OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Daniel Wright stiff-armed his way around the left end and managed to graze the ball past the pylon to score the winning touchdown on a 6-yard carry, lifting Weber State to a 20-15 victory over Idaho State on Saturday to nail down the Big Sky Conference championship with its automatic berth into the post-season.
Marque Collins sealed the win, and an undefeated season, when he intercepted Ty Vander Waal near midfield with 66 seconds remaining.
Third-ranked Weber State (5-0, 5-0) eked past the upset-minded Bengals (2-4, 2-4) to win a fourth consecutive conference title and earn a spot in this season's truncated 16-team FCS playoff.
🏆🏆🏆🏆
4x Big Sky Champions ✅
First ever outright championship ✅
Undefeated season ✅Next up: @ncaafcs Playoffs #PurpleReign #WeAreWeber #BigSkyFB pic.twitter.com/hToxNkFhs0
— Weber State Football 🏈 (@weberstatefb) April 11, 2021
The Wildcats led 14-12 with seven minutes left when Idaho State, beginning at its own 10-yard line, flashed downfield to the Weber 15 as Vander Waal connected with Tanner Conner on a 55-yard catch-and-run. Malakai Rango rushed 11 yards to a first-and-goal at the 4, but the Bengals were forced to settle for a Kevin Ryan 23-yard field goal to lead 15-14.
Wright capped the 76-yard touchdown drive on the next possession. Bronson Barron was 15-for-24 passing for 258 yards for Weber State. Dontae McMillan rushed for 90 yards and a TD, Wright gained 35.
Vander Waal was 19-of-41 passing for 268 yards with Conner catching six passes for 98 yards for the Bengals.
The Weber State Wildcats are 4-time @BigSkyConf champions. Going undefeated in this short 2020 season and topping Idaho State 20-15 for the Conference title. Congrats @weberstatefb
— Andrea Urban (@AndreaUrbanTV) April 10, 2021
