The biggest question two weeks ago was WSU’s defense; in a rainstorm where running the football was vital, Sacramento State still rushed for nearly 400 yards. Offensive inconsistency barely mattered when Weber State’s defense couldn’t make a play.

So, winless opponent recognized, the Wildcats put forth a disruptive effort and, for one week, looked like a unit that could make plays and not just hope offenses wouldn’t make plays against it. WSU had three sacks, with 12 tackles for loss from nine different players, while taking away five turnovers from the Vikings.

“We needed one and felt we came with like a dog mentality, that we need a win. After that loss, it was tough, so we came with that dog mentality to come in there and dominate,” said junior safety Kao Hansen, who was named Big Sky defensive player of the week after totaling two interceptions and six tackles in the win.

He said the defense could sense the difference week to week. The hope is that Weber State (3-4, 1-2 Big Sky) has learned lessons rather than claimed a flash-in-the-pan performance against a struggling team.

“We felt it,” Hansen said. “We know what we need to do to dominate like that, so just continue to build on that week by week, and I think we can maintain it.”

Not only did Weber State play better defensively, it cut out the special teams mistakes that made a struggle against Sacramento State into a blowout. And, the Wildcats are the least-penalized team in the Big Sky with 29 flags in seven games.

Eastern Washington is next up; the Eagles come to Ogden with a dual-threat quarterback and equal push to rebound from losses and get in contention.

WSU head coach Mickey Mental says increased togetherness is key.

“We is more important than me, is the message this week,” Mental said. “Not being complacent; being an elite program, elite team, building on (the win) is more important. That’s in the past. How do we look toward the future this week with Eastern Washington — how do we practice better habits each and every week?”

BEEHIVE BLACKS

Weber State’s game-week release for the Eastern Washington game notes the Wildcats will debut a new helmet. WSU will wear its black helmets with a beehive decal in a nod to the state of Utah. For “State Connect Day,” the decal is the beehive from Utah’s state flag.

FREE TICKETS

America First Credit Union is promoting Saturday’s game against EWU as its yearly sponsor game. Fans can get up to four free tickets using the code “AFCU” online at weberstatetickets.com.