PODCAST: Overreaction to Call This a Must-Win vs. Hawaii? Nope

LARAMIE -- Is it an overreaction to call this a "must-win" for the Cowpokes?

If this team can't find a way to knock off Hawaii inside War Memorial Stadium, on Homecoming no less, the road ahead gets much more daunting, starting with the first-ever trip to Fargo to take on an undefeated and well-rested North Dakota State squad.

Then, on a short week, it's a journey to San Jose State. The Cowboys haven't won inside that building since 1996. That's four straight losses.

Jay Sawvel said this week numerous players spoke to him about ditching cell phones in the locker room. Nearly everyone relayed to the third-year head coach that the scene consists of individuals, at their stalls, headphones in, doom scrolling on social media.

One source painted the picture as someone waiting at their gate for an airplane, not readying to play a three-hour football game.

That created a disconnect, some said. That's now a thing of the past. The team leaders made that decision.

That's not all.

There was a players-only meeting on Thursday, a chance for everyone to air out their grievances and hit the refresh button. That could also become a permanent practice inside the High Altitude Performance Center.

Weak-side linebacker Gary Rutherford said his group met up on the Sunday following a dismal 24-10 loss at Central Michigan. While it wasn't quite a come-to-Jesus chat, the sophomore added, but players reacted to what they saw on film and took accountability.

"Everyone has stuff we can work on," Rutherford said. "Just little details and trying to play as one of 11 that's on the field. We're just trying to combine everything."

Ethan Stuhlsatz, who missed last Saturday with a nagging ankle injury, is expected to suit up against Hawaii, despite being listed as "questionable" on the weekly availability report, a source indicated.

That is a welcomed return considering cornerbacks Tyson Shamsid-Deen and Kendall Griffin are sidelined against this high-flying Hawaii passing attack. Both underwent a hand procedure this week.

Jared Newland and I break it all down in this latest episode of the Roaring Repeater Podcast, fueled by Laramie Range Ford. Check it all out right HERE.

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