Richard Anderson photo
Wyoming junior quarterback Robert Benjamin looks for an open receiver while running back James Caraway looks to break out in the flat during the Cowboys fourth scrimmage of the fall last week.
By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org
It was talk of the preseason, it was talk of spring drills, it was talk of fall drills. Now, there is little talking left on who will be the starting quarterback for the Wyoming Cowboys when they open the season Saturday against Weber State.
As expected, junior transfer Robert Benjamin will take the first snap from center.
Senior Karsten Sween emerged from spring drills No. 1 on the depth chart, but that all changed with the arrival of Benjamin and true freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels.
Sween and Benjamin battled it out for the first spot a couple of weeks of spring drills, but a strong first scrimmage propelled Benjamin to the top position and Carta-Samuels moved past the more experienced Sween in the last couple of weeks.
The athletic Benjamin gives the Cowboys something a little extra with his feet, first year head coach Dave Christensen said.
“He’s a threat because he can obviously run the football and he is throwing the ball well in practice,” Christensen said during his now weekly Monday press conference from the Rochelle Athletic Center. “From our evaluation at this point and time, he gives us our best chance to have success offensively.”
Benjamin and Carta -Samuels split time with the first team offense in last week’s final scrimmage and Carta-Samuels impressed Christensen with his ability to move the offense in the two-minute drill.
“Austyn has had a great camp. He’s gone in situations like the two-minute offense and moved the team down the field with great success,“ Christensen said. “He’s very, very poised and understands the reads and the offense.”
Sween, who has started 21 games in his career, will begin the campaign at the No. 3 spot.
“Karsten has to be disappointed not being the starter right now," Christensen said. “He’ll still provide great leadership for our football team. He’s a very, very positive teammate to have out there. He’ll do anything we ask him to do to be successful. He’s still there, but right now he is third on the depth.”
Whether or not Benjamin can hold onto the starter’s position remains to be seen, but Christensen made it clear on Monday that he has no plans on a rotation at quarterback, nor does he believe Carta-Samuels will redshirt.
Christensen especially doesn’t want to see what happened last year under Joe Glenn, when four quarterbacks started during the season and they all at times even played in one game.
“We don’t want to have a rotating door at quarterback, so we’ll try to get something established there, consistent at that position,” Christensen said.
A pair of true freshmen were also among the starters named on Monday, with 15 true or redshirt freshmen listed in the top three of the various positions, including nine true freshmen at first or second on the depth charts.
That all goes back to Christensen’s belief that the best players will be out on the field for the Cowboys, regardless of their experience.
"We have a number of those kids who will contribute this year and we have a number of them who will redshirt, who we think will be exceptional players for us,” Christensen said
.
All-in-all, the depth chart is subject to change as the season progresses. A complete evaluation of each position ad player is ongoing by the entire Wyoming staff, but it all goes through the head man.
All-in-all, the depth chart is subject to change as the season progresses. A complete evaluation of each position ad player is ongoing by the entire Wyoming staff, but it all goes through the head man.
“After every single practice, we’ll watch the video of every single repetition of practice,” Christensen said. “We have 14-15 coaches sit in a room and we’ll go around talking about every single player in detail. Anybody can interject, but obviously I have the final say on any position change.”
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Wyoming Depth Chart
(As of Monday, Aug. 31, 2009)
Defense
Boundary Cornerbacks
2 Marcell Gipson (5-10, 183, Jr., Dallas, Texas)
18 David James (5-11, 179, RFr., Edmond, Okla.)
12 Tramaine Brown, (5-9, 177, Sr., Anaheim, Calif.)
Free Safeties
24 Chris Prosinski (6-1, 208, Jr., Buffalo, Wyo.)
17 Keith Lewis (5-11, 200, Jr., Evergreen Park, Ill.)
Strong Safeties
7 Shamiel Gary (6-1, 210, Fr., Tulsa, Okla.)
19 Jamichael Hall (6-2, 195, RJr., Anniston, Ala.)
39 Eric Mitchell (6-0, 195, So., Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Field Cornerbacks
4 Tashaun Gipson (6-0, 195, So., Dallas, Texas)
16D Kenny Browder (5-11, 175, Fr., Round Rock, Texas)
SAM Linebackers (Outside Linebackers)
36 Weston Johnson (6-3, 233, Sr., Wray, Colo.)
23 Ghaali Muhammad (6-0, 210, Fr., St. Joseph, Mo.)
34 Matt Birkeness (6-4, 226, RFr., Littleton, Colo.)
MIKE Linebackers (Inside Linebackers)
52 Gabe Knapton (6-3, 238, So., Mead, Colo.)
6 Alex Toney (6-1, 220, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
13 Adam Barry (6-1, 223, RFr., Simi Valley, Calif.)
WILL Linebackers (Inside Linebackers)
8 Brian Hendricks (6-1, 223, So., Burlington, Colo.)
45 Bryson Studnicka (6-3, 229, So., Clay Center, Neb.)
BUCK Linebackers (Outside Linebackers)
44 Josh Biezuns (6-2, 236, So., Prior Lake, Minn.)
37 Matt Barella (6-2, 228, Sr., Centennial, Colo.)
15 Ben Durbin (6-3, 233, RFr., Gilbert, Iowa)
Defensive Tackles
91 John Fletcher (6-6, 265, Sr., Erie, Colo.)
47 Mike Neuhaus (6-3, 256, Sr., Alsip, Ill.)
85D Mark Willis (6-4, 230, Fr., Oak Park, Ill.)
Noseguards
97 Alex Stover (6-3, 282, So., Gretna, Neb.)
90 Fred Givens (6-0, 287, Sr., Chickasha, Okla.)
Defensive Ends
98 Mitch Unrein (6-4, 270, Sr., Eaton, Colo.)
55 Corey Orth (6-5, 255, RFr., Buena Vista, Colo.)
Kickers/Holders/Long Snappers
Place-kickers (For PATs and Field Goals)
28 Austin McCoy (6-3, 195, So., WInter Haven, Fla.)
21 Jake Scott (5-8, 160, Sr., Rocklin, Calif.)
Place-kickers (For Kickoffs)
21 Jake Scott (5-8, 160, Sr., Rocklin, Calif.)
28 Austin McCoy (6-3, 195, So., WInter Haven, Fla.)
Punters
28 Austin McCoy (6-3, 195, So., WInter Haven, Fla.)
21 Jake Scott (5-8, 160, Sr., Rocklin, Calif.)
Holders
16 Karsten Sween (6-2, 215, Sr., Inyokern, Calif.)
11 Robert Benjamin (6-2, 205, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
5 Austyn Carta-Samuels (6-2, 210, Fr., San Jose, Calif.)
Snappers for Field Goals/PATs
58 Jordan Van Royen (6-0, 225, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.)
55 Corey Orth (6-5, 255, RFr., Buena Vista, Colo.)
Snappers for Punts
58 Jordan Van Royen (6-0, 225, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.)
55 Corey Orth (6-5, 255, RFr., Buena Vista, Colo.)
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Offense
Quarterbacks
11 Robert Benjamin (6-2, 205, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
5 Austyn Carta-Samuels (6-2, 210, Fr., San Jose, Calif.)
16 Karsten Sween (6-2, 229, Sr., Inyokern, Calif.)
Running Backs
26 Darius Terry (5-11, 204, Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.)
32 Alvester Alexander (5-11, 200, Fr., Houston, Texas)
1 James Caraway (5-11, 182, RFr., Topeka, Kan.)
25 James Davis (5-9, 190, So., Monrovia, Calif.)
Wide Receivers
33 David Leonard (6-4, 197, Jr., Overland Park, Kan.)
22 Brandon Stewart (5-11, 193, So., Evansville, Ind.)
85 Jesson Salyards (6-5, 230, Sr., Haxtun, Colo.)
Wide Receivers
3 Travis Burkhalter (6-1, 191, Jr., Eufala, Okla.)
9 T.J. Atwater (5-9, 185, Sr., Wichita, Kan.)
Wide Receivers
89 Zach Bolger (5-10, 185, RJr., Casper, Wyo.)
80 Chris McNeill (6-1, 170, Fr., Simi Valley, Calif.)
Tight Ends
88 Orlando Arnold (6-4, 222, Sr., Richmond, Calif.)
14D David Tooley (6-5, 210, Fr., Moberly, Mo.)
42 Greg Genho (6-3, 240, Sr., Brush, Colo.)
86 Joe Evers (6-5, 240, Jr., Sheridan, Wyo.)
Left Tackles
71 Ryan Otterson (6-5, 298, Sr., Brighton, Colo.)
76 Josh Leonard (6-4, 296, Fr., Helena, Mont.)
Left Guards
75 Sam Sterner (6-4, 302, Jr., Waconia, Minn.)
67 Zack Kennedy (6-6, 312, Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Centers
70 Russ Arnold (6-4, 297, Sr., Westminster, Colo.)
57 Jack Tennant (6-4, 305, Jr., Mahomet, Ill.)
Right Guards
60 Nick Carlson (6-4, 290, Fr., Arlington Heights, Ill.)
64 Travis Hillen (6-5, 295, So., Thornton, Colo.)
Right Tackles
69 John Hutchins (6-5, 302, So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.)
72 Clayton Kirven (6-6, 310, So., Buffalo, Wyo.)
Return Specialists
Kickoff Returners
2 Marcell Gipson (5-10, 183, Jr., Dallas, Texas)
16D Kenny Browder (5-11, 175, Fr., Round Rock, Texas)
Punt Returners
33 David Leonard (6-4, 197, Jr., Overland Park, Kan.)
22 Brandon Stewart (5-11, 193, So., Evansville, Ind.)
Defense
Boundary Cornerbacks
2 Marcell Gipson (5-10, 183, Jr., Dallas, Texas)
18 David James (5-11, 179, RFr., Edmond, Okla.)
12 Tramaine Brown, (5-9, 177, Sr., Anaheim, Calif.)
Free Safeties
24 Chris Prosinski (6-1, 208, Jr., Buffalo, Wyo.)
17 Keith Lewis (5-11, 200, Jr., Evergreen Park, Ill.)
Strong Safeties
7 Shamiel Gary (6-1, 210, Fr., Tulsa, Okla.)
19 Jamichael Hall (6-2, 195, RJr., Anniston, Ala.)
39 Eric Mitchell (6-0, 195, So., Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Field Cornerbacks
4 Tashaun Gipson (6-0, 195, So., Dallas, Texas)
16D Kenny Browder (5-11, 175, Fr., Round Rock, Texas)
SAM Linebackers (Outside Linebackers)
36 Weston Johnson (6-3, 233, Sr., Wray, Colo.)
23 Ghaali Muhammad (6-0, 210, Fr., St. Joseph, Mo.)
34 Matt Birkeness (6-4, 226, RFr., Littleton, Colo.)
MIKE Linebackers (Inside Linebackers)
52 Gabe Knapton (6-3, 238, So., Mead, Colo.)
6 Alex Toney (6-1, 220, Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.)
13 Adam Barry (6-1, 223, RFr., Simi Valley, Calif.)
WILL Linebackers (Inside Linebackers)
8 Brian Hendricks (6-1, 223, So., Burlington, Colo.)
45 Bryson Studnicka (6-3, 229, So., Clay Center, Neb.)
BUCK Linebackers (Outside Linebackers)
44 Josh Biezuns (6-2, 236, So., Prior Lake, Minn.)
37 Matt Barella (6-2, 228, Sr., Centennial, Colo.)
15 Ben Durbin (6-3, 233, RFr., Gilbert, Iowa)
Defensive Tackles
91 John Fletcher (6-6, 265, Sr., Erie, Colo.)
47 Mike Neuhaus (6-3, 256, Sr., Alsip, Ill.)
85D Mark Willis (6-4, 230, Fr., Oak Park, Ill.)
Noseguards
97 Alex Stover (6-3, 282, So., Gretna, Neb.)
90 Fred Givens (6-0, 287, Sr., Chickasha, Okla.)
Defensive Ends
98 Mitch Unrein (6-4, 270, Sr., Eaton, Colo.)
55 Corey Orth (6-5, 255, RFr., Buena Vista, Colo.)
Kickers/Holders/Long Snappers
Place-kickers (For PATs and Field Goals)
28 Austin McCoy (6-3, 195, So., WInter Haven, Fla.)
21 Jake Scott (5-8, 160, Sr., Rocklin, Calif.)
Place-kickers (For Kickoffs)
21 Jake Scott (5-8, 160, Sr., Rocklin, Calif.)
28 Austin McCoy (6-3, 195, So., WInter Haven, Fla.)
Punters
28 Austin McCoy (6-3, 195, So., WInter Haven, Fla.)
21 Jake Scott (5-8, 160, Sr., Rocklin, Calif.)
Holders
16 Karsten Sween (6-2, 215, Sr., Inyokern, Calif.)
11 Robert Benjamin (6-2, 205, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
5 Austyn Carta-Samuels (6-2, 210, Fr., San Jose, Calif.)
Snappers for Field Goals/PATs
58 Jordan Van Royen (6-0, 225, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.)
55 Corey Orth (6-5, 255, RFr., Buena Vista, Colo.)
Snappers for Punts
58 Jordan Van Royen (6-0, 225, Jr., Scottsdale, Ariz.)
55 Corey Orth (6-5, 255, RFr., Buena Vista, Colo.)
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Offense
Quarterbacks
11 Robert Benjamin (6-2, 205, Jr., Phoenix, Ariz.)
5 Austyn Carta-Samuels (6-2, 210, Fr., San Jose, Calif.)
16 Karsten Sween (6-2, 229, Sr., Inyokern, Calif.)
Running Backs
26 Darius Terry (5-11, 204, Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.)
32 Alvester Alexander (5-11, 200, Fr., Houston, Texas)
1 James Caraway (5-11, 182, RFr., Topeka, Kan.)
25 James Davis (5-9, 190, So., Monrovia, Calif.)
Wide Receivers
33 David Leonard (6-4, 197, Jr., Overland Park, Kan.)
22 Brandon Stewart (5-11, 193, So., Evansville, Ind.)
85 Jesson Salyards (6-5, 230, Sr., Haxtun, Colo.)
Wide Receivers
3 Travis Burkhalter (6-1, 191, Jr., Eufala, Okla.)
9 T.J. Atwater (5-9, 185, Sr., Wichita, Kan.)
Wide Receivers
89 Zach Bolger (5-10, 185, RJr., Casper, Wyo.)
80 Chris McNeill (6-1, 170, Fr., Simi Valley, Calif.)
Tight Ends
88 Orlando Arnold (6-4, 222, Sr., Richmond, Calif.)
14D David Tooley (6-5, 210, Fr., Moberly, Mo.)
42 Greg Genho (6-3, 240, Sr., Brush, Colo.)
86 Joe Evers (6-5, 240, Jr., Sheridan, Wyo.)
Left Tackles
71 Ryan Otterson (6-5, 298, Sr., Brighton, Colo.)
76 Josh Leonard (6-4, 296, Fr., Helena, Mont.)
Left Guards
75 Sam Sterner (6-4, 302, Jr., Waconia, Minn.)
67 Zack Kennedy (6-6, 312, Sr., Colorado Springs, Colo.)
Centers
70 Russ Arnold (6-4, 297, Sr., Westminster, Colo.)
57 Jack Tennant (6-4, 305, Jr., Mahomet, Ill.)
Right Guards
60 Nick Carlson (6-4, 290, Fr., Arlington Heights, Ill.)
64 Travis Hillen (6-5, 295, So., Thornton, Colo.)
Right Tackles
69 John Hutchins (6-5, 302, So., Inver Grove Heights, Minn.)
72 Clayton Kirven (6-6, 310, So., Buffalo, Wyo.)
Return Specialists
Kickoff Returners
2 Marcell Gipson (5-10, 183, Jr., Dallas, Texas)
16D Kenny Browder (5-11, 175, Fr., Round Rock, Texas)
Punt Returners
33 David Leonard (6-4, 197, Jr., Overland Park, Kan.)
22 Brandon Stewart (5-11, 193, So., Evansville, Ind.)
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