What Is 2016 Weber State Wildcats football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2016 Weber State Wildcats football team represented Weber State University in the NCAA FCS football season, finishing with a 6–5 record and a 5–3 mark in Big Sky Conference play under head coach Jay Hill.

Key Facts

The 2016 Weber State Wildcats football team had a 6–5 overall record and 5–3 in Big Sky Conference play.
Head coach Jay Hill led the team in his second season at the helm.
The Wildcats played their home games at Stewart Stadium in Ogden, Utah.
Quarterback Jake Retzlaff was not on the 2016 roster; he joined later in 2022.
Weber State did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2016 after finishing tied for fifth in the conference.

Overview

The 2016 Weber State Wildcats football team represented Weber State University during the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Competing as a member of the Big Sky Conference, the team was led by second-year head coach Jay Hill and played its home games at Stewart Stadium in Ogden, Utah.

The Wildcats finished the season with a 6–5 overall record and a 5–3 conference record, marking a modest improvement from the previous year. Despite a competitive season, Weber State did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, finishing tied for fifth place in the conference standings.

Record: The team finished with a 6–5 overall record and a 5–3 mark in Big Sky Conference play, showing steady progress under head coach Jay Hill.
Head Coach: Jay Hill was in his second season as head coach in 2016, continuing to rebuild the program with a focus on defensive discipline and special teams.
Home Stadium: The Wildcats played all home games at Stewart Stadium, a 17,500-seat venue located on the university's campus in Ogden, Utah.
Quarterback Play: The starting quarterback duties were shared between multiple players, including junior Craig Harrison and redshirt freshman Chris Murray.
Season Highlight: A notable 35–34 overtime win against Northern Colorado showcased the team’s resilience and offensive potential during conference play.

Season Performance

The 2016 campaign featured a mix of close losses and hard-fought wins, with the Wildcats demonstrating competitiveness against top-tier Big Sky opponents. The team’s schedule included matchups against FBS opponent Utah State, which they lost 42–10, highlighting the challenges of non-conference play.

September 3, 2016: The season opened with a 42–10 loss to Utah State, an FBS team, testing Weber State’s defensive readiness early.
Non-Conference Record: The Wildcats went 1–2 in non-conference games, defeating Western New Mexico 70–3 before losing to Utah State and Northern Arizona.
Conference Wins: Weber State secured five Big Sky victories, defeating Northern Colorado, Idaho State, Portland State, Sacramento State, and Cal Poly.
Defensive Effort: The defense held four opponents under 20 points, including a 23–13 win over Idaho State in October.
Offensive Output: The team averaged 29.1 points per game, with a season-high 70 points scored against Western New Mexico in Week 2.
Playoff Miss: Despite a winning record, Weber State did not receive an FCS playoff berth, finishing outside the top eight conference teams selected.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2016 Weber State Wildcats compared to other Big Sky teams in key statistical categories:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	FCS Playoffs
Eastern Washington	8–4	7–1	Yes
Montana	7–5	6–2	Yes
Portland State	6–5	5–3	No
Weber State	6–5	5–3	No
Idaho State	3–8	2–6	No

The table shows that Weber State matched Portland State in both overall and conference records but missed the playoffs due to tiebreaker rules and lower national ranking. The Big Sky Conference sent four teams to the FCS playoffs in 2016, with Eastern Washington and Montana advancing deep into the tournament. Weber State’s performance indicated progress but not enough to break into the postseason.

Why It Matters

The 2016 season was a transitional year that laid the foundation for future success under Jay Hill’s leadership. Though the team fell short of playoff qualification, it demonstrated growth in player development and competitive balance within the conference.

Program Momentum: The 6–5 record marked the first winning season for Weber State since 2010, signaling a turnaround in program performance.
Defensive Identity: The team emphasized defensive toughness, ranking in the top half of the Big Sky in points allowed per game.
Recruiting Impact: Solid performances in 2016 helped boost recruiting efforts, leading to stronger classes in subsequent years.
Player Development: Young quarterbacks and skill-position players gained valuable experience that contributed to future seasons.
Conference Competitiveness: The Wildcats proved they could compete with top teams like Eastern Washington and Montana.
Foundation for Success: The 2016 season set the stage for deeper playoff runs in 2018 and 2019 under the same coaching staff.

The 2016 Weber State Wildcats football season may not have ended with postseason glory, but it was a critical step in restoring the program’s reputation as a competitive FCS team.