Weber defense improving daily


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OGDEN — Leaving Ogden after picking up a narrow 27-21 victory over Weber State, then Southern Utah defensive coördinator Justin Ena saw a Weber team that was rapidly crumbling from within.

Fast forward a month, and he was Weber’s new defensive coördinator. It’s been almost four months since Ena, Steve Clark and Fesi Sitake decided to leave SUU for Weber State, and it’s been a whirlwind of recruiting and acclamation ever since. However, with spring football in its third week at Weber State, the Wildcats are beginning to adapt to the new way the coaching staff is preaching football.

“It’s been going great,” said Weber State defensive back Cordero Dixon. “Everyone’s been improving at every position, and it’s a lot better than last year. A lot more disciplined than last year.”

Ena, who helped Southern Utah upset FBS opponents the past two seasons, said character is one of his main requirements for players.


"Everyone is just fitting in, and buying into the scheme," Weber cornerback Cordero Dixon said.

“To be a great football team, character is a big deal,” said Ena, who played at BYU. “When we played against (Weber) last year, they had six personal fouls; five were on the defensive side. And I always tell my guys to make sure they understand to play within themselves; you do your one-eleventh.”

Several players have noted the change in Weber’s mentality, with Dixon noting that he respects the discipline Ena requires at practices.

“Everybody is fitting in, and buying into the scheme,” said Dixon, a junior. “Just overall, it’s a way different defense than last year.”

Weber State gave up an average of 41.4 points per game last season while only scoring 15.8 points a game, so energy has been a focus for the Wildcats in spring practice. Weber State coach Jay Hill said he is seeing improvement on the field with each practice.

“I thought they executed better (as practice went on),” he noted. “I think at first they were a little shell-shocked. But, I thought they responded well at the end, and I saw them improve.”

Snow fell for much of Tuesday afternoon in Ogden, and Hill said the toughness required to play through the elements will help the team in all aspects.

“There was so much snow out there today that it was a little sloppy,” he said. “What I wanted them to do was put the elements out of their minds and to focus on the task at hand... Getting better and being able to play in those elements is important, because they might have a game like that.”

More than anything, the Wildcats will have to improve against a Big Sky Conference that is known for high-powered offenses. Ena said it is critical for the Weber defense to focus on bending, but not breaking.

“You’ve got to stop the spread,” Ena stated. “Saying that, you can do it with a five-man box, or a six-man box. But, at the same time, you’ve got to make sure that the perimeter passes are taken care of by the outside backers.”

Despite the alarming statistics from 2013, Dixon said he believes Weber State will be a much better defense this fall.

Dixon said it is important to have enough energy to do everything that is expected.

“It makes you practice better, and practicing better always equals to winning more games." Dixon said. "And, that’s the main thing we’ve been trying to squeeze down on this year is winning way more games than last year.”

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