LARAMIE – Jay Sawvel was hoping that the spring game would be played in 65-degree weather with full stands at Okie Blanchard Stadium.
But with inclement weather forecast Saturday in Cheyenne, Wyoming’s first-year head coach opted to move the spring game to Thursday in Laramie.
Gates open at 3 pm with action to begin at 3:30 pm at War Memorial Stadium.
“It’s like eating stale food a little bit and I don’t like that,” Sawvel said of finishing the spring with practice No. 15 on Friday 24 hours after the open scrimmage. “But that’s the hand we’re dealt, and we’ll make the most of it and get work done.”
Thursday’s event, the third practice Sawvel has opened to the public, will still give fans the ability to attend an early taste of 2024 Cowboy football.
The No. 1 offense (Brown Team) will compete against the No. 1 defense (Gold Team) during the first half, which will mimic an actual game. The second half could have a running clock, depending on how many plays are run through the first 30 minutes.
New offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has added spread and tempo flavors to a UW attack that will still try to maul teams with a relentless ground game.
Led by quarterback Evan Svobodathe offense has been steadily winning its share of practice periods against an experienced defense that dominated the first two weeks.
“When we started off this spring it was pretty clear as day the defense knows what they’re doing and we’re still learning,” wide receiver Devin Boddie Jr. said. “Over time I feel like working against our defense with the scheme they have, which is a great scheme with a lot of great players over there, it doesn’t do anything but make us better.”
Svoboda already had strong chemistry with the dynamic tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, his roommate. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound QB1 has started to develop connections with a list of athletic wide receivers that includes veterans Boddie, Alex Brown, Will Pelissier and Jaylen Sargent and youngsters Chris Durr Jr., Justin Stevenson, Kayden LaFramboise and Jaylan Bean.
“I like the fact that our quarterbacks are being much more decisive with what they’re reading and where they’re going (with the ball) right now,” Sawvel said. “That’s been a positive that has generated over the last handful of days. The defense made a couple plays (last) Saturday, and we had a couple takeaways, but I like the definitiveness of the quarterbacks right now. That’s been good, too. “
The Pokes are loaded at running back with the return of Harrison Waylee, Sam Scott and Jamari Ferrell and the addition of North Carolina transfer DJ Jones. Senior fullback Caleb Driskill can still bulldoze would-be tacklers as a lead blocker but is also being used as a target in the passing game at tight end.
The offensive line is strong up the middle with guards Wes King and Jack Walsh playing beside center Nofoafia Tulafono. Redshirt freshmen Jake Davies (left tackle) and Nathan Geiger (right tackle) have been shoved into the spotlight this spring with Frank Crum moving on to the NFL and Caden Barnett sitting out due to injury.
“Anytime you change out one team to the next you’re still going to have some new players, some young players, some guys that were inexperienced and Thursday will be a game for us,” Sawvel said. “I know it’s an open scrimmage, but we’re going to play it like a game. … We need to see the Nate Geiger’s and the Jake Davies’ play a game.”
The Gold defense will counter with starting defensive ends DeVonne Harris and Sebastian Harsh. Defensive tackle Gavin Meyer has been a wrecking ball through 13 practices and will be paired with powerful redshirt freshman Jayden Williams on the interior with Jordan Bertagnole sitting out to recover from offseason surgery.
Shae Suiaunoa has replaced Easton Gibbs at middle linebacker with Connor Shay currently penciled in as the new starter at weak-side linebacker.
“We’re emphasizing running to the ball and not having any loafs, which is what they call it when you don’t run to the ball,” Shay said when asked what he wants to see from his unit during this matchup with the Brown squad. “So, we want to just fly around, be around the ball and get turnovers. That’s a big emphasis we have, and everybody needs to be punching at the ball and forcing fumbles.”
Aaron Bohlin his first season as defensive coordinator after getting promoted by Sawvel, also has savvy secondary with the return of nickel back Wrook Brown and safeties Wyatt Ekeler and Isaac White.
Tyrecus Davis has been one of the stars of the spring while solidifying his status as the team’s top cornerback. With sophomores Keany Parks and Ian Bell out with injuries, wide receiver Caleb Merritt will also play cornerback.
“It will work out for him. I think he did a good job,” Shay said after Merritt practiced with the defense Tuesday. “Obviously it’s going to be different for him and he’s got to learn the plays and learn how to cover and everything, but he’s a good athlete and he’ll be able to get it done quickly.”
Jayden Clemons and Kaden Anderson are the Gold quarterbacks with Gage Brook joining Svoboda on the Brown.
The Pokes’ depth at several position groups will be on display with a handful of starter-level players on the second teams.
Defensive end Braden Sidersdefensive tackle Jaden Williams and linebacker Evan Eller lead the Brown defense. Ferrell and Scott will be in the backfield with Durr, Sargent and Texas Tech transfer Tyler King at receiver for the Gold offense.
“I want to see us play clean with no MAs (missed assignments), no offsides and things of that nature,” Boddie said of his goals for the offense, which was held out of the defense during the previous major scrimmage in the War. “Let’s be explosive and score touchdowns and secure the ball.”
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