SDSU Notebook: CSU Shutout Was Just as Impressive on Film

LARAMIE -- The good, the bad and the downright ugly.

Jay Sawvel typically touches on all of the above when he gives the local media a glimpse into what his staff breaks down on video each week.

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There wasn't much of the latter on this Monday.

"I think there were two things, overall, that I was really pleased to see Saturday night," Wyoming's second-year head coach said, referring to a 28-0 blanking of Border War rival Colorado State. "One, was how hard we played. You know, we played very hard. I think the second thing is, our overall level of execution was really good offensively and defensively, in terms of what's your missed-assignment count or any lack of communication."

Sawvel said last week the talent on offense is capable of averaging at least a touchdown per quarter. That's the main reason he made the decision to demote coordinator Jay Johnson and hand the reins to wide receivers coach Jovon Bouknight.

Though the goal wasn't quite accomplished -- Wyoming didn't score on its last five possessions -- Kaden Anderson and Co. did cross the white stripe in the other three quarters, including twice in the second frame.

The Cowboys rolled up 372 total yards with a balanced combination. Anderson connected on 15 of his first 18 throws and capped his night with a pair of touchdown tosses to Michael Fitzgerald and Chris Durr Jr.

Sam Scott rushed for 68 yards on just three attempts. Terron Kellman added 35 more. When the dust settled, the running back room amassed 212 yards on the ground.

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When your defense is pitching a shutout -- and your playcaller is making his debut -- nitpicking isn't exactly high on the list.

Another aspect of this impressive performance that was immediately apparent on film was the physicality Aaron Bohl's new-look unit played with in its second shutout of the season.

Senior linebacker Brayden Johnson drilled running back Jalen Dupree at the sideline for a loss of three yards early in the third quarter, drawing an audible reaction from the capacity crowd inside War Memorial Stadium.

The Oklahoma Baptist transfer also stood up Lloyd Avant on the Rams' opening drive. The visitors needed three yards on that third down. Johnson barley gave them two.

Tyrese Boss also got in on the act, laying the lumber on Dupree in the first half. The redshirt freshman is arguably Wyoming's best cover corner, but that doesn't mean he shies away from contact. He finished this outing with six tackles, matching Johnson, and just one shy of linebacker Evan Eller, who led the team in that all-important category.

On CSU's final possession, the Cowboys' defense featured the likes of Brooklyn Cheek, Jaden DaCosta, Ethan Stuhlsatz, Enock Sibomana and Tyson Shamsid-Deen.

Those aren't starters.

Sawvel said the regulars spent that final 3:41 near him in the coaching box, urging the reserves to preserve the goose egg on the scoreboard.

"I really like where we are defensively," Sawvel added. "I think our guys are playing hard. I think they believe in each week's game plan and have a strong belief in what we're going to work to get done. And, you know, that part's been fun, and I've enjoyed watching us play.

"That shutout the other night was much appreciated by everybody in the program, defensively. All the players -- they wanted that."

Here are some other takeaways -- which, by the way, the Cowboys finished with three interceptions in the 117th edition of the Border War -- from Sawvel's weekly press conference:

* Dainsus Miller will miss the San Diego State game. The senior cornerback suffered a hand injury that will require surgery. Sawvel expects the Georgia product to return to the lineup ahead of the Cowboys' trip to Fresno State, following the bye week. Wyoming will now turn to Markie Grant and Ian Bell on the island. True freshman Tyson Shamsid-Deen also saw action at corner late in last Saturday's win over CSU, breaking up a pass in the end zone on the Rams' final drive of the night.

* The official attendance last Saturday night was 25,609. That's the first sellout this season at War Memorial Stadium. Sawvel said Monday, the performance in the crowd not only propelled the current players, but potentially helped secure some future Cowboys. "In terms of what you're trying to build going forward, recruiting wise, it was a very good recruiting weekend for us, as you can imagine," he said. "So, big thanks to the fans, because, I mean, they brought it Saturday night."

* While all the focus this week is on the Aztecs' defense, and rightfully so, Sawvel said the next opponent, all around, is just, well, good. "They've got good players on offense too, and I think what Sean's (Lewis) has done a really good job with is, playing winning football, right?" he said. "I think they've got the capacity to do certain things, offensively, and I think they do a really good job of playing good special teams and playing good defense." SDSU just capped its third shutout of the season last Saturday at Fresno State. In fact, this will be the first matchup in Mountain West history between two defenses that allowed zero points the week prior.

* Quarterback Jayden Denegal isn't exactly lighting it up in the passing department, throwing for just 1,221 yards and seven touchdowns. As SDSU is known to do, though, that offense relies heavily on its running game, beginning and ending with Lucky Sutton, who averages 5.3 yards per carry. Some things never change.

* As mentioned, the Aztecs have already blanked three teams this fall in seven outings: Stony Brook, Cal and Fresno State. Rob Aurich's unit also limited Northern Illinois to just a field goal in a 6-3 victory in DeKalb. SDSU is ranked No. 2 in the nation in scoring defense, giving up an average of just 10.4 points per game. Wyoming, though, is not far behind. After pitching its second shutout of the season last Saturday -- the other was a 10-0 decision in the opener at Akron -- that group sits at No. 32 in the FBS, allowing only 19.7 an outing. Defensive slugfest upcoming?

* What changed about Wyoming's offense with Bouknight at the helm? You can read all about that right HERE.

* Wyoming (4-4, 2-2) and SDSU (6-1, 3-0) will meet Saturday inside SnapDragon Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. Mountain Time and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. The Aztecs have a slim 20-19 advantage in the overall series after outlasting the Pokes 27-24 last October in Laramie. SDSU has won three straight over Wyoming and five of the last six meetings.

* The Roaring Repeater Podcast will air again this Tuesday with Cody Tucker and Jared Newland behind the mic inside our Cheyenne studios. Make sure to watch our social media feed, where we'll be asking you, the fans, for any questions you may have before the home opener. Here is last week's episode. We also produced a special Border War podcast with former Wyoming legends Marcus Harris and David Saraf. You can find that HERE.

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