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OGDEN — No. 25 Weber State is coming off a win after shutting out Northwestern State 39-0 on the road last week.
The Wildcats fell short to Lamar after the last three drives ended poorly with two missed field goals — one as time expired — and a turnover on downs on the 1-yard line.
The Wildcats will welcome in McNeese, who is 3-2 on the year, with both losses coming on the road to Tarleton State and Texas A&M.
What do the Wildcats need to do to take down the Cowboys in Ogden?
Establish a run game early and often
Damon Bankston, who rushed for 388 yards in five games last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury, has rushed for 377 yards, already nearing his rush total last year. While averaging 5.9 yards per carry, Bankston has been a focal point of the Wildcats offense, accounting for 48% of the team's total yards through four games.
Bankston rushed for 105 yards against Washington, 133 yards and two touchdowns in the win against Portland State, and totaled 115 yards of offense against Northwestern State last week.
McNeese has struggled to defend the run, giving up 204 rushing yards per game. Tarleton State and Texas A&M both rushed for nearly 200 yards, while Stephen F. Austin and Alcorn State both eclipsed the 200-yard mark.
Stick to the defensive roots
Weber State's defense has been its bread and butter for years, but its taken a step up this year. The Wildcats are giving up an average of 11 points per game in FCS play this year and continue to be an offense's nightmare.
Against Portland State, Weber State forced seven three-and-out series, while holding the Vikings offense to 240 yards.
Kemari Munier-Bailey has been a force on the defensive line, totaling five sacks on the year, which is top 10 in FCS play. Linebackers Garrett Beck and Jayden Ah You are top five on the team in tackles while playing a pivotal role in the pass defense.
Contain Clifton McDowell
McDowell is a highlight of the Cowboys offense, passing for nearly 800 yards and 243 yards on the ground in three games. Accounting for 11 touchdowns to two turnovers, McDowell's dual-threat ability continues to put defenses on watch.
On his fourth team in four years, McDowell has struggled with completion percentage, with a career average of 59.2%. This season he is at a career-high 64.9% and has improved his decision-making with the two turnovers.
The Wildcats are No. 12 in FCS in pass yards per game, giving up 156 yards of offense through the air. Limiting McDowell's impact will be more than enough for the stout Wildcat defense to pull out a win.
The Wildcats will look for their first win over McNeese since 1990 as they kick off in Ogden on Saturday at 6 p.m. MDT on ESPN+.
