Colorado Notebook: Cowboys Set to Face ‘Football Icon’

LARAMIE -- His response drew an audible laugh.

Though it took nearly 15 minutes for the first Deion Sanders' question Monday during Jay Sawvel's weekly press conference, his thoughts on facing the NFL Hall of Famer and current head coach at Colorado was worth the wait.

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"We're very lucky that it's not me playing him," Wyoming's second-year head coach joked from behind the podium. "So, we're in a good spot."

Sanders, who of course goes by the moniker "Coach Prime," lined up at cornerback in the NFL for 14 seasons, playing in Atlanta, San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and Baltimore. During that illustrious career, he also played a little baseball on the side, roaming the outfield for the Yankees, Braves, Reds and Giants.

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He was the fifth overall selection in the 1989 NFL Draft behind only Troy Aikman, Tony Mandarich, Barry Sanders and Derrick Thomas. All but the second name on that list -- here is a shameless plug for a story I did about the "Incredible Bulk" back in 2018 --  is currently enshrined in Canton.

Sawvel himself was a standout linebacker at Division-III powerhouse Mount Union (Ohio) where he played linebacker from 1989-93. As a senior, he tallied 118 tackles and earned all-conference honors while leading his team to a national championship.

Sanders was a two-time unanimous All-American selection at Florida State. He was a Jim Thorpe Award winner.

Known for his flashy style and flamboyant way of operating, including introducing himself to his new team in Boulder back in 2023 by telling them to hop in the transfer portal and he's bringing his own luggage with him -- "And it’s Louis, OK?"

Despite all the off-the-field shenanigans, Sawvel's stance on Sanders has never wavered.

When he was told during the offseason the Buffaloes' bench boss had his bladder removed after dealing with a bout with cancer, Sawvel was the first to offer his support.

"All the best wishes from our program to coach Sanders," he said in late July. "You hate when an icon of a sport has to battle something like that. So, all the best wishes from our program to him that he gets a full recovery and can go on doing what he is gifted to do."

These two will be on opposing sidelines Saturday night when the Cowboys travel to Boulder to face CU for the first time since 2009. All kidding aside, Sawvel praised Sanders, who began his coaching career at the high school level in 2012 before taking over at HBCU program Jackson State.

Twice he was named the SWAC Coach of the Year. Twice he won an East Division title. Twice he won a conference championship.

"I admire coach Sanders for his personal belief," he said. "I mean, he wears his beliefs out in the open: on his chest, on his sleeves, the whole deal. I love the fact that so much of it's faith based, so much of it is a really good message that he constantly gives.

"So, I admire the guy for the kind of the philosophy that he has as a coach, and you also then admire the guy for being one of the greatest players that ever played the game."

Sawvel, after all, is a secondary coach at heart.

Here are some other takeaways from Sawvel's meeting with the local press:

* John Michael Gyllenborg exited last Saturday's night's tilt with Utah in the first half after taking a shot to the right thigh. Sawvel said he didn't expect the senior tight end to practice on Monday, but he could be ready to go in Boulder. It's wait and see right now. "I anticipate him playing," Sawvel added.

* Wondering where wideout Jackson Holman was against the Utes? His position coach, Jovon Bouknight, failing to get into specifics, said the Arizona transfer was hobbled with an injury late in the win over Northern Iowa and the decision was made not to risk whatever that ailment was on Saturday night. Bouknight said the 6-foot-3, 207-pound sophomore should play in Colorado.

* What did the Utah film show Sawvel when it comes to his offense? Morgan Scalley's unit is really, really good. "A lot of credit to Utah, and the fact that they challenge you at all three levels throughout the game," Sawvel added. "They don't just have a good front and they play soft zones or something, and aren't good. They're good -- across the board." Quarterback Kaden Anderson was off target Saturday, completing just 12-of-23 throws for 108 yards and an interception. Sawvel acknowledged he needs to be much better. He also said some individuals, center Jack Walsh, right guard Caden Barnett and running backs Terron Kellman and Samuel "Tote" Harris, specifically, had solid outings. "We've gotta go and own up to the things where we fell short," he said.

* While Sawvel harped on his defense numerous times postgame for a missed assignment that allowed the Utes to pick up a 3rd-and-21 conversion late in the third quarter -- film showed the culprit was cornerback Dainsus Miller -- on Monday he said the strip-sack courtesy of Utah edge rusher John Henry Daley was also a turning point. "We have a really good play call going where we are going to run a dig with Jaylen Sargent," he said. "They're in a three-deep zone and Jaylen Sargent is wide open. Kaden Anderson is about ready to put the ball on him -- it's going to be a 15-plus yard play -- and he gets hit from behind: sack, fumble. You know what I mean? You've got to win that. You got you." Read more about that specific play right HERE.

* Who will be Colorado's signal caller on Saturday night inside Folsom Field? That answer will likely come on Tuesday when Sanders meets with the media. Ryan Staub (26-45, 362 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT), Kaidon Salter (30-44, 261 yards, TD; 21 rush, 67 yards, 2 TD) and Julian Lewis (2-4, 8 yards) have all played through the Buffs' first three games of the season. "I don't know that they alter their offense dramatically between each one," Sawvel said.

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* Is Wyoming worried about the environment in Boulder? The short answer? No. Sawvel said his team has played in venues like Austin's Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium and Provo's LaVell Edwards Stadium. If the Cowboys take care of business, he added, the sellout crowd of 50,000-plus won't have much to cheer about anyway. "If we don't play really well Saturday night, then it'll be really loud all night," he said.

* Expect a lot more Samuel Harris out of the backfield. The newly crowned Mountain West Freshman of the Week accounted for 105 yards of offense against Utah. Wyoming, as a team, only managed 229. The rookie running back from Cibolo, Texas rushed for 68 yards on just eight attempts. He also caught three passes, including a 32-yarder and a fourth-down snag.

* Check out this story from CU's athletic communications about one of the school's first football stars, tailback Bill "Kayo" Lam of Glenrock. You can find that HERE.

* Kickoff in Boulder Saturday night between the Cowboys (2-1) and Buffs (1-2, 0-1) is slated for 8:15 Mountain Time. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

* The Roaring Repeater Podcast will air again this Tuesday with Cody Tucker and Jared Newland behind the mic inside our Cheyenne studios. Make sure to watch our social media feed, where we'll be asking you, the fans, for any questions you may have before the home opener. Here is last week's episode.

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