Double or Nothing: Pokes’ Makeshift Front Five Falters Late

LARAMIE -- The punishment wasn't nearly as painful as the jeering.

Wyoming's entire defense lined up in the north end zone inside War Memorial Stadium at the conclusion of Tuesday's practice. That boisterous bunch had a front-row seat to the impromptu track meet they touched off.

Get our free mobile app

Facing a 4th-and-goal scenario from the 1-yard line, Kaden Anderson took the snap under center, turned to his right and put the ball in the belly of running back Nico Hamilton.

The collision that ensued left a massive pileup at the white stripe.

Dante Drake, the Cowboys' 6-foot-3, 292-pound sophomore defensive tackle, emerged from the heap, followed by an animated scream and a violent fist pump.

The offense, even the three starting interior lineman who weren't involved in the play -- center Jack Walsh and guards Wes King and Caden Barnett -- sprinted the 53-plus yards back and forth from sideline to sideline as their enemies on this day taunted them in celebration.

That unit didn't score on the six previous plays inside the 10, either.

Jay Sawvel, who screamed "double or nothing" before placing the ball at the one, said he wanted to breed more competition this spring.

Mission accomplished.

"That's part of it," Wyoming's head coach said, referring to the disadvantage the offense faced deep in the red zone. "Nobody's going to care, when we get in a game and the ball gets to the 1-yard line, who's the center and who's the guard and who's the other guard.

"We're just going to care whether the ball got in there or not ... We've got work to do."

The Cowboys ranked 16th in the FBS in scoring inside the 20 last fall. In 32 trips, they scored 29 times. Nineteen of those were touchdowns -- 12 rushing, seven passing -- and John Hoyland chipped in 10 field-goal attempts.

While that was the second-best scoring percentage (.906) in the Mountain West, just behind New Mexico (.917), Sawvel was quick to bring up a mistake to his team that likely cost Wyoming not just seven points, but eventually a home loss to Idaho, an FCS school.

With 1:27 remaining in the third quarter and the Cowboys camped out on the goal line, fullback Caleb Driskill was flagged for a false start. A loss of two more yards followed. So did a short completion and a misfire on 3rd-and-goal.

Wyoming was forced to settle for a 22-yard field goal. The Vandals walked out of Laramie with a 17-13 victory.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Wyoming's Adrian Onyeigo learning the pass-rushing ropes

* Wyoming looking to add to roster with spring portal looming

* Can Wyoming's Gary Rutherford snag a starting gig?: 'No doubt'

* Wyoming cornerback to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

* Caleb Robinson: 'He was missed last year, for sure'

* Sawvel: It's a 'wide open' battle for back-up QB spot

* Cowboy football enters third week of spring camp

* Hendricks on edge rushers: 'Production pays the bills'

* Gary Harrell named running backs coach at Wyoming

* Pokes working on hurry-up offense, focus on 'middle eight'

* Cowboy defense gets last laugh in latest physical test

* Running back Terron Kellman bringing boom to Pokes' backfield

* Svoboda: 'I'm loyal to the core'

Who will step up on this front five?

While three spots are all but solidified, and Rex Johnsen is on the fast track to snagging the opening at right tackle, Sawvel and Co. are not only in search of a starter on the left edge, Anderson's blindside, but depth across the board.

Nate Geiger, who was on the field for just 11 plays in 2024 before suffering a season-ending knee injury, could be the guy again at left tackle. His back-up, Jake Davies, could also have a say in this race. So could Alex Conn, who saw limited time last fall. Quinn Grovesteen-Matchey did, too. The sophomore is still making his way back from shoulder surgery. Luke Sandy also suffered a setback with his knee in '24.

There are some youngsters in the mix, too.

"The other day, Giovanni Panozzo, Braylon Jenkins and Caleb Hall, all got 70 plays plus in (Saturday's) scrimmage," Sawvel said, talking about a trio of redshirt freshmen. "Josiah Petaia got 67, I think. That was intentional. I mean, those guys needed to play a game. You went in the training room on Sunday, and that's what there was, a number of guys that look like they just played a game on Saturday.

"They needed that and we need to keep hammering on that."

Sawvel said development within that unit will continue to take place over the summer. The grind, the 54-year-old continued, is just getting underway. He's also in hopes he can add another piece during the spring transfer portal window.

The defense had its moment in the trenches on Tuesday, but a lesson, Sawvel added, was learned -- the hard way.

"They needed what they got today," he said. "They got their ass whipped on the goal line. They needed that."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players