Will Wyoming’s Senior Tight End Be Ready to Go in Border War?
LARAMIE -- Eight.
That's the number of receptions John Michael Gyllenborg has to his credit through Wyoming's first seven games. That production has equated to 84 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The senior tight end has only been on the field for a total of 135 snaps, including just eight last Saturday as he continues to deal with a nagging hamstring injury that has caused him to miss three full games and the better part of two others.
He was targeted in the passing game one time at Air Force. You remember that one, right?
Gyllenborg slipped past his man at the goal line and coasted into the blue-and-white paint. Just as he turned to locate the Evan Svoboda heave, it was read, jumped and picked off by safety Roger Jones Jr., thwarting the visitors' final opportunity of the day to take a lead.
It was a gut punch too disastrous to overcome. The Cowboys fell 24-21, dropping to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in Mountain West play.
"That was a tough play," a subdued Gyllenborg said on Monday. "You know, it's just one of those things that just didn't go our way. There was a clear lane when I was sifting through. I felt a lane and I'm sure Evan saw that. No. 5 five just stepped right in, and unfortunately, made a good play. You know, it just sucks. That was a big turn in the game."
The preseason All-Mountain West selection has found a new, unwanted home of late, riding the stationary bike at the end of the Cowboys' bench.
Gyllenborg's status for Saturday's Border War title with Colorado State is currently unknown. He admitted as much. So did his head coach, though there is reason for optimism.
"There wasn't any worsening or anything like that," Jay Sawvel said. "So, the hope and expectation is, as we go through this week, that he will get closer to 100% than what he was, obviously, last week."
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It's yet another soft-tissue injury that won't stop lingering, just like the high-ankle sprain last fall that limited the Kansas product throughout the non-conference slate. He didn't suit up in the opener at Arizona State. He didn't play the following week against Idaho, either. His limitations were apparent against BYU. He finally started returning to normal in Week 4 at North Texas.
Gyllenborg was again sidelined last November. This time it wasn't because of a persistent ailment, but an injury to his shoulder/ collarbone area that, if jolted the wrong way, could become deadly.
"(The doctor) said it could snap and go into my esophagus," he said last fall. "That's the worst case scenario, but it's still a risk."
He helplessly watched as his teammates dropped a 24-10 decision, handing the Bronze Boot traveling trophy to their most-hated rivals for the first time since 2020.
The thought of again being a spectator in his final opportunity against the Rams is not one he is ready to even consider.
"Yeah, it does suck, as a competitor, to not be out there with the boys," Gyllenborg said. "You know, especially with this being the last year, last ride, missing out on all these last games. I know we only have two more left here at The War.
"So, I'm doing everything I can this week to get back out there with the boys."
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