Behind the Numbers: One Last Look at Wyoming’s 2024 Offense

LARAMIE -- Let's take a walk down memory lane.

Do we really have to?

True, there aren't many highlights to reminisce about from a mostly-forgettable 3-9 campaign, but the numbers below can help paint the picture as to why things went awry in Jay Sawvel's first season on the sidelines in Laramie.

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The offense, which underwent many renovations -- from scheme to personnel -- under first-year coordinator Jay Johnson, was, at times, one of the least-effective units in the country.

The good: 604 yards of total offense -- 342 passing, 262 rushing -- in a 49-45 come-from-behind victory at New Mexico.

The bad: Basically the other 11 games, including a real clunker in the season opener at Arizona State. That night in the desert, Wyoming rolled up just 118 yards of total offense. Nearly 75 of those came on the final drive, which culminated in a garbage-time touchdown from Kaden Anderson to Chris Durr Jr. as time expired in that humbling 48-7 beatdown.

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Why will this year be any different?

For starters, Anderson will be under center from Day 1. The sophomore has shown he is capable of running the show. He also has veteran help surrounding him, starting on the offensive line, where three interior starters -- Wes King, Jack Walsh and Caden Barnett -- are back in the fold.

John Michael Gyllenborg turned down the immediate payday and bright lights of the Power-4 to remain a Cowboy. The senior tight end, when healthy, is one of the best in the game.

Anderson's two most-lethal weapons, Jaylan Sargent and Durr, are also back. So is a whole host of new faces, including Deion DeBlanc, Michael Fitzgerald, Eric Richardson and Jackson Holman. Two wideouts who didn't see the field last season, Bricen Brantley and Jaylan Bean, have also impressed this offseason.

The backfield is revamped, too. Transfers Terron Kellman, Max White and Damashja Harris join last year's leading rusher, Sam Scott, in the stable. Also, keep an eye out for Samuel "Tote" Harris. Sawvel has already said the speedy rookie will not be redshirted.

What does it all mean? Right now: Nothing. Zilch. Zip. Nada.

We will begin to see it all play out in just 10 days when the Pokes open the season at Akron:

OFFENSE:

Total Offense (National rank: 119th; Mountain West: 11th)

Wyoming averaged just 327.2 yards per game during the 2024 campaign, just 13.5 ahead of Air Force, who finished dead last in the Mountain West. During Jay Johnson's first season as the offensive coordinator, that unit ran just 807 plays. Only San Diego was worse in that category, finishing with 799 snaps. The Cowboys' 3,927 total yards was second worst in the league. The 25 touchdowns was three less than the Aztecs. To put that number in perspective, Boise State, a College Football Playoff squad, found the end zone 66 times.

Passing Offense (National rank: 107th; Mountain West: 10th)

You knew this number wouldn't be pretty. It isn't. Evan Svoboda struggled out of the gate -- quite literally -- throwing a pick-six on his first pass attempt of the '24 season. It didn't get much better from there. The junior signal caller completed just 49.1% of his throws, making him the least-efficient passer in the FBS. He was eventually replaced under center for good by Kaden Anderson, who racked up 342 yards through the air against New Mexico in his first-career start. Still, Wyoming averaged just 189.4 passing yards per game. Outside of Air Force -- a program you never want to be compared to when it comes to throwing a football -- the Cowboys finished with the worst completion percentage in the conference at 52.2%. The duo of Svoboda and Anderson tossed 11 touchdowns to go along with 11 interceptions.

Rushing Offense (National rank: 88th; Mountain West: 8th)

Now here's a category where being compared to the Falcons would be considered a good thing. The comparison wasn't necessarily close in 2024. And to make matters worse, Air Force, and its patented option attack, didn't come close to its standard on the ground. Wyoming, led by then-junior Sam Scott, amassed 137.8 yards per game. That beat-up stable of backs managed to average just 3.6 yards a carry, something that still sticks in Sawvel's craw today. Not making enough people miss, he says, is the main culprit. Injuries to Dawaiian McNeely and Harrison Waylee certainly didn't help. DJ Jones abruptly left the program after just four games. That wasn't ideal, either. The Cowboys scored just 14 times on the ground. Only San Diego State (13), San Jose State (13) and Hawaii (7) were less effective at crossing the white stripe.

Third-Down Conversion Percentage (National rank: 104th; Mountain West 10th)

When your numbers are as bad as the ones above, you can make an educated guess that third-down percentage wasn't exactly a strong suit for the Cowboys in '24. You'd be correct. This offense converted just 66-of-181 attempts. That's a conversion rate of just 36.5. Only Colorado State (36.3) and San Diego State (36.2) were worse on this money down.

Fourth-Down Conversion Percentage (National rank: 38th; Mountain West 6th)

You certainly can't call Sawvel conservative. The rookie head coach left his offense on the field for 25 fourth-down snaps last fall. The last time Wyoming reached that number was back in 2009 when Dave Christensen attempted 26. Craig Bohl, who roamed the sidelines in Laramie from 2014-2023, never eclipsed 23. In fact, during his last two seasons combined, the Cowboys went for it a grand total of 16 times, converting at a .500 clip. Sawvel's offense picked up 15 first downs. That's operating at 60%. Though he likely doesn't want to take that many chances, during a three-win campaign, hey, who could blame him.

Time of Possession (National rank: 42nd; Mountain West: Tied for 4th)

Here's where some of those fourth-down conversions came in handy. Wyoming's offense held onto the football for nearly 31 minutes per game. Only Air Force (33:51), Boise State (31:52) and Colorado State (31:16) were better. Nevada also kept possession for 30:52 an outing.

Sacks Allowed (National rank: 84th; Mountain West: 9th)

Only Hawaii (43), UNLV (32) and San Diego State (31) allowed more sacks last fall than the Cowboys, who capped the season with a disappointing 27. Svoboda, who started nine games under center, was taken down 26 times. Though he took some big hits, Anderson was only officially taken down behind the line of scrimmage once. Those sacks cost Wyoming's offense 162 yards.

Turnovers Lost (National Rank: 53rd; Mountain West: 6th)

Does 16 turnovers sound like a lot? It is, yet the Cowboys finished middle of that pack in the conference in this all-important category in 2024. Eleven of those were interceptions -- eight from Svoboda and three from Anderson -- and five were fumbles. Bad snaps led to untimely miscues. A costly first-quarter fumble against Idaho comes to mind. As far as the Mountain West goes, San Jose State was the most generous, handing the ball over 29 times. San Diego State and UNLV only coughed it up nine times.

Red-Zone Offense (National Rank: 16th; Mountain West: 2nd)

Let's end this little exercise on a high note, shall we? The Cowboys featured one of the best red-zone offenses in the nation, converting 29-of-32 opportunities inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Ten of those were field goals, which, if you asked Sawvel, is way too many. Heck, he's still focused on the three misses. A dozen times Wyoming bullied its way into the end zone. Seven touchdowns came via the pass. Only New Mexico was batter, scoring 44 times on 28 tires. The Devon Dampier effect, if you will. That shifty QB, unfortunately for the Cowboys, now plays at Utah. That's the Week-3 opponent this fall.

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