OGDEN -- With a week to go before flying east to Boston for the season opener, Weber State continues sorting out position battles while getting in game-prep mode.
The Wildcats began implementing their Boston College-specific game plans Wednesday in the broiling heat of a 90-plus degree afternoon at the practice field.
Weber State coach Ron McBride said the tempo and execution weren't where he wanted for the day, but it wasn't unexpected while installing the first BC-based schemes.
"That's kind of what happens in the first day when you're working on an opponent, but the thing we're looking for is guys who are hustling, moving to the ball all the time, guys that are finishing on their blocks and guys that are going full speed," he said. "The only thing that's acceptable is that everybody has to be full speed."
Weber State will have to be full speed Sept. 4 to compete at Boston College, though the Eagles got bad news Wednesday when they learned leading receiver Colin Larmond Jr. will be out for the year with a leg injury.
The Wildcats start the season ranked No. 18 in Football Championship Subdivision coaches poll and No. 19 in the The Sports Network FCS poll.
With Cameron Higgins established as a third-year starter at quarterback, one of Weber State's first priorities is to replace the production of tailback Trevyn Smith, who rushed for 1,001 yards a year ago and is the Wildcats' all-time leading rusher.
Senior tailback Vai Tafuna will get the start at Boston College, McBride said. Sophomore Bo Bolen, who got a late start in fall camp after learning he wouldn't leave on his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until December, will also see plenty of on-field time.
"(Tafuna) is a very strong runner. He runs with passion, he's a very tough guy and he's earned the job. For him to lose that job, someone is going to have to take it away from him," McBride said. "Bolen is right there. Bolen is obviously a proven commodity and he's going to play a lot of football, because he can play slot, he can play fullback and he can play tailback. He knows everything in the offense."
Sophomore C.J. Tuckett and freshman Josh Booker will also help out of the backfield.
Tim Toone, who was taken last year by the Detroit Lions with the final pick of the NFL draft, leaves another important pair of shoes to fill in the passing game.
Senior wide receivers Joe Collins and Mike Phillips will be counted on there, McBride said.
"Collins and Phillips have got to step up and do what we expect them to do," he said. "They have the ability to do it and they've proven they can do it. We need to get a lot out of them."
Phillips caught 39 passes for 704 yards last season, second in receiving yards behind Toone. Collins had 48 catches for 455 yards.
Wednesday's heat was a little difficult to deal with, Collins said, but players have to prepare for it like they prepare for opponents.
"It's a little tough to come out when it's hot, but you know you've got to buckle it down and get going, because we're going to have to play in it someday. You just have to overcome the heat, work with it, be a man."
Collins is confident the Wildcats offense can put a little heat on opponents as well.
"With our offense, I think we can just pick and choose," he said. "We have good running backs, we have good receivers, good quarterbacks, a good O-line. As long as we just do what we're supposed to do 100 percent of the time, we can just pick and choose where we want to go with it."
The senior was excited about getting to Boston College prep time Wednesday.
"Going through camp, it starts getting dull and getting tired of just going against your defense," he said. "Once you put that (opposing) team in, you know it's game time. That's when you've got to buckle it down, no mistakes."
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