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OGDEN -- There could be quite the aerial show on Saturday at Stewart Stadium; that is if the weather cooperates.
But even the projected snow showers may not stop either Weber State or Northern Arizona from attempting to throw the ball. After all, Weber State quarterback Cameron Higgins threw for 349 yards and four touchdowns last season against Montana State during a blizzard in Bozeman, Mont.
Northern Arizona and Weber State are the two top passing teams in the conference, as the Lumberjacks have averaged 306 yards per game, while the Wildcats' output is just below that at 299.9. That could mean a lot of work for both defensive secondaries.
"If we come out and play lights out, then it will be a real fun game and a lot of plays to be made," said WSU cornerback Josh Morris.
NAU quarterback Michael Herrick, who transferred from Ole Miss last season, leads the Big Sky in both passing (301.8 yards per game) and total offense (294 yards per game). With a pair of talented senior receivers in Ed Berry and Conrad Meadows, who are No. 1 and 2 in the conference for receptions per game, with both averaging just less than seven catches, Herrick has options on both sides of the field.
"We're just trying to stop them, and stop their screens," said WSU safety Jordan Brown.
That's not all WSU's defense will have to worry about. NAU's senior running back Alex Henderson is also a dangerous offensive weapon. He's fourth in the Big Sky, averaging 96.9 yards per game, just behind WSU's Trevyn Smith's average of 98.5 per game, and is third in the league with 13 total touchdowns.
Keeping Henderson out of the end zone won't be easy.
"You've got to take away the crease and the guys have to play square on defense, because he's an awful good back," said WSU coach Ron McBride. "He's a special player and you've got to take him out of the game and (Berry) and (Meadows)."
With good rushing and passing attacks, which will the Lumberjacks use most on Saturday?
"It kind of depends on what we've been seeing," said NAU coach Jerome Souers. "Some teams load up against the run and we'll see a little bit more passing game and if they sit back on the pass we'll see a little bit more of the running game."
Sound familiar?
"We're trying to accomplish the same goal (as Weber State), take what the team is giving you and be consistent," Souers said.
The Wildcats have also stressed this season their offense can run or pass the ball effectively, depending on what the opposing defense gives them.
Higgins, who is third on the Big Sky passing list with 282.8 yards per game, a little behind Eastern Washington's Matt Nichols' average of 289.9, has often found success with top receivers Tim Toone and Mike Phillips. The Wildcats have also benefitted from Smith, who is still in the hunt to lead the league in rushing for the fourth consecutive season and has had big games this season when WSU's opponents have tried to take away the pass.
With both offenses capable of moving the ball, the key to a victory on Saturday could come down to which defense slows down its opponent best.
