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Pokes Authority live chat with Wyoming beat writer Ryan Holmgren (Oct. 8, 2015)
UW beat writer Ryan Holmgren chats about the Cowboys' upcoming game at Air Force.
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Can we just spot the Falcons a touchdown already? NM - 2 plays, App St. - 1 play to score... -
That's a fair question. In both instances, UW simply missed a fit. Last week, it was freshman strong safety Marcus Epps; can't remember who missed their assignment in the second play against New Mexico.
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I'm curious to see if Wyoming might try to switch things up for once and choose to receive if it wins the coin toss, which it has five of six times this season. Getting on the board first might pay dividends, ya know?
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Over/under on scoring plays of more than 30 yards for Air Force? I'll set the line at 2.5
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I'll take the under. After the opening play last week, Wyoming didn't allow another long touchdown. As sad as it sounds, allowing just one 35-plus-yard touchdown is best performance from the Pokes defense this year — as far as limiting the big play goes.
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So maybe some strides there? We'll see. The triple option leaves so many opportunities to allow big plays.
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Thank God it's almost basketball season. Football has been pretty hard to stomach this year.
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So you have been to a Wyoming bball practice. Initial impressions?
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A lot of walk-through stuff while I was there for a short spell yesterday. Unfortunately, basketball practice begins around 4:10 (after a short film session at 4) and football practice starts at roughly 4:30.
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Shyatt told me that he was going to work them like dogs during the summer and in the fall. He planned to ease up a bit once official practice started (last Friday).
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I unfortunately think AF won't be overlooking this game. A bad Wyo team beat a pretty good AF team last year. Plus we smoked them 2 years ago at the Academy. Might add to our misery.
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That could be. Although, for whatever reason, UW seems to play well against Air Force. And the Pokes really haven't been as bad as you probably think, especially the past few weeks. They've moved the ball well enough to win, just haven't scored. If UW converts in the red zone, it might be competitive.
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Any word on what happened with Skylor Clinton? Our attrition at DE this season has been terrible!
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Yep, although fortunately he was redshirting, and even when Tavita Faaiu left, UW coaches elected to move Kevin Prosser to DE rather than give Clinton playing time. So he still needed to develop. There weren't any legal issues or anything, so it seems like he just wasn't happy redshirting on an 0-5 team.
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UW has offered a ton of defensive ends in the 2016 recruiting class, so it's clearly a priority — especially with Eddie and Siaosi graduating.
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Getting any feel from Shyatt's staff what newcomers can potentially help? How has Barnes progress in offseason? What returnees have developed the best? I heard Jordan Naughton and especially Justin James, can be early contributors.
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You'll see Justin James contribute more than Jordan Naughton, in my opinion. I think James has starting potential, though maybe not right away. I wouldn't be surprised to see Austin Conway get a look, either. And really, Shyatt says he plans to play 9-10 guys per night, and it might not always be the same 9-10 guys. So you'll probably see most of the six scholarship newcomers get a chance. It'll just depend on who take advantage of their opportunity.
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I think Shyatt's been pretty evenly pleased with the progress of his returners. No one really stands out as far as making more strides than the rest. I've got a story on Herndon coming later today. We'll have a bunch of bigger stories — including ones on Trey Washington and Josh Adams — in our preview section, which comes out in early November.
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My point is there needs to be either Barnes or Naughton step up at the five position. They are the only two on the roster with big size to matchup against bigger inside guys. I can't see both sitting and not playing minutes this season. One or both, need to contribute in some manner this season.
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You're going to see a pretty thin lineup physically no matter what. No one is too bulky on this team. Barnes, strictly from being probably the strongest body, will have some opportunities.
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What are the chances Cody Kelly sees any playing time? I know he's short, but that kid can play.
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None this season. The original plan was to redshirt him, so I imagine they'll stick with that. Down the road, I think he could carve out a role. They love his competitiveness.
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Well let's say 1 percent this season. You never know with injuries, etc.
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Marcus Epps and Dewey Wingard have been pleasant surprises in the secondary this season. They're making freshman mistakes, but they're also making some really big plays. Good to see Epps with a nose for interceptions, and Wingard can lay the wood!
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You're right, WYO1016. Both have been impressive, and it's been a bit of a surprise. At the end of fall camp, Chavez Pownell Jr. and Adam Pilapil were projected to start. Now Epps and Wingard have established themselves as the starters. New Mexico QB Lamar Jordan said something along the lines of, "Wingard will be playing on Sundays one day." So growing pains, for sure, but this experience is invaluable.
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Shyatt says that he'll play 9-10 guys and he said the same thing last year, but he always ends up falling in love with 7 maybe 8 guys
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I'll argue that he's pretty serious this time. Aside from Adams, you could make the case that the rest of the guys in competition for playing time are pretty comparable talent-wise. That means 9-10 guys likely will play. And if UW doesn't have the success it's had the past four years, you can bet Shyatt will be looking to mix things up and find the right combination.
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I think Naughton has some good physicality too, from what I've seen. Two inside guys like those two is sufficient in the MW but need at least one. The you can surround them with guards, a lengthy forwards and win in this league. I watched this league for long time and know the formula that helps success.
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Naughton has a college-ready body, for sure. I think you'll see Shyatt experiment with the lineup, especially early on.
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Naughton says he's 6-11, but he's only listed at 6-10. Standing next to him, I'd believe he's 6-11. Good size there.
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Big weekend for basketball recruits. Hoping that the staff can work some magic!
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Absolutely. I spoke with three-star point guard Parker Stewart last night. He's the son of former UW assistant Anthony Stewart, who currently at UT-Martin with Heath Schroyer. He like Laramie.
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Also talked to Hunter Thompson last night. I'll be in touch with Trevin Knell and Samuta Avea later today. Those three play AAU ball together with Utah Prospects.
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WYOs OL though young has the size advantage against AF DL How many touches does hill get and do you hear anything about Kellen getting a look at RB? Over under 30 carries for Hill again this week?
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I'll go with the under on Hill's carries, simply because Wyoming won't have such a huge advantage in time of possession. You might see Overstreet, but only if either Tapscott or Evans don't play. Bohl thought about running him last week, but said playing four tailbacks can be counterproductive.
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If Bohl doesn't work out? Possibly. But I think they'll give Bohl another two years after this one to rebuild. So that's extremely hypothetical and way down the road. Even then, I'm not sure.
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I've got to get on a soapbox a little bit here:
A lot of UW fans seem to really despise Tom Burman, and I know his early days were as smooth. But right now, UW is terrific in athletics across the board, with the exception of football (and I think he's got the right guy for the job there. If anyone's going to turn this around, I'd bet money on Bohl.) Sure, Shyatt wanted to come back, but he made it happen. Volleyball has been in the top 25. Soccer is having a solid year. Even women's tennis last year made the MW championship match.
He's helped get the $44 million HATC and got the $30 million AA renovation, albeit after a hiccup. Cowboy Joe Club donation are at an all-time high. And he's got some pull among legislators with the $5 million CJC match. What else can you ask for?
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The AD is one of the best UW athletics are very good across the board.
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I don't want to over do the point, but I see the positive contribution of Barnes or Naughton, as big keys to the season. The Cowboys should be solid at the 1,2, 3 positions, and good hopes for Herndon as a good MW level four man.
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No worries, Terry. I agree. Barnes and Naughton will be big keys for UW, particularly because guys like Herndon and Dalton are probably not big/strong enough to bang with the MW's big boys.
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At the 1, they're confident in Trey as long as his decision-making is on point. Conway has some solid upside. Certainly Josh is an all-MW guy at the 2. The 3 will be interesting to watch.
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Is it just me, or does it seem like Chandler Garrett is doing for football recruiting what Austin Conway did for basketball?
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Yes, Garrett is one of UW's best recruiters. He's working on Drew Dan, a two-star WR from Oklahoma right now. They'll take an official visit together in December.
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