DeBlanc Wants the Ball: ‘I Feel Like I’m a Walking First Down’

LARAMIE -- Ever feeling like telling the boss your true feelings?

Deion DeBlanc did just that last Thursday, leading up to Wyoming's tilt with Hawaii.

The speedy wideout had just one catch through the first three games. That went for a meager six yards in a season-opening loss at Colorado State. He wasn't targeted once the following Saturday and finished with a single carry at Central Michigan. That went for a 1-yard loss.

Then came: Hey, coach, can we talk?

"Deion has been frustrated, at times," Jay Sawvel said from behind the podium following a 27-10 victory over Hawaii. "For the fact that, 'Hey, I need to be used. Hey, I need to get the ball.'"

DeBlanc was part of the game plan against the Rainbow Warriors, snagging a season-high three passes for 41 yards. Twenty-six of those came late in the third quarter when he hauled in a throw at his shoe tops. That toss, arguably Tyler Hughes' most impressive of the day, sailed right over the outstretched arms of tight end Jake Wilson and in the direction of DeBlanc, who peeled back on the "scramble drill."

He joked that he doesn't even know if that ball was intended for him. He doesn't care, either. He caught it. More importantly, it came on a 3rd-and-15.

Wyoming punched it into the end zone five snaps later when running back Markell Holman busted a would-be tackle and outraced the Hawaii secondary to the end zone, giving the Cowboys a 20-3 lead on the opening play of the final frame.

DeBlanc said he is no prima donna. He just knows what he's capable of doing.

"I feel like I could be a big key to this offense and pushing the ball down the field," he said. "I feel like I'm a walking first down."

Confidence has never been an issue. Health has.

The Houston native dealt with lingering issues throughout the offseason, including an ankle ailment. Because of that, new offensive coordinator Christian Taylor said he only saw DeBlanc's tools in spurts. Eric Richardson took advantage, becoming the go-to receiver in the slot.

Sawvel said he understands DeBlanc's aggravation, but because of the strong bond the two have shared since his recruitment, real talk is never in short supply.

The third-year head coach in Laramie said DeBlanc wasn't exactly thrilled to be blocking edge rushers and linebackers that were twice his size. Sawvel then offered his feelings on the matter.

"I said you, 'You know what, you do your damn job and the ball's coming to you,'" he continued.

It did. And DeBlanc made the play.

After watching the film, Sawvel singled out one play involving the 5-foot-10, 185-pound deep threat. It wasn't his big catch. It wasn't the other two, either. It certainly wasn't the option pitch that again resulted in a loss.

It was a gain of 14 on a third-quarter rush by Samuel Harris. DeBlanc, who was in motion before the snap, sealed off the right edge by taking a defensive end out of the play.

He pumped his fists and stomped his feet on the turf inside War Memorial Stadium, celebrating the entire way to the new line of scrimmage.

"I'm honestly willing to do anything that just gets me on the field," he said.

Sawvel said these come-to-Jesus meetings always end the same way: with a hug. He pried DeBlanc away from the likes of Arizona State, Arkansas, Texas Tech and many other high-profile programs. The three-star prospect out of powerhouse North Shore High School came to Laramie, in part, because of that alliance.

"He's one of the people I trust most on this staff," DeBlanc said.

Wyoming (2-2, 1-0) will travel to Fargo Saturday to take on North Dakota State (4-0, 1-0) in the first edition of the Battle of the Basins. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time and the game will be televised on The CW.

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