Chambers done for the year

LARAMIE -- Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl stepped up to the podium for his weekly press conference Monday in Laramie.

He praised Boise State and his star linebacker, Logan Wilson, who was named to a Butkus Award semifinalist.

Then, the bad news came.

Wyoming's redshirt quarterback, Sean Chambers -- for the second time in consecutive seasons -- is out for the year with a leg injury.

Tyler Vander Waal will start against Boise State Saturday night.

"We were hoping for the best, but once doctor's got in they found that they needed to do some repair," Bohl said of Chambers' left knee. "The outlook, long term, is very optimistic so we are encouraged by that."

Bohl said there was no ligament damage, rather some "minor cartilage" needed to be cleaned up. Chambers was banged up late in the first quarter against Nevada when he was diving in for a 1-yard touchdown. He later returned in the second quarter, but spend the entire second half in street clothes on the sideline.

"He just felt tight in the second half," Bohl said. "We didn't feel like he could be real productive. Once he got in (doctor's), let's repair it now and make sure there's no collateral damage."

Chambers threw for 915 yards and seven touchdowns while leading the Cowboys to a 6-2 record. The Kerman, Calif., product scored 10 rushing touchdowns and amassed 567 yards on the ground.

Vander Waal, a sophomore from Elk Grove, Calif., will take the reins of a Cowboy offense that has scored 54 points in back-to-back wins over New Mexico and Nevada.

Vander Waal started the first eight games of 2018 before being replaced by Chambers full-time at Colorado State. Chambers suffered a season-ending leg injury against Air Force three weeks later. Vander Waal led a furious come-from-behind victory over the Falcons and was under center for a 31-3 win over the Lobos in the season finale.

How will the offense change with Vander Waal at the helm? Not much, Bohl said.

"Every quarterback is a little bit different, but the play book is not going to change a whole lot," he said. "Both guys have operated at a high level. Tyler really played well when he has been in there, like last year against Air Force. I thought he had a phenomenal game.

"We are excited about Tyler. It will be fun. He's been working well in practice and he's an experienced player. Certainly, he's more experienced than he was at this time last year."

Vander Waal has seen limited action this fall, spelling Chambers for two drives in Tulsa and playing the entire second half two weeks ago against the Wolf Pack. He is 4-of-16 through the air for 84 yards and a touchdown this season.

In 2018, Vander Waal completed 48.8 percent of his passes for 1,310 yards and five touchdowns. He was also picked off four times.

Levi Williams, a true freshman from Canyon Lake, Texas, is now second on the depth chart at quarterback for the Cowboys. Williams initially signed With Houston out of high school but was allowed to break his commitment after the university hired new head coach Dana Holgorsen.

Williams was the fifth-ranked pro-style passer in Texas in high school. He was also recruited by Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU.

Could he possibly get some time at quarterback this season?

"I don't have a crystal ball, but he's certainly moving up the depth chart," Bohl said. "He's taking meaningful reps in practice ... We'll see how this week of practice goes. Our plan is to play Tyler the majority of the game."

Williams can play in four games without losing his redshirt, per NCAA rules.

Wyoming and Boise State will kick off this Saturday at 8:15 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN.