A convincing win in the season finale over Cal Poly (47-14), and some upsets around the country on the final day of regular season play, helped propel the Wildcats into the playoffs for the fourth time in school history and for a second straight year.
Weber State earned berths in 1987, 1991 and 2008. In 1987 they defeated Idaho on the road, 59-30 then lost on the road at Marshall, 51-23, in the quarterfinals. In 1991, the Wildcats lost at Northern Iowa, 38-21, in the opening round. Last year, the Wildcats went on the road and stunned #3 ranked Cal Poly, 49-35, then lost at Montana, 24-13, in the quarterfinals.
This is only the 5th time since the playoffs began in 1978 that the Big Sky Conference has had three teams represented in the playoffs. The last time it happened was in 2003. Northern Arizona went on the road and defeated #1 ranked McNeese State, 35-3. Montana lost at home to Western Illinois, 43-30 in 2OTs and Montana State lost at Northern Iowa, 35-14. The game time has not yet been announced, but is expected to be sometime early to mid Saturday afternoon.
Quick Hits. ... The College of William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. It is the 2nd oldest educational institution in the United States, founded in 1693. President’s of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler each benefitted for it’s educational programs. William & Mary was first in the country to teach law in a university setting.
The Tribe posted a 9-2 record this season and opened the 2009 season with a 26-14 win at the University of Virginia. William & Mary’s two losses came in Colonial Athletic Association play. They lost at #2 Villanova, 28-17 on Oct. 3 and lost last Saturday (Nov. 21) on the road at #4 ranked Richmond, 13-10.
William and Mary has the NUMBER ONE RANKED RUSHING DEFENSE team in NCAA Division I FCS. They have allowed opponents just 55.45 rushing yards per game, and an average of just 1.8 yards per carry. They are 2nd in the country in QUARTERBACK SACKS per game at 3.55, 3rd in TOTAL DEFENSE allowing just 236.55 yards per game and 7th in SCORING DEFENSE allowing only 13.82 points a contest.
The defense is led by defensive end ADRIAN TRACY (6-4, 243 SR.) who has 11 quarterback sacks for -64 yards and 19 tackles for loss for a minus 93 yards. EVAN FRANCKS (5-11, 212 Jr LB) has a team high 74 tackles, 45 unassisted.
Courtesy: Weber State