback they can rally around. Inconsistencies have plagued WSU so far this season, but there is still a little time for them to make a comeback. "The good thing about our team is that the players have always been supportive of whoever is in the quarterback position," McGiven said. "We will continue to do ou r best and make changes as they are needed." "We are trying to The quarterback switch comes before what will be one find the guy that of the toughest games of the the team responds year for the Wildcats when they head to Missoula, Mont, to to the best. . . We will take on Montana. The Montana Grizzlies are don't necessarily coached by Bobby Hauck who is need him to be a in his fifth season as Montana's football coach. Hauck has superstar; we need ahead record of 44-13 overall, a big him to be able to sky record of 24-5. All four of the Hauck has coached have manage the game/' teams tied or won Big Sky Conference regular season championships. The last battle between WSU - Kevin McGiven, and Montana ended in a close Offensive Coordinator/ score of 33-30. "This big QB was supposed to come and shake up Weber State, but it's the same thing as last year," said former WSU wide receiver Jon Jefferson. "The defense played stellar and the offense is giving away points." Some fans fear a repeat of last season's quarterback shuffling, but there are not many who disagree with the decision. "He (Barnes) doesn't seem like he's been fitting in at WSU," Jefferson said. "It's not that the team needs to change for him; he needs to learn the team." Higgins has responded well to the team and WSU coaches are giving him a chance to prove himself. "I think the coaches made the right decision," said long-time Wildcat fan Dean Goldberg. "He (Barnes) has some really good qualities, but he hasn't been able to produce what this team needs on game day. He was Quarterbacks Coach See Quarterback page 8 What to watch at WSU Happening at WSU this weekend: • *Saturday, 7 p.m.; WSU Volleyball vs. Sacramento State University; Swenson Gym. Standing Out By Jon McBride sports editor | The Signpost What to catch up on after the weekend (See The Signpost next week for full coverage) • Friday, 11 p.m.; WSU Women's Soccer at University of Hawaii; Honolulu, HI. • Friday; WSU Cross Country at Notre Dame Invitational; South Bend, IN. • Saturday, 1 p.m.; WSU Football at University of Montana; Missoula, Mont. • Saturday, 7 p.m.; WSU Volleyball vs. Sacramento State University; Swenson Gym • Saturday; WSU Cross Country at Montana State Invitational; Bozeman, Mont. What to keep on the radar: • Oct. 5; WSU Hockey vs. Utah State University; Ice Sheet • Oct. 6; WSU Football vs. Sacramento State University; Stewart Stadium • Oct. 12; WSU Hockey vs. University of Oklahoma; Ice Sheet. • Oct. 12; WSU Volleyball vs. Montana State University; Swenson Gym. • Oct. 18; WSU Women's Soccer vs. University of Northern Colorado; Swenson P.E. Field • Oct. 20; WSU Football vs. Northern Arizona University; Stewart Stadium • Oct. 20; WSU Women's Soccer vs. Northern Arizona Univeristy; Swenson P.E. Field. • Nov. 10; WSU Cross Country hosts NCAA Mountain Regional Championships; Ogden, Utah. *The Signpost Sports Editor Jon McBrlde's pick The Weber State University Women's Volleyball Team has had some tough out-of-conference opponents recently. They'll get back into Big Sky Conference action tomorrow night when they host last year's conference champions, Sacramento State University. See Standing Out page 8 |