Fowler’s post-practice wrap-up with the defense included a rundown of the percentages his unit allowed on third-down conversions and touchdowns in the red zone.

“It’s unfortunate you’re talking to me today after I feel like we didn’t perform very well,” Fowler said. “The last two days, our defense has been so awesome, really focused. I was really fired up. Today was a little disappointing.

“But the one good thing about our team right now is there’s a really healthy back and forth with our offense and defense. The offense is really starting to have days where we can’t stop them, and that’s a good thing. You don’t want one side of the ball to dominate too much or you’ve got a problem. Some days the defense dominates, some days the offense dominates. Some days, it’s half and half of the same practice.

“We’re not ready to play a game today,” Fowler said, “but based on where we’re at, I think we’ll be ready in two weeks.”

Robert Casey, Weber State Athletics

Fifth-year senior quarterback Devin Brown made strong connections with Noah Kjar, Mason York, Devin Ford and Tate Kjar during the morning’s work. Sophomore Kingston Tisdell roped a tight-window touchdown throw to tight end Ammon Munyer on a patient rollout during red-zone drills, while freshman Nate Dahle flashed a bit of his left arm and his legs late in the scrimmage.

Junior defensive end Chevy Robinson got into the backfield multiple times on pass rush while senior safety Tommy Romano and junior safety Tamal Johnson were among defensive backs with pass breakups.

“Sometimes you have competitive ups and downs on each side at different times because we’re getting to know each other so well,” head coach Eric Kjar said. “If we’re getting better and improving, then both sides at times will have better days than the other side, and that back and forth will push us to get better because we’ve still got a lot to do.”

The Wildcats will begin to introduce some Northern Colorado scouting early in the final week of camp, which officially ends Wednesday, fully giving way to game week Thursday ahead of the opener on Aug. 28 at Northern Colorado.

Defensively, Fowler is looking for better focus from his starters and needs plenty of second-stringers to step up and be game-ready.

“This group understands the defense pretty well and knows what I’m trying to do with what I’m calling. When we’re really focused and locked in, we’re pretty dang good,” Fowler said. “When we have a lapse in focus, we really struggle. So I challenged them today — we had a slow start, but halfway through, we had a break and they reset and finished really well.”

Fowler is among many this camp to point to two linebackers — fifth-year senior Raimoana Tinirauarii and sophomore Teni Worthen — as players the defense has come to rely on for leadership and making plays, while he often looks to fifth-year safety Trevian Tribble to lead the secondary and the defense in general.

At cornerback, Fowler said Tre Turner (senior transfer, Lamar) and Tajon Evans (fifth-year senior) have stood out all camp and he’s “happy with where they’re at.”

Two junior returners in tackle Kevin Johnson and end Chevy Robinson have taken big steps, Fowler said, for the defensive line.

“Kevin Johnson had a great day today. I challenged him to be better and be more physical, and he was awesome, especially in the second half of the scrimmage,” he said. “And Chevy Robinson, in pass rush, he’s been great.”

On offense, Kjar has been pleased with several top performers while the offensive line remains a concern.

“I love the way our run game’s going right now. We’re getting better there; just getting our quarterbacks a little more comfortable with our schemes so they can play faster and make some decisions quickly,” Kjar said.

Kjar said returner Spencer Ferguson has had a “great fall camp” leading the running backs. “He’s been so consistent, just being elusive, breaking tackles and has a good feel for cuts. He’s been great for us,” he said.

For other backs, newcomers Omar Shah and Seth Rigtrup have “looked good” despite taking a short time off with some bangs and bruises, Kjar said, while freshmen Semisi Kinikini and Dyson Parker are making strong contributions while also getting up to speed on usual first-year things like strength and pass protection.

On the line, Kjar said the unit has grown exponentially in the run game and, while there are some leaders in the group, he’s looking for guys to cement themselves in their roles in the coming days.

Seniors Jacob Edmonds and Luke Sampson are among those leading the group, while Kjar said East Tennessee State transfer and senior Jay Wade “has gotten a lot better.” He also identified freshman Teancum Moea’i and senior transfer Brody Cutrer as those emerging from the pack.

Junior Leon Crutcher, too, “has played really well in the spring and the fall,” Kjar said, but is battling injuries and looking to recover.

Kjar and Fowler both said they’re excited to get their team on the field for a game but, Kjar said, there are too many days of work between now and then to feel too many more emotions about it for now.