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Show Monday, October 6, 2008 Run r continued from page 6 WSU running back Trevyn Smith had an impressive 25-yard touchdown run called back by a holding penalty, quarterback Cameron Higgins threw an interception into the end zone, wasting Johnson's forced turnover. "The pick I threw wasn't because the ball was wet or anything," Higgins said. "It was just a bad read." The Griz1 offense then capitalized on their forced turnover, when Montana quarterback Cole Bergquist threw a 75-yard touchdown bomb to receiver Tyler Palmer, putting Montana up 14-3. As the second quarter got underway, the clouds cleared a bit, the rain fizzled out, and the WSU offense woke up. Following a couple of big runs from Smith, Higgins hit receiver Mike Phillips for a 28-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the score to 14-10. "We knew that we could move the ball on them," Higgins said. "And we really started rolling in the second quarter." Rolling might have been an understatement. After another quick Montana touchdown that was set up from a long kick return, the Wildcats would go on to score 21 straight points before the half. Immediately after Montana's score, WSU receiver Bryant Eteuati scampered for a 53-yard kick return that led to a 30-yard touchdown pass from Higgins to Smith. From there the Wildcat defense forced another turnover, when cornerback Terrell Cloud intercepted a Bergquist pass. WSU backup quarterback Brendon Doyle immediately turned it into points when he bulldozed his way to a 20-yard touchdown run, giving the Wildcats a 24-21 lead. "They ran the ball real well," said Montana Head Coach Bobby Hauck. "They broke some tackles and were very impressive today." After the WSU defense forced anotherquickthreeandout, Smith led the offense down the field, highlighted by a play in which he smothered Ail-American Grizzly safety Colt Anderson for a 13yard gain. Higgins then pumped in another touchdown to Phillips, this one an eight-yarder, putting the Wildcats up 31-21 at the half. "The team's been giving me crap all week because I've been giving him (Anderson) such props," Smith said. "I knew that today I wasn't going to be able to outrun him or out-juke him, so I kinda just had to run him over." As the second half got underway, both teams saw a sluggish third quarter. Both defenses forced several punts, but as Montana got the ball back to start the fourth quarter, they fumbled the ball away, once again scooped up by Goodloe, setting the Wildcats up on the Griz' 5-yard line. Smith then pounded it in for a touchdown, increasing WSU's lead to 38-21. Wildcat Head Coach Ron McBride said he was proud of Smiths performance, one that included 158 yards rushing. 54 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. "He was looking like a man possessed," McBride said. "Throughout the whole game, every pile he was in was moving backwards." After Montana converted on a fourth down attempt, they finally got back on the board with a four-yard touchdown strike < from Bergquist to receiver Mike Ferriter. From there, the Wildcats went for Montana's jugular. After a few more long Smith runs, Higgins tossed a 28-yard touchdown to Eteuati, putting the Wildcats up comfortably 45-28 with only a. few minutes left. "Montana's known for coming backandwinninggames," Higgins said. "We couldn't think that we've already won the game." On Montana's ensuing possession, Bergquist threw an interception to WSU safety Beau Hadley, virtually sealing the Wildcat victory"This is the next generation of Weber State football," Smith Quality, Flexibility, Accessibility Evening Courses Designed For Working Professionals For informafion, call 395-351 9 or click- on v/cber edu/enba Listed in the Princeton Review's Best Business Schools 2008 edition YOU'RE INVITED TO ATTEND AN INFORMATIONAL MEETING ? Md Monday, October 6.. t J m.f Rm. * $S^1 Tuesday, October 21 6-7 p.m., Rm. 134 2750N. University Park Blvd., Layton • 1-15 Exit 334, east on Hwy. 193 • N O W ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS THl StC.NrOST Weber State University roverback Ryan Galovic tackles a University of Montana player with one arm during Saturday afternoon's game at Stewart Stadium. The Wildcat defense forced four turnovers - two interceptions and two fumbles - and racked up seven sacks to beat the Grizzlies 45-28. The victory over Montana is WSU's first in 10 years against their Big Sky Conference foe. said. "And we are here to show everybody that we've got as much talent as anybody in the country. Higgins finished the game with 237 passing yards and four touchdowns, and the Wildcat defense piled up seven sacks. Saturday's victory marked By Pat Graham The Associated Press ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) - The Denver Broncos aren't missing Jason Elam, thanks to Matt Prater. Prater has been steady this season - very Elam-esque - hitting 9 of 10 field goals, including three from beyond 50 yards. He also leads the league in scoring with 41 points. This from an unproven kicker who had only one field goal on his resume before this season. This from a 24-year-old trying to replace one of the best in league history and the Broncos' all-time leading scorer. Yet Prater never felt the pressure of taking the place of Elam, who kicked four gamewinners last year. "I know a lot of people were uncertain after having Jason here for so long," said Prater, who frequently sends text messages to Elam seeking advice. "They were spoiled, having a guaranteed kicker like that. I had to go out and show I could do it." The Broncos were willing to Wasatch OB/Gyn ii-Dee Hospital Lite Lunch Series "Everything you need to know before getting pregnant Wednesday October 22,2008 • Noon -1 pm • ! 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No iriundt, no Un» tMfmnm«RthM9n.**li the first time WSU has defeated Montana since 1998. The Wildcats snapped several Montana winning streaks, including 25 straight regular season wins, 16 straight Big Sky Conference win, and nine straight road wins. Weber State now sits atop the Big Sky Conference with a 2-0 conference record (4-2 Overall). Next week, the Wildcats travel back to Montana, this time facing Montana State University on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. Broncos kicker filling in nicely Intermountain • 1 HE SIGNPOST MARGIT LISTER MD, OB/GYN Specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and gynecologic surgery. allow Elam to escape to Atlanta in the offseason because of the promise they saw in Prater. He had a booming leg but needed to work on his accuracy, much like a young Elam when he entered the NFL. So far, that hasn't been a problem. "I feel like I've been pretty consistent," said Prater, who's tied for the AFC lead with seven touchbacks on kickoffs. "I'm trying to do the same routine. I even try to breathe the same before each kick." Now if he can only get the opposing fans from riding him. He hit 56- and 51-yard field goals in a 33-19 loss at Kansas City last Sunday, yet a fan parked right next to his kicking net wouldn't let him forget the 28yard attempt he pulled right. "He said, 'Jason wouldn't have missed it,'" Prater recounted with a grin. "I'm going to hear that for the rest of the year." Perhaps even the rest of his career in Denver. But that's life in trying to replace a kicker of Elam's ilk. "He set the standard here for kickers. You've got to appreciate what Jason's done," special teams coordinator Scott O'Brien said. "Matt just has to be Matt." That, he is definitely doing. Prater is as laid back as they come, wearing flannel shirts, refusing to tie his shoelaces and talking in a slow, monotone voice, He takes his newly found success in stride - admitting he's "pretty pleased" with his results so far - and casually claiming he could drill a 70-yarder if given the chance. Don't snicker. It's hardly a boast. Prater easily hit a 68-yard attempt in training camp and nailed a 69-yard attempt in practice Wednesday. He said he once made a 73-yarder in practice while kicking at Central Florida. The NFL record is 63 yards shared by Tom Dempsey and by the kicker Prater is replacing - Elam. "If there's no wind, I'd say around 70 - if I hit it well," Prater said. "I'm looking forward to it." His teammates definitely have confidence in his powerful leg. After the Broncos squeaked out a 34-32 win over the New Orleans Saints - courtesy of a missed SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater celebrates after kicking a 56-yard field goal during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. 43-yard field goal by Martin Gramatica with around two minutes remaining - receiver Brandon Marshall was asked if the team caught a big break. "They missed a field goal, but we probably have one of the best offenses in the league and when you give us two minutes and all we are asked for is just a field goal?" Marshall retorted. "We have a kicker that can kick a 66-yarder." Unbeknownst to Prater, he was leading the league in scoring, three points ahead of San Diego's Nate Kaeding and San Francisco's Joe Nedney. Champ Bailey clued him into the fact Thursday, making the announcement in the locker room as he passed on through fora meeting. "I don't pay attention to that stuff," Prater said, "just take it one kick at a time." That's what O'Brien appreciates about Prater - his low-key approach. Prater didn't let his 28-yard miss in Kansas City rattle him, coming back to hit four straight. "You learn from every kick, good or bad," O'Brien said. "You get ready for the next. He did that. He's gaining experience as we go along." He's also making sure fans and teammates aren't missing Elam. Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. Get your business 140"' \ \ moving r, \ 160"] Advertise with |