The Wyoming Cowboys will be looking to build on their most successful season since 1998 when they open 2012 fall camp on Monday with an 3:45 p.m. practice on the South Practice Field in Laramie. Wyoming posted an 8-5 record and third-place conference finish a year ago, including a bid to the 2011 Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
Fourth-year head coach Dave Christensen will see 13 returning starters and 41 returning lettermen take the field when the Cowboys begin fall drills.
“I feel that this is the most experienced team we’ve put on the field since I’ve been here,” said Christensen. “Our players have been working extremely hard during our summer conditioning program, and I like the leadership on this team.
“We’re coming off a very physical spring practice. I liked the intensity and physical play that our team exhibited in the spring, and I expect that to carry through into the beginning of fall camp.”
Next Monday’s first practice will be the Cowboys first of 25 fall practices in preparation for the 2012 season opener at Texas on Sept. 1.
Among the leading returning starters is sophomore quarterback Brett Smith, who was voted the 2011 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year last season and also earned First Team Freshman All-America honors from CollegeFootballNews.com. Two other Cowboys have also been named to preseason watch lists. Senior center Nick Carlson has been named to both the Rimington Trophy Watch List, honoring the nation’s top center, and the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, honoring the nation’s top lineman. Senior free safety Luke Ruff has been named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. Carlson, Ruff and senior defensive tackle Mike Purcell were all selected to the 2012 Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Team as voted on by conference media members.
“We look to have virtually everyone back healthy to start camp,” added Christensen. “I’m excited to get a look at a number of players who missed all or a portion of contact drills in the spring. I’m also looking forward to getting our first look at our newcomers to see which of them might be able to help us this season.
