Hawaii Notebook: What About Those Wyoming Receivers?

LARAMIE -- What is up with the lack of production from Wyoming's wide receivers so far this season?

Let us count the reasons.

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Jovon Bouknight, clearly not thrilled seeing his photo plastered on this very website Sunday, was blunt in his assessment: "I'm happy with their effort."

Hear him out.

The coach of that position group said the reasoning is real simple, too: This offense is following a blueprint. The first three games have called for more 12-and 13-personnel, Bouknight added. That means more running backs and tight ends on the field. Remember how the offensive coaching staff this offseason emphasized helping out this young, inexperienced offensive line?

This is a result.

Just six receivers have even seen the field so far this fall. Only four have a catch on their resume. That group has been targeted a grand total of 26 times. A dozen of those attempts have been caught, Eric Richardson and Charlie Coenen accounting for 10 of those.

For comparison sake, Wyoming running backs have 13 grabs. The tight ends have been basically the lone vertical threat through three games. Both Kyle Frendt and Jake Wilson have already eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark. That duo has combined for 16 completions. Isaac Schoenfeld and Tyler Siddons have even gotten in on the act.

In a 24-10 loss last Saturday at Central Michigan, the wide receiver corps accounted for three catches and 29 yards. Twenty-seven of those came on a third-quarter snag by Richardson. An additional three also belonged to the senior. Only it came on a 4th-and-4 deep inside Chippewa territory.

Deion DeBlanc caught one pass and was dumped behind the line of scrimmage for a 1-yard loss.

Christian Taylor said he wants more production from his wideouts, but, as of right now, his ultimate confidence lies elsewhere.

"I think our running-back group and our tight-end group are two of our our better positioned groups," the Cowboys' first-year offensive coordinator said on Monday. "Not saying the receiver group is not talented, but it's hard not to have multiple of (running backs and tight ends) on the field when they're healthy and feeling good."

Is this about a confidence level? Receivers not getting open? Does Tyler Hughes not have enough time in the pocket?

"It's probably a combination of all the above," Taylor continued. "We're working on improving on a weekly basis. A lot of it has to do with the game plan for the week, too. I think we all want to see increased production from the group and, basically, when the ball is thrown to you, make the play. If you make the play when the ball is thrown, you're going to get more balls thrown to you.

"It's kind of the name of the game."

Bouknight said his group has taken on a team-first mentality. Admittedly, it's more challenging than it sounds, but he raved about the integrity of the corps. He hasn't seen a "letdown," as far as perimeter blocking and route running.

"It's about winning, and obviously we got to do a better job at that," he added. "But it's about the team right now. If you aint for it, get on out the building. But, like I said, those guys doing a hell of a job, man. I tip my hat to that group."

And there is zero ill-will toward the playcaller.

"There's a formality to everything," Bouknight continued. "Coach Taylor, man, he's a mad genius at what he's doing, so I don't question that."

Jay Sawvel said Monday he saw instances on film from CMU where wideouts won their 1-on-1 battles and just didn't get the ball. Other times, though, Hughes was forcing it into windows that weren't there. That included a costly interception in the fourth quarter that thwarted any hope of a comeback in soggy Mount Pleasant.

The third-year head coach brought up another factor, too: the lack of offensive plays in general.

Wyoming ran 20 plays in the first two quarters last Saturday, if you count the kneel down to end the half. Taylor wants that number at 70 or more a game. So far it's been: 55, 61 and, most recently, 60.

"It's taking longer than what we would have hoped, but we just have to keep plugging away on it," Sawvel added.

Here are some additional news and notes from Monday's press conference in Laramie:

* While we are on the subject of wide receivers, freshman Jarell Gary will be "activated" this Saturday against visiting Hawaii, according to Bouknight.

* Wyoming's offense has crawled out of the gate to open games this season. Sawvel added, the defense hasn't been much better in the opening quarter, particularly on initial drives. Colorado State scored a touchdown on its opening possession. Northern Colorado lined up for a field goal but instead decided trickery. Linebacker Parker Moore snuffed out that fake. CMU marched 48 yards on 10 plays before booting through a 35-yard field goal. The Cowboys did cap their opening drive of the season with three points off the right foot of Erik Sandvik. A pair of 3-and-outs have followed in the last two outings.

* The big "players-only meeting" that was scheduled for Sunday, according to linebacker Dash Bauman, was really just a couple of position groups getting together. Sawvel said the best teams are player-led and, in fact, during his playing days at Mount Union, there was a coach-less meeting every Thursday. Therman "Boogie" Williams said the cornerbacks have spoken to one another and there is a shared message: "We have to be better."

* The "valley's," as Sawvel put it Monday, have been steep for his team in 2026. An early third-quarter interception in Fort Collins turned into a 35-13 laugher. A 91-yard touchdown drive just before the half against UNC let all the momentum out of the room. Wyoming responded with just 27 yards of total offense in the third quarter. After failing to pick up a 4th-and-4 deep in CMU territory last Saturday, Angel Flores and Co. put together an Air Force-esque 17-play, 90-yard possession that resulted in the QB plunging into the end zone with two ticks remaining in the half. "We talked about that at length, and I think our players understand what we need to do, and now we need to go do it," Sawvel said.

* Rough injury news for the Cowboys, who will be without starting center Jason Maciejczak for the remainder of the season. The 310-pound Nebraska transfer suffered a torn ACL in a Week-2 win over Northern Colorado. Chandler Donaway was the snapper for all 59 plays in Mount Pleasant. You can read all about that loss right HERE.

* Hawaii averages nearly 270 passing yards an outing through three games. That ranks No. 41 in the nation and leads the Mountain West Conference. If that wasn't a tall enough task, the Cowboys will be without cornerbacks Tyson Shamsid-Deen and Kendall Griffin, who will both undergo a procedure on their hand. You can read about that HERE. Sawvel also said he expects Diore Hubbard to start practicing with the scout team in October. West Virginia's leading rusher last season suffered a torn ACL and is still awaiting clearance.

* The Paniolo Trophy will be on the line Saturday when these long-time conference rivals hook up inside War Memorial Stadium. Wyoming holds a 17-12 advantage in the overall series, but the Rainbow Warriors blanked the Cowboys' offense last November on the islands in a 27-7 victory. A Jones Thomas pick-six is the only reason the visitors weren't shutout in the regular-season finale. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Mountain Time and this homecoming tilt will be televised on the CW.

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* The Roaring Repeater Podcast, fueled by Laramie Range Ford, will be produced this Friday. Jared Newland and myself will hit record around 2 p.m. Mountain Time. If you have any questions you want answered, send them via social media or to cody@7220sports.com.

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* Making the Grade: What's Up With Wyoming's Wideouts?

* Pokes Gashed on Ground in 24-10 Setback at CMU

* Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What's Next for UW Football

* Rants and Raves: CMU Chippewas Edition

* FINAL LIVE FILE: Central Michigan 24, Wyoming 10

* Wyoming Wideout Injured After Being Struck by Vehicle