Making the Grade: Janssen a Road Grader in Win over 'Bows

LARAMIE -- Hurt ankle? What hurt ankle?

If Kalvin Janssen was ailing in any way Saturday afternoon, the 307-pound offensive guard sure did a good job hiding that fact.

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The redshirt freshman helped plow the road for running backs Samuel Harris and Markell Holman, who combined, rolled up 181 rushing yards in a 27-10 victory over Hawaii inside a sea of gold inside War Memorial Stadium.

Wyoming finished the day with 183 yards on 38 attempts. That's an average of 4.8 yards per carry.

That duo in the Cowboy backfield was also responsible for all three touchdowns on the day. Holman (87 yards) capped his afternoon with two, including coasting in from a yard out to finally put Wyoming into the end zone in the second quarter. Harris (94 yards), the sophomore they call "Tote," left no doubt in the outcome, scampering 18 yards into the Tetons late in the final frame.

Janssen, a former three-star recruit from Gretna, Neb., was the highest-graded run blocker for the Cowboys, landing an overall score of 84.2, according to Pro Football Focus. He was on the field for 33 of Wyoming's 38 designed runs.

"He's really taken it upon himself to step up in a big way," fellow offensive lineman Spencer Rathbun said, referring to Janssen, ahead of the season opener. "We're down in the O-line room right now, and this fall camp, he's really made some huge strides. He's a hard worker. Like, he's a hard-nosed kid. I think he's really started to realize, OK, there's an ability here. Like, I'm capable.

"Now it's time to just put the work in, and he's kind of going now."

The first-year starter at the left guard spot has been on the field for 149 plays, including 84 pass-blocking opportunities. Janssen has allowed just four quarterback pressures. Only one of those has been a sack.

Janssen was offered by Mountain West foes Air Force and Northern Illinois. The Cowboys' Border War rival, Colorado State, also wanted him. So did Army, Navy, Coastal Carolina and others.

"Kalvin is further ahead than other guys who have been in this program over the last few years and that have played early," head coach Jay Sawvel said. "You know, Kalvin's doing really well. That was kind of the hope when we recruit him."

Let's check out some other PFF grades from the Cowboys' Homecoming win over Hawaii:

* Tyler Hughes posted a passing grade of 73.8 against Hawaii, completing 17-of-23 throws for a season-high 204 yards. The William and Mary transfer, for the first time this year, didn't commit a turnover in the win.

* Cowboy receivers were more involved in the game plan on Saturday. You might have noticed. Deion DeBlanc took home top marks for that unit (72.6), snagging all three passes that came his way. The Houston native finished with 41 receiving yards. One of those was a 26-yard catch on a 3rd-and-15 late in the third quarter. Wyoming would march 99 yards and take a 20-3 lead on the first snap of the final frame.

* Samuel "Tote" Harris is finally healthy. That was apparent if you watched this one. The speedster from the San Antonio area gashed the Rainbow Warriors to the tune of 94 yards on just 11 carries. He also added four catches for 36 yards. Harris landed a score of 81.6. His running mate, Markell Holman finished with a 73.9.

* Janssen may have been the Pokes' best run blocker, but when it comes to dropping back, that crown belongs to Giovanni Panozzo, another youngster who is getting his feet wet this fall. The right guard was on the field for 30 pass plays and didn't allow a single pressure. He graded out at 89.1.

* When it comes to an overall grade on defense, safety Jaden DaCosta took top honors, capping his day with a score of 88.1. Wyoming played mainly a three-man front to combat a potent Hawaii passing attack. DaCosta took full advantage of his opportunity, tallying three tackles and a pass breakup.

* The Cowboys had six run defenders finish with a grade of 70 or higher. Ja'Quan Redfern, on the field for just six of those, finished with a single tackle and a grade of 76.5. The rest of the list goes like this: Jones Thomas (73.1), DaCosta (73.1), Ethan Stuhlsatz (71.6), Brooklyn Cheek (70.5) and Steven Perez (70).

* Gary Rutherford was Wyoming's top pass rusher, tallying three tackles and a sack. The weak-side linebacker finished with a score of 90.0 and was on the field for 38 pass plays. The drop-off after Rutherford was a big one. Defensive lineman Cade Brook capped this outing with a 67.1.

* Without the services of Kendall Griffin and Tyson Shamsid-Deen -- both underwent hand surgeries -- the concern was Hawaii's pass-happy attack might have a field day with the youth and inexperience on the Cowboys' backend. That didn't happen. Micah Alejado averaged nearly 270 yards per game through the air before stepping foot inside War Memorial Stadium. Now, that number sits at 258 after his 226-yard performance in Laramie. DaCosta was the top cover-man for the Cowboys, not allowing a single completion on three attempts. His grade is an 87.3.

* Special teams stats were not available at press time.

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