Preview: Weber State sends off seniors in home finale against Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona at Weber State • 1 p.m. Stewart Stadium • ESPN+
-
- Weber State’s Bird Butler (15) returns a punt against Northern Arizona on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Flagstaff, Ariz.
-
- Weber State’s Tajon Evans (81) tries to stiff-arm Northern Arizona’s Alex McLaughlin (17) on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.
Full of injuries and losses, a rather miserable 2025 season comes to a close Saturday when Weber State football (3-8, 1-6 Big Sky) hosts Northern Arizona (7-4, 4-3) in the finale. The Wildcats will officially send off 18 players as part of senior day before kicking off with the Lumberjacks.
18 SENIORS
Weber State will honor 18 players before the game.
OFFENSE: Peyton Beck, Trevor Beck, Noah Bennee, Bird Butler, Cole Casto, Ethen Erickson, Devin Ford, Zach Hrbacek, Colter May, Gavin Ortega, Jayleen Record, Jason White
DEFENSE: Ben Beecher, Rishi Daniels, Toddrick Dixon, Angel King, Easton Payne
SPECIAL TEAMS: Sloan Calder
Calder, a Morgan High alum, is second nationally with 16 made field goals this season.
MEET THE LUMBERJACKS
No. 23 Northern Arizona comes to Ogden viewing the contest not only as the Red Rock Rivalry with a trophy at stake, but as a playoff game. The Lumberjacks need a win to reach an 8-4 record and likely qualify for the FCS Playoffs for the second straight season, especially if UC Davis can handle Sacramento State.
Junior quarterback Ty Pennington (No. 6) does not renovate homes, he leads NAU’s offense by throwing for 260.6 yards per game on a 67% completion rate while throwing for 17 touchdowns against three interceptions.
Senior Kolbe Katsis (No. 11) is last week’s Big Sky offensive player of the week and is Pennington’s main target. He totaled six receptions for 148 yards and three touchdowns to beat Cal Poly. He averages 84.8 yards per game and 17.9 yards per catch with nine receiving touchdowns. Slot receiver Isaiah Eastman (No. 3) pitches in 42.9 yards per game.
Seth Cromwell (No. 34) is the main rock-toter, averaging 57.7 rushing yards per game on 4.4 yards per carry, totaling nine touchdowns. Quran Gossett (No. 0) has eight rushing TDs.
Defensively, linebacker Ramere Davis (No. 43) leads NAU in tackles (61), sacks (5.5) and QB hurries (nine). Defensive backs Jaylan Wesley (No. 11) and Quentin Moten (No. 7) each have four interceptions. Linebacker Brandon Wong (No. 35) leads the ‘Jacks with 9.5 tackles for loss.
TEAM VS. TEAM METRICS
Against nine FCS opponents, Weber State has averaged 24 points on 339.7 yards per game, including a 5.16 yards-per-play average. Defensively, the Wildcats give up 34.7 points on 421.8 yards per game and 6.34 yards per play.
The Wildcats are minus-seven in turnovers this season. Weber State has lost 20 turnovers (15 interceptions, five fumbles) while taking away 13 (eight interceptions, five fumbles).
WSU averages 4.8 penalties per game for 44.9 yards.
Northern Arizona has played 10 FCS opponents. In those games, the Lumberjacks average 33.3 points on 428.2 yards per game, with a 6.27 yards-per-play clip. Defensively, NAU allows 28.9 points on 380.3 yards per game and 5.98 yards per play.
NAU is plus-three in the turnover margin. The Lumberjacks have given the ball away nine times (four interceptions, five fumbles) while taking away 12 turnovers (10 interceptions, two fumbles).
The Lumberjacks are penalized an average of 4.8 times for 43 yards per game.
ODDS & PREDICTIONS
Jeff Sagarin ranks Weber State at No. 214 in all of Division I (FBS and FCS, 265 total teams). Northern Arizona is No. 142. Including home-field advantage, his formula favors NAU by nine points.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranks Weber State at No. 109 in FCS (129 teams) and Northern Arizona at No. 45. His formula predicts NAU winning 39-24.
D Ratings predicts an NAU victory of 37-23 at 83% probability.
WEATHER
Temperatures should be at 48 degrees with sunny skies for Saturday’s 1 p.m. kickoff, and at 50 degrees by game’s end.
TV & RADIO
As usual, the broadcast will stream on the ESPN+ subscription service, available on the ESPN app or WatchESPN.com. Ethan Jordan and Frank Dolce will be on the call.
Weber State’s radio call, with Carl Arky and Jerry Graybeal, airs in Utah on 103.1 FM and online at 1031thewave.com.
ALL-TIME SERIES
NAU now leads the all-time series 29-28 after two straight wins. WSU is 19-9 against NAU in Ogden. Northern Arizona is 2-1 in the series since the introduction of the Red Rock Rivalry trophy.
