- Weber State defeated Butler 38-24 in their home opener at Stewart Stadium.
- Quarterback Jackson Gilkey threw two touchdowns and Davion Godley rushed for 193 yards.
- Coach Mickey Mental praised the team's resilience as they improved to a 2-2 record.
OGDEN — Weber State's return to Stewart Stadium Saturday night gave fans a roller coaster of emotions. After a dominant first half, the Wildcats fought off a fourth-quarter surge from Butler to secure a 38-24 victory in the team's home opener.
The Wildcats leaned on balance and playmakers to get the job done. Quarterback Jackson Gilkey tossed two touchdowns in the second quarter, while running back Davion Godley powered the ground game with a career night of 193 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Head Coach Mickey Mental praised his team's resilience when the Bulldogs trimmed the lead to a single score in the fourth quarter.
"Obviously, it was good to see us finish," Mental said. "Our defense played really well down the stretch, and offensively we learned from last week about how to close out a game. Credit to our backs, tight ends and O-line for controlling the clock when it mattered most."
Weber State opened the night with fireworks. On the first drive, the Wildcats marched down the field 75 yards in just five plays, capped by a 15-yard burst from Godley that ignited the crowd.
"The O-line was incredible tonight," Godley said. "They opened lanes all game; and once I got into space, it was just about finishing runs."
Gilkey then took over through the air, finding AJ Jayroe and Ammon Munyer for 20-yard touchdown strikes as Weber State stormed to a 27-17 halftime lead.
Butler showed fight, capitalizing on Weber State turnovers. A touchdown early in the fourth quarter cut the margin to 30-24 and quieted the stadium. But Weber State's defense responded with key stops, and Godley sealed the game with chunk plays on the ground, setting up a late insurance score.
By the end, Weber State outgained Butler 442 to 244 in total yards, showcasing both explosive offense and a defense that clamped down when it mattered. The win moves the Wildcats to 2-2 on the season and offered a strong start to their home slate.
"We just kept our composure," Godley said of Butler's late push. "When they made it close, we reminded ourselves to stay confident, trust each other, and finish. That's what we did."
Weber State now turns its attention to a tough road matchup against UC Davis. Looking ahead, Mental emphasized that the team's approach won't change as they gear up for the road test.
"We're going into to next week's game with the mindset to win, not just be competitive," Mental said. "All our goals are still in front of us, we're 2-2. We've just got to play clean, it's always about us."
