Tight End Justin Erb Doing All the Dirty Work for Unbeaten Pokes

LARAMIE -- Justin Erb said he simply likes to hit people.

Just ask Northern Iowa linebacker Ryan Crandall.

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Quarterback Landon Sims surveyed the defense before calling an audible at the line midway through the fourth quarter of Saturday's 31-7 victory over Northern Iowa. The sophomore signal caller lined up under center, took the snap, turned to his left and put the ball in the belly of freshman running back Samuel Harris.

The speedster they call "Tote" veered slightly to his left, lining up directly behind the 6-foot-2, 242-pound tight end. Erb, who began the play on the right side of the line of scrimmage, cut across the formation and played the role of lead blocker, eliminating Crandall with a perfect box out.

Harris, who ran a 10.2 100-meter dash in high school, darted through that hole and cruised 18 yards into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown.

The rout was on.

"I just came around the corner and saw the guy high," Erb told Wyoming's play-by-play broadcaster Keith Kelley on Monday afternoon in Laramie. "I just tight-turned, got the next guy and he was able to break free."

That play could go unnoticed to the most casual of fans. His nine-yard grab late in the second quarter, though, was significant. It was Erb's first catch at the FBS level. It also set the Cowboys' up at the Panthers' 9-yard line.

Four snaps later, starter Kaden Anderson found tight end John Michael Gyllenborg all alone near the goal line, firing a 6-yard scoring strike to the senior to give Wyoming a 14-7 lead.

"It was something special, I guess," Erb said, underplaying the moment. "I was very excited about it ... I got the ball, just caught it and my blockers down field did a good job for me and I was able to get that nine yards."

NORTHERN IOWA GAME COVERAGE VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Wyoming Head Coach Jay Sawvel: 'Kaden Anderson is Fine'

* Behind the Numbers: Gyllenborg Up To Old Tricks in 31-7 Win

* Wyoming's Staff, Players Have 'Full Faith' in Landon Sims

* Tuck's Take: True Test Awaits Stingy, Revamped Wyoming Defense

* Rants and Raves: Northern Iowa Edition

* Cowboys Roll Northern Iowa in All Three Phases, 31-7

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

* Wyoming QB Leaves Opener With 'Upper-Body Injury'

* LIVE FILE: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Northern Iowa Panthers

* Gear Up For Game Day: Northern Iowa

Erb, who began his career as a linebacker at Iowa Western Community College, nearly got that monkey off his back last October.

The former walk-on threw the lead block that sprung then quarterback Evan Svoboda for a 51-yard touchdown jaunt in the fourth quarter of a 27-24 home loss to San Diego State.

Earlier in that outing, Svoboda was late on the throw toward the east sideline. It eventually sailed in the direction of Erb, but it never made it that far. Aztec safety Eric Butler read the play all the way and easily jumped the route, returning the interception 43 yards for a score.

When talking about Wyoming tight ends, the focus, rightfully so, surrounds Gyllenborg. Svoboda sits second on the depth chart. Jake Wilson, though currently out with a knee injury, was the talk of spring camp. Isaac Shoenfeld is also primed to make an impact this fall. Jay Sawvel and Co. think they landed a pair of breakout players in recruiting, too, with the addition of Kyle Frendt and Landon Pace, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Orlando Pace.

Erb quietly does all the dirty work.

In that win over Northern Iowa, the Wakefield, Neb., product took part in all 25 special-teams snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also on the field for 18 offensive plays.

"I just line up and do my job," Erb said. "That's one of our biggest focuses this year."

That's also what landed him a full-ride scholarship at the conclusion of last season.

"He does a lot of good things there," Sawvel said, referring to special teams. "He plays hard and puts himself in the right spot. You appreciate him."

MORE UW FOOTBALL COVERAGE VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Wyoming Downplaying Renewed Rivalry Matchup with No. 20 Utah

* Utah Notebook: You Again? Dampier Has Been Ultimate Thorn

* Wyoming Legends Recall '93 Barnburner Against Northern Iowa

* Josh Allen Announces His No. 17 Wyoming Jersey Will Be Retired

* Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 1

* 3 Keys to a Wyoming Cowboys Victory vs. Northern Iowa

* Tyce Westland -- Quietly -- Continues to Carve Out His Path

* Know Wyoming's Foe: Northern Iowa Panthers

* Northern Iowa Notebook: Pesky FCS Opponent on Deck

* Wyoming's Revamped Offensive Line Keeps QB Clean in Opener

* 'Small-School' Linebacker Steals Spotlight in Shutout

Erb has his work cut out for him this Saturday.

Utah features the fourth-best punt-return unit in the country, averaging 29 yards an attempt. Kick returns and punts, though, have been limited. The No. 20 Utes have only allowed nine points in two games, for one. They also punted just four times in 2025.

Erb could play a critical role in helping keep Anderson clean Saturday night inside War Memorial Stadium.

John Henry Daley, Utah's 247-pound edge rusher, already has three sacks, the same number of quarterback hits and five hurries. He's the second-highest graded (88.2) defensive player for the Utes, per PFF.

Erb may be asked to chip, aiding offensive tackles Rex Johnsen and Nate Geiger.

"He's going to fight, he's going to scratch, he's going to claw," Sawvel said of Erb. "That's what you asked for."

Kickoff between the Cowboys and Utes is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.