CMU Head Coach Calls Wyoming ‘North Dakota State West’

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich., -- Matt Drinkall said he once heard a saying that has always stuck with him: You look out the window when things are going good and you look in the mirror when the opposite is happening.

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When it comes to Central Michigan's Week-3 opponent, the second-year boss in Mount Pleasant said he sees a reflection of his own program.

Like the Chippewas, Wyoming enters Kelly/Shorts Stadium Saturday off a less-than-impressive home outing against an FCS opponent that resulted in a win. The Cowboys' offense has also yet to find its groove under new coordinator Christian Taylor.

Maybe most surprising of all, the defense, one head coach Jay Sawvel said could be the best he's fielded in Laramie, has been burned early on by the big play. Seven of those have gone for more than 25 yards, to be exact.

Drinkall, though, expects a desperate team to show up on the opposite sideline.

"It's North Dakota State West," he said Thursday night on his weekly radio show, referring to the standard Craig Bohl set in Laramie. "So, it is absolutely a tough, disciplined culture of guys who are looking for fights in the rain.

"... It's a very similiar build, very similar plan."

Both teams are built on defense and physicality, Drinkall added, but unlike the Bohl years, this current crop of Cowboys is proving to be a true test to prepare for.

"They have evolved a lot," he continued. "It used to be kind of like only heavier personnel groupings, but now you can see them, on one play, they'll be in 22 or 12-personnel and be running the ball with two tight ends and a fullback, and the very next play they flip and they're an empty. So, it is a huge pallet of stuff you have to defend."

Three interceptions and a fumble -- along with some untimely penalties -- derailed Wyoming (1-1) in its season opener against Border War rival Colorado State. That same scenario was playing out last Saturday inside War Memorial Stadium before a fourth-quarter lightning delay sent both teams to their respective locker rooms.

One team re-emerged energized and opportunistic after that 40-plus minute break. The other was Northern Colorado.

Tyler Hughes almost immediately erased a 13-7 Bears' lead when he connected with Charlie Coenen on a 15-yard touchdown pass. Safety Jones Thomas picked off Kenny Lueth on the ensuing UNC possession and Wyoming's signal caller again fired a throw into the end zone, this time hauled in by a diving Kyle Frendt.

"It was just, you got to have it," Hughes said, bluntly, postgame. "When the moment came up, I knew that I needed to step up and do more than what I was doing."

Will that momentum carry over?

CMU (1-1) found itself trailing visiting Colgate 10-0 last Saturday. Quarterback Angel Flores finally sparked a stagnant Chippewa offense with a 50-yard scamper for a score late in the third quarter. Vaughn Blue crossed the goal line on the following drive. Right on script, an interception by defensive back Darrell Bryant Jr. sealed the deal.

What is the key for the home team to get in rhythm quicker?

"I just feel like we have to come out there swinging and just don't be afraid to mess up," senior running back Langston Lewis said Thursday on the coach's show. "I feel like all the guys get tense when that first snap (happens) and be like, 'Oh, I have to do my job to the fullest extent.'

All I tell them is, 'Bro, you just go out there and do your job, full speed. If you mess up, you mess up."

"Starting fast on both sides," defensive back Jaion Jackson added. "That's what we preach every week: start fast and come out banging heads. Be ready to compete and play fast."

Kickoff is slated for 11 a.m. Mountain Time and the game will be televised on ESPN-Plus.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS.COM:

* Q&A With Wyoming Offensive Line Coach Joe Tripodi

* Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 1

* PODCAST: Can Cowboys Pit it All Together at CMU?

* Pokes Headed to 'Mitten' For Saturday Showdown

* Know Wyoming's Foe: CMU Chippewas

* CMU Notebook: Pokes Plan to Follow Blueprint

* Drinkall: CMU to Play All Three Quarterbacks Against Wyoming

* Behind the Numbers: Turnovers Continue to Plague Pokes

* Making the Grade: Hughes 'Steps Up' Late in 21-13 Win