Not a lot of offense and strong defensive play dominated this year’s Wyoming Spring Game as the gold team defeated the brown team 3-0.
The first string offense struggled against the gold team’s no. 1 defense, as they were held to only 150 yards of total offense. The two offenses combined for only 307 total yards.
“These are the typical Spring Games that I’m used to,” head coach Craig Bohl said. “I think we’re making significant progress, particularly on defense. Last week, our offense was really explosive. I think today our defensive line established the line of scrimmage better. We have more speed on defense and our coverage guys are doing a lot better.”
The main struggle on offense on Saturday came from the wide receiving core. C.J. Johnson and James Price were unable to catch the footballs that Josh Allen was throwing to them.
“Offensively, I’d like to see us catch the ball a little better than what we did today. I think we moved the ball at times, but we need to be sharper,” Bohl said. “It was a contrast from last week. But there are some good things that we’re doing offensively, as well.”
The only two scoring opportunities of the game came on the final possession of the game for each team. Redshirt sophomore place-kicker Brock Beddes was able to convert on a 30-yard field goal with 1:01 remaining in the fourth quarter. Then the Brown Team was able to put together a drive on the final possession of the game. The Brown Team got the ball down to the 33-yard line, which game sophomore place-kicker Cooper Rothe a 50-yard field goal opportunity with just a few seconds remaining. Rothe’s attempt on the final play of the game had the distance, but went wide left.
“This is a good benchmark for our program, but there is work to be done as we get ready to play the University of Iowa and take another step forward with our football program,” Bohl said.
Offensively, Allen struggled to connect with his receivers only completing 10 out of his 26 passes for 127 yards. He was sacked two times on the day. Backup quarterback Nick Smith, completed 8 of 11 passes for 89 yards and was sacked five times. After the game, the media asked coach Bohl if he was happy with the overall performance of the offense throughout spring practice and if he liked the chemistry that Allen was developing with his receivers.
“Every Saturday is a give and take during spring ball. I know you all didn’t get an opportunity to watch our closed scrimmage last Saturday, but it was significantly different from what we say today,” Bohl said. “They need to continue working on our passing game and the timing between our quarterbacks and our young, emerging receivers. After today, I wouldn’t say I’m happy with today’s performance offensively, but overall for the spring I am.”
As far as the defense goes, it seemed as if they were at full speed and were flying around the field making plays. One of the key positions moves that took place in 2017 spring football was the shift of sophomore linebacker Logan Wilson who moved from the weak-side linebacker spot to the middle linebacker position.
“I wouldn’t say he has a firm grasp on his new position, but I do believe he’s made good progress,” Bohl said. “He’s gained some really good weight. He’s up to 231 pounds. He runs well. He understands some of the nuisances of our defense. That’s an important position. When you run the Tampa-2 defense, that MIKE linebacker has to be a guy who can really run and cover ground and he can.”
The Brown and Gold Game was the 15th and final practice of 2017 spring drills for the Cowboys.
Wyoming will open the 2017 college football season on Saturday, Sept. 2 in Iowa City, Iowa against the Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big Ten Conference. Season tickets of the 2017 season are on sale now.
