tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4823673028894335002024-03-19T02:48:07.996-06:00Cowboy FootballRichard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-91501705716621889272010-03-06T13:50:00.003-07:002010-03-06T13:55:40.752-07:00Christensen pleased with spring openerThe Wyoming Cowboys opened 2010 spring drills with a two and one half hour practice Saturday morning. The practice was the first of two non-contact practices to begin the spring.<br /><br /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> head coach Dave Christensen was excited to have his team back on the practice field, and was pleased with what he saw from his second Cowboy squad.<br /><br />“We had a good practice today," said Christensen. “We’re a faster football team, and I had been looking forward to seeing that speed in practice for the first time. I thought we practiced with a good tempo. With this being our second year, I believe our players understand what we expect in practice but we still have to continue to work on our practice habits as we begin spring. I know that we are much further ahead having a year behind us. I was very encouraged by what I saw today, and I believe the kids were excited to get out here and get going.”<br /><br />A return to fundamentals was the focus on Saturday, as it will be throughout the 15 spring practices.<br /><br />“We will be doing a lot of fundamental work throughout spring -- going through the install of our playbook, doing a lot of individual work, group work and teaching,” said Christensen. “A lot of that fundamental work will be teaching technique, footwork, alignments, position assignments, those types of things. Then when we get through these first two practices, we can start working on the physical part of the game and the offensive and defensive team work.”<br /><br />The biggest change this year will be Wyoming’s switch to a 4-3 base defense from a 3-4 the previous three seasons. The goal of the switch is to increase the speed on the defensive side of the ball for the Pokes, and was made possible by the existing personnel on the Cowboy roster.<br /><br />“We had some guys who were bigger linebackers, and we’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> put some more size on them and moved them down on the defensive line. Gabe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Knapton</span> is about 250 pounds now. Josh <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Biezuns</span> is 245, and Ben <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Durbin</span> is 250. Moving those guys down will give us good speed up front. We will probably try to platoon more up front next year and play seven or eight guys at the four defensive line positions. But I think our speed and athleticism up front will be very good, and we’ll get the experience as time goes on. Next Thursday, we’ll put our pads on for the first time and get a better look at how it works.”<br /><br />Also adding speed to that defense is made possible by some young linebackers on the outside like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ghaali</span> Muhammad and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Devyn</span> Harris, as well as veteran middle linebacker Brian Hendricks. Harris intercepted a pass on the first day of practice during one-on-one passing drills.<br /><br />Saturday’s practice consisted of 17 periods, which lasted from two to 20 minutes each. Five of those periods focused on fundamentals, five group periods and three team periods.<br /><br />The final group period of the day featured seven on seven passing drills for 20 minutes, with the Cowboy backs and receivers pitted against the linebackers and defensive backs. During that 20-minute period, sophomore quarterback <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> completed 16 of 19 pass attempts (84.2 percent). The leading receivers were seniors Travis <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Burkhalter</span>, with five catches, and David Leonard, with four. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Redshirt</span> freshman wide receiver Rodney <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jaynes</span> had three receptions, while senior Zach <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bolger</span> and junior-college transfer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mazi</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span> had two each. One of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span>’s catches was a tough juggling catch across the middle.<br /><br />The defense also had its moments during the seven-on-seven passing drill. Junior free safety Eric Mitchell intercepted a deep pass down the sideline. Sophomore strong safety Luke Ruff forced a fumble, and linebackers Jeff <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Roueche</span>, Reece Hall and Muhammad each had one pass breakup apiece.<br /><br />When asked what the New Mexico Bowl victory last December meant to his team as they began preparations for a new season, Christensen said it gave the players a better understanding of what was out there for them and what they could achieve.<br /><br />"It’s going to take a lot of hard work to get back to that position, but I think getting a taste of a bowl game got these young men excited about working hard in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span>," he said. "They have put in that hard work during the five weeks of our player development program, and have made great strides.”<br /><br />The Cowboys began spring practice 18 days earlier this season, having begun 2009 spring drills on March 24. Christensen had a couple of reasons for moving up the schedule.<br /><br />“First, I like to use as much time during spring as we are allowed,” said Christensen. “I think it helps if you have someone injured. We’ll have three practices and then 10 days off for spring break, so anyone who may get bumped or bruised early can have time to heal. We also have spread our practices out so that we’re not practicing on back-to-back days. I think our players keep fresher that way and are less likely to be injured due to fatigue.<br /><br />“Second, it allows us a lot of teaching and meeting time in between practices by starting earlier and spreading out our practices over a longer period.”<br /><br />Where does the second-year head coach see his football team compared to a year ago?<br /><br />“I believe we’re a much-better conditioned football team, a much more physical football team with better speed,” said Christensen. “We still have a lot of work to do to develop into a good football team, but I like the direction we’re going.”<br /><br />T-shirts worn by the coaching staff with the team’s motto for this season were also evident on Saturday.<br /><br />“Our seniors decided that our team slogan for this year would be Bring the Wood. That is something I let the senior class decide each year. A year ago it was Break the Rock.”Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-91182332212862516552010-03-01T23:05:00.000-07:002010-03-01T23:06:18.799-07:00Cowboys sign Florida linebackerUniversity of Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen announced the 24<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> member of his 2010 football recruiting class on Monday, with the signing of linebacker Ruben <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span> of Miami, Fla., to a national letter of intent. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span> played his high school football at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chaminade</span>-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Fla.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span> earned First Team All-State Class 2B honors in 2009 as selected by the Florida prep sportswriters. He also was a First Team All-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Broward</span> County selection. He was credited with 88 total tackles, 10 sacks, five fumble recoveries, three blocked punts, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and scored two touchdowns from his linebacker position. Of his 10 sacks, six came during the state playoffs. <br /><br />As a team captain his senior year, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span> helped lead his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chaminade</span>-Madonna Lions to a 12-1 overall record and a 7-0 conference mark as they won their Class 2B District Championship and advanced to the State Semifinals. In the state playoffs, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chaminade</span>-Madonna posted a dominating 35-0 win over three-time defending state champion <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pahokee</span> in the Regional Semifinals. The Lions then recorded a convincing 35-18 win over North <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Broward</span> Prep in the Regional Finals before losing, 7-6, to Tampa Catholic in the State Semifinals. Tampa Catholic finished as the state runner-up to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bolles</span> High School of Jacksonville. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span> played for head coach Tim <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tyrrell</span> at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chaminade</span>-Madonna Prep.<br /><br /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span> is the oldest of two children of Daniella and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lyonel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span>. He was also recruited by South Florida, Toledo, Virginia and West Virginia. He originally committed to South Florida prior to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">USF</span> changing coaching staffs leading up to national signing day.<br /><br /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Narcisse</span> joins 17 other high school <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">signees</span> and six junior college transfers in Wyoming's 2010 recruiting class. The national letter of intent signing period for football ends on April 1.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-52188034058212149672010-02-03T16:54:00.006-07:002010-02-03T17:04:44.162-07:00Christensen pleased with recruits<strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Richard Anders<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmt3i-U4DU0uTppYGC-B5gDxiQ_59frkvK12bn2hEWDm0t_ddIbNPnDC5wwVe5Nq6pPXLHfECaWDcIVFbtODtDfSdx93EHamO2_brpIh8eFF5ExzdQtWuNc4I2fuuxFV8OA0nVyi1I_8/s1600-h/Christensen-signing.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 189px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434171595882350002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmt3i-U4DU0uTppYGC-B5gDxiQ_59frkvK12bn2hEWDm0t_ddIbNPnDC5wwVe5Nq6pPXLHfECaWDcIVFbtODtDfSdx93EHamO2_brpIh8eFF5ExzdQtWuNc4I2fuuxFV8OA0nVyi1I_8/s320/Christensen-signing.JPG" /></a>on photo/Wyoming coach Dave Christensen talks to the media and Cowboy fans Wednesday as he introduces his 2010 recruiting class.</span></strong><br /><br /><a href="http://wyomingsportsfootball.blogspot.com/2010/02/2010-uw-football-signee-bios.html">2010 Recruiting Bios</a><br /><br />By <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> Media Relations<br /><br />The 2010 Wyoming recruiting class reflects a national recruiting base and features an international flavor.<br /><br />"As a staff, we've gone wherever we've needed to, to find the best players available," Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen said Wednesday in announcing his new class."This class reflects our national, and you could even say international, recruiting as we signed young men from 13 states and three foreign countries.<br /><br />"We focused on improving the athleticism and speed of our team with the addition of our second class, and I believe we accomplished that."<br /><br />Included in the class of 23 student-athletes are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nehemie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kankolongo</span> from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coquitlam</span>, British Columbia, Canada; Oliver <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Schober</span> from Munich, Germany; and Kurt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Taufa'asau</span> from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pago</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pago</span>, American Samoa. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kankolongo</span> rode a bus last summer all the way from British Columbia to Laramie to attend summer football camp. He also had a tie to Wyoming as former Cowboy defensive lineman Corey Mace, who went on to play for the Buffalo Bills of the NFL, is a family friend. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Schober</span> was noticed playing in Munich, Germany, by a former player of Christensen, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Taufa'asau</span> first made his way from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pago</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pago</span>, American Samoa, to the mainland by playing two years at New Mexico Military (Community College) before being recruited by a fellow Polynesian -- Wyoming assistant coach Mike <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fanoga</span>.<br /><br />This year's Wyoming class consists of 17 high school recruits and six junior college transfers. The positions of offensive line, defensive line and wide receiver received the largest influx of players, with five offensive linemen, five defensive linemen and four wide receivers being added to the Cowboy roster. A total of 13 offensive players, nine defensive players and one recruit listed as an "athlete" were added in this year's class of recruits.<br /><br />While Christensen emphasized that he wants to sign a balanced class each year in terms of recruiting players at all positions, he did acknowledge that there were some specific needs that the Cowboy coaching staff addressed this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">offseason</span>.<br /><br />"We always want to maintain a balance in all of our recruiting classes," said Christensen. "But we obviously wanted to improve our depth at wide receiver, offensive line and defensive line, and we feel very good about the players we've added in those areas."<br /><br />The wide receiver position not only added four new faces, but added two experienced receivers in junior college teammates <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">DeJay</span> Lester and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mazi</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span> from Snow College in Utah. Of the five defensive linemen, two of those additions were also experienced junior college players in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Taufa'asau</span> and his junior college teammate B.J. Sumter. One of the five offensive line additions, Nick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puetz</span>, brings two years of junior college experience with him from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coffeyville</span> Community College in Kansas.<br /><br />A year ago, Christensen brought in a class that made immediate contributions led by Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, quarterback <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span>. Christensen believes this year's class has that same potential to make an immediate impact in 2010.<br /><br />"We had 12 true freshmen from our first recruiting class make significant contributions last year," said Christensen. "I wouldn't be surprised if several members of this year's class make big contributions to our team this coming season."<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> and senior <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dax</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Crum</span> are the only two quarterbacks returning for the Cowboys from last season, and so depth at quarterback was also addressed in this year's recruiting class. Three of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">signees</span> had outstanding high school careers as quarterbacks. Those three are Emory Miller Jr. from Mesquite, Texas; Sam <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stratton</span> from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Littleton</span>, Colo.; and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Darrenn</span> White from Kansas City, Mo. White is such a versatile player that he is listed simply as an "athlete" on the Wyoming recruiting list.<br /><br />"We signed three young men in this class who are all exceptional athletes at the quarterback position," said Christensen. "I feel very good about what they bring to our team."<br /><br />The individuals that make up this year's Wyoming recruiting class come to Wyoming with a number of impressive credentials including:<br /><br />•Running back Evan Williams ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit in the state of Minnesota<br />by Rivals.com.<br /><br />•Defensive lineman Riley <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lange</span> ranked as the No. 13 overall recruit in the state of Colorado by Rivals.com.<br /><br />•All-purpose back <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Darrenn</span> White ranked as the No. 19 overall recruit in the state of Missouri by Rivals.com.<br /><br />•Offensive lineman Daniel <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fleischman</span> ranked as the No. 24 overall recruit in the state of Washington by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">SuperPrep</span>/Scouts.com.<br /><br />•Defensive lineman Sonny <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puletasi</span> ranked as the No. 34 overall recruit in the talent-rich state of Oklahoma by Rivals.com. He also earned First Team All-State honors from both the Oklahoma High School Coaches' Association and The Daily Oklahoman.<br /><br />•Running back <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nehemie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kankolongo</span> led his Centennial High School team in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coquitlam</span>, British Columbia to its first provincial championship since 1966.<br /><br />•Wide receiver Drew Martinez of Green River was named to the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25 All-State team both his junior and senior seasons.<br /><br />•Defensive lineman Tyler Strong was named First Team All-State Class 4A by The Denver Post.<br /><br />•<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cornerback</span> Austin Daniels was a two-year starter at Mt. San Antonio Community College in California where he led his team to back-to-back appearances in the California State Community College Championship, finishing as the runner-up in 2008 and capturing the state title in 2009.<br /><br />•Wyoming's other five junior college <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">signees</span>, like Daniels, all led their teams to postseason in 2009. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">DeJay</span> Lester and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mazi</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span> helped lead Snow College to the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl Championship in Sandy, Utah. Nick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puetz</span> and his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coffeyville</span> Community College squad captured the North Star Bowl in Rochester, Minn., and B.J. Sumter and Kurt <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">Taufa'asau</span> led New Mexico Military to an appearance in the Central Bank Salt City Bowl in Hutchinson, Kan.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-85398691827444022892010-02-03T16:26:00.003-07:002010-02-03T16:36:15.151-07:002010 UW Football Signee Bios<span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>High School Players</strong>
<br /><strong>Travis Bogard OL 6-4 275 Fr. Kenmore, Wash. (Inglemoor)</strong></span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> Bogard earned First Team All-KingCo Conference honors as both an offensive center and defensive lineman his senior season at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Wash. Inglemoor posted a 5-4 record in 2009. In addition to being a standout two-way football player, he is also one of the top wrestlers in the state of Washington, being ranked No. 3 in the state in all classifications at the 285-pound division. His junior year of high school, he won the Washington Greco-Roman State Wrestling Championship, and placed second in state in Freestyle. Bogard was a National Team qualifier in wrestling in both 2008 and 2009. He played for head football coach Frank Naish.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of three children of Christy and Mitch Bogard was also recruited by Oregon State and Washington. His grandfather, James Bogard, played football at Oklahoma.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Justin DiRe OL 6-6 270 Fr. Carlsbad, Calif. (La Costa Canyon)
<br />Pronunciation: dur-RAY</span></strong>
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<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">DiRe was selected First Team All-Avocado League as an offensive tackle by the North County Times his senior season. The San Diego Union-Tribune named him to its fall All-Academic Team both his junior and senior seasons. He played in a very successful Southern California football program at La Costa Canyon High School in Carlsbad, Calif. DiRe helped La Costa win back-to-back Avocado League titles in 2008 and 2009. His junior season, La Costa posted an 11-2 record and advanced to the CIF Finals. His senior season, DiRe's team posted an 11-1 record, and reached the CIF Semifinals. He was voted a team captain his senior season. He played for head coach Darrin Brown at La Costa Canyon.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The son of Kim Sandefur and Dan DiRe, he was also recruited by Colorado State and San Diego State.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Daniel Fleischman OL 6-6 290 Fr. Issaquah, Wash. (Issaquah)</span></strong>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Fleischman was an outstanding offensive and defensive lineman at Issaquah High School. He earned All-Region and All-Conference honors his senior season. He was ranked as the No. 24 best player in the state of Washington by SuperPrep/Scouts.com. Fleischman was also an All-Conference selection his junior season as both an offensive and defensive lineman. He helped lead Issaquah High to an 8-4 record in 2009 as his team reached the quarterfinals of the state playoffs and placed seventh in the state. His junior season, Issaquah posted an 11-3 record and earned a spot in the state championship game before finishing as the state runner-up. Fleischman recorded 23.5 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and 3.0 tackles for losses as a senior. His junior season, he was credited with 19.5 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 5.0 tackles for losses. As a sophomore, he recorded 12 tackles, 1.0 sack and 4.0 TFLs. His team elected him a team captain as a senior. He also earned Academic All-State honors his junior year. Fleischman played for head coach Chris Bennett. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Fleischman is the middle of three children of Joanne and Eric Fleischman. Other schools that recruited him included Air Force, Arizona, BYU, Hawaii, Idaho, Washington and Washington State.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Skyler Hinton OL 6-4 305 Fr. Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge)</span></strong>
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<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Hinton earned All-State, All-Area and All-District honors as an offensive lineman his senior season at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Mo. Hinton was named Second Team All-State Class 6, the largest classification in Missouri, by the Missouri High School Coaches' Association. He was a three-year letterwinner in football and a one-time letterman in basketball at Rock Bridge. He graduated early from high school and enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January of 2010. Hinton was elected a team captain his senior season. Rock Bridge posted a 5-5 record and placed third in districts in 2009. Hinton was active in Big Brothers, Big Sisters in high school. He was a Senior Mentor Core Leader, and was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He played for head football coach A.J. Ofodile.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of three children of Elaine and Michael Hinton, his mother played both basketball and softball at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where she played on UNO's National Championship Softball Team in 1975, and was inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. His father is a basketball official and baseball umpire. Hinton was also recruited by Northern Illinois, Syracuse and Vanderbilt.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Marqueston Huff DB 6-0 180 Fr. Texarkana, Texas (Liberty-Eylau)</span></strong>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Huff was named All-Northeast Texas and All-District his senior season at Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas. He also achieved All-District honors as a junior, and was named All-State in track and field as a sprinter and high jumper his junior season. Huff intercepted three passes, was credited with 85 tackles, forced three fumbles, recovered one fumble and blocked one punt his senior season. His junior year, he intercepted two passes, made 53 tackles, forced one fumble and blocked two field goals. He was voted a team captain in football both his junior and senior seasons. He played for head coach Pat Brady.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">His aunt and uncle are Rhonda and Richard Carson, he was also recruited by Baylor, Missouri and New Mexico.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Nehemie Kankolongo RB 5-11 200 Fr. Coquitlam, B.C. (Centennial)</strong>
<br /></span><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Pronounced: NAMY (Rhymes with Amy), kank-uh-LONG-o
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Kankolongo led Centennial High School of Coquitlam, B.C., to a Vancouver Provincial Championship his senior season, while being named the Best Back in the championship game. It marked the first provincial championship for Centennial since 1966. Kankolongo rushed for 219 yards and 4 touchdowns on 37 carries in the championship game. He was selected his team's Best Offensive Player for the season, leading his squad to a 10-1 record. Kankolongo rushed for over 1,900 yards and scored 25 touchdowns as a senior. His junior campaign, he helped lead Centennial High to a 7-3 record and the semifinals of the provincial championships while rushing for over 2,200 yards, scoring 30 TDs and earning team MVP honors. He was voted a team captain both his junior and senior seasons. He also rushed for over 700 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore and 400 yards and five TDs as a freshman. He played for head coach Kevin Phillips.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">He is one of five children of Marie-Claire and Bukasa Kankolongo. He was also recruited by Idaho. </span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Riley Lange DL 6-3 245 Fr. Parker, Colo. (Ponderosa)
<br />Pronunciation: LANG</span></strong>
<br /><strong></strong>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Lange comes to Wyoming as the No. 13 ranked recruit in the state of Colorado by Rivals.com. He also earned Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A honors from The Denver Post in 2009. As a senior at Ponderosa High School in Parker, Colo., Lange recorded 135 tackles, including 15.0 sacks and 20.0 tackles for losses. On offense, he was the starting fullback, scoring six touchdowns. A team captain in 2009, he helped lead Ponderosa to a 6-4 record and the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs. As a junior, he was credited with 137 tackles, 9.0 sacks and 10.0 tackles for losses, while earning All-Conference honors as a linebacker. Lange has been invited to play for the South Squad in the Colorado High School Coaches' Association All-State Game the week of June 8-12 at the University of Northern Colorado campus in Greeley. He played for head coach Randy Huff.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of three children of Diane and Steve Lange, he was also recruited by Colorado, Colorado State, Kansas State, Oregon State and TCU.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Drew Martinez WR 6-1 170 Fr. Green River, Wyo. (Green River)</span></strong>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Martinez remains in his home state of Wyoming to play for the Cowboys. He was named to the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25 All-State team for the second consecutive year in 2009. He accounted for 1,652 all-purpose yards and scored 25 touchdowns on offense, while intercepting eight passes on defense. Green River posted a 9-6 record in '09 and advanced to the first round of the state playoffs. Green River High built an 11-3 record in 2008 and reached the state championship game. In 2007, Green River was 7-7 and advanced to the semifinals of the state playoffs. As a junior, Martinez amassed 2,785 all-purpose yards, scored 27 touchdowns and intercepted four passes. His sophomore season, he earned All-Conference honors, accounting for 965 all-purpose yards, scoring 12 touchdowns and intercepting six passes. He was selected a team captain as a junior and senior in football. Martinez also lettered three years in basketball, two years in soccer and one year in track. He played for head football coach Darren Howard.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">He is the youngest of two children of Laurie and Andrew Martinez. He was also recruited by Colorado State and UNLV. </span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Dylan McElveen DB 6-1 175 Fr. University Park, Ill. (Crete-Monee)
<br />Pronunciation: Mac-ELL-veen (Rhymes with Mean)</span></strong>
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<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">McElveen was named an Honorable Mention All-State selection for all classifications by the Chicago Tribune as a defensive back his senior season at Crete-Monee High School in Crete, Ill. He helped lead his Crete-Monee Warriors to a 10-2 record and the quarterfinals of the Illinois 6A State Playoffs in 2009 (Class 6A is the third largest classification in Illinois). Crete-Monee captured the Southland Conference Championship with a perfect 5-0 conference mark, and entered the Illinois State Playoffs as the No. 3 seed in Class 6A, with a regular season record of 8-1. He was also an outstanding track and field athlete in high school. McElveen earned All-Conference honors in track and field both his sophomore and junior years of high school, and he was a regional qualifier both seasons. As a junior, McElveen was part of the 4 x 200-meter state championship relay team and the 4 x 100 relay squad that placed fourth in state. His twin brother, Adrian, played running back for Crete-Monee High. Both played for head football coach Jerry Verde.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">McElveen and his twin brother, Adrian, are the youngest of five children of Cynthia and Leonard McElveen. Dylan McElveen was also recruited by Akron, Minnesota, Northern Illinois, UNLV and Western Michigan.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Emory Miller Jr. QB 5-11 195 Fr. Mesquite, Texas (Horn)</span></strong>
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<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Miller received Second Team All-District 5A-11 honors his senior season at Mesquite Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas. He also earned All-District honors in football and basketball his junior season. As a senior, Miller completed 213 of 333 yards (64.0 percent) for 2,678 yards and threw 22 touchdown passes. He added 706 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs for a total offense of 3,384 yards. His junior season, he completed 250 of 366 passes (68.3 percent) for 2,740 yards and 19 TDs, while adding 533 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns for 3,273 yards of total offense. He played for head coach Rodney Webb. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The son of Tammy and Emory Miller, he was also recruited by Air Force, Navy, TCU and Tulsa.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">C.J. Morgan WR 5-10 175 Fr. Aurora, Colo. (Eaglecrest)</span></strong>
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<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> Morgan earned First Team All-City and Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A from The Denver Post in 2009. He was an extremely versatile performer for Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, Colo. Morgan had 24 receptions for 486 yards and seven receiving touchdowns, including a season long 89-yard TD reception. He also rushed for 597 yards on 63 carries and seven rushing TDs his senior season. As a team captain, he led Eaglecrest to the second round of the 2009 state playoffs, defeating Fort Collins High in the first round before losing to Regis High in the second round. His junior year, he was named First Team All-City as he caught 26 passes for 385 yards and four receiving touchdowns, while rushing 54 times for 482 yards and five TDs. Morgan also recorded 21 tackles, intercepted one pass and forced two fumbles as a junior. He was voted a team captain both his junior and senior seasons. He played for head coach Tom Doherty.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of three children of Aimee and James Lyday, he was also recruited by Colorado.
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<br /><strong></strong><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Sonny Puletasi DL 6-3 220 Fr. Lawton, Okla. (Lawton)
<br />Pronunciation: pool-uh-TOSS-ee</span></strong>
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<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Puletasi achieved a number of honors his senior year playing for Lawton High School in Lawton, Okla. He was named to the Oklahoma Coaches' Association All-State team and is scheduled to play in the Oklahoma All-State game on July 30, 2010. He was selected to the First Team All-State Defensive Team by The Daily Oklahoman in '09, and was named the District 6A-1 Defensive Lineman of the Year. In the talent-rich state of Oklahoma, Puletasi was ranked No. 34 in the Rivals.com's rankings of all 2009 prospects coming out of the state of Oklahoma. A team captain, Puletasi led Lawton High to an 8-2 record and the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. He recorded 100 tackles, 12.0 sacks and blocked five punts his senior season. His junior season, Puletasi was credited with 45 tackles, 3.0 sacks and three interceptions. He achieved Honor Roll status all four years of high school He played for head coach Randy Breeze.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">He is the eldest of four children of Fa'amasani Puletasi. Puletasi was also recruited by Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma State.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Oliver Schober LB 6-0 240 Fr. Munich, Germany (Feodor-Lynen)
<br /></strong>Schober comes to Wyoming from Munich, Germany, where he learned to play the American game of football. His connection to the University of Wyoming coaching staff came through David Odenthal, a former college player of Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen. Odenthal played for Christensen at the University of Toledo, and coached in the league that Schober played. Schober played his amateur football for the Munich Cowboys and for National Team Germany.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Schober is the youngest of two sons of Elsa and Hans-Joerg Schober. His older brother, Daniel, played for the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Sam Stratton QB 5-11 195 Fr. Littleton, Colo. (Chatfield)
<br /></strong>Stratton comes to the University of Wyoming from Chatfield High School in the Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo., where he was a four-year starter at quarterback. He earned Honorable Mention All-State Class 5A honors from The Denver Post as both a junior and senior. Stratton concluded his high school career as Chatfield's career leader in total offense with over 5,000 yards of total offense, including over 3,600 passing yards and nearly 2,000 rushing yards. He also accounted for 54 touchdowns in his career. Stratton's senior season was cut short in the sixth game of the regular season when he injured his right knee in a game versus Pomona. In the six games he played in '09, he had completed 58 of 89 passes (65.2 percent) for 650 yards and six passing touchdowns, while rushing for 550 yards and seven rushing TDs. An outstanding two-sport athlete in football and track and field, Stratton also holds the Chatfield school records in the 400 meters (48.4 seconds) and 200 meters (21.8 seconds). Stratton was named First Team All-State in track as a junior. He anchored Chatfield's 4 x 200-meter relay team to a Class 5A State Championship in the spring of 2009, and placed second individually in the 400-meter dash. Stratton qualified for and competed in the state track and field championships as a freshman, sophomore and junior. He played for head football coach Brett McGatlin.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The youngest of two sons of Sara and Mike Stratton, he was also recruited by Air Force, Arizona State, Colorado, Colorado State and Kansas State.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Tyler Strong DL 6-3 275 Fr. Longmont, Colo. (Niwot)</strong>
<br />Strong was named First Team All-State Class 4A by The Denver Post his senior season at Niwot High School. His senior year, he made 90 tackles, including 5.0 sacks, and intercepted two passes as a linebacker. He also played some fullback on offense. His junior season, Strong was credited with 120 tackles and he intercepted two passes. He earned All-Conference and All-Area honors both his junior and senior seasons from the Longmont Times-Call and the Boulder Daily Camera. He was a four-year letterman in football at Niwot High School, and was voted a team captain as a senior. Strong will join his former high school teammate Jeff Roueche, who is a redshirt freshman linebacker on the Wyoming Football team. He played for head coach Ron Tesone.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The son of Diane and Ron Strong, he was also recruited by Colorado, Colorado State and Nebraska.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Darrenn White Athlete 6-0 175 Fr. Kansas City, Mo. (University Academy)</strong>
<br />White comes to Wyoming as the No. 19 ranked recruit in the state of Missouri by Rivals.com. He played quarterback in high school, but is being recruited as an athlete by Wyoming and could play a number of positions in college. White was named First Team Class 1 All-State as an all-purpose back by the Carthage Press in Carthage, Mo., and was named Third Team Class 1 All-State as a quarterback by the Missouri Football Coaches' Association. His senior year of high school at Kansas City's University Academy saw him pass for 1,809 yards and 19 touchdowns and rush for 1,855 yards and 26 TDs for a total of 3,664 yards of total offense. He captained his University Academy team to a 7-3 record, his school's first district championship and the second round of the state playoffs in '09. White also achieved honor roll status his senior year of high school. He played for head coach Damon Paul. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of five children of Leah Banks and Darrell White, he was also recruited by Duke, Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Evan Williams RB 5-11 185 Fr. Minneapolis, Minn. (DeLaSalle)</strong>
<br />Williams was ranked as the No. 9 overall recruit in the state of Minnesota by Rivals.com in 2009. He was named to the Minnesota All-State Second Team for all classifications by the Associated Press as a quarterback his senior season. He has been recruited as a running back by Wyoming. His senior season, Williams rushed for 2,301 yards, passed for 1,266 and accounted for a total of 41 touchdowns rushing and passing. As a team captain in 2009, he led DeLaSalle High School to an 11-1 record and the sectional semifinals of the state playoffs. His junior season, he rushed for 2,041 yards and accounted for 31 touchdowns, leading led DeLaSalle to a 13-1 record and a State Championship. He played for head coach Sean McMenomy.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The youngest of two children of Dana and Steve Williams, he was also recruited by Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, UCLA and Wisconsin. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Junior-College Signees</strong>
<br /></span><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Austin Daniels CB 5-10 175 Jr. Pasadena, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio CC, Calif.)
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Daniels helped lead Mt. San Antonio Community College to a 13-1 record and the 2009 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship, defeating Northern California Champion San Mateo by a score of 7-6. Daniels earned Second Team All-Conference honors in the Southern California Central Conference as a sophomore in '09. A two-year starter at cornerback, Daniels was part of Mt. SAC's back-to-back appearances in the CCCAA State Championship Game. In 2008, they lost to Northern California Champion Butte College by a score of 17-9. His sophomore season, Daniels ranked third on the Mounties squad with 55 total tackles. He had two interceptions (including one he returned 55 yards for a TD), 11 pass breakups, 2.0 tackles for losses and one fumble recovery. In the 2009 state championship game, Daniels recorded two tackles and one pass breakup. As a freshman in 2008, Daniels ranked sixth on the Mt. SAC team with 54 tackles, two interceptions (including one he returned 98 yards for a TD), eight pass breakups, 1.0 tackle for a loss and one forced fumble. He played for head coach Bob Jastrab at Mt. San Antonio. He played his high school football at Muir High School in Pasadena where he was a three-year letterman in football and a four-year letterwinner in track and field.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of three children of Annette and Kenneth Daniels, he was also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn and Iowa State. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>DeJay Lester WR 6-2 195 Jr. Layton, Utah (Snow CC, Utah)</strong>
<br />Lester enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January of 2010 after transferring from Snow Community College in Ephraim, Utah. He caught 27 passes for 456 yards during the 2009 season and scored two touchdowns. He also returned eight kickoffs for 195 yards, which was an average of 24.4 yards per return. Snow College finished 10-2 overall and 7-1 in the Western States Football League this past season. They earned a 41-37 victory over Grand Rapids Community College to capture the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl. They ended the season ranked No. 5 in the final NJCAA National Poll. Snow College ranked No. 16 in the nation in total offense, averaging 397.3 yards per game. Snow ranked No. 8 in the nation in passing offense, averaging 267.8 yards passing per game. He was coached by Steve Coburn while at Snow College. Lester played his high school football at Layton Christian in Layton, Utah.
<br />He was also recruited by Middle Tennessee, Utah and Utah State.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Mazi Ogbonna WR 6-1 190 Jr. Westbury, N.Y. (Snow CC, Utah)
<br />Pronunciation: MAH-zee, ahg-BON-uh</span></strong>
<br /><strong></strong>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ogbonna enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January 2010 after being named First Team All-Western States Football League (WSFL) as a wide receiver at Snow Community College in 2009. He was also selected Second Team All-WSFL as a return specialist. He caught 40 passes for 827 yards, averaged 20.7 yards per catch and scored 11 receiving touchdowns.. As a kick returner, he averaged 30.3 yards per return with 21 returns for 637 yards. He helped lead Snow College to a 10-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the WSFL. They earned a 41-37 victory over Grand Rapids Community College to take the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl Trophy. They ended the season ranked No. 5 in the final NJCAA National Poll. Snow College ranked No. 16 in the nation in total offense, averaging 397.3 yards per game. Snow ranked No. 8 in the nation in passing offense, averaging 267.8 yards passing per game. He was coached by Steve Coburn. Ogbonna played his high school football at Hicksville High School in Hicksville, N.Y.
<br />He was also recruited by Rutgers, Utah and Utah State.
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Nick Puetz OL 6-4 315 Jr. Salina, Kan. (Coffeyville CC, Kan.)</span></strong>
<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Pronunciation: PITTS</span></strong>
<br /><strong></strong>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Puetz enrolled at the University of Wyoming in January 2010, coming from Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan. He was a Second Team All-Jayhawk Conference selection in 2009 at Coffeyville Community College. He helped lead Coffeyville to a 7-4 overall record as Coffeyville concluded the season ranked No. 12 in the final NJCAA National Poll. The team also won the North Star Bowl over Rochester (Minn.) by a final score of 54-12. He earned the Wayne Hittle Memorial Award and the Pete Peltzer Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award at Coffeyville. As a freshman, he was selected Honorable Mention All-Jayhawk Conference along with earning Academic All-Conference honors. He was coached at Coffeyville by Darian Dulin. He played his high school football at Southeast of Saline High School.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">His parents are Mary and Ken Puetz. He was also recruited by Houston.</span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">B.J. Sumter DT 6-1 310 Jr. Columbia, S.C. (New Mexico Military)</span></strong>
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<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"> Sumter helped lead New Mexico Military to a No. 20 ranking in the final NJCAA National Poll in 2009. He was credited with 45 tackles, 3.0 tackles for losses, 1.0 sack and one interception his sophomore season at New Mexico Military in 2009. New Mexico Military posted a 7-4 record in '09 and earned an appearance in the inaugural Central Bank Salt City Bowl where they lost 22-14 to Hutchinson Community College of Kansas. In the bowl game, Sumter was credited with five tackles, 1.0 sack and 1.5 tackles for losses. The New Mexico Military defense ranked No. 42 in the nation in total defense, allowing opponents 362 yards of total offense per game, and No. 20 in pass defense, giving up only 153.3 passing yards per game. In the weight room, Sumter broke the all-time combined three-lift record at New Mexico Military with a total combined lift of 1,215 pounds in the bench press, hang clean and squat. He played for head coach Jeff Lynn at New Mexico Military. Sumter played his high school football at Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, S.C.</span>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br />The son of Rochelle and Bernard Sumter, he was also recruited by New Mexico State. </span>
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<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Kurt Taufa'asau DT 6-2 285 Jr. Pago Pago, American Samoa, (New Mexico Military)
<br />Pronunciation: (Each syllable rhymes with the words OUT or OUCH.) tou-FOU-sou</span></strong>
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<br /></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Taufa'asau earned First Team All-Western States Football League (WSFL) as a defensive lineman in 2009. New Mexico Military posted a 7-4 record in '09 and earned an appearance in the inaugural Central Bank Salt City Bowl where they lost 22-14 to Hutchinson Community College of Kansas. In the bowl game, Taufa'asau was credited with four tackles. New Mexico Military concluded the 2009 season ranked No. 20 in the final NJCAA National Poll. The New Mexico Military defense ranked No. 42 in the nation in total defense, allowing opponents 362 yards of total offense per game, and No. 20 in pass defense, giving up only 153.3 passing yards per game. He played for head coach Jeff Lynn at New Mexico Military. Taufa'asau played his high school football at Samoana High School in Pago Pago, American Samoa.</span>
<br /></strong>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The son of Tuilua'ai and Vincent Taufa'asau, he was also recruited by Troy University, Utah State and Western Kentucky.</span>
<br />Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-89004240472505513262010-01-14T15:45:00.003-07:002010-01-14T15:57:02.089-07:00Sage named UW receivers coach<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2D3ZHAMj8vH1riJrOBThaVeA0Us5NWXiqGnBFl-mWc-FZEv7JEy4gwXXtuQSQHD9XQpWRg9G7jMrYdLodhzLl1bMf-FHdge4-uVbU6coL2MoydW6Dqfn7ApBbHfRVaZCDjFgH4RlNRA/s1600-h/Derek_Sage_claps.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426732860571269106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2D3ZHAMj8vH1riJrOBThaVeA0Us5NWXiqGnBFl-mWc-FZEv7JEy4gwXXtuQSQHD9XQpWRg9G7jMrYdLodhzLl1bMf-FHdge4-uVbU6coL2MoydW6Dqfn7ApBbHfRVaZCDjFgH4RlNRA/s400/Derek_Sage_claps.JPG" /></a><br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Former New Hampshire coach Derek Sage, center, has been named UW receivers coach.</span></strong><br /><br />University of Wyoming head football coach Dave Christensen announced on Thursday the hiring of Derek Sage as receivers coach. Sage brings with him eight years experience as a college coach.<br /><br />The last five seasons he was part of an outstanding University of New Hampshire football program. The Wildcats ended the 2009 season ranked No. 7 in all three Football Championship Subdivision (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">FCS</span>) national polls -- the Sports Network Poll, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">FCS</span> Coaches’ Poll and “The Any Given Saturday Poll”. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNH</span> posted a 10-3 record in ‘09, and captured the Colonial Athletic Association (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">CAA</span>) North Division for the second consecutive year. The Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2009 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">FCS</span> Playoffs before losing to eventual National Champion <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Villanova</span>, 46-7.<br /><br />Earlier in the season, New Hampshire had defeated <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Villanova</span> 28-24, handing the national champion its only loss of the season. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNH</span> earned bids to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">FCS</span> playoffs each of his five seasons at the Durham, N.H., school, advancing to the quarterfinals in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009 and making it to the first round of the playoffs in 2007.<br /><br />“Derek (Sage) has been part of a very successful program at the University of New Hampshire, and has worked for some excellent coaches in his coaching career,” said Christensen. “We were looking for someone with experience coaching receivers. Derek not only has that experience as a coach, but he played tight end, himself, at the college level. He has great knowledge and experience coaching receivers in the spread offense. Derek also has west coast recruiting ties, which is another positive for our program. He is a very aggressive, enthusiastic young coach, who I know will bring a lot of energy to our program and our coaching staff.”<br /><br />Sage said he is excited to be part of something special at Wyoming.<br /><br />“I know the offense that Coach (Dave) Christensen brought here from Missouri and that Coach (Marcus) Arroyo installed here last year is a very productive offensive system," Cage said. "I know the vision Coach Christensen has for this program, and I wanted to be a part of that. It’s pretty hard not to be excited to coach receivers in this type of offense.<br /><br />“I have been fortunate to coach with some great coaches and learn from them. I try to take something from every coach I work with. I want to thank Coach Christensen for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank all the coaches I’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> had the opportunity to work with and learn from -- Sean McDonnell, Chip Kelly, Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ault</span> -- I can’t thank them enough for the opportunities they’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> given me.”<br /><br />During his coaching career, Sage has worked with some outstanding coaches. From 2003-04 he coached under head coach Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ault</span> at Nevada. From 2005-09, he served as an assistant under head coach Sean McDonnell at New Hampshire. During two of those seasons at New Hampshire in 2005-06, he worked with current Oregon head coach Chip Kelly, who was then the offensive coordinator at New Hampshire before becoming the offensive coordinator at Oregon and eventually taking over as head coach of the Ducks.<br /><br />In 2009, Sage completed his fifth season as coach of the New Hampshire wide receivers. While at New Hampshire, Sage coached some of the great receivers in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNH</span> history, including, All-America wide receiver David Ball. Ball set New Hampshire receiving records for career receptions (304) and career receiving yards (4,655). He also became the NCAA career leader in TD receptions, with 58 in his career, breaking Jerry Rice’s previous record of 51 at Mississippi Valley State.<br /><br />Sage coached 2007 First Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">CAA</span> selection Keith <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">LeVan</span>, who ranks second on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNH</span>’s career reception list, with 201, and led the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">CAA</span> in touchdown receptions in ‘07. Sage also mentored 2008 First Team <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">CAA</span> selection Mike Boyle, who led the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">CAA</span> in touchdown receptions in ‘08 and finished his career with a 16 yard-per-catch average.<br /><br />Sage came to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNH</span> from the University of Nevada, where he assisted coaching the defensive backfield as a graduate assistant in 2003 and helped coach the wide receivers as a graduate assistant in 2004. Former Nevada receiver <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nicheron</span> Flowers ranked sixth in the nation in receiving with 91 catches for 1,136 yards and six touchdowns in 2004.<br /><br />A native of Nevada, Sage played for Sacramento City College for two years, helping win conference and bowl championships at the junior college level. He completed his college career at Cal State <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Northridge</span>, where he was a two-year <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">letterman</span> at tight end. Sage earned his bachelor’s degree in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">kinesiology</span> from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Northridge</span> in 2002. While completing his undergraduate degree, he also helped coach at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moorpark</span> Community College (Calif.) working with the offensive line and tight ends. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moorpark</span> won a conference title and a bowl championship that season.<br /><br />Sage will coach both the Wyoming wide receivers and tight ends. He fills the spot that was previously held by Dan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hammerschmidt</span>, who took an assistant coaching position at his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">alma</span> mater, Colorado State, in December 2009.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-66166598327144448672009-12-19T23:17:00.002-07:002009-12-19T23:45:18.545-07:00Cowboys rally again for big win<a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/NMBowl121909.pdf">New Mexico Bowl game stats</a><br /><br />By The Associated Press<br /><br />ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Wyoming trailed by 11 points in the fourth quarter. Its offense was led by a freshman quarterback, its defense was facing the nation's leading rusher.<br /><br />Time to worry? Not these comeback Cowboys.<br /><br />Freshman <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> threw three touchdown passes, the last a 13-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">yarder</span> to David Leonard in the second overtime Saturday, and Wyoming rallied past Fresno State 35-28 in the New Mexico Bowl.<br /><br />"Same old deal for all of us," <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> said. "We knew we could do it."<br /><br />The first of 34 bowls was a high-scoring <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">matchup</span> that was decided at the end by defense.<br />Wyoming (7-6) stopped the nation's leading rusher, Fresno State's Ryan Mathews on three rushing attempts from the 1 in the first overtime. The Bulldogs (8-5) tried a quarterback sneak on third down, and Mathews came up short again on fourth down.<br /><br />"If you can't put it in from the 1-yard line, you have to give a lot of credit to the defensive stand by Wyoming," Bulldogs coach Pat Hill said. "We had our chances."<br /><br />The Cowboys, who won four times this season after rallying in the fourth quarter, scored on the first possession in double overtime, then held Fresno State on downs.<br /><br />"Another typical game by the Wyoming Cowboys first-year coach Dave Christensen said. "We kept everybody in their seats."<br /><br />Wyoming fans spilled out of the stands to celebrate as the school band played "Cowboy Joe." This was Wyoming's first bowl appearance since 2005, and it capped a winning season for Christensen after the Cowboys were picked to finish last in the Mountain West.<br /><br />Mathews, who led the nation in rushing average at 151.3 yards per game, finished with 144 yards on 31 attempts with two touchdowns. But he had a big fumble midway through the fourth quarter, setting up <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> to lead a 19-play drive that tied it.<br /><br />Wyoming lineman Mitch <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Unrein</span>, picked the defensive MVP, stripped the ball.<br /><br />"I got my hand on it. It kind of rolled away from him," <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Unrein</span> said. "It was right on my chest. I said to myself, 'I can't believe that just happened.' I got up and I was showing the refs. They didn't believe me. They were like, 'No way.'"<br /><br />Officials initially ruled Mathews was down but reversed the call after a replay.<br /><br />Wyoming's Ian Watts kicked a 37-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in regulation. After the Cowboys stopped Mathews in the first overtime, Watts was wide left a 40-yard field try that would have won it.<br /><br />Christensen said there was no disappointment on the sideline.<br /><br />"These kids don't change much," he said. "I don't know if it's belief or they don't know any better. They walked down to the end of the field. We scored a touchdown, then we stopped them."<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span>, the Mountain West's freshman of the year, was chosen the game's offensive MVP after he completed 17 of 31 attempts for 201 yards passing with one interception.<br />He led the Cowboys back after Mathews' 5-yard TD run put the Bulldogs up 28-17 with 13:59 remaining. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> found Leonard on an 11-yard TD pass, then connected with Greg Bolling for a 2-point conversion that got Wyoming to 28-25 with 10:15 to go.<br /><br />"I guarantee after that their defense didn't want to come out on the field again to try and stop us," <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> said.<br /><br />Fresno State, trying to build on the lead, was driving when Mathews fumbled at Wyoming's 26. The Cowboys took over with 8:08 left and converted three times on fourth downs -- including a daring fake punt -- on the march that ended with Watts' 37-yard field goal.<br /><br />"We told our guys, 'You've got to believe,'" Christensen said. "Being behind is nothing new for this football team."Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-21037930730713023042009-12-16T17:01:00.004-07:002009-12-16T17:05:56.542-07:00Cowboys sign three JC transfersCowboys head football coach Dave Christensen announced on Wednesday that three junior college players have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Wyoming. The three players will join the football program beginning in the spring of 2010.<br /><br />The players signed include <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">DeJay</span> Lester, a 6-foot-2, 200 pounds junior wide receiver from Columbus, Ohio (Snow College); <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mazi</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span>, 6-1, 195-pound junior wide receiver from , <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Westbury</span>, N.Y. (Snow College) and Nick <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puetz</span>, a 6-4. 305-pound junior offensive lineman from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Salina</span>, Kan. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coffeyville</span> CC)<br /><br />Lester caught 27 passes for 456 yards this past season. In 11 games, he averaged 2.5 receptions per game and scored two touchdowns. He also returned kickoffs and had eight returns for 195 yards, which was an average of 24.4 yards per return.<br /><br />Snow College finished 10-2 overall and 7-1 in the Western States Football League this past season. They earned a 41-37 victory over Grand Rapids to take the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl Trophy. Both Snow College and Grand Rapids finished in the top six in the final National Junior College Athletic Association poll. Lester was coached by Steve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coburn</span> while at Snow College.<br /><br />Lester spent two seasons at Snow College and will be a junior at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> this coming fall.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span>, who also attended Snow College, was named First Team All-Western States Football League as a wide receiver this past fall. He was also selected Second Team All-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">WSFL</span> as a kick returner. In 11 games, he caught 36 passes for 721 yards (20.0 yards per catch average). As a kick returner, he averaged 30.3 yards a return with 21 returns for 637 yards. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span> scored ten touchdowns, while averaging 3.3 receptions per game.<br /><br />He helped lead Snow College to a 10-2 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">WSFL</span>. They earned a 41-37 victory over Grand Rapids to take the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl Trophy. They ended the season ranked fifth in the final <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">NJCAA</span> poll.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ogbonna</span> spent two seasons at Snow College and will be a junior at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> this coming fall.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puetz</span> was a Second Team All-Conference selection while attending <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coffeyville</span> Community College this past fall. He helped lead <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coffeyville</span> CC to a 7-4 overall record this season, while ending the season ranked 12<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> in the final <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">NJCAA</span> football poll. The team also won the North Star Bowl against Rochester (Minn.) by a final of 54-12. He earned the Wayne <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hittle</span> Memorial Award and the Pete <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Peltzer</span> Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award.<br /><br />As a junior, he was selected Honorable Mention All-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jayhawk</span> Conference, along with earning Academic All-Conference honors. He was coached at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coffeyville</span> by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Darian</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dulin</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Puetz</span> spent two seasons at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coffeyville</span> CC and will be a junior at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> this coming fall.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-30126081688860673722009-12-07T22:47:00.004-07:002009-12-07T23:53:36.866-07:00Senior leadership pays out for CowboysBy Richard Anderson<br />Wyoming Sports.org<br /><br />One more game … great for the development of the underclassmen, but a reward for the seniors, who led the Wyoming Cowboys to their 12<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> bowl game in the school’s football history.<br /><br />For those Cowboy seniors, this has been what they have been waiting for all of their careers.<br /><br />“My senior year of high school, they went to the Vegas Bowl,” Cowboy senior linebacker Weston Johnson said. “Our senior class, especially, when we came here, that’s what we really wanted to do is go to a bowl game. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">hadn</span>’t had that opportunity until this year. It’s a pretty sweet way to go out. We’re looking to get that seventh win.”<br /><br />For many of those Wyoming seniors, getting a chance to go to a bowl game seemed to be slipping away. They had one more opportunity as fall drills began in August.<br /><br />One more chance.<br /><br />“With the changes coming in, it definitely crosses your mind that maybe we’re not going to get to a bowl game,” Wyoming senior defensive tackle John Fletcher said. “But once Coach (Dave) Christensen came in and talked to us and we went through winter conditioning with them, I think everybody could see that this guy knows what he is doing and he has won games before. His plan was to get us seniors to a bowl game and let us go out on a good note.”<br /><br />The previous three seasons for the Cowboys, something always seemed to go wrong, whether it was early in the year or late.<br /><br />“I think it is always in the back of your mind, and I’d be lying if I said it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>’t,” Johnson said about another season of failure. “We just found a way to win some really tough games. That game against <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">CSU</span> was probably the most exciting game I had ever played in. To go out like that and get that sixth win and be bowl eligible, it’s a really neat feeling.”<br /><br />Yet, Johnson said that going into each season, he thought they were going to turn it around from how they had worked. It <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>’t until Christensen was named head coach a year ago that he felt that feeling was going to finally develop.<br /><br />“When Coach Christensen came in with this new style of offense and this new staff, and we kept Coach (Marty) English, it seemed like some things were in order,” Johnson said. “It was time for us to start winning some games and get an opportunity to get back to a bowl game.”<br /><br />If Christensen had to pinpoint one reason that his team was able to get to a bowl game, he at least starts with his senior leadership. That’s a big reason why the Cowboys are going to the New Mexico Bowl on Dec. 19, he said, in accepting the invitation Monday at the Rochelle Athletics Center.<br /><br />“We’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> had tremendous leadership from this senior class, I’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> mentioned that numerous times.” Christensen said. “I’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> been involved with a lot of football team and a lot of them had good personnel but they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">didn</span>’t have the success that we had this year because they <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">didn</span>’t have leadership from the top.<br /><br />“Because of this leadership provided by this senior class and how hungry every player in this program was, to have an opportunity to get to the postseason, and we were able to get there in one short year. I take a great deal of pride in the effort these kids have put out on the field each and every Saturday.”<br /><br />When did the Cowboys really think that had a shot at a bowl game? After the big come-from-behind victory over San Diego State on Nov. 14.<br /><br />“That put us at five wins and two games coming up – one being against an extremely good team in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> and against another good team in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">CSU</span>,” Fletcher said. “We definitely thought we could win the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">CSU</span> game. Once we got to that game, everybody got in their head that we were going to have to work a little harder, but it was a definite possibility that we could get six wins and become bowl eligible.”<br /><br />The Cowboys edged the rival Rams 17-16 to earn that sixth win of the season.<br /><br />They celebrated, to say the least.<br /><br />“We got into the locker room and I think that was the wildest I have ever seen us after a game,” Fletcher said. “It was just a great feeling. We definitely knew we were going to get an invite to a bowl – we <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">didn</span>’t know which one – but we were happy to go wherever.”<br /><br />Their opponent turned out to be Fresno State, a former Western Athletic Conference mate in the 1990s, well before most of this group was thinking about being Cowboys.<br /><br />“We want to leave our mark at Wyoming, so being one of 12 bowl teams so far is doing that,” Fletcher said. “I think for us seniors, it is something we wanted to do throughout the year. That’s what we work so hard for this summer and fall camp and we have one more game to play.”<br /><br />For the Cowboy seniors, that is what it is all about.<br /><br />One more game.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-6078372400883990712009-12-06T17:07:00.002-07:002009-12-06T17:10:11.756-07:00Cowboys vs. Fresno State in New Mexico BowlThe Wyoming Cowboys are bowl bound as the New Mexico Bowl on Sunday extended an invitation to the Cowboys to face Fresno State. The Fourth Annual New Mexico Bowl will be the first bowl game of the 2009 bowl season, and will be played on Dec. 19 in Albuquerque. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m., Mountain Time.<br /><br />New Mexico Bowl Executive Director Jeff Siembieda made the announcement of this year’s New Mexico Bowl selections.<br /><br />“We are excited with this terrific match-up and look forward to the game,” Siembieda said. “Having two great programs with incredibly passionate fans makes Fresno State against Wyoming the perfect way to kick off college football’s bowl season. We look forward to hosting the Cowboys and Bulldogs for a fun-filled bowl week.”<br /><br />Wyoming’s appearance in this year’s New Mexico Bowl comes in the first season under head coach Dave Christensen. Christensen led Wyoming to a 6-6 overall record and a 4-4 Mountain West Conference mark, playing the eighth toughest schedule in the country. The Cowboys placed fifth in the MWC this season after being picked to finish last by conference media in the MWC preseason poll.<br /><br />“We are extremely excited to have an opportunity to play in postseason, and we are particularly excited to be going to Albuquerque to play in the New Mexico Bowl,” said University of Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen. “We’ve heard great things about the bowl and about the people who work so hard all year long to make the New Mexico Bowl a great experience for the teams involved and for the fans who attend the game and all the festivities surrounding it.<br /><br />“Our kids were thrilled when they heard we were going to the New Mexico Bowl. This group of young men has worked so hard this season to earn this opportunity. My staff and I are happy for them, and we are happy for our fans.<br /><br />“The fans of Wyoming have shown us great support all season, and I know that they will be there in Albuquerque to support us once again.”<br /><br />Tickets to the 2009 New Mexico Bowl are $30 per ticket with a $25 shipping and handling fee per order, and can be purchased by going online at www.WyomingAthletics.com or by calling the University of Wyoming Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800-922-9461 or locally in Laramie at 766-4850.<br /><br />The University of Wyoming will hold a press conference on Monday at 1 p.m. in the Rochelle Athletics Center. New Mexico Bowl Executive Director Siembieda will be in attendance to formally extend the bowl invitation to Christensen. University of Wyoming President Tom Buchanan and UW Athletics Director Tom Burman will also speak and be available for interviews. The press conference will be carried live by the Cowboy Sports Network and the press conference will be video streamed live on <a href="http://www.wyomingathletics.com/">http://www.wyomingathletics.com/</a>.<br /><br />This year’s appearance in the New Mexico Bowl will mark Wyoming’s 12th bowl appearance in its history. UW’s most recent bowl appearance came in the 2004 Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl, where the Pokes defeated UCLA, 24-21.<br /><br />Wyoming’s opponent in this year’s bowl, the Fresno State Bulldogs, are old foes of the Cowboys from the days that both teams were members of the Western Athletic Conference. Fresno State finished the regular season 8-4 overall, 6-2 in conference play and placed third in the WAC behind Boise State and Nevada. The Cowboys and Bulldogs will be playing each other for the seventh time in the two schools’ histories. The series is tied, with each team having won three times. The last meeting came in 1997. The two teams have never met at a neutral site.<br /><br />This year’s New Mexico Bowl will be televised nationally on ESPN and ESPN-HD.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-14218437657979056272009-11-30T22:47:00.001-07:002009-11-30T22:53:06.521-07:00Prosinski earns league honors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4snYs5vu41JRbug3B4AKRE3QHdmo6BAfa9UOsKbFPCbkLt9fLnJsZHApFOTQLA0PQqAct2RRRRfYQyWiQUWPPlPMaUR7JRynID6oEMWCHvY8A-mRDtg24-8qbp5bI3YgM0l9gtEzNOLE/s1600/Prosinski+mug.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 145px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410141632103330082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4snYs5vu41JRbug3B4AKRE3QHdmo6BAfa9UOsKbFPCbkLt9fLnJsZHApFOTQLA0PQqAct2RRRRfYQyWiQUWPPlPMaUR7JRynID6oEMWCHvY8A-mRDtg24-8qbp5bI3YgM0l9gtEzNOLE/s200/Prosinski+mug.jpg" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:78%;">UW junior Chris Prosinski</span></strong><br /><br /><div>University of Wyoming junior Chris Prosinski was named Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for his performance in a 17-16 road win over Colorado State last Friday that secured Wyoming its first bowl bid since 2004.<br /><br />Prosinski recorded 10 tackles, including nine solo tackles, 1.0 tackle for a loss and forced one fumble versus CSU. His biggest play of the day came in the fourth quarter with Colorado State third and goal on the Wyoming four-yard line. Prosinski tackled CSU's Dion Morton for a two-yard loss that forced the Rams to kick a field goal and kept Wyoming within two points at 14-16. Wyoming kicked a 33-yard field goal on its next possession to capture the victory.<br /><br />With his 10 tackles versus Colorado State, Prosinski improved his season total to 130 total tackles. That ranks the Buffalo, native No. 8 on the UW single-season tackle list, with a bowl game yet to play.<br /><br />Prosinski is averaging 10.8 tackles per game this season to rank No. 3 in the Mountain West Conference and No. 9 in the nation.</div>Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-45658065402271343452009-11-27T18:13:00.010-07:002009-11-28T12:09:05.281-07:00Cowboys get the job done<div align="left"><a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/CSU112709.pdf">UW-CSU statistics</a><br /><br />by Richard Anderson<br />Wyoming Sports.org</div><div align="left">-</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Just another game, another quarterback and another kicker getting it done for the Wyoming Cowboys.<br /><br />So says first-year Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen ... in jest.<br /><br />It was more than just another game for the Cowboys, who edged Colorado State 17-16 Friday in Fort Collins to not only get the Bronze Boot back, but earn a bowl-game berth in the process.<br /><br />"You come down here to play in a game like this and you throw out the records, you know it's going to be a hard-fought battle and we said going into it that we needed to win the fourth quarter and we were able to do that with two key drives," Christensen said. "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span>) scored one on the long run and the freshman kicks the field goal on the other."<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span>, at quarterback, ran for two touchdowns -- an 8-yard scored to give the Cowboys a 7-6 lead in the second quarter, and a 49-yard run to give them a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter.<br /><br />He then drove Wyoming the own the field late, where true freshman Ian Watts nailed a 33-yard field goal with 1:27 left for what proved to be the winning score.<br /><br />Picked last in the conference preseason poll, the Cowboys finished fifth in the Mountain West Conference standings at 4-4 and are 6-6 heading into a bowl game.<br /><br />"At the beginning of the year, there was no respect for this program and the thing you can do about it is go out and win some games," Christensen said. "We were picked ninth, we won outright fifth in the league, we're going to a bowl, we got the Bronze Boot back. I'd say that's a pretty good year for our team.<br /><br />"This is the best. I took a team that was not supposed to do anything and look what they've done. It's been an unbelievable experience for me. And what great, great players I have to work with. The saddest thing is that we only have one more opportunity with these seniors because the job that they've done leading this football team has been second to none."<br /><br />Two weeks ago <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> rallied the Cowboys from 21 points down in the fourth quarter, before Watts kicked the game-winner. Despite last week's lop-sided loss to 4<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>-ranked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> said they knew that if they were close in the fourth quarter, they would win the game.<br /><br />“After the last couple of ones we have been able to put together, you just get more confident," <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> said. "Coach and I had a conversation at halftime about how we are a fourth-quarter team and when we put it together, it was exciting.”<br /><br />On that game-winning drive, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> said they just were thinking to grind it out.<br /><br />"There was so much, and I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">didn</span>’t even realize it until I was watching our defense try to hold them at the end, that there was so much on the line and so much to play for," he said.<br /><br />It came down to the freshman foot of Watts, who walked on late to solidify the place-kicking position.<br /><br />“I am pretty much used to it by now, so that is a good thing," Watts said. "The previous two were to win the game, but if I missed it would still be tied. If I missed this one, we would lose, so this was a lot more pressure and I actually felt more nervous on this one than any other kick I’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> taken this year.”<br /><br />The Wyoming defense then stopped the Rams on an interception by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ghalli</span> Muhammad in the finals seconds.<br /><br />“We had no fear," <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> defensive end Mitch <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Unrein</span> said. "We knew we were going to stop them. Everyone just went out there and did their job and that is how we came out victorious this afternoon.”<br /><br />Then it was all about two kneel-downs by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> to end the game.<br /><br />After a little searching, the Cowboys, in a frenzy rush, found the Bronze Boot.<br /><br />“I was so excited; I was running around trying to find the Boot and the whole game I was trying to figure out where they put it," <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> senior offensive right tackle Ryan <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Otterson</span>. "I saw the ROTC guys standing over there, so I ran over there and it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>’t there. I ran over to the sidelines and it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>’t there. It was already in the middle, so I was like ‘oh man c’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">mon</span>’, but I finally found it.”<br /><br />The Wyoming seniors then took turns holding The Boot.<br /><br />“It was awesome. I can’t really describe it," <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Unrein</span> said. "We have great fans that come down and support us everywhere we go. Now we have one more game for them to come watch us . play, so it is kind of a treat for them and us.”</div>Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-44977777386800269722009-11-26T20:47:00.003-07:002009-11-26T20:51:24.943-07:00Cowboys need a Border War winThe Wyoming Cowboys and Colorado State Rams will meet in the 2009 edition of The Border War Saturday at noon at Sonny <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lubick</span> Field at Hughes Stadium in Fort Collins.<br /><br />It will mark the 101st meeting between the two schools, and it will be the 110<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> anniversary of the two teams first meeting back in 1899.<br /><br />For Wyoming what is at stake is a bowl bid, as the Cowboys need one more victory to earn a bowl berth. Wyoming enters Friday's game with a 5-6 overall record and a 3-4 conference mark. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">CSU</span> enters Saturday's game 3-8 overall and 0-7 in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MWC</span>.<br /><br />Since the end of World War II, Wyoming and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">CSU</span> have played every season for 64 consecutive years from 1946 to this season. Colorado State leads the overall series 55-40-5. Over the past 63 consecutive meetings, dating back to the 1946 season, Wyoming leads 35-28-0.<br /><br />Beginning with the 1968 season, Wyoming and Colorado State have battled for the "Bronze Boot", a traveling trophy that was established by the ROTC detachments of both schools. The "Boot" was originally worn by Colorado State graduate student Dan Romero in Vietnam. Since the Bronze Boot was established, the battle to take it home has been as close as a series can be. The Bronze Boot series has Wyoming trailing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">CSU</span> by only one game, with Wyoming having captured it 20 times and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CSU</span> 21.<br /><br />Wyoming is led by a strong defense, featuring six of the league's top seven tacklers, and one of the most exciting young players in the Mountain West in freshman quarterback <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Austyn</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Samuels</span>, who has been named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">MWC</span> Offensive Player of the Week three times this season.<br /><br />A total of 26 natives of the state of Colorado are members of the Cowboy football team. Of those 26, 14 have started at least one game this season and 11 have started multiple games.<br /><br />The Cowboys also feature 13 Wyoming natives on its roster. Leading the way among Wyoming natives is Cowboy junior free safety Chris <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Prosinski</span> from Buffalo, who has been credited with 120 tackles this season. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Prosinski</span> needs only four more tackles to post one of the Top 10 seasons in University of Wyoming football history.<br /><br />Friday's game will be televised live by The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Mtn</span>. The Cowboys Sports Network radio broadcast will begin one hour prior to kick off with the pregame show.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-32920147699017809822009-11-21T17:57:00.004-07:002010-01-10T14:09:09.043-07:00Horned Frogs too fast, too strong for 'Pokes<a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/TCU112109.pdf">UW-TCU boxscore</a><br /><br />By Richard Anderson<br />Wyoming Sports.org<br /><br />It’s like the saying goes: speed kills.<br /><br />On Saturday, No. 4 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>’s speed killed the Wyoming Cowboys at War Memorial Stadium, 45-10.<br /><br />That was also the case earlier in the season when No. 2 Texas basically did the same to the Cowboys in the 41-10 victory.<br /><br />The Cowboys got a big break in the second quarter when junior safety Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Prosinski</span> grabbed a fumble and raced 98 yards to the end zone to tie the game at 10-10.<br /><br />As was the case against Texas in the second game of the season, the Cowboys were in the game against a top-ranked team.<br /><br />Then there was a big boom that did not come from the National Guard canon in the form of Greg McCoy, who returned the kickoff 81 yards to quickly break the tie. The Horned Frogs then dominated the game in every aspect from that point on.<br /><br />“When Pro (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Prosinski</span>) got the fumble and we took it down to tie the game, you have to have some breaks like that when you play a Top 5 team,” Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said. “Then we turn around and let them get a touchdown and that was extremely disappointing. Then they get another one. We tried to come back in the second half, but they had just too much firepower for us.”<br /><br />Wyoming senior linebacker Weston Johnson said that type of play is somewhat demonizing, but then again, he said they have their best guys out there whether it is special teams, defense or offense.<br /><br />“It’s just some fast guys back there and they made some blocks,“ Johnson said. “We had some guys not get in their right fits and that is what happens.”<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> gets the ball back and strikes again before halftime on a 45-yard pass from quarterback Andy Dalton to speedy Jeremy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerley</span> to make it a 24-10 game.<br /><br />Wyoming stops the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> offense on in three plays to begin the second half, only to see sophomore running back Brandon Stewart fumble on the first play and the talented Horned Frogs defense recover the football on the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> 23-yard line.<br /><br />Four plays later, Joseph Turner scores from 5 yards out and it is a 31-10 contest.<br /><br />Twenty-one unanswered points in a little under nine minutes, going back to the second quarter.<br /><br />Game over.<br /><br />“That definitely put us in a bad position,” Christensen said. “The defense came out and I thought they did a tremendous job and forced a punt and on the first play we fumble. That’s devastating when you are trying to get back in the football game.”<br /><br />The Horned Frogs ran up 507 yards of total offense -- 339 on the ground and 168 through the air. The Cowboys could managed just 178 total yards of offense.<br /><br />There was no trickery involved for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>. The Cowboy defense knew exactly what was coming and the UW offense knew the same.<br /><br />Christensen said <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> played like every single film he has watched on them.<br /><br />“They are a very good football team,” he said. “I don’t see any weaknesses out there. They’re strong on both sides of the ball, they’re kicking game … I don’t see a great weakness on anything.”<br /><br />Wyoming freshman quarterback <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> struggled to get the Wyoming offense going and said the reason for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>’s dominance is obvious.<br /><br />“They’re the fastest team that we have played all season, for one,” <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> said. “They disciplined, they have leadership. That’s what it takes to be the No. 4 team in the country. They’re a complete football team.<br /><br />“I expected to come out and compete and that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">didn</span>’t happen. But it is a lot easier to swallow when you lose to the No. 4 team in the country.”<br /><br />Christensen said his team was mentally prepared to play the game and they gave everything they had.<br /><br />All we wanted to do is to play hard on every single snap. We did against a very good football play,” he said.<br /><br />For the Cowboys, time will tell if Christensen can get his team to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU's</span> level. That’s certainly his goal.<br /><br />“I was hired here to build a football program and we came out and competed against two Top 4 teams in the country,” Christensen said. “We got a long ways to go. We fought in both of those games for 30 minutes, but it is a tough deal. They (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>) are a great football team."<br /><br /> Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-53459865352852334572009-11-21T16:27:00.003-07:002009-11-21T18:01:18.061-07:00TCU does its job to stay in BCS huntBy Bobby <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Abplanalp</span><br />Wyoming Sports.org<br /><br />It's not all about just winning games for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> these days; it’s how the Horned Frogs are winning them.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>, ranked fourth in the country as well as in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">BCS</span> Standings, did nothing to hurt its position with an impressive 45-10 win over Wyoming Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.<br /><br />All eyes are on the state of Texas these days, especially in comparison to No. 2 Texas’s 41-10 win over the Cowboys in September.<br /><br />“Not only are we playing at a high level, but we’re also playing smart, and that’s how you win a championship,” <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> coach Gary Patterson said. “They came out and did what they needed to do, about the same score that a Texas team beat Wyoming. I think you can say that in comparison we’re very close, but I think we can play with a lot of people.”<br /><br />All-American <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> defensive end Jerry Hughes, who had four tackles, said the score of the Texas-Wyoming game was not a factor in his teams’ preparation.<br /><br />“We go in there and try to execute our game plan to the fullest,” Hughes said. “We don’t worry about anyone else; all we can do is take care of ourselves.”<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> had 507 total-yards of offense with 339 of those on the ground led by running back Matthew Tucker gaining 134 yards on 11 carries, while fellow running back Joseph Turner amassed 69 yards on nine carries. Quarterback Andy Dalton also had 88 yards on 12 carries.<br /><br />“We got three backs that are so explosive,” Dalton said. “The offensive line has been doing a heck of a job. They’re the main reason we why we have been able to do so much with the running game.”<br /><br />Dalton completed 10 of 19 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown to Jeremy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerley</span> with no interceptions. With their <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">BCS</span> Bowl hopes still very eminent, the Horned Frogs embraced the idea of playing in one of the big money games.<br /><br />“Now we’re one game away,” Dalton said of beating <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">winless</span> New Mexico next week to be considered for an at-large bid into a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">BCS</span> game. That is motivation in itself to come out and play next week.”<br /><br />“We’re Cinderella and we’re trying to get to the ball,” Patterson said of a going to a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">BCS</span> game. “I been saying for the past few years when we’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> been very close if you keep knocking on the door just like Boise (State) did, then somebody is going to open it up. We’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span> been going through this process the last six to eight years and hopefully if we win next week, we’ll get a chance to open it.”<br /><br />Wyoming on the other hand is 5-6 and a Border War rival win over Colorado State next week from being bowl eligible.<br /><br />“I think he is trying to change the attitude of where they’re trying to get to,” Patterson said about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> head coach Dave Christensen. “They have chance to win a game next week and go to a bowl. I think that’s big.”<br /><br />The Cowboys tied the game 10-10 in the second quarter when safety Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Prosinski</span> returned a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown. But 16 seconds later, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> kick returner Greg McCoy returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for the go ahead score and the Horned Frogs never looked back.<br /><br />“I think it was a big change (in momentum),” Patterson said. “We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">didn</span>’t have a lot of emotion on the sideline and then Greg (McCoy) comes back and does that and then we get a stop and the long play to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kerley</span> and in some ways the game is over.”<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> is 11-0 for the first time since 1938 when it finished that season 11-0 with a national championship..Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-16151215312963620532009-11-20T22:04:00.003-07:002009-11-20T22:11:04.354-07:00Cowboys close home schedule with TCUThe Wyoming Cowboys will be playing their fourth Top 25 ranked opponent of the 2009 season when they host No. 4 ranked <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> Saturday, with kickoff at noon at War memorial Stadium.<br /><br />Wyoming will bring a 5-5 overall record and a 3-3 Mountain West Conference mark into Saturday's final home game of the season. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> is 10-0 and 6-0 in the Mountain West. The Horned Frogs are ranked No. 4 in this week's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">BCS</span> rankings and are also No. 4 in all three major polls -- the Associated Press Media Poll, USA Today Coaches' Poll and Harris Interactive Poll.<br /><br />Earlier this season, Wyoming played No. 2 ranked Texas on Sept. 12, faced then No. 16 ranked Utah on Halloween night and hosted <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> on Nov. 7 when the Cougars were ranked No. 25. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> is still looking for its first win vs. a Top 25 opponent this season.<br /><br /><strong>Last time at home with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span></strong><br />The last time Wyoming hosted <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>, the Cowboys defeated the Horned Frogs 24-21 on Oct. 6, 2007. Wyoming held a 21-6 lead over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> entering the fourth quarter of that game and held on for the 24-21 victory. Former Cowboy receiver <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hoost</span> March caught TD passes of 65 and 8 yards from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Karsten</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sween</span> and Wyoming running backs Devin Moore and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wynel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seldon</span> rushed for 135 and 100 yards, respectively, in the 2007 win.<br /><br /><strong>Series history</strong><br />This week's meeting between the Cowboys and Horned Frogs will only be the sixth in the two schools' histories. Wyoming trails 2-3 in the overall series versus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>. Wyoming is 1-1 vs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> in Laramie, having lost at home in 2005 by a score of 28-14.<br /><br /><strong>One more win for bowl eligibility</strong><br />The Cowboys will enter this Saturday's game versus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> looking for a sixth win that would earn them bowl eligibility. Wyoming needs to win one of its final two games -- versus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> or at Colorado State. The Mountain West Conference currently has five automatic bowl berths available and if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> earns a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">BCS</span> bowl bid, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> could have six bowl opportunities. Four <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> teams have already achieved bowl eligible status -- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span>, Utah and Air Force. Wyoming and San Diego State are the two remaining <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> teams that have an opportunity to become bowl eligible. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">SDSU</span> must win both of its remaining games -- at Utah and at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNLV</span> -- to reach the six-win plateau.<br /><br /><strong>Last week</strong><br />Last Saturday's win over the Aztecs was one of the great comebacks in Wyoming football history. The Cowboys overcame a 21-point, fourth-quarter deficit last Saturday at San Diego State to capture a 30-27 road win. Trailing 27-6 entering the fourth quarter, Wyoming scored 24 unanswered points. Cowboy quarterback <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> threw for 246 yards, rushed for 51 and had 297 yards of total offense on Saturday. He ran for one touchdown and threw another in the fourth quarter. Ian Watts kicked a 43-yard field goal with only 23 seconds remaining to seal the win for Wyoming.<br /><br />The victory brought back memories for Cowboy fans of another great Wyoming comeback back in 1988. Oddly enough, that comeback also saw the Cowboys trailing by 21 points entering the fourth quarter in a game on the road. That Sept. 24, 1988, game pitted Wyoming against Air Force and the Falcons held a 38-17 lead to begin the fourth quarter. In that comeback, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> quarterback Randy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Welniak</span> rallied the Pokes for 31 fourth-quarter points as the Wyoming defense held Air Force to a single TD in the final period. Like <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">Welniak</span> ran for one TD and threw for another in the final stanza, while place-kicker Sean Fleming made a 27-yard field goal for the 48-45 victory. Like Watts, Fleming scored a total of 12 points on the day. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Welniak</span> ended the day with 359 passing yards, 108 rushing yards and 467 yards of total offense, 3 TD passes and 1 TD rushing. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Welniak</span> is now the sideline reporter for Cowboy Sports Network radio broadcasts.<br /><br /><strong>Cowboys honored</strong><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> and Watts were named Mountain West Conference Players of the Week on Monday. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> shared this week's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> Offensive Player of the Week award with Air Force running back Asher Clark. It marked the third time this season that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> was honored as the Offensive Player of the Week. Watts earned his second Special Teams Player of the Week award.<br /><br />Freshman tight end David <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tooley</span> was honored this week as the national tight end of the week by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">CollegePerformance</span>.com. A native of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moberly</span>, Mo., <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tooley</span> caught four passes for 70 yards and one touchdown versus San Diego State. His TD reception tied the game at 27 all with 2:07 remaining in the game.<br /><br />Watts was named Honorable Mention place-kicker of the week by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">CollegePerformance</span>.com.<br /><br /><strong>Road breakthrough</strong><br />The Cowboys broke a 10-game road losing streak in conference play when they bat the Aztecs.<br /><br /> Prior to the win over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">SDSU</span>, Wyoming had last won on the road in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> play on Nov. 18, 2006, in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">Las</span> Vegas. The Cowboys captured a 34-26 win over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNLV</span> in Sam Boyd Stadium for their last conference road win.<br /><br /><strong>On the air</strong><br />Saturday's game will be televised live on The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mtn</span>. The game will also be broadcast on radio over the 25 affiliate stations of the Cowboys Sports Network, beginning at 11 a.m.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-21535602852499509082009-11-16T19:51:00.000-07:002009-11-16T19:53:52.825-07:00Carta-Samuels, Watts earn POW honors againUniversity of Wyoming freshmen football players <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Austyn</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Samuels</span> and Ian Watts were named Mountain West Conference Players of the Week on Monday.<br /><br /> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Samuels</span> shared this week’s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MWC</span> Offensive Player of the Week award with Air Force running back Asher Clark. For <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Samuels</span> it marked the third time this season that he was honored as the Offensive Player of the Week. Watts earned his second Special Teams Player of the Week award.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Samuels</span> led the Wyoming offense to three fourth-quarter touchdowns and a total of 24 fourth-quarter points as the Cowboys came back from a 21-point deficit to win on the road at San Diego State. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Samuels</span> completed 16 of 22 (.727) passes for 246 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed 13 times for 51 yards and one rushing touchdown, and accumulated 297 yards of total offense.<br /><br /> Both the 246 yards passing and 297 yards of total offense were personal bests. His TD run was for 10 yards on the second play of the fourth quarter to pull the Cowboys to within two touchdowns at 27-13. His touchdown pass came with 2:07 remaining in the game on a nine-yard hookup with fellow true freshman David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Tooley</span> to tie the game. Following Wyoming's recovery of the ensuing kickoff, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Samuels</span> led the Pokes on an 18-yard drive to setup Wyoming's winning field goal with 23 seconds remaining in the game. With his third <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">MWC</span> Offensive Player of the Week honor this season, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Samuels</span> is second only to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">BYU</span> quarterback Max Hall this season. Hall has earned the award fourth times this year.<br /><br />Watts was a perfect 3-of-3 in field goals versus San Diego State. He converted two from 27 yards each, and with only 23 seconds remaining in the game he made a career-long, 43-yard field goal that proved to be the game-winner. <br /><br />Watts was not only a perfect in field goals on the day, but he was a perfect 3-of-3 in extra points, scoring 12 of Wyoming’s 30 points. Watts is one of only three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">MWC</span> players to earn the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">MWC</span> Special Teams Player of the Week honor multiple times this season. The other two are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">TCU</span> place-kicker Ross Evans and his teammate, return specialist Jeremy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Kerly</span>, who each have earned the award twice this year.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-12710805258350060412009-11-14T23:44:00.009-07:002009-11-15T10:35:42.618-07:00Cowboys rally to edge Aztecs<a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/sdsu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/FB09StatsGameWyoming.pdf">UW-SDSU game statistics</a><br /><br />SAN DIEGO -- The Wyoming Cowboys and their struggling offense have some life in them after all.<br /><br />Freshman Ian Watts kicked a 43-yard field goal with 23 seconds left as Wyoming battled back from a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to beat San Diego State 30-27 Saturday night.<br /><br />Wyoming (5-5, 3-3 Mountain West) rallied from a 27-6 deficit with three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie the score. Wyoming senior John fletcher <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blocked</span> a short field goal and the Cowboys, after tying the game late, recovered a fumbled pooch kick on the ensuing kickoff that set up Watts' game-winning kick.<br /><br />The loss snapped a 10-game MWC losing skid on the road for the Cowboys, who hadn't won in San diego in six straight games.<br /><br />Wyoming rallied on freshman quarterback <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Austyn</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Samuels</span>' 10-yard run 11 seconds into the fourth quarter, a 33-yard scoring run by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">freshman</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Alvester</span> A<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">lexander</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Samuels</span>' 9-yard TD pass to freshman tight end David <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Tooley</span> that tied the score.<br /><br />"It was a heck of game by our kids and the fight they showed in the 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> quarter; the will to come back to make plays was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">incredible</span>," Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said on his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">postgame</span> show on the Wyoming Sports Network on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Learfield</span> Sports.<br /><br />The difference in the 24-point fourth quarter for the Cowboys was simple, Christensen said: They started making plays.<br /><br />"It wasn't like (the Aztecs) were shutting us down all game, but we had some opportunities where we didn't get 6's a couple of times and we had a fumble," Christensen said. "When it came time for the fourth quarter, we played extremely well. At halftime we talked and said that a time was going to come when we were going to need guys to start making plays, and in the fourth quarter, we had a lot of guys making plays."<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Samuels</span> finished <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">th</span><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">e game</span> by completing 16 of 22 passes for 246 yards one and one touchdown. he also ran for 51 yards and one score. Sophomore Brandon Stewart and Alexander led the way on the ground with 76 and 73 yards respectively. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Cowboys</span> ran for 200 yards in the game.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Tooley</span>, who had two career receptions going into the game, had four big catches for 71 yards. David Leonard also had for catches for Wyoming.<br /><br />Brandon Sullivan, who rushed for 105 yards, ran for two touchdowns for San Diego State (4-6, 2-4). Sophomore quarterback Ryan Lindley was 18 of 29 passing for 200 yards, but no touchdowns.<br /><br />"Obviously, it wasn't very fun out there at the end. We got outwilled by a team," SDSU coach Brady Hoke said. "They played harder, they executed and that's pretty much how the game went ... (We) had some penalties in the first half and we hurt ourselves a little bit with that. You get a field goal blocked that (could have) put you up by 10. That's not executing, that's not being disciplined, and they did a much better job of coaching and playing the game."Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-74439825625208503732009-11-07T16:01:00.009-07:002009-11-07T17:18:53.504-07:00Lopsided loss embarrasses Cowboys<a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/BYU110709.pdf">UW-BYU boxscore</a><br /><br />by Richard Anderson<br />Wyoming Sports.org<br /><br />Things started well on Saturday for the Wyoming Cowboys: they won the coin toss.<br /><br />Then the game started.<br /><br />As it turned out, the highlight of the game for the Cowboys was the coin toss, as Brigham Young rolled to a 52-0 win over Wyoming Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.<br /><br />Despite decent showings in their two previous losses -- 10-0 to Air Force and 22-10 to Utah, both on the road -- there was nothing decent for Wyoming in its return home.<br /><br />So much for home sweet home.<br /><br />It was the second straight shutout defeat to BYU, as the Cougars won 44-0 last season in Provo.<br />And after scoring 97 points in a three-game win streak, the Cowboys have now scored just 10 points in three straight losses.<br /><br />One step forward, two steps back.<br /><br />Just how many ways can you spin embarrassing? Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen had a few.<br /><br />"It was probably the most disappointing day in my coaching career," Christensen said. "We took steps backwards. I thought our program had improved. I'm embarrassed; I apologize. This is the worst effort I have ever seen by a football team."<br /><br />And no, Christensen did not see this coming.<br /><br />"We got out and we practice hard," he said. "We execute in practice. We don't allow these things to happen in practice. I don't have a lot of answers right now."<br /><br />As poorly as the Cowboys played, BYU, their respective Cougar tails two weeks ago after the 38-7 loss to TCU at home, came back with a roar.<br /><br />"I think our players responded well (from the TCU loss)," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "We played a much improved Wyoming team that played everyone, except for a half against Texas, very closely.<br /><br />"We played very clean football and played well from the beginning to end. I was impressed with our team and the preparation of our staff."<br /><br />While Christensen was impressed with the Cougars as well, he was less than impressed with his own team.<br /><br />"Obviously, my hat is off to BYU, they are an excellent football team," Christensen said. "They were much more physical than us today by a long shot. They were much tougher than we were today, by a long shot. They executed much better than we did today, by a long shot."<br /><br />BYU scored the first seven times it touched the football, leading 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, 31-0 at halftime and 45-0 heading into the fourth quarter. The Cougars finished with 543 yards of total offense, to 225 for Wyoming.<br /><br />BYU Quarterback Max Hall was nearly perfect and certainly unstoppable, as he completed 20 of 22 passes for 312 yards and four touchdowns. Harvey Unga ran over the Wyoming defense, with 85 yards on 16 carries. Even backup quarterback Riley Nelson gained 71 yards on the ground on 10 carries.<br /><br />Just what did the Cougars do right against the Cowboys, and what did the 'Pokes do wrong? Basically everything.<br /><br />"The blocked us, we didn't get off blocks and we didn't cover properly," Christensen said. "We had blown assignments and we didn't make plays. We got beat physically, we got shoved around. It was awful."<br /><br />While talking about a possible bowl game a month ago at 4-2, the Cowboys are now looking to just survive. while Saturday is a hard pill to swallow, Christensen said that's exactly what they will do as they get ready for San Diego State next week and then TCU and CSU to close the season.<br /><br />"I can guarantee you that there is no quit in this coaching staff or this football team," he said.<br /><br />Wyoming senior linebacker Weston Johnson said he is frustrated right now, the whole team is frustrating, the coaching staff is frustrated. At the same time, he said they will come back and work hard.<br /><br />"Obviously, we're not doing something right," Johnson said. "We're going to have to come back this next week and really hit it hard, battle back, and salvage this season."Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-16087192887383472862009-11-06T22:52:00.001-07:002009-11-06T22:55:26.858-07:00Cowboys back home with BYUby <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> Athletics Media Relations<br /><br /> The Wyoming Cowboys are back in town after nearly a month away when they face the No. 25 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> at noon in War Memorial Stadium on Saturday.<br /><br /> Wyoming has a 4-4 overall record this season and is 2-2 in Mountain West Conference play. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> is 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span>. The Cougars are ranked No. 25 in all three major polls – the Associated Press media poll, USA Today Coaches’ Poll and the Harris Interactive poll.<br /><br /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> will be the second Top 25 ranked team to visit Laramie this season, and will be the third Top 25 team the Wyoming Cowboys have faced this season. Wyoming hosted No. 2 ranked Texas on Sept. 12, 2009, losing to the Longhorns 10-41. Last week, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> faced No. 16 ranked Utah in Salt Lake City, losing 10-22.<br /><br /> Wyoming will be looking to improve on its 3-1 home record this season, and will be seeking its third consecutive conference home win when they host <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> has begun the 2009 Mountain West Conference schedule winning each of its two <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> home games over <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNLV</span> (30-27) and New Mexico (37-13). The last time the Pokes won three consecutive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> home games was at the end of the 2006 season and the start of the 2007 campaign. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> defeated Utah, Colorado State and San Diego State to conclude the 2006 home schedule and defeated <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">TCU</span> in the first <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> home game of 2007 to win four consecutive conference home games.<br /><br /> Last Saturday, the Pokes had the No. 16 ranked Utah Utes on the ropes until midway through the fourth quarter before losing 22-10 in Salt Lake City on Halloween night. Wyoming took an early 3-0 lead as they put together a 13-play, 49-yard drive on its opening possession of the game capped by an Ian Watts 32-yard field goal. Utah came back to tie the game 3-3, early in the second quarter on a Joe Phillips 43-yard field goal to conclude a 7-play, 55-yard drive by the Utes.<br /><br /> With 4:56 remaining in the first half, Wyoming scored a touchdown on a play that involved both of the Cowboys’ quarterbacks. Freshman QB <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> threw a lateral to junior quarterback Robert Benjamin, who was lined up as a wide receiver. Benjamin then threw a pass back across the field to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> who took the ball 30-yards down the sideline to give <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> a 10-3 halftime lead.<br /><br /> In the third quarter, Utah’s offense penetrated the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">redzone</span> twice, reaching the Cowboy four-yard line on its opening drive of the second half and reaching the Wyoming 15 on its second drive, but the Wyoming defense stiffened both times and held the Utes to two field goals. Wyoming retained a 10-9 lead after three quarters of play.<br /><br /> It <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>’t until the 7:35 mark of the fourth quarter that Utah took its first lead of the game. The Utes got good field-position at their own 45-yard line, and drove the ball 55 yards on 7 plays culminating in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Wynn to Jereme Brooks to take a 16-10 lead.<br /> <br /> The final TD of the game was scored by Utah, after Wyoming went for a fourth and six at its own 20-yard line with two minutes remaining in the game. Utah sacked Cowboy QB <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> at the Wyoming nine-yard line and two plays later Utah scored its final touchdown to capture the home win.<br /><br /> The Cowboys not only led Utah throughout most of their meeting on Oct. 31, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> also held a lead against current No. 2 ranked Texas on Sept. 12 in Laramie. The Cowboys led Texas 10-6 with 1:32 remaining in the first half before the Longhorns went on to post a 41-10 victory over Wyoming.<br /><br /> Wyoming’s loss to No. 2 ranked Texas is its only home loss this season. In its three home wins, Wyoming has averaged 32.0 points per game, scoring 29 vs. Weber State, 30 vs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNLV</span> and 37 vs. New Mexico. In its three home wins, the Pokes have held opponents to an average of 20.6 points per game per game -- 22 vs. Weber State, 27 vs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNLV</span> and 13 vs. New Mexico. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> has won or been even in turnover margin in all four of its home games in 2009. Wyoming has committed a total of only two turnovers at home this season, while forcing 12 opponent turnovers in War Memorial Stadium. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> was a +4 in TO margin vs. Weber State and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNLV</span>, was a +2 vs. New Mexico and was even vs. Texas.<br /><br /> The Cowboy defense continues to be the only team in the nation with three players ranked in the Top 25 in the NCAA in tackles. Inside linebackers Brian Hendricks and Gabe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">Knapton</span> and free safety Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">Prosinski</span> rank No. 4, 5 and 15 in the NCAA this season. Only one other team in the nation has two players ranked among the Top 25. That is the University of Houston.<br /><br /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">UW</span> also has six of the Top 14 tacklers in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> this season. Hendricks, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Knapton</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Prosinski</span> rank No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 in the league. Senior outside linebacker Weston Johnson ranks No. 5 in the league and No. 60 nationally, and freshman strong safety <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shamiel</span> Gary ranks No. 6 in the Mountain West and No. 70 in the NCAA. Junior <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">cornerback</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">Marcell</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gipson</span> ranks 14<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">MWC</span> in tackles.<br /><br /> Wyoming sophomore inside linebacker Gabe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">Knapton</span> not only ranks No. 5 in the NCAA in tackles this season, but he has recorded double figures in tackles in each of Wyoming’s last seven games. The streak of double-figure tackle games began against Texas (12 tackles). Since then he has had: 10 at Colorado, 17 vs. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">UNLV</span>, 10 at Florida Atlantic, 11 vs. New Mexico, 11 at Air Force and 12 at Utah.<br /><br /> Saturday’s Wyoming-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">BYU</span> game will be televised live on The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mtn</span>. The Cowboy Sports Network will, as always, broadcast the game on radio over its 25 affiliate stations beginning with the pregame show one hour prior to kickoff.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-46386885923628319272009-11-01T10:11:00.003-07:002009-11-01T10:17:13.028-07:00Utes rally late to stop Cowboys<a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/Utah103109.pdf">Wyoming-Utah game stats</a><br /><br />By Richard Anderson<br />Wyoming Sports.org<br /><br />For three quarters plus, the Wyoming Cowboys were right where they wanted to be. The last seven or eight minutes on Saturday was a different story.<br /><br />Utah, ranked 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> in the country, scored the game’s final 19 points, including two late touchdowns, to hold off a pesky but offensively challenged Wyoming team 22-10 at Rice <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Eccles</span> Stadium in Salt Lake City.<br /><br />Until midway trough the fourth quarter, the cowboys had the lone touchdown of the game and were holding on to a 10-9 lead. The Utes, however, kept their dominance of Wyoming in tack to remain in the hunt for the Mountain West Conference title.<br /><br />"I thought our kids fought the whole way through,” Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said. “There is no quit in these kids. We battled and were in this thing until the last minutes of the game and we (gave ourselves a chance to win)."<br /><br />It was a much different game for the Cowboys than in the past two years against Utah, as the Utes outscored Wyoming 90-7 in the last two meetings, including 50-0 two years ago the last time the two teams met in Salt lake City.<br /><br />As could be expected, Christensen said that being close was not good enough.<br /><br />"I've talked with our guys, and sticking with a top-20 team is not a moral victory,” Christensen said. “We got our tails kicked in the end. We did some things well, we made some progress, but in our program, losing is not acceptable. That's not what we are out here to do."<br /><br />After being shut out 10-0 by air Force two weeks ago, the Cowboys came out of the bye week rested and with a few changes on the offensive line. In the first half, it appeared as if it would pay off as the Cowboys were able to show some life offensively, led by the passing and pass catching from freshman quarterback <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Austyn</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Samuels</span>.<br /><br />The lone touchdown of the first half came on a trick play, as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Samuels</span> passed to backup QB Robert Benjamin, who passed back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Samuels</span>, who then ran down the sidelines untouched from 30 yards for the score.<br /><br />But that was about it as the Utes defensive stiffened and held the Cowboys to just 74 yards of total offense in the second half.<br /><br />"We struggled a little bit in our offense,” Christensen said. “It's not a secret that when you play top-20 teams in the country and top defenses in the country week in and week out, there will be some struggles, especially when you have the youth that we have."<br /><br />For the Utes, freshman Jordan Wynn passed for 82 yards and a touchdown in his college debut, replacing starter Terrance Cain in the second half to rally Utah.<br /><br />Utah’s Eddie Wide also tied a school record with his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game and added a late touchdown to seal the win. Wide had 24 carries for 135 yards and a 5-yard touchdown run with 1:41 remaining.<br /><br />Despite another close win at home, Utah head coach Kyle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Whittingham</span> said it was a real positive win for the Utes.<br /><br />“The offense played well tonight,” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Whittingham</span> said. “This was the first game of the season where we didn't have any turnovers. We moved the ball well between the 20's, but we have to get points on the board. Eddie Wide played a great game tonight. He went over 100 yards for us again and that was huge. `What can you say?' He was great.”<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Samuels</span> was 19 for 30 passing for 121 yards and the Wyoming running game had just 51 yards in the contest. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Brandon</span> Stewart led the Cowboys with 28 yards on the ground.<br /><br />"We're doing everything we can to try to make plays and win a football game,” Christensen said. “Our kids are working their tails off. They work extremely hard every single day to get better and they came out and battled. We had a lot of positive things in the game."<br /><br />It won’t get any easier for the Cowboys, as they host <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">BYU</span> Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-61243691432647190102009-10-30T22:50:00.005-06:002009-10-30T23:03:57.576-06:00UW-Utah notebook<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Wyoming</strong> </span><br />The Wyoming Cowboys travel to Salt Lake City Saturday to face long-time conference rival Utah for a Halloween matchup. Wyoming and Utah will be meeting for the 82nd time in the two schools’ histories.<br /><br />The Cowboys enter this week with a 4-3 overall record and a 2-1 Mountain West Conference mark. Utah is 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the MWC. The Utes are ranked No. 16 in this week’s BCS standings are ranked 19th in the Associated Press, USA Today and Harris Interactive Polls.<br /><br />Saturday’s game will kick off at 6 p.m. The game will be televised live on The Mtn., and will be broadcast on radio over the Cowboy Sports Network. The radio broadcast will begin one hour before kickoff at 5 p.m. with the pregame show.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Trick or Treat</span></strong><br />The Wyoming Cowboys will be playing their 13th Halloween game in school history. The last time Wyoming played on Halloween was in 1998 when the Cowboys traveled to Fort Worth, Texas, and defeated TCU, 34-27, when both schools were members of the 16-team Western Athletic Conference.<br /><br />The only other time that Wyoming and Utah have played one another on Halloween was the first meeting between the two long-time rivals. That meeting came in 1904, and Utah won in Laramie by a score of 23-0. Wyoming played its first Halloween game back in 1896, winning on the road over Northern Colorado by a score of 10-6. Wyoming is 7-5-0 in Halloween games. The Pokes are 4-2-0 at home on Halloween. UW is 3-3-0 on the road in Halloween games.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Bye bye bye week</span></strong><br />Wyoming is coming off its one bye week of the 2009 season. Through the years, the Cowboys have been very successful in games played immediately following a bye week. In the modern era of Wyoming football, since World War II, the Pokes have had 40 bye weeks during the regular season. Wyoming has won 25 of its 40 games played following a bye.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Overall series</span></strong><br />Wyoming trails in the overall series versus the Utes 49-31-1. The last time Wyoming defeated Utah was in 2006 in Laramie, by a score of 31-15. Wyoming last won in Salt Lake City in 1999, defeating Utah 43-29. Utah has won the last four meetings in Salt Lake City.<br />The Cowboys and Utes have played two common opponents to date – Air Force and UNLV. Wyoming defeated UNLV, 30-27, in Laramie, while Utah won in Las Vegas, 35-15. The Pokes lost on the road at Air Force, 10-0. The Utes defeated Air Force in Salt Lake City by a score of 23-16, but it took Utah an overtime period to get the win.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Coaching reunion<br /></span></strong>This week’s coaching matchup features two head coaches who have known each other for nearly 20 years. Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham coached on the same coaching staff together at Idaho State back in the early 1990s. Christensen was an assistant with the Bengals for the 1990 and ‘91 seasons, coaching the offensive line, tight ends and running backs during his two seasons in Pocatello. Whittingham served as an assistant at Idaho State for six seasons, from 1988-93. He was the linebackers and special teams coach from 1988-91 and was the defensive coordinator his last two seasons of 1992 and ‘93.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Cowboys in the rankings</span></strong><br />Wyoming sophomore inside linebacker Brian Hendricks was credited with 23 total tackles at Air Force on Oct. 17. Not only did his performance earn him Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors, but that tackle total is the best individual performance in the nation this season. In fact, he is one of only two Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players to record 20 or more tackles in a single game in 2009.<br /><br />He is also one of only two players in the nation to have two of the Top 25 single-game tackle performances this season. The other is Carmen Messina of New Mexico. Hendricks other Top 25 performance was 18 tackles at Colorado on Sept. 19, which ties for the sixth best performance in the nation.<br /><br />Two other Cowboys also rank in the Top 25 in the nation in terms of single-game tackle performances this season. Sophomore inside linebacker Gabe Knapton had 17 vs. UNLV to tie for 12th in the nation. UW junior free safety Chris Prosinski also is tied for 12th with his 17 tackles coming against Texas.<br /><br />There are three talented senior defensive linemen in the Mountain West Conference that are running neck-and-neck for the MWC Career Sack record. Wyoming’s John Fletcher, TCU’s Jerry Hughes and BYU’s Jan Jorgensen are all within 2.0 career sacks of one another entering this week. Fletcher has 24.0 career sacks. Jorgensen has been credited with 24.5, and Hughes is the current MWC career leader in sacks with 26.0.<br /><br />This season, Fletcher and Hughes are also among the nation’s leaders in sacks. Hughes has 9.0 sacks on the year to rank No. 4 in the nation, and Fletcher has 7.0 sacks in 2009 to rank No. 8 in the NCAA. Jorgensen has sacked opposing quarterbacks twice this season.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Young bloods</span></strong><br />Wyoming is one of the youngest teams in the country, having played 12 true freshmen and started six true freshmen in ‘09. The six freshmen starters tie Wyoming for the second most in the nation with Miami of Ohio. Texas A&M leads the way with eight true freshmen starters.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Up next</span></strong><br />Following the Utah game, Wyoming will return home next week to host the BYU Cougars on Nov. 7 in a game set to kick off at Noon.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Utah</strong><br /></span>Utah (6-1, 3-0 MWC) is No. 16 in the BCS standings and No. 19 in the Associated Press, USA Today Coaches and Harris polls. Radio is KALL 700 AM (kall700sports.com).<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Blackout</span></strong><br />Saturday's game is the second-annual "Blackout" game at Utah. Fans are encouraged to wear black and the Utah team will wear black uniforms. A year ago, in the first "Blackout" game in Rice-Eccles Stadium, No. 9 Utah handed No. 11 TCU a 13-10 defeat.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Trick or Treat II</span></strong><br />In honor of Halloween, there will be a Trick-or -Treat zone for kids in Rice-Eccles Stadium prior to the game. The Trick-or-Treat zone will open at 4 p.m., two hours before kickoff, and will feature a tent with spooky music, fog, balloons, interactive games, a black costume contest and more. Ute student-athletes will be on hand to pass out candy. A giant spotlight up 500 South will lead fans to two giant inflated Halloween creatures outside the Trick-or-Treat zone. A game ticket is required for entry.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Utes jump in rankings</span></strong><br />In the latest rankings, Utah jumped two places in the BCS standings to No. 16, held steady at No. 19 in the A.P. and Harris Polls, and improved one spot to No. 19 in the Coaches' poll. The BCS standings are based on the Harris poll, Coaches' poll and the computer rankings--the latter which has the Utes at 15th this week. Utah's only loss this season was to current No. 10/12 Oregon in Eugene.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>More Bowling</strong></span><br />With six wins, Utah is bowl eligible for the seventh-straight season. Utah has the nation's longest postseason win streak at eight, which includes bowl wins in 1999 and 2001, and from 2003-08.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Another Sellout Saturday?</span></strong><br />The Utes are looking for their 10th-straight sellout of Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. Utah has drawn over-capacity crowds dating back to the first game of the 2008 season, averaging 45,506 during that time in a stadium that seats 45,017.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Streaking Utes</span></strong><br />Utah has won 20 of its last 21 games and 27 of its last 29 games.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-53447814776261653592009-10-19T19:32:00.003-06:002009-10-19T19:36:49.266-06:00Hendricks earns POW honors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjSxStmB6rKrzUtrux-2vaqh9iSCEm97Y6TsAT3LcIxW1JKd5rG2vWfQ8P8-J_OhzdCetUGZN2o860dvlToVN0_Hll96O_UpmnEE0uyp6atlXmHoumRAjmV4vcLzSQU2_QYlXheDf9sc/s1600-h/Hendricks+mug.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394489699348270130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjSxStmB6rKrzUtrux-2vaqh9iSCEm97Y6TsAT3LcIxW1JKd5rG2vWfQ8P8-J_OhzdCetUGZN2o860dvlToVN0_Hll96O_UpmnEE0uyp6atlXmHoumRAjmV4vcLzSQU2_QYlXheDf9sc/s200/Hendricks+mug.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><span style="font-size:78%;">Sophomore linebacker Brian Hendricks</span></strong><br /><br />University of Wyoming sophomore linebacker Brian Hendricks was named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for his performance versus Air Force this past Saturday.<br /><br />Hendricks set a new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UW</span> single-game tackle record with 23 total tackles against the Falcons, breaking the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">UW</span> record that had stood since 1972 when Frank <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Erzinger</span> made 21 tackles against New Mexico.<br /><br />Hendricks, a sophomore from Burlington, Colo., had 11 solo tackles, 12 assists and also forced one fumble. The Falcons ran a total of 74 offensive plays on the day of which Hendricks made the tackle on nearly one-third of those plays (23 total). His biggest stops came midway through the second quarter as Air Force had a first-and-goal at the Wyoming 10-yard line. Hendricks made tackles on both first and second down, holding the Falcons to only seven yards on those two plays. Air Force ended up going for it on fourth-and-goal, but Hendricks and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">UW</span> defense forced an incomplete pass to maintain a 0-0 tie going into the half.<br /><br />Hendricks got stronger throughout the game. He made three tackles in the first quarter, five in the second, seven in the third and eight in the fourth. He becomes only the third Cowboy in 113 seasons of Wyoming Football to record 20 or more tackles in a single game. In addition to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Erzinger's</span> 21 tackles in 1972, former Wyoming All-America linebacker Paul <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Nunu</span> made 20 tackles against New Mexico in 1976.<br /><br />Despite the loss, Hendricks and the Cowboy defense held Air Force to its lowest point total of the season -- 10 points -- and held the Falcons 90 yards under their total offense average (269 yards of total offense as compared to 359.0 average for the season) Only Navy held Air Force to fewer total yards this season (240). Wyoming’s defense also held Air Force to only two yards passing – the second fewest in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MWC</span> history.<br /><br />Earlier this season, Hendricks recorded 18 tackles against Colorado, which tied for the fifth-best, single-game tackle total in school history at the time.<br /><br />It is Hendricks’ first <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MWC</span> Player of the Week honor of his career. He is the first Cowboy on defense to earn <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MWC</span> Player of the Week honors this season. He joins teammates <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Austyn</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Samuels</span> (two-time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">MWC</span> Offensive Player of the Week), Austin McCoy (Special Teams Player of the Week for Sept. 5) and Ian Watts (Special Teams Player of the Week for Sept. 26) as Cowboys to earn the honor this season.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-84796967126428542642009-10-17T23:13:00.004-06:002009-10-17T23:27:40.146-06:00Cowboys punchless in loss to Falcons<a href="http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/wyo/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/AFA101709.pdf">Wyoming-Air Force statistics</a><br /><br />AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- For the second time this season, the Wyoming offense put up a goose egg on the scoreboard.<br /><br />The Wyoming defense was strong, but Air Force was a little stronger in blanking the Cowboys 10-0 Saturday, handing the Cowboys their first Mountain West Conference loss of the season.<br /><br />Wyoming’s lack of offensive production came off of scoring 97 points in its previous three games, all victories. The Cowboys fell to 2-1 in league play and 4-3 overall. Air Force, which has now won four straight over Wyoming, is now 3-1, 4-3.<br /><br />"It was just nip and tuck, as it so frequently is whenever Air Force plays Wyoming,” Air Force coach Troy Calhoun said. “You can go back a number of years where you can talk about very, very close contests. You just have to find a way to win with resolve. I thought today we were extremely resilient and we did what we had to do to win a football game, which was a really good victory. You had two good teams, and hats off to Wyoming for what they've done and for what they're going to do up there. It was a great win."<br /><br />After a scoreless first half, the Falcons scored the only points of the game on a 29-yard field goal by Erik <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Soderberg</span> in the third quarter and a 17-yard touchdown run by Jared <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tew</span> in the fourth quarter. Both scores were set up by short punts, putting air Force in good field position.<br /><br />Air Force got going offensively in the second half when sophomore quarterback Connor <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dietz</span> came off the bench to spark the Falcons, replacing Tim Jefferson, who got the start despite missing the previous two games because of injury.<br /><br />That was more than enough for Air Force's defense, one of the stingiest in the nation. The Falcons shut out of a conference opponent for the first time since a 24-0 win at Colorado State in 1997.<br /><br />"I don't think there is any difference in their quarterbacks,” Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said. “They are both equally as productive running the offense. There was really no difference between the second half and the first half, our defense was just on the field a whole bunch today."<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tew</span> led Air Force's rushing attack, finishing with 105 yards while <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Savier</span> Stephens added 46.<br /><br />The Cowboys were rolling along coming into Saturday. They had won three straight and were averaging more than 32 points a game since true freshman <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Austyn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> took over at quarterback.<br /><br />But <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> struggled against the Falcons, completing 14 of 31 passes for 74 yards. He also threw an interception and the Cowboys never moved the ball inside the red zone.<br /><br />Brandon<a href="http://www.wyomingathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/stewart_brandon00.html"> </a>Stewart finished with 51 yards rushing for the Cowboys, while David Leonard while had seven catches for 36 yards.<br /><br />A stout Cowboys defense kept Air Force at bay for most of the game, but wore down late. Sophomore linebacker Brian Hendricks finished with 23 tackles for Wyoming and senior defensive tackle John Fletcher had a pair of sacks.<br /><br />In the scoreless first half, the teams combined for 12 penalties and Air Force mustered 79 yards of offense.<br /><br />The Falcons got inside the 5, but Asher Clark was stopped by Chris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Prosinski</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shamiel</span> Gary from the 3 before Jefferson's fourth-down pass was knocked away by <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tashaun</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gipson</span> in the corner of the end zone.<br /><br />With time winding down in the opening half, the Cowboys caught the Falcons in a coverage mix up and Stewart broke into the clear along the sideline.<br /><br />However, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Carta</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Samuels</span> sailed a pass too far and Stewart caught it out of bounds near the Air Force 10.<br /><br />Wyoming's 47-yard field goal attempt just before halftime was blocked by Zach <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kauth</span>.<br /><br />The Cowboys had 10 penalties in the game for 71 yards.<br /><br />"Absolutely awful job on my part of preparing our kids for that,” Christensen said.<br /> <br /> <br /> Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-22738480614594237442009-10-11T21:53:00.008-06:002009-10-11T22:03:39.169-06:00Cowboys happy, but not satisfied<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk1TPB_tLqXBFppkkBRKoLUOL7DodKBDYCxtF-TiuBkCm3Y_tyEvgco-CMmWZyQPU2TdBsPdZOxvbk5dtPrD5a5rrePPBLOGt__KQw910o150GgR_dzgcGGLExIH5CyRnV7-oMuUyJH0/s1600-h/Carta-Samuels,_Austyn_and_Alexander,_Alvester_vsUNM_9049%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391557334952257474" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk1TPB_tLqXBFppkkBRKoLUOL7DodKBDYCxtF-TiuBkCm3Y_tyEvgco-CMmWZyQPU2TdBsPdZOxvbk5dtPrD5a5rrePPBLOGt__KQw910o150GgR_dzgcGGLExIH5CyRnV7-oMuUyJH0/s400/Carta-Samuels,_Austyn_and_Alexander,_Alvester_vsUNM_9049%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqR3JdxclNZThFg_G1MQ23-W5y7RIddd0SNOkx2Ttjp6kxFREronH7v6RMPXkPnxlVhK-NaZm5ZjKDteDUwFf2Ayc0fSh7O8x1qweYwz3klI_sfGeFvkbt_AMFsPxVJ3IvXyzz3tqlr4/s1600-h/09Football_UWvsUNM_defense_8387%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391557426704420802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNqR3JdxclNZThFg_G1MQ23-W5y7RIddd0SNOkx2Ttjp6kxFREronH7v6RMPXkPnxlVhK-NaZm5ZjKDteDUwFf2Ayc0fSh7O8x1qweYwz3klI_sfGeFvkbt_AMFsPxVJ3IvXyzz3tqlr4/s320/09Football_UWvsUNM_defense_8387%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">UW</span> photos<br />Wyoming quarterback <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Austyn</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Samuels</span> congratulates running back <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Alvester</span> Alexander after Alexander's 33-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against New Mexico. At left, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">UW</span> defense swarms over a New Mexico running back.</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br />By Richard Anderson<br />Wyoming Sports.org<br /><br />Is it too early to talk about a bowl game for the Wyoming Cowboys?<br /><br />Yes … kind of.<br /><br />The Cowboys don’t want to get caught up in the bowl talk with a tough schedule ahead, but when pressed, they admit it is their goal and each win puts them closer to that goal.<br /><br />Opening the season at 4-2 will do that to a team.<br /><br />“I know there is a locker room that is excited to be 4-2 right now,” Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen said after Saturday’s 37-13 win over New Mexico. “They have probably exceeded a few of your (media) expectations at this time. The kids are playing hard, they have bought in and they continue to come out and play every single game from start to finish. We know the schedule is going to get harder and harder, we have a very difficult game next week against a very good Air Force opponent.”<br /><br />Have the Cowboys exceeded Christensen’s expectations? Not even close.<br /><br />“They haven’t met mine, yet,” Christensen said. “We plan on winning every single time we play. I said that the beginning and that is the way it is going to be in this program.”<br /><br />Wyoming freshman <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Austyn</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Samuels</span> said that 4-2 is a good start, but it is just that – a start.<br /><br />“We’re going to take it one at a time definitely because we have a tough schedule and that starts with Air Force next week,” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Carta</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Samuels</span> said. “That’s all we are going to think about. We’re going to take it in stride and hopefully we can keep stacking wins, keep stacking wins. A bowl will be talked about eventually, but we’re not going to talk about that yet or we will lose sight of our goals.”<br /><br />Cowboy senior linebacker said they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">aren</span>’t satisfied with being 4-2. They want to be 5-2 after next Saturday’s game with the Falcons. That is their next goal.<br /><br />“All of the coaches have high expectations for us,” Johnson said, “and I think we are just starting to scratch the surface of what we can do. We have to take it one game at a time and we have a good Air Force team next week.”<br /><br />Wyoming senior defensive end Mitch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Unrein</span> said they are playing with much more confidence and that started with the coaching staff.<br /><br />“We’re not worrying about if a mistake is going to happen,” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Unrein</span> said. “We know good things are going to happen. That is one of the things you can tell in our locker room and in our practices, the meeting room. The team has a whole new look at the program.”<br /><br />Christensen said that they talk to the team about putting streaks together, winning back-to-back-to-back games. He said that is what you have to do to have success and do the things that you want to do.<br /><br />“You can’t win a game, lose a couple, win a game, lose a couple. You have to put together back-to-back-to back game to start some streaks. So, it is huge," Christensen said. “The thing is we are changing the landscape and they are learning to do things and what it takes, how to think like a champion. They are doing a great job, but they have along ways to go, believe me. We have no arrived, but we are playing hard, learning how to finish, learning how to compete. Right now, I am happy with where we are at.”<br /><br />Happy, but not satisfied.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-482367302889433500.post-87327566568230263382009-10-10T20:37:00.008-06:002009-10-11T14:23:25.691-06:00Defense puts it together in the second half<strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXezXDrVPsBkgwbv4J1LwxGXZDGI4Gkb_9gUkncmuFbQikBFkYcYfVvHVTjaAqlee-WBny4wH4MidWfrU-Ur9_-PXgm3lBnBjp98xKuqXfMk3_Zx35iWOL-8Phv-bknLikQaX2nf2J3To/s1600-h/Johnson+interception.JPG"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391168723429739074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 236px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXezXDrVPsBkgwbv4J1LwxGXZDGI4Gkb_9gUkncmuFbQikBFkYcYfVvHVTjaAqlee-WBny4wH4MidWfrU-Ur9_-PXgm3lBnBjp98xKuqXfMk3_Zx35iWOL-8Phv-bknLikQaX2nf2J3To/s320/Johnson+interception.JPG" border="0" /></span></strong></a></span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Richard Anderson photo/Senior linebacker Weston Johnson clutches t</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">he football after an interception as he is greeted by teammates.</span></strong><br /><br />By Richard Anderson<br />Wyoming Sports.org<br /><br />Some of their problems were their own fault in the first half, some of them were not.<br /><br />The Wyoming defense made sure the second half and final score was no problem at all, pitching a shutout in the final two quarters as the Cowboys rolled to a 37-13 win over New Mexico Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.<br /><br />The Cowboys gave up a 24-yard touchdown pass on a one-play drive that was set up by a fumble on a fake punt attempt. They then gave up two field goals on long drives by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lobos</span>, the second with less than a minute to play until halftime.<br /><br />Although Wyoming was up by four points at halftime, it <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wasn</span>’t the effort the Cowboy defense was looking for.<br /><br />“We challenged them at halftime and I thought they came out in the second half and made some big stops,’ Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen said.<br /><br />Per man, the solution was almost identical; they had to do the little things well to play big.<br /><br />“We just went out there and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">didn</span>’t have any mental errors,” Wyoming senior defensive tackle John Fletcher said. “They had a wheel play that as a defensive end, we were suppose to come down the spill and we <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">weren</span>’t getting that in the first half. Coaches got on us a little bit. We started hitting it in the second half and they <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">weren</span>’t getting anything on us. Once we were able to shut down the run and get them in passing situations, that’s when we did the best up front, getting pressure.”<br /><br />Added senior defensive end Mitch <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Unrein</span>: “We <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">didn</span>’t execute as well in the first half as we should have. We got a little talking to there. Then everyone came out and just did their job. That’s what we try to stress on the defensive side of the ball.”<br /><br />The Wyoming linebackers said they were guilty as charged, not filling the gaps the way they needed to stop the New Mexico ground attack.<br /><br />“It’s just the little plays. There might be a broken pass coverage or not filling the right gap. It’s little things like that that need to be fixed. That’s all it was,” said sophomore linebacker Gabe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Knapton</span>, who led the Cowboys with 11 tackles, his fifth straight game of double-digit tackles. “When we came into halftime, we all knew what we needed to do. We all came together and came out and played great defense.”<br /><br />Senior linebacker Weston Johnson said much of the same thing as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Knapton</span>.<br /><br />“We just had guys not doing their exact assignment, not filling the gap,” said Johnson, who had 10 tackles (two for a loss) and one pass interception. “The coaches got on us and it kind of woke us up. We knew we could play better, so we just came out and focused on that.”<br /><br />The Wyoming coaches got on the Cowboys and they listened. After giving up 178 yards and 13 points in the first half, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Lobos</span> had just 112 yards and a goose egg on the scoreboard in the final 30 minutes.<br /><br />“First half, definitely not. In the second half, we got a shutout and played the way that we know we can play," Johnson said about how he thought they played. “I think it gives our team offensively and defensively going into next week’s game against Air Force.”<br /><br />Johnson said that on defense, preached all week about players being responsible, being accountable to their teammates.<br /><br />“There were a few plays, including myself, where guys were coming out of coverage or not doing what they were supposed to on that play," Johnson said. "That enabled New Mexico to move the ball on us that they would like.”<br /><br />In fact, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Lobos</span> had 25 yards rushing on their first three carries, all by James Wright. New Mexico finished with just 47 yards on the ground in the game.<br /><br />“We came out in the second half and played mistake free and cleaned up on those errors. If we keep doing that, we’ll get better every single week,” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Unrein</span> said.<br /><br />Maybe one of the first half highlights for the Wyoming defense was when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Unrein</span> caught Wright in the end zone on a little swing pass for a safety -- the team’s first points of the game.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Unrein</span>, who had put good pressure on this season but had little to show for it, finished with one quarterback sack and three tackles. He was actually surprised he was credited with the sack.<br /><br />“Sweet, I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">didn</span>’t know that,” <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Unrein</span> said when he was told that he had a sack. “It’s nice to get on the sheet. It has been kind of a long five games. I’d get back there but he (quarterback) would get the ball off. We have such great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">playmakers</span> on the defensive side of the ball. If somebody is blocking me, that frees up somebody else. It’s just a team effort. I don’t care what my stats are, I just play as hard as I can. I’m more worried about us winning the ballgame.”<br /><br />Wyoming’s sackmaster -- Fletcher -- caught New Mexico quarterback Donovan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Porterie</span> one time as well, as the Cowboys finished with five sacks in the game.<br /><br />“Every week Coach C is getting us ready to play. If you do your technique, the big hits will come. I think from the beginning of fall camp to now we have become more physical unit than we ever have been,” Fletcher said.Richard Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00561373619970330797noreply@blogger.com0