Both nationally and in conference, Weber State football defensive end Kemari Munier-Bailey was recognized for his performance last week on the road.

Munier-Bailey was named STATS Perform FCS national defensive player of the week, and Big Sky Conference co-defensive player of the week, after Weber State defeated Northwestern State 39-0.

Munier-Bailey totaled eight tackles in the win, six of which were tackles for loss. Of those, three were sacks of Northwestern State quarterback JT Fayard.

That led a defensive effort in which the Wildcats racked up 17 tackles for loss and held the Demons under 100 total yards for 3 1/2 quarters.

A native of England who previously played at Idaho and Fresno State, Munier-Bailey is now third in FCS at 2.5 tackles for loss per game.

Weber State, who returns home to finish nonconference play this week by hosting McNeese, returned to the STATS FCS Top 25 with the victory, sliding into the No. 25 spot.

That again gives the Big Sky six teams ranking in the top 25. Montana State and Idaho lead the pack at Nos. 3 and 4, Montana is No. 8, Sacramento State checks in at No. 10 and UC Davis is No. 14.

South Dakota State and North Dakota State remain atop the national polls.

VOLLEYBALL DROPS TWO

Weber State volleyball finished its nonconference schedule with a 3-8 record after dropping its two big home matches to BYU and Utah State last weekend.

The Wildcats open Big Sky play Wednesday at Northern Arizona, then return home for three straight (Idaho on Saturday, Montana and Montana State next week).

Weber State battled but fell in straight sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-18) to now-No. 17 BYU on Friday. Elli Mortensen and Claire Little led the match with 15 and 10 kills apiece for the visiting Cougars. Jayda Tupea had seven kills for WSU and Saane Munyer had three blocks.

Saturday, the Wildcats gave up a 2-0 lead and lost to Utah State (18-25, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-12) after a fifth-set comeback fell short. Weber State rallied from down 7-1 in the fifth set to knot it 12-12 before USU scored the final three points.

Ashley Gneiting led both teams with 19 kills and four aces. Liana Woodley totaled eight blocks, and Kate Payne added 44 assists and 12 digs.

SOCCER PLAYS TO DRAW

Weber State women’s soccer also concluded its nonconference schedule last week, finishing with a 1-7-4 record after a blowout loss at Utah Valley and a scoreless draw at home against Wyoming.

The Wildcats open league play Thursday, hosting Northern Colorado (2-9) at 7 p.m.

In a 5-0 loss at Utah Valley on Thursday, Bonneville High alum Sadie Beardall had two assists for UVU.

Sunday at home, Weber State staved off a 12-2 disparity in corner kicks and keeper Maya Cordova made six saves to help the Wildcats to a 0-0 draw against Wyoming.

BASKETBALL UNDERWAY

It’s unofficially basketball season as Weber State men’s and women’s basketball both began their in-season practice schedule Monday.

The Weber State men have five seniors, including returners Dyson Koehler, Alex Tew and Blaise Threatt, and transfers Miguel Tomley (Idaho State) and Vasilije Vucinic (Portland). The men’s team plays a home exhibition against Adams State on Oct. 28 and the season opener Nov. 4 against Northwest Indian College.

The WSU women also have five seniors with three returners in Rita Satini, Kennedy Eskelson and Kendra Parra, and two transfers in Rose Bubakar (BYU) and Kaitlin Burgess (Boise State). The women’s team hosts an exhibition against Western Wyoming on Oct. 26 and has its season opener Nov. 4 against Park Gilbert.