Wyoming football mailbag: Nevada week

– Daniel

Here is where the Pokes currently stand on the recruiting trail: There are four hard commitments so far, per 247sports: offensive linemen Nofoafia Tulafono, of California (three-star prospect) and Kohl Herbolsheimer of Nebraska (not ranked); wide receiver Keshaun Taylor, of Colorado (three-star prospect); and quarterback Gavin Beerup (three-star prospect), of California.

Rivals lists six additional verbal commits: running back Joseph Braasch, of Nebraska; receiver Isaac White, of Colorado; receiver Ryan Morgan, of California; tight end Nick Miles, of Colorado; defensive end Cameron Smith, of Colorado; and defensive end Braden Siders, of Colorado. Malik Williams, a lineman from California, announced his commitment to the Pokes on Twitter on Tuesday night.

I reached out to 247sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman, who focuses on the West Coast, for his thoughts on some of the class.

“Tulafono was really good on the camp circuit and earned his invite to the Polynesian Bowl after a great showing at the Polynesian Combine.  He recently flipped from New Mexico to Wyoming.  A pure inside guy.”

“Beerup, I actually grew up with his stepdad, so I’m old. Waited his turn at quarterback for St. Bonaventure (Southern California) and is in his first year as a full-time starter, but in a day and age of QBs transferring to play, he stayed the course at St. Bonnie and is now running the offense. Good size and arm, just needs more experience.”

“(Taylor) is a good athlete who can play a number of spots- in the secondary, as a slot, split out wide and will also return punts and kicks.”

“(Morgan is) super intriguing. Had some injuries that kept him off the field in 2018 but has good size and range.”

My question revolves around play calling. I know it’s something that your average fan tries to find fault in, and often times they don’t know what they’re talking about. Especially when compared to (offensive coordinator Brent Vigen) who literally makes his living by calling plays at the college football level. But I think there is a little bit more to it than that in this instance. While Josh Allen was here it seemed as if the poor play calling was masked a bit due to Josh’s innate ability to improvise and make something out of nothing. However, all of last year and certainly in moments this year, the plays called in certain downs and distances can leave you scratching your head. So my question is: is anyone internally, be they players, coaches or administrators concerned about this? Or are the (probably ignorant) fans the only ones upset?

– Conner

If we are being honest, all indications are that this is the type of offense the Pokes want to run. As Craig Bohl said Monday, “It’s kind of important to know who we are. Dance with who brung us.”

The product isn’t always pretty, but the fact of the matter is that this is just kind of what the team is: they want to run the ball down your throat and play great defense. Last week, we saw redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Chambers make strides as a passer. The numbers weren’t absurd (9-of-15, 86 yards and a touchdown), but they were efficient. Efficiency is the key for UW’s offense: it ranks No. 22 nationally in red zone offense; the Cowboys have scored 16 touchdowns in 24 red zone chances, with 13 being rushing touchdowns.

The Pokes’ best players make plays with their legs. Chambers and sophomore running back Xazavian Valladay are, at times, unstoppable when they get going. The play calls might seem odd at times, and I’m sure everyone on the staff would like to see Chambers complete a higher percentage of his passes, or hit chunk plays down the field. But Wyoming has to do what it does best and, frankly, running the ball is their best option most of the time.

The next three games will be the Cowboys MWC “gauntlet.” What do you think the chances are that they win all three? Bonus question – if the Pokes lose to either Utah State or Nevada but beat Boise, do you see any path to the MW championship game?

– Jack

The three games Jack is referring to are matchups against Nevada, at Boise State and at Utah State. That’s about as tough a stretch as there is in the Mountain West for any team this season.

If we are being completely honest, it would be hard for me to imagine the Cowboys winning all three games. That’s no disrespect to the Pokes – I think it would be tough for any team to play that sort of schedule and come out unscathed. I think coming out of that stretch 2-1 would be a huge accomplishment. I think that if Wyoming were to win in Boise, it would be hard to mentally regroup the next week in Utah State. I think they will beat Nevada and go 1-1 in the other games.

Now, if Wyoming were to beat Boise State (currently no conference losses) on Nov. 9, but lose to Nevada or Utah State, it would be hard to envision the Pokes winning the Mountain Division. Looking at Boise State’s schedule, the only game I could see potentially giving them problems outside of Wyoming is a Nov. 23 matchup at Utah State. The Aggies (also no conference losses) have a tough one at Air Force this weekend and, of course, the matchups with the Broncos and Cowboys. I honestly don’t see Boise State losing more than one conference game this year, though; that defense is extremely athletic, and they have tons of playmakers at the skill positions. Assuming quarterback Hank Bachmeier comes back healthy, they are the team to beat, in my opinion.

This hypothetical would give Boise State just one conference loss and the nod, even if the Pokes win the head-to-head matchup. I think a realistic expectation is for the Pokes to finish with two or three conference losses (don’t discount Air Force in late November), which won’t be enough to play in the Mountain West title game but is nothing to scoff at.

Last year Sean chambers played four games, allowing him to still redshirt under the new guidelines. With the injuries at running back and high number of dropped passes from receivers, is there consideration to use some of the true freshman?

– Ron

When asked about this Tuesday, Bohl didn’t really tip his hand, saying the team would do whatever it took to go 1-0. Not exactly an answer we can decipher much from, unfortunately.

Looking at the roster at running back and receiver, though, there aren’t any true freshmen currently listed on the depth chart. The same is true at running back. Now, that isn’t to say that in games against, say, Boise State or Utah State, Wyoming won’t pull out all the stops and put in some young players. Figuring out who those players might be, however, would be complete guesswork on my part.

Curious if you have any info on why Cooper Rothe is struggling this year? Is it as simple as that? Or is there a bigger story? I think all Pokes fans are shocked to see him go from one of the best to missing PATs nearly every week.

– Taylor

Obviously, Rothe has not performed as was expected of a 2018 Lou Groza Award finalist. He has missed three extra points this year and five field goals; for reference, he missed one extra point and 11 field goals his first three seasons combined.

I asked head coach Craig Bohl about Rothe’s struggles, and whether they were due to technique or mental roadblocks. Here is what he said Monday:

“I think it’s a combination of both. He constantly pours through his tape, and we video tape a lot of things … The kickoffs have been excellent. However, it does come back to the place kicker. We’re going to work hard this week. What is great about Cooper is he has a really steady internal compass. It’s not like he is out there stressing. When we had to kick the field goal there to change the point total (late in the game against New Mexico), there was no doubt in my mind to send him out there. He was going to get it done.”

Bohl mentioned that there is a slight dip in the area of the field where Rothe practices his kicks that is playing a part in his struggles. He said maintenance was “going to make some adjustments to it.”

“We can’t put everything on, OK, there’s a dip in there,” Bohl said. “We have an extra point, we have to kick it better.”