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OGDEN — Weber State head football coach Jay Hill has been positive about the outlook of the Wildcats' 2015 season, and that tune continued after Saturday's open scrimmage at Stewart Stadium.
A good portion of the positive vibes in Ogden has come from consistency, with the Wildcats now in Hill's second year as coach and looking to improve on last year's 2-10 record.
"I think we're much more comfortable with the schemes," Hill said. "Obviously, having a year under our belts, the veteran players know the schemes better now. We're executing at a much higher efficiency.
"I see us light years ahead of where we were last year at this time."
Playing under a coaching staff that lost only defensive coordinator Justin Ena, who was hired at Utah, incumbent starting quarterback Jadrian Clark was in agreement with Weber's position headed into the season.
"I'm much more confident in this offense," Clark explained. "This is the first time I'm going into a second year with the same offensive coordinator (Steve Clark), so I think it will be huge. I feel really confident and the game is slowing down for me."
Clark noted improvement from all of his teammates as a result.
"We can play with all out effort and toughness every play because we're not thinking about what we're doing, we just do it," Clark said. "So we look a lot better this year."
Toughness was another theme identified at the scrimmage as a marked difference from last season.
"I do see us as much more physical this year when it comes to hitting, controlling the line of scrimmage and those things," Hill said. "We're a lot more physical team this year."
I think we're much more comfortable with the schemes. Obviously, having a year under our belts, the veteran players know the schemes better now. We're executing at a much higher efficiency.
–Jay Hill
"We got in shape. Our numbers, lifting-wise, are way up," senior cornerback Devonte Johnson said. "These guys have been busting their tails off all summer, everybody took ownership of what they had to do this summer."
Johnson is on his third head coach since arriving at Weber State in 2011, and he's noticed a difference in the preparation and dedication of his defensive teammates.
"Compared to last year and the years before that, this defense has really stepped up," Johnson said. "They're taking ownership of what their role is and what coach Hill is telling them. It's going to be a good year."
A handful of new additions will have an impact, and both Hill and Clark were immediate in identifying two offensive newcomers to watch: freshman running back Treshawn Garrett and Snow College transfer Tui Satuala.
Garrett dashed for 52 yards on 10 carries in the scrimmage, showing good speed and elusiveness for a true freshman.
"I've been impressed with Garrett," Hill said. "He's got some really good vision, he's fast and athletic."
"Garrett has stepped up," Clark added. "Every day he makes a big play for us."
Hill and Clark both indicated tight end Satuala will give them a reliable new wrinkle in the passing game this season.
The Wildcats open the 2015 season with tough road games at Oregon State and North Dakota State, and Johnson is already champing at the bit after the improvements he's seen.
"I can't wait to see how we line up with them," Johnson said.
Weber State will have one more open scrimmage Friday, Aug. 21, at 9:30 a.m. before entering game week preparations for the road trip to Oregon State on Sept. 4.
Brett covers minor league baseball and prep sports for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden, Utah, and is a senior editor of BYU site VanquishTheFoe.com. Find him on Twitter at @bhein3 and follow Weber State coverage at @WeberHQ.
