Southern Utah, Weber State Share Big Sky Championship
OGDEN, Utah (November 18, 2017) – The time has come to crown the Big Sky Champion and in another season filled with great rivalries, last minute field goals and come-from-behind victories it was Southern Utah and Weber State that were named co-champions.
Southern Utah went 9-2, 7-1 in conference play to capture its second Big Sky title in three years. The Thunderbirds managed a 9-1 record over its final 10 games to soar high. During that time, the Thunderbirds posted non-conference wins against Stephen F. Austin and Northern Iowa. Southern Utah’s largest margin of victory this season was a 37-point win on the road at SFA. The Thunderbirds lone loss of Big Sky play was a trip up at Sacramento State in Week 4. Southern Utah took a six-game win streak into the final weekend of conference play, and after the win over Northern Arizona it earned the league’s automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs – its third trip in school history – all since 2013. The Thunderbirds also defeated four Top 25 team’s during the season.
Weber State finished the regular season with five straight wins to clinch a share of the Big Sky title. The Wildcats’ 9-2 overall record is the most wins in school history since 10 in 2008. Weber State’s 7-1 league mark tied a school record, as it landed their fourth conference title in school history. Weber State had previously shared the title in 1965, 1968 and 2008. The Wildcats began the season with a school record 76-0 shutout against Montana Western, and then the following week they led on the road at Cal of the Pac-12 heading into the fourth quarter before falling by 12 points. Weber State’s lone loss of Big Sky play was to Southern Utah, as it has prepared a pretty good resume for a playoff berth. The Wildcats have made the playoffs five times, including an appearance in 2016 after it received an at-large bid.
There are five Big Sky teams with four or less wins that hope to hear their name called tomorrow when the playoff bracket is revealed. Weber State (9-2), Northern Arizona (7-4), Montana (7-4), Eastern Washington (7-4), and Sacramento State (7-4) can all make cases on why they should be considered for postseason play.
The NCAA Division I Football Championship Selection Show will be televised live on ESPNU and on Watch ESPN on Sunday, November 19 at 9 a.m. MT. The 24-team field will be announced, along with the top eight teams that will receive first round byes.