Which Wyoming Cowboy wore it best? No. 79

CHEYENNE — Do you ever see a number on a Wyoming football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Yeah, me too. In this daily series, I’ll give you my take on which Pokes’ football player was the best ever to don each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at UW? What kind of impact did he have on the program?

No. 79 – Jay Korth

Offensive line, 1994-97, Battle Creek, Nebraska

Résumé in Laramie
Jay Korth was one of the most versatile offensive linemen to ever come through Laramie. He also played in front of some of the best to ever wear a Wyoming jersey at the skill positions. During his senior season, Korth was named first-team All-Western Athletic Conference as a center. He earned All-Conference academic awards each year. The Nebraska native was on the field for the Cowboys during plenty of record-breaking days, and helped lead Wyoming to a 10-2 record and a berth in the WAC title game in 1996.

Why Korth?
Jay Korth could play any position on the offensive line.

In fact, he did so for Joe Tiller from 1994-96, which also happened to be some of the best offensive seasons in UW history. In 1996, Wyoming had the top passing attack in the nation, led by Josh Wallwork and Biletnikoff Trophy winner, Marcus Harris. The Cowboys went 10-2 that season and played BYU in the inaugural WAC Championship game in Las Vegas.

As a senior, Korth was one of six team captains under new head coach Dana Dimel. The team finished 8-5 (No. 16 Colorado was forced to forfeit a 20-19 win in Boulder) and Korth was named first-team All-WAC at the center position.

Like his teammate Brian Lee, Korth was also an All-WAC academic selection. He accomplished that in all four years in Laramie.

Korth blocked for some of the best Cowboys of all time: Ryan Christopherson, Marques Brigham, Wallwork, Harris, Wendell Montgomery, and others.

Korth was on the field when Harris broke the school record with 10 receptions for 260 yards against Fresno State in 1994. Twice in '96, Wallwork threw for more than 450 yards in wins over Idaho and Air Force. Those games are still ranked No. 2 and 3 all time.

In '94, Christopherson gashed UTEP for 244 yards on 27 carries. That is still the fourth-best single-game performance in program lore.

Honorable mention
It's not often that a current player makes this list. In fact, only No. 30, Logan Wilson, and No. 69 Eric Abojei have made it on to these pages. The same can now be said for Logan Harris (2017-current). The Torrington native has been described by current offensive line coach Bart Miller as one of the toughest players he has ever coached.

That's saying something.

Miller has coached at Minnesota and Wisconsin, two Big 10 programs that are known for the big guys up front.

Harris hasn't always had an easy path in Laramie. He has lost his starting job and had to battle back. Now, he, along with Abojei, might be one of the best guard tandems in the nation.

Harris will be entering his senior season this fall. He will play a major role in a Cowboys' running game that should once again be one of the best in the Mountain West.

Who else wore No. 79
Rob Kellerman (OG/OT), Dick Pilch (T), Don Hatch (OT), Bill Auyer (DT), Scott Winfield (OT), John Walsh (OT), Damon Bergman (C), John Ulibarri (OL), Scott Criss (OG), Semo Helemana (DE), Jacob English (OL), Connor Riese (OT), Ryley Southam (C)