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Wyoming Football: Will Cowboys surprise Mountain West in 2021?

By Michael Hanich

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 27: Running back Trey Smith #7 of the Wyoming Cowboys runs against defensive back Bryce Jackson #24 of the UNLV Rebels in the second half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cowboys defeated the Rebels 45-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 27: Running back Trey Smith #7 of the Wyoming Cowboys runs against defensive back Bryce Jackson #24 of the UNLV Rebels in the second half of their game at Allegiant Stadium on November 27, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Cowboys defeated the Rebels 45-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /

Health a slight concern for experienced Cowboys offense

The Cowboys felt great of their potential of last year with their offense, despite only having six games. Wyoming football will return nine starters from last season’s one-dimensional offense.

The Cowboys suffered significant injuries especially at the quarterback position that stalled their offensive production. Last season, the Cowboys’ offense tied for 83rd in the nation in points per game (26.5) and 83rd in total yards per game (372.8). Their offense also ranked 114th in the nation in passing yards per game (153.3). They were able to find success in their rushing offense as they were ranked 14th in the nation in rushing yards per game (219.5) behind the stellar performance of running back Xazavian Valladay.

Wyoming’s offense will have a new play-caller this season with Brent Vigen becoming the head coach of Montana State. Vigen has been the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Cowboys since 2014, the first year of Craig Bohl as head coach.

Tim Polasek comes in as the new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for the Cowboys. Coach Polasek has spent the last four years as the offensive line coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he has developed high-caliber offensive linemen for the NFL. Before Iowa, he was the offensive coordinator and running backs coach for the North Dakota State from 2014 to 2016. He will have a big responsibility this season to keep the offense healthy and well-balanced.

The Cowboys were thrilled to see what Sean Chambers could accomplish in his first full season in 2020 after a great, but limited season in 2019 as a redshirt freshman. Chambers, however, suffered a season-ending leg injury in the first drive of the first game against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

The Cowboys are thrilled to have him back as the starting quarterback, but they are cautious with the injury history the redshirt sophomore has already accumulated in his collegiate career. Last season, the Cowboys had to rely on redshirt freshman Levi Williams to lead the offense. Both quarterbacks are talented dual-threat playmakers with questionable traits of accuracy, but they have the experience to develop. Coach Polasek looks to have their completions above 50% to potentially 60% with a steady, smart offense.

The big plus for their quarterbacks is that the Cowboys return 2020 MWC first-team running back Xazavian Valladay. In six games last season, Valladay rushed for 550 yards and four touchdowns on 99 carries averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Valladay also caught 13 receptions for 105 yards last season.

Valladay wasn’t the only effective running back for the Cowboys in the backfield. Former Louisville Cardinals running back Trey Smith was a great second back option for the Cowboys’ 14th ranked rushing offense.

Last season, Smith rushed for 488 yards and five touchdowns on 88 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Together, the Cowboys will continue to have one of the most effective rushing offenses again in the Mountain West Conference.

The biggest concern on the offensive side of the ball with the experience and depth at the receiver corp. Wyoming returns four of their leading receivers from last season, but only two of them are wide receivers. Senior wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt returns after leading the Cowboys in receptions (16) and receiving yards (252).

The Cowboys will have Isaiah Neyor starting after a productive true freshman season. Last season, Neyor caught eight receptions for 248 yards, averaging 31 yards per reception. The Cowboys relied on tight end Treyton Welsh to be a productive run blocker at the line of scrimmage.

They will need him to be more available as a pass-catcher this season as Wyoming looks to open up their passing game more. This season, the Cowboys looks to be more consistent with their passing offense to be more well-balanced.

If there is one area that Cowboys do not have to worry about during the 2021 College Football season, it is the offensive line. Last season, the offensive line gave up 16 sacks in an unstable and run-orientated offense. Preseason first-team all-conference center Keegan Cryder returns as the heart and soul of the Cowboys’ offensive line. Cryder has started in 31 games for the Cowboys and is a strong candidate for the Rimmington Award this season. Logan Harris returns as the starting right guard for the Cowboys.

Harris has played in 46 games for the Cowboys in his long career while starting in 33. At the left guard, Eric Abojei comes in as the projected starter for the season after starting in 24 of the last 17 games. Redshirt sophomore Frank Crum and senior Alonzo Velazquez went into the summer as the projected starting at right tackle and left tackle, respectively.

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