2012 MW Football Spring Preview: Wyoming Cowboys

By Mick McGrane on April 16, 2012 4:13 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

2012 Outlook
Some thought there was little reason to expect big things from the Cowboys in 2011, particularly when head coach Dave Christensen announced that the starting quarterback duties would be handled by a true freshman. If fans were wont to raise an eyebrow at the time, they were ultimately rewarded with the team's first eight-win season in 13 years, as Christensen went on to be named the MW Coach of the Year and quarterback Brett Smith was tabbed the league's Freshman of the Year. The Cowboys' five league wins and third-place finish matched the team's best performance since 2006. Wyoming earned a bid to the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, marking the first time since 1988-90 that it played in a postseason game twice in a three-year span. The biggest challenge will be identifying capable replacements for starting offensive tackles John Hutchins and Clayton Kirven, along with starting defensive ends Josh Biezuns and Gabe Knapton.
Cowboy Offense
While Smith is participating in spring practices, he is not taking part in any live action after undergoing offseason surgery on the thumb of his right throwing hand. Smith turned in a spectacular freshman season, completing 61 percent of his passes for 2,622 yards with 20 touchdowns. He was also the Cowboys' leading rusher with 710 yards and 10 touchdowns and finished with 3,332 yards of total offense. Junior wide Josh Leonard, who has made 13 career starts, and sophomore Daniel Fleischman have emerged as the early candidates to replace Hutchins and Kirven. The Cowboys entered spring drills with just two proven running backs on scholarship in senior Brandon Miller and sophomore Kody Sutton. Wyoming returns its top two receivers in sophomore Dominic Rufran (44 catches, 402 yards, two touchdowns) and junior Robert Herron (43 catches, 379 yards, three touchdowns).
Cowboy Defense
Despite the losses of Biezuns and Knapton, the Cowboys are not without experience. Senior tackle Mike Purcell will be a four-year starter when the season begins, while senior end Ben Durbin and tackle Kurt Taufa'asau both started games last season. Also back is junior tackle Patrick Mertens, who missed the 2011 season with an undisclosed illness. Opposite Durbin at right defensive end is Sonny Puletasi, who played behind Knapton last season. Senior Ghaali Muhammad, who was moved to running back last season, returns to a seasoned linebacking corps that includes 2011 starters Devyn Harris and Korey Jones. Also back in the fold is senior Oliver Schober, who was sidelined with an injury last season. Senior strong safety Luke Ruff, a second-team all-MW pick in 2011, is the leader in the secondary.
Cowboy Special Teams
Australian native Tim Gleeson has taken over the punting duties and averaged more than 50 yards during a recent scrimmage. Sophomore Daniel Sullivan returns as the team's placekicker, while cornerback Blair Burns, who earned MW honorable mention last season, will once again return punts.

Quick Facts
• 2011: 8-5 Overall, 5-2 MW (3rd) • Overall Stats • MW-Only Stats • Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 43/16 • Starters Returning/Lost: 14/11
Cowboy Links
• Head Coach Dave Christensen (4th Year) • Prospectus • Roster • Wyoming Football Home Page
2012 Schedule
Date	Opponent
Sept. 1	at Texas
Sept. 8	Toledo
Sept. 15	Cal Poly
Sept. 22	at Idaho
Oct. 6	at Nevada*
Oct. 13	Air Force*
Oct. 20	at Fresno State*
Oct. 27	Boise State*
Nov. 3	Colorado State*
Nov. 10	at New Mexico*
Nov. 17	at UNLV*
Nov. 24	San Diego State*
* MW game.

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MICK MCGRANE

Mick McGrane has covered the Mountain West since the league's inception in 1999. He spent 12 years at the San Diego Union-Tribune, where he served as the beat writer for San Diego State football and men's basketball. He currently represents the MW as a member of the Football Writers Association of America All-America Committee and is a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. McGrane serves as senior writer to the Mountain West, providing readers with exclusive, in-depth information about the Conference by highlighting its 10 member institutions and contributing feature stories on student-athletes that participate in the league's 18 sponsored sports.

Have a question for Mick? E-mail him at mick@TheMWC.com or check him out on Twitter @MWCMick.

MARK KNUDSON

Mark Knudson is a Colorado State journalism school graduate and a 12-year veteran of professional baseball. During his playing career, Mark pitched for three major league teams, including the Colorado Rockies, where he was the first Colorado native to play for the hometown team. He recorded wins over three of the four legendary pitchers who make up the 4,000 strikeout club: Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens. His win over Ryan came for the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day in 1991.

Since his retirement, Mark has been a feature writer and columnist for Mile High Sports, a radio talk show host and TV analyst for numerous sports media outlets. For the past six years, he was a columnist and baseball analyst for The Mtn., along with being one of Colorado's six Heisman Trophy voters.