After two winning seasons in a row, the University of Wyoming Cowboys football team is going into spring training with determination and expectations for the upcoming season.
With most of the focus surrounding UW Cowboys football being on star quarterback Josh Allen, people tend to forget that offense isn’t always what wins’ games. Last season the Cowboys’ defense was ranked third in the Mountain West and had the most unassisted tackles of any defense in the Mountain West.
“I expect to do even better and be more dominant (than last season),” sophomore defensive tackle Youhanna Ghaifan said. “I expect us just to make more plays and put in the work next season.”
According to ESPN Ghaifan ended last season ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West for sacks, just behind teammate Carl Granderson. Both were very important components in the Cowboys’ success these last two seasons.
“I think it’s just about mentality when you want to pass rush,” Ghaifan noted. “That you want to be the first to get to the quarterback, but it does help having Carl Granderson coming from the other side.”
While there are some standouts on the defensive line, the Cowboys pride themselves on the depth of their defense and the fact that everyone on the defensive line is able to perform. The team has high hopes for the capabilities of their defense this coming season.
“Our whole defensive line is coming back next season and that’s really exciting!” sophomore defensive end Josiah Hall exclaimed. “We’re looking to take what we did last year and carry it into next year and hopefully take it even further.”
Hall suffered a shoulder injury towards the end of last season and is still recovering but should return long before the season starts.
“I’m really just working on getting this shoulder healthy,” Hall said. “I think everyone has the same goal; they want to see their stats go up and their tackles go up. And so that’s my main goal; just keep getting better and do whatever I can to help out the team.”
Aside from focusing on their own game and bettering themselves, the Cowboys have a strong focus on bettering and supporting the whole team, and the defensive line is no exception.
“Obviously Carl (Granderson) came off a really good year and we’re expecting him to do big things this year and Sid (Malauulu) once we get his back fixed. But, you know, I expect big things out of everyone, even the young guys we can’t count out,” Hall said.
Ghaifan said, “Everyone is just grinders and they do whatever they can to win. They’re just good football players. They’re really good football players. And you know when you put all of that together you’re going to end up with one of the best defenses in the nation.”
Another notable name off the Cowboys’ defense is junior free safety Marcus Epps. Epps was ranked in the top five for interceptions and interception yards in the Mountain West last season, according to ESPN.
“I expect big things out of the whole defense, myself included,” junior nose tackle Sidney Malauulu said. “But of course, we’ll be expecting big things out of the stars like Marcus (Epps).”
When speaking with the Cowboys’ defense one thing becomes clear, even though they were very competitive and successful last season, they look to further their success and come out even more powerful next season.
“We’re going to try to kick it up another notch,” Malauulu said. “We don’t want to stay content with where we’re at. We’re proud but we’re not satisfied.”
The Cowboys will continue spring practice throughout most of April up until their Spring Game on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. MST at War Memorial Stadium here in Laramie.
