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OGDEN — Weber State was coming off a record-breaking game against Montana Western and Saturday marked another historic event in the team's first game against Pac 12 opponent California.
The Wildcats had the Golden Bears scared but ultimately couldn't come away with the win.
“We don't really care too much about what the others think,” Weber State coach Jay Hill said. “We knew we had a shot, and we did have a chance, we just didn't pull it off.”
Weber State led the game going into the fourth quarter 20-17 before Cal came back with two late-game touchdowns from Cal junior running back Patrick Laird. Laird ran for 191 yards and had three touchdowns against the Wildcats.
Weber State had chances to close out the game utilizing three trick plays, but Cal was able to stop the Wildcats from reclaiming the lead.
“We've got to get better at executing those things when we call them," Hill said. "Those plays are only cool if you execute them.
“I like the toughness of the team, they didn't get starry-eyed with the big stadium,” Hill said after the game. “This is a talented team.”
Weber State showed they can compete with teams in their performance. The Wildcat offense managed 571 total yards — 431 yards passing and 140 yards on the ground.
Weber State Quarterback Stefan Cantwell led the Weber State offense, completing 25-of-44 of his pass attempts, rushing for 61 yards and scoring a passing and rushing touchdown. Cantwell stood out with his big-play ability, completing eight passes of 20 yards or more in the game.
“Explosive plays in their pass game,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox told media. “They are a well-coached team, they got good players. We were fortunate to get out with a win.”
Cal escaped defeat after forcing some turnovers late in tha game. Weber State had three fumbles in the game, compared to Cal’s one. None were more important than its fumble in the fourth quarter, which would have given the Wildcats a 15-yard gain and a first down.
“The turnover margin really hurt us and hurt our momentum,” Hill said. “We left a lot on the field and had chances to win.”
With a loss to Cal, the Wildcats move to No. 21 in the FCS Coaches poll and No. 26 on the FCS STATS rankings.
Even in the loss, though, the Wildcats gained the respect of the Cal coaching staff. Wilcox said after the game that he had a “ton of respect going in, and even more going out,” about Weber State.
The Wildcats are on the road in their next game Saturday against Big Sky opponent Sacramento State University.
