The Wildcats took the field at Stewart Stadium on a relentlessly hot Saturday afternoon two weeks ahead of their season opener at Sun Belt-favorite James Madison.

“The general theme of today was that there’s some really good things and then there’s still a good amount of negatives,” Herron said. “Luckily, I think a lot of the negatives are things that we can fix, easy mistakes to correct.

“But we’ve got to have a sense of urgency in these next two weeks … we’ve got to get a little more locked in. But I think we’ve got a really talented team, leadership’s been good. It’s just cleaning up those little mistakes.”

One focus of camp has been getting the defense to multiply the number of turnovers it causes, and WSU’s defense showed that Saturday despite the general level of positive feedback about quarterback play.

Robert Casey, WSU Athletics

On a drive starting from the 40 going in, redshirt freshman Cash McCollum got the offense into the red zone before a dropped pass at the goal line deflected into the air, where linebacker Kevin Enriquez got to the ball for an interception.

Freshman Kingston Tisdell got the same scenario and a deep ball to the end zone ended his drive when cornerback Davonta Morgan-Collins picked him off after both he and the receiver deflected the ball as it arrived.

Montae Pate recorded two interceptions during the day, which included varied situational work and was not a straight-up scrimmage format — one against McCollum and one against Dijon Jennings.

“The cornerbacks are playing with good technique; they’re getting those jump balls that we saw today. I really think it comes down to effort,” Herron said about causing turnovers. “In the front seven, (turnovers) are just about effort. It’s about running to the ball, catching the running back when he’s not expecting it because you’re hustling and he’s cutting back.”

Sophomore Jackson Gilkey still appeared to be in the No. 1 spot for the quarterbacks group. He took two of the offense’s 12 total possessions Saturday, with both leading to points.

From a standard drive starting point, he hit on a big pass with tight end Noah Bennee that led to the red zone. But safety Chipper Harding broke up a third-and-goal pass from the 9 to Bennee in the end zone, leading to Sloan Calder putting through a 25-yard field goal.

Gilkey’s other drive was situational from the 25 going in, and his 21-yard completion to Devin Ford on a cross set up Zach Hrbacek for a 4-yard touchdown, one of two TD rushes for the senior transfer from Sam Houston State.

Jennings, McCollum and Tisdell each threw TD passes from sets starting at the 15-yard line going in; Jennings and Tisdell both completed theirs to receivers not wearing numbers. Tisdell’s throw was a perfect pitch over the linebackers and between safeties on a third-and-12.

McCollum’s was a dot to sophomore tight end Ammon Munyer on his first play from the 15, a back-corner throw that Munyer played well with a last-second adjustment to make the grab.

“Really impressed with our tight ends,” Mental said. “I think they’re playing extremely well this camp and give us a lot of versatility.”

Weber State’s season opens Saturday, Aug. 30, at James Madison in a 4 p.m. MDT kickoff set for ESPN+.

Looking for more Weber State football coverage? Watch for our special edition WSU football preview section in the Aug. 23 print edition of the Standard-Examiner.