OGDEN -- While this is an emotionally difficult week for Weber State's football team, it is extra complicated for the 17 seniors who don't know if they're preparing for their last game as a Wildcat.
Since the Wildcats (6-4, 6-2 Big Sky Conference) know they need to beat Cal Poly on Saturday and then have some results go their way in order to hear their name called Sunday afternoon as one of the 16 teams to make the Division I FCS playoffs, there is already a lot on the players' minds. But the seniors are trying to focus on the important things.
"We all know this is the only game that matters," said defensive lineman Kevin Linehan. "We have to win this game and hopefully it works out in our favor. If not, it will be a sad day, the last day of football, but I don't want to think about that."
Linehan is part of a senior class that will say goodbye to Stewart Stadium on Saturday, and one of 10 seniors who spent their entire collegiate career in the Purple and White. Among that class are a handful of players who have broken school records while helping the team succeed.
Trevyn Smith broke the school's all-time rushing mark last year as a junior and has added to it this season, now having racked up 4,831 yards on the ground. Tim Toone, originally recruited by former head coach Jerry Graybeal, is the WSU all-time leader in career receiving yards (3,380) and touchdown catches (26). He's second in career receptions with 189, just 17 behind Trevor Shaw's mark of 206.
Mike Snoy is Weber State's career leader in punts and punting yards, and has also filled in as the place kicker often during his four-year career.
With McBride now in his fifth season, this class truly represents his recruiting power.
"These guys have all been responsible for turning the program around and going from the bottom of the tier to the top of the tier," McBride said. "We're now a team that people respect and know that if they're going to beat us they have to play well to beat us."
Linehan is third on WSU's all-time sack list with 22 while safety Beau Hadley needs just one more forced fumble to tie Brady Fosmark's all-time mark of nine.
Along with Linehan and Hadley, WSU's defense has benefitted greatly this season from its seniors. Defensive linemen Brighton Barkdull and Joe Larson have provided great play and leadership, as has linebacker Brett Dille. Cornerbacks Josh Morris and Thyrell Lewis have been a big part of WSU's pass defense as Lewis leads the Big Sky in pass breakups while Morris earned the reputation as a shut-down corner, since opponents have avoided throwing the ball his way.
WSU's offense also owes a lot of credit to seniors as well. Three offensive linemen -- Kyle Mutcher, Cameron Molifua and Nestor Cruz -- have spent their careers opening holes for Smith and protecting quarterback Cameron Higgins. Wide receivers Joe Collins and Sam Hardy have also been a big part of the offense.
Wide receiver Ben Chase and defensive lineman Christian Gibson may not have spent a lot of time on the field, but have also impacted the team.
"Just seeing the change, what we were and what we've become, it's nice to see," Toone said. "Hopefully they can carry it on."
Tight end Cody Nakamura and offensive lineman Jared Wilcox each suffered season-ending injuries early in the season, and will likely apply for a sixth year. Hopefully, they'll celebrate their senior season next year.
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