2022 in Review

The Cowboys ran the ball pretty well, going for 181.4 yards per game, but the passing game was abysmal. Wyoming ranked 125th in the nation in passing offense with 132.2 yards per outing.

This is not a huge issue as Wyoming will be a run-first defensive team, but the passing game must get a little better, especially on third downs.

Wyoming converted on 34.9% of third downs in 2022, 105th in the nation.

On third-and-seven yards to gain or more, UW only converted on 14.9%. Almost 40% of their third downs in 2022 were of the seven+ variety.

Offense

The passing game does not need to be great, but just decent. Andrew Peasley started last year under center and will be back again this year. He brings experience and leadership.

In 2022, Peasley connected on 56.8% of his passes on first and second down but dipped to 42.9% on third down. He is capable of tucking the ball and getting yards with his legs.

The senior from Le Grande, Oregon has also proven he can win the close games. Four of the seven wins last season were by seven points or less and five of the wins were come-from-behind victories.

In 2022 he threw for 10 TDs and nine interceptions; those numbers need to get much better in 2023.

The strength of this offense is the run game. That has been the case under Bohl and will again be the case in 2023.

Titus Swen was an All-Conference Second-Team selection last season as he ran for 1,039 yards and eight touchdowns.

Swen is gone, but the backs on the roster are more than capable of duplicating and perhaps improving the numbers. Dawaiian McNeely is the top returnee rushing for 356 last season at 5.7 yards per carry.

DQ James is also back. He supplied plenty of pop last year, running for 8.7 yards per carry while producing 346 yards. The addition of Harrison Waylee gives the Cowboys three backs who could step into that starting role.

Whichever one ends up with the bulk of the touches should produce a 1,000-yard season and earn All-Conference honors. I’m guessing McNeely ends up being the main man.

The offensive line only has two starters back from the 2022 unit. The 2023 unit has just 52 combined starts, 36 of them coming from Frank Crum alone. Having Crum at a tackle spot is a pretty good starting point.

The 6-foot-7. 315-pounder has the potential to be playing on Sundays a year from now. Also back on the line is Nofoafia Tulafono, who started 12 games in 2022.

Look for Jack Walsh and Cadan Barnett to man the guard spots and Wes King to take the other tackle position. This is a line that should be able to open holes for the backs and give Peasley time to pass.

When all else fails for the Cowboys, they can turn to John Hoyland, who will be the best kicker in the Mountain West. The junior connected on 13 of 14 FG tries last season with a long of 42.

This season, Wyoming should be all but guaranteed points when they get the ball inside the opponent’s 35.

Defense

While that is a big loss, Wyoming is still loaded with All-Conference potential on defense.

The line has the ability to be dominant this season. Cole Godbot and Jordan Bertagnole will be on the inside of the line with DeVonne Harris and Sebastian Harsh manning the outside.

This quartet will form the best line in the Conference and among the top 30 D-line units in the nation. The two in the middle will clog the run lanes.

Godbout showed signs of excellence at DT in 2021 before a foot injury in 2022 slowed him down. Look for him to regain his form in 2023.

DeVonne Harris collected eight sacks last year and could see that number improve this season.

As good as the line will be, the pair of linebackers may even be more formidable. Shae Suaunoa and Easton Gibbs can both do it all in the middle.

Suanoa had 73 tackles in 2022 and would be the main man in the middle in almost any place but takes a back seat to Gibbs at Wyoming.

Gibbs is arguably the best defender in the Mountain West. His 121 tackles were the second most in the MW in 2022. Gibbs reached double digits in tackles six times in 2022.

The duo will be able to get in the backfield to make stops and supply coverage help against the pass.

The backend of the defense certainly lost a good one in Stone, but the three returnees are talented. Isaac White and Wyett Ekeler return at safety while Tyrecus Davis is back at cornerback.

Jakory Hawkins might be the best coverage guy they have and should slot into the spot that was occupied by Stone. Wrook Brown had 37 tackles and broke up three passes in 2022 from the NB/Hybrid spot.

Kobey Taylor is another promising sophomore that should find his way into the rotation at corner.

Schedule