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Pokes Authority live chat with Wyoming beat writer Ryan Holmgren (Sept. 24, 2015)
UW beat writer Ryan Holmgren chats about the Cowboys' upcoming game against New Mexico
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Hey Ryan, how was washington? Could you give us a timeline for basketball such as media day, first practice, etc.? Is the coaching staff still looking to sign someone or are they now confident everyone will stick around through to next year?
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Hey, Evan. Thanks for asking. Washington was a pretty great trip aside from some travel issues on the way back. Pullman-Moscow is a cool area (though I still prefer Laramie as far as college towns go).
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As for basketball, media day is already next Wednesday, so coming up quick. Practices won't begin, I believe, until the following Monday. Need to double check that.
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Coaching staff is still looking to lock down another verbal commitment for the 2016 recruiting class. Once Bryce Peters committed to Colorado, I was pretty sure Irshad Hunte would get the scholarship UW assumes will be open. But that hasn't happened yet, so we'll see.
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They're announcing a big donation? How much still has to be raised?
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Yes, they announced there will be an announcement. I guess when you donate a bunch of money, they give you a press conference with the governor and others. We should have an updated total Saturday.
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As of last month, donations weren't quite to the halfway point yet.
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The common denominator in our two 'good' defensive performances (UND, WSU) was DJ May. Do you think he makes a big difference?
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Ehh, that's hard to say. His athleticism is definitely unmatched by any other linebacker. But I don't think Wyoming played well defensively at all against North Dakota. I do think the Pokes had a nice outing on defense last week, and some of that can be attributed to finally establishing a pass rush (I have a story on that coming later today).
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One thing I've been happy about so far has been our ability to stay healthy (knock on wood) on both sides of the ball. A few backups and others have gone down for the season, but our starters haven't had to miss much time. I think that's been great for the team, especially the secondary.
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Yep, I agree, Evan. Could you imagine if this young team was as decimated by injuries as last year's squad? Actually, you might not want to imagine that. But yes, knock on wood. Even as an objective writer, I never want to see kids getting injured.
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When will we hear if Josh Allen's medical redshirt was approved or not?
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Good question, Joe. That won't be decided until at least after the season, from what I've been told. With a speedy recovery there's a chance he could return before the year is over, but barring very unforeseen circumstances I don't see Bohl playing him.
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I'm about to rant. Did anyone ask Bohl why he punted on 4th and 1, down 10, with under 8 minutes left the game, and with nothing to lose against Wazzu? I mean, seriously, he might as well have slapped every player and said, "I don't believe in you, we're down 10, this game is over."
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Yes, I actually asked Bohl about that during his postgame presser. He said that they didn't have a play they were confident in running on fourth-and-1. Brian Hill was stuffed for no gain on third-and-1. I was surprised UW didn't go for it there, too.
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Speaking of the Wazzu game, freshman Kevin Prosser had a nice outing. Here's a story I wrote on him:
Freshman Kevin Prosser, new to defensive end position, flourishes already : Wyoming
Casper Star-Tribune OnlineFeet shoulder width apart, back straight, hips down and one hand firmly planted on the ground. -
So Maalaululu? Why the decision now to start him? Appleby down to 240lb?
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Bohl said the decision to play Malauulu is strictly merit-based. Appleby hasn't played poorly (and is still around 255-260), but I think Malauulu and Uso Olive got a nice push against Wazzu and Bohl liked that.
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This angers me, Ryan! Run that counter play that had been working! I hate to say it, but that's lazy coaching. I guarantee, like to the point of putting a whopping $1.00 on it, that if Bohl were facing the exact same situation with NDSU, it's a no brainer to go for it.
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Yep. That's tough, though, because Wyoming actually was really bad on the ground in the second half (not North Dakota game bad, but still bad), so I understand Bohl's dilemma. But I think in that situation, down 10, I would've gone for it.
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Could you put together a piece sometime that lists every true freshman who has seen time on offense, defense, and/or special teams? I think it would be interesting to break down the need for freshman to contribute by position...
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So, with lots of true freshmen playing the easier question to ask would be: Who has not seen the field out of the true freshmen?
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Good idea, Evan. Just spitballing here, but I think it's:
Offense: Joseph Parker, Dameko Doddles, James Price, Justice Murphy, Kaden Jackson, Zach Wallace, Josh Harshman
Defense: Carl Granderson, Kevin Prosser, Antonio Hull, Andrew Wingard
Special teams: Kellen Overstreet, Christian Irving -
I could be missing one in there. I can look into it.
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Ryan have you started a countdown for the basketball opener at Indiana State yet? Also on that same note, are you going to beautiful Missouri Valley Country to cover the opener?
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I haven't actually started a countdown, but I'm definitely looking forward to it. I love college hoops. As much as I'd enjoy leaving Laradise for Terredise, I don't think I'll be at that game unfortunately.
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(For those not understanding my horrible pun, Indiana State is located in Terre Haute, which is fondly known as Terredise. I've actually been there once.)
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Me being angry about a punt aside, does anyone else have just a tiny gut feeling that we're going to win on Saturday? Maybe it's just me...
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I'm taking the Pokes this week. I think Brian Hill will have another big day and the defense has made enough strides to keep the game close again. Let's say 31-28 Pokes.
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(Yes, I understand that means UW will likely need to hit a field goal to end up with 31 points, ha)
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Another idea I had: It seems odd to have multiple walk-on's significantly contributing, do you think its realistic to see some scholarships awarded at some point this season or off season?
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I think it's more likely to happen in the offseason. Pilapil and Epps aren't on scholarships, and I don't think Anthony Makransky is either. Going forward with some strong recruiting classes, the reliance on walk-ons should dwindle.
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Are you disturbed/surprised we are sill get out-recruited by NDSU?
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I wouldn't say Wyoming is being out-recruited by NDSU. Two 2016 players have picked NDSU over Wyoming and two (Gavin Rush and Dustin Weeks) picked the Pokes over NDSU.
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What's your opinion on the defensive commits? Not many stars on these guys. Thoughts?
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I think UW's 2016 recruiting class is shaping up nicely, actually. Certainly better than NDSU's, for what it's worth. Chandler Garrett is a three-star kid, so is Jace Webb. A pal of mine up in North Dakota said that Dustin Weeks, though verbally committed, is receiving interest from Wisconsin. 2016 looks to be on par with 2015, which was a solid class for Bohl.
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If I understand it right, Edeen and Simpson retiring opened up 2 scholarship spots on our roster, correct? How many scholarship players do we have on our roster currently?
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I'm not 100 percent sure if Edeen was on scholarship yet, but Simpson's departure would've opened one up. UW also didn't sign its maximum with the 2015 recruiting class so there were some extra schollies open before that, I believe.
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Dave, NDSU routinely gets kids to come to Fargo over FBS schools (even Power Five schools on occasion). UW is recruiting good talent, rest assured.
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Should I give up a 7th round draft pick or keep Brett Smith in my CFL fantasy football keeper league?
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Ha! Brett Smith's team has been a mess all year. I'm not sure I'd take anyone on that team for in a CFL fantasy league.
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When are Pokes fans going to realize that they will NEVER be able to recruit the type of talent that is necessary to compete for a Mtn West Championship?
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I disagree, Calvin. The Mountain West isn't the SEC or Big Ten. You can win with solid recruits that don't have three-, four- or five-star ratings. Andrew Wingard was a two-star guy and he's clearly going to be a stud. That's just one example.
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Yep, Brian Hill was recruited very lightly and other schools wanted him to play defense. He's talented enough for the Mountain West, no doubt. (Got a story on him coming tomorrow, so stay tuned.)
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Jon, coaches don't really have to say because especially in football, a kid planning to redshirt might have to play due to injuries. But once we get deeper into the season, it'll be pretty clear who is redshirting and who isn't.
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Who do you think will redshirt this season for bball? Conway, Moemeka, Naughton. Maybe Gorski, much like McManimal and Trey did their sophomore years.
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I could see Naughton redshirting possibly. Maybe even Morris Marshall. It's all speculation right now, though, especially since Shyatt plans to play 9-10 players for the first time since he's been here.
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Haven't seen anything else on that. I think an investigation is underway, so it might be a while before we hear anything else.
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Which happens first - Craig Bohl gets College GameDay to come to Laramie (a stated goal of his) or a new coach is in charge?
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New coach is in charge. Even if Bohl turns this thing around, it'd take a special set of circumstances to get College Gameday to Laramie. It's been to Boise, what, once?
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Thanks for the chat. Not trying to be a jerk at all - big Pokes fan and think you do a good job. I'm just a realist and the Pokes are never going to truly compete in the next 5 years.
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Antonio Hull to start? I was excited for him during fall camp. Also, Tyran Finley played well. I think it's no coincidence that our D played better vs. WSU. We actually had our best players out there for the first time
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Yep, I agree. Finley got beat on that fade route but had good coverage. "Good D, better O" as they say in basketball. His speed, along with D.J. May's, helped limit some of the big plays, especially in the second half.
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OK, on that note I'll wrap this baby up. Thanks for joining this week. If you forgot any questions, bring them to my video live chat via Periscope on Saturday about 90 minutes before game time. Thanks again, and keep reading the Casper Star-Tribune.
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