Wyoming Football: News and Notes Ahead of Utah State

LARAMIE -- Will Harrison Waylee make his 2024 debut this Saturday when Utah State pays a visit to War Memorial Stadium?

Maybe.

"A determination on Harrison will be made middle of the week to the latter part of the week," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said, referring to his senior running back, who has yet to play this fall after suffering a knee injury in camp. "I would say right now that that needle would be on the lower percentage of him playing this week, because it's his first week back at practice. It's a much higher percentage next week."

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Waylee, a 5-foot-10, 212-pound Iowa product, made the decision to redshirt this season and return to Laramie next fall for a full slate. Per NCAA rules, a player can maintain eligibility and still play in four regular-season contests.

If the Cowboys were to win out, Waylee could also participate in the postseason.

The initial plan was to have him in the backfield this Saturday against Utah State. If that doesn't happen, Waylee will suit up against New Mexico, Colorado State, Boise State and Washington State.

"There's going to be, you know, a lot of conversations with myself, our training staff, doctors and Harrison," Sawvel added. "I want to make sure that when Harrison plays, Harrison is ready to play, physically, mentally, everything else."

Waylee, who transferred to Wyoming after spending three seasons at Northern Illinois, has rushed for 2,876 yards in his collegiate career, including 947 in just 10 games last fall. He also has 16 career touchdowns under his belt, 15 of those on the ground.

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* Tuck's Take: Time for 2-QB System in Laramie

* Wyoming's locker room robbed during loss at San Jose State

* Turning point, unsung hero and what's next for UW Football?

* Cowboys can't capitalize on takeaways in 24-14 road loss at San Jose State

* Rants and Raves: SJSU Edition

* LIVE FILE: Wyoming vs. San Jose State

* 7220sports.com Kickoff Show: Show Me Something Good

* Nick Nash a beneficiary of 'spread and shred' offense

* Show us your picks: Week 8

* Wyoming's Harrison Waylee: 'I'm going to stay here"

Wyoming's running backs room has been battered this season, losing not only Waylee but fellow senior Dawaiian McNeely (knee). Sawvel announced Monday that DJ Jones, a North Carolina transfer in the offseason, is likely done playing football this season. After rushing for 162 yards, he has missed the previous four outings due to a "personal matter."

Here's some other news and notes from today's press conference:

* By now you know that Sawvel and Co. are going with a two-quarterback system next Saturday against Utah State. Both Evan Svoboda and Kaden Anderson will play. You can read all about that decision right HERE.

* Despite the shakeup at the QB spot, Sawvel said the finger pointing needs to start with the guy in the mirror. "We have a lot of work to do as coaches," he said. "We have to be far better as coaches. It's the first thing you always look at when you don't have success in those situations is, before you point it at anybody else, you better point it at yourself and say, OK, we have to make sure we are bulletproof tight on what we're doing. That was made very clear again."

* The visiting locker room at CEFCU Stadium was robbed during the Cowboys loss to SJSU last Saturday. Expensive shoes and headphones were taken. Safety Wyett Ekeler said his "Beats" were found on the other side of the locker room, along with two of his chain necklaces. Fullback Caleb Driskill did have a pair of his headphones stolen. You can find that whole story right HERE.

* The Cowboys are finally getting healthy. Senior safety Isaac White, who missed the last two weeks with a foot/ ankle injury, will likely return this Saturday, according to Sawvel. Wes King and Jack Walsh, both offensive guards, returned to the lineup in San Jose. So did safety Wyett Ekeler, who picked off a pass despite having casts on both hands due to broken thumbs. Edge rusher Tyce Westland also made his return against the Spartans. Linebacker Connor Shay was questionable -- at best -- to play against SJSU with a shoulder ailment. The senior did play, registering three tackles.

* Three of Wyoming's six losses -- Idaho, San Diego State and SJSU -- have come by a combined 17 points, including that 10-point setback Saturday against the Spartans. Costly mistakes, Sawvel said, have aided in each of those. Nearly 48 hours later, the head coach was still upset about allowing a 97-yard touchdown drive just before the half inside CEFCU Stadium. Same can be said for Svoboda's red-zone interception midway through the fourth quarter. "We were in very similar type games a year ago," he added. "You know, we had five one-score games that we won a year ago. This year, we're in those situations, and we're making the play that you can't make."

* Sawvel said he can feel your pain through this 1-6 start. "I feel bad for our fans," he said. "I hate that for our fans. We've got a great fan base. I know they're passionate about it. That was one thing that, look, I've talked to other coaches in these pregame things, and one of the things that some coaches tell me is that people don't care about football. They care about football here, and I know that. I hate the position that we're in right now. We have to work this week to dig herself out of it and go from there."

* Despite Wyoming's defense allowing nearly 500 yards of total offense to the Spartans Saturday, Sawvel said that unit is finally starting to "look more like we should." Wrook Brown picked off a Walker Eget pass. So did Ekeler. Tyrecus Davis stripped SJSU's quarterback from behind after a long run. Carson York, the team's long snapper, pounced on a muffed punt late in the second quarter, too. "We're not fully healthy," Sawvel said. "We're not fully where we need to be, but I like where we're at progression-wise for what we've been playing with."

* Sawvel is opening practice to the local media on Tuesday. That hasn't been done around these parts in at least a decade.

* Wyoming (1-6, 1-2) and Utah State (1-6, 0-3) are slated to kickoff Saturday at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

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