Unlike many other football programs undergoing a coaching change this year, the Cowboys aren’t looking to rebuild their program amidst a mass exodus of players leaving the program. In fact, for the Cowboys, it’s quite the opposite. In year one under head coach Jay Sawvel, who was the defensive coordinator for the program last season, the Cowboys are looking to carry on a winning tradition set by Craig Bohl in his 10 year tenure with the Pokes.
The Cowboys are in as good of a position as they have ever been to top the Mountain West this season, with a good majority of last year’s roster returning, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Fifth year defensive end Sabastian Harsh, who led the team in tackles for loss last season, is one of the leaders amongst the Cowboys’ veteran defense, and he notes how important it was for this Cowboy defense to maintain a lot of its roster from last year.
“Being with these guys for so long, it’s super easy to just talk to each other and communicate,” Harsh said. “It’s not like anything gets taken personal, I think that’s probably been one of the more encouraging parts about this roster and team we got.”
The Cowboys’ wealth of experience on the defensive end starts at the linebacker position, one that has a rich recent history for the Pokes with the likes of now NFL linebackers Logan Wilson or Chad Muma. Shae Suiaunoa now premiers as the Cowboys’ best in that spot, and was second in total tackles last season.
Harsh is joined at the defensive end position by Devonne Harris, a sixth year graduate student whose presence was felt in every game last year, especially versus Appalachian State where Harris was able to block a field goal that was returned for the game winning touchdown for the Pokes. Junior Braden Siders also returns after recording 26 tackles last year.
The disruptive duo of Wrook Brown and Wyett Ekeler returns as well after both leading the Pokes in turnovers last season. Brown returns as a junior at the nickel position after leading the Cowboys in interceptions last season, while Ekeler returns as a senior after recording two picks and two fumbles last season.
The Cowboys have always been known for their defense, and much of the scheme will remain the same alongside the players, as previous linebackers coach Aaron Bohl moves to the defensive coordinator position.
“I think it’s kind of a familiar feel on the defensive side of the ball, we really haven’t changed a bunch of things as far as scheme or game plan or anything like that,” Harsh said.
The Cowboys will have a new-look offense this year, though, both schematically and within the roster. Evan Svoboda, the starting quarterback this season who served as the primary back-up a year ago, noted how the Cowboys’ offense will be much faster paced this year compared to the years prior.
“We’re just continuing to hit on the fast paced offense,” Svoboda said, “Just mastering it [and] mastering the game mechanics.”
The Cowboys’ fast paced offense comes from the mind of offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, who spent the last four years calling offensive plays for Michigan State.
“We’re still in a growing stage right now because of some of the things we’re doing differently,” Sawvel said of his offense during fall sports media day.
“The players have done great with it, and still at the forefront of all of it is the fact that we need to be able to run the ball and out tough our opponents, but we’ve got to have a balance to it all,” he added.
While running back Harrison Waylee and tight end John Michael Gyllenborg return as the Cowboys’ most productive offensive players, much of the Pokes’ receiving corps is young and unproven, many of which are playing their first year of college football. Despite this, Svoboda still has confidence in his young throwing targets.
“I think it’s great that we have younger guys stepping up, proving themselves, showing their upside, showing their potential,” Svoboda said. “I think that’s huge.”
Svoboda mentioned the names of Chris Durr Jr., Justin Stevenson, Jaylen Bean and Tyler King all as young players who could make a name for themselves catching the ball this fall. However, the Cowboys will still rely on the experience and leadership of seniors Alex Brown and Will Pellisier at the wide receiver position this season.
The running back room for the Pokes is deep and much more experienced as compared to their receiving room, with the likes of Waylee, Sam Scott, Jamari Ferrell and Dawaiian McNeely all returning from last year. With the likes of Waylee being sidelined for the near future with an injury, transfer running back DJ Jones seems to be the next man up at the primary ball carrier position for the opening game.
“DJ is gonna have a really big year,” Harsh said of Jones.“He’s been doing a really good job as far as running the ball, he broke me off in one of the practices,” he added with a smile.
With the Cowboys’ season opener on the road against Arizona State just around the corner, the Cowboys are taking each practice day by day as they prepare for the Sun Devils, one of the most transformed rosters in the nation under their new head coach.
But Sawvel and his Cowboys aren’t much worried about who they’re up against, as this roster is as confident and as hungry as ever to compete and more importantly, win.
“In my time here, this is the most consistent football team on a day-to-day basis, with their habits and how they perform on the field each and every day,” Sawvel said. “We have a very developed football team right now.”
