Weber State football’s mistakes in close games have cost the Wildcats their national ranking but opponents are taking advantage.

The McNeese Cowboys are nationally ranked for the first time since 2018, using their 28-26 road win at then-No. 25 WSU to reach No. 22 in this week’s STATS FCS Top 25. McNeese is now 4-1 against FCS opponents, with the lone loss a three-point road defeat at now-No. 14 Tarleton State.

Lamar remains ranked at No. 24 after a loss to No. 5 Central Arkansas.

That currently gives Weber State (2-3) six ranked opponents in its 11 FCS games, with five on the road including all four Big Sky away opponents.

That road begins this week when WSU travels to No. 8 Montana. The Wildcats also travel to play No. 10 Idaho, No. 17 Sacramento State and, checking into the poll this week, No. 25 Northern Arizona. The Lumberjacks upset Sac State at home and are 3-2 overall.

South Dakota State and North Dakota State remain atop the national poll with No. 3 Montana State holding its spot as the top-ranked Big Sky team. UC Davis moved up to No. 9 after edging Idaho at home last week.

Weber State is ninth on the list as “also receiving votes” (position No. 34) in this week’s poll.

VOLLEYBALL AT HOME

Weber State volleyball is 2-0 to begin the Big Sky schedule, following its road sweep of NAU with a dominant home sweep of Idaho (25-12, 25-16, 25-16) on Saturday.

Ashley Gneiting led WSU (5-8, 2-0 Big Sky) with 14 kills. Jayda Tupea added eight and Baylee Bodily six. Stacia Barker had seven blocks.

The Wildcats remain home to host Montana (5-8, 0-2) on Thursday and Montana State (3-10, 1-1) on Friday. Both matches are at 6 p.m. in Swenson Gym.

SOCCER ON THE ROAD

After a disappointing 3-1 home loss against Northern Colorado last Thursday to open Big Sky play, Weber State women’s soccer (1-8-4) picks back up with two road matches this week. The Wildcats head to Portland State (2-6-2) on Friday and Sacramento State (2-6-3) on Sunday looking to get back in the win column.