I was saddened to read in the Standard that partial blame for Weber State University's poor football fortunes are being aimed at running back Trevyn Smith (Oct. 24, "Wildcats wary of improving N. Colorado"). Nothing could be further from the truth. Don't make a scapegoat of a tuly great running back because of one bout of poor judgment.
I don't know the whole story regarding the indiscretion and lack of responsibility that led to Trevyn's suspension. Only coach McBride and Trevyn himself know for sure. However, I do feel if we want the biggest reason for Weber's poor showing, we need only to critique the quarterback position.
All of Weber's losses were winnable games. At Wyoming, Cameron Higgins threw too many interceptions and played too poorly to win. At CSU, he mishandled the snap that would have set up a possible winning field goal, turning the ball over with just seconds remaining on the clock. Montana State was just a case of poor play-calling on 4th and goal at the end of the game. The Montana game was another case of bad reads, too many picks, missing wide open receivers and throwing into double and triple coverage just for a chance to pad his stats for a shot to win the Walter Payton Award.
In my estimation, Higgins won't even make the All Big Sky team. Without a passing game, we have no running game, and the defense is out on the field too long.
Higgins has got to stop worrying about past season awards and start playing the type of football that earned him the starting QB positon in the first place. I believe Higgins read too much of his pre-season press clippings. If he keeps his head squarely in the game, maybe this season can be salvaged after all.
Jess Perez
Clearfield
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