Cowboy Altitude

Wyoming Has Some Future Football Schedules To Fill

2012-05-22T01:22:41Z

The 2012 schedule is all set for the Wyoming football team. After that things get a little uncertain for the Pokes. There was a four game scheduling agreement with Utah State that is now gone. The Aggies will be joining the Mountain West in 2013 and now Wyoming will have three games to fill over the next several years.

With the Mountain West and Conference USA working on scheduling partnerships and further expansion possible, Wyoming may wait for some things to get settled before announcing any new games. Currently the Mountain West is set to only have eight conference football games. I doubt that number would increase at all. Air Force doesn't want to play any more then eight conference games because Army and Navy already take up two of their non-conference game slots.

So based on that thinking Wyoming will need to add one more opponent for 2013, and two more in 2014 and 2015.

Let's look at some possibilities here.

Here are the list of OOC games that are scheduled through 2018.

2013	Opponent
8/31	@ Nebraska
9/7	Idaho
9/28	@ Texas State

2014	Opponent
~~9/13~~	~~Utah State~~
9/20	@ Oregon
9/27	Florida Atlantic

2015	Opponent
9/05	North Dakota
9/12	Oregon
~~9/19~~	~~@ Utah State~~

2016	Opponent
~~9/10~~	~~Utah State~~
9/17	Nebraska
2017	Opponent
9/09	@ Missouri
2018	Opponent
9/09	Missouri

So now the question is: Who should Wyoming schedule for these open games?

They already a very high level team scheduled every year: Nebraska, Oregon or Missouri. So it certainly wouldn't be necessary to add another powerhouse school to the schedule for any of those years.

In 2013 there aren't FCS schools scheduled yet. Perhaps we'll see a school like Southern Utah or Weber State fill that remaining spot. The Cowboys like to schedule at least one FCS school per year.

CUSA

Perhaps this is where we'll see some type of scheduling agreement with CUSA come into play. Wyoming could play a team that would help get them more exposure in the southern part of the United States. UTEP, Tulsa, Rice, UTSA, North Texas and Tulane could all be options.

Having more games with these schools may increase the exposure if both conferences work to ensure that these games are broadcast nationally.

FORMER FOES

Wyoming has a long history with BYU and Utah. It wasn't a very friendly rivalry but it certainly got fans interested. Utah has said they wouldn't have as much interest in playing Wyoming because it wouldn't help them in recruiting athletes from the area. BYU is looking for some more games after going independent. As a Wyoming fan would you want to see the Cougars and Cowboys renew their rivalry?

I certainly have mixed emotions on this, it would be tough to think about helping out a school that tried to dismantle the Mountain West. However beating BYU would certainly be a sweet victory.

There are also Boise State and San Diego State who are headed to the Big East. Are both schools dead to us, or is it worth trying to keep them on the schedule?

NEW TRADITIONS

Perhaps we could try and start a set of games with some new schools. Wyoming has been recruiting the hell out of Washington and Oregon the last couple years. Perhaps a series with Washington or Washington State could be in order. Mike Leach may be interested due to his Wyoming connections.

Also some decent schools in the Midwest to play. It would be an easy trip to play Iowa State or either of the Kansas schools.

Put your picks in the comments below.

With Boise State Gone, Mountain West Can Focus On Alliance

2012-05-19T01:27:36Z

After weeks of speculation the Boise State Broncos are sticking with their move to Big East along with San Diego State. The Broncos haven't secured a new home for their Olympic sports with the demise of the WAC. They are currently in negotiations with the Big West and need 8 out of 10 votes to land a spot in the California bus league.

Brett McMurphy reported that Boise informed the Mountain West this week that they will be leaving in 2013 as planned, The Broncos had second thoughts after it appeared their new league may not be a stable one. The Big East still has an uncertain future but Boise State was willing to risk it. If the Big 12 raids the ACC it could set off another round of expansion where the Big East is raided once again.

Now the Mountain West can finally get down to business with CUSA and TV executives about contracts and partnerships. The Mountain West stands at 10 teams and now CUSA will be at 14 with the recent addition of Old Dominion. That would bring it to a total of 24 teams between the the two leagues.

There has been speculation that a couple teams from CUSA may slide over to the Mountain West so that each league has an even 12 teams. UTEP has been mentioned several times as a likely candidate to join the Mountain West which would renew rivalries from it's WAC days. That would enable both leagues to have a championship game in football, with the champions meeting in an additonal game. Or perhaps they would meet in a larger bowl game. The SEC and Big 10 just made a postseason bowl agreement, maybe every conference will try to work something out.

With the Mtn. going off air on May 31st the Mountain West will now have some more flexibility with TV partners. We've now seen that they can sell some games to ESPN for extra money and exposure. So does each league have their own TV deal or will they partner up and try and create a bigger deal by helping with scheduling and over ventures.

Most of the details of the alliance should be finalized by June. TV contracts may a little longer to be finalized. At least we now know what cards the Mountain West holds and they can figure out the best way to play them. It will be a very interesting month and a half as all of this works out.

Wyoming Starting DE Ben Durbin Graduates, Transfers To Iowa State

2012-05-16T17:58:12Z

The Wyoming defense line took an unexpected hit today with the news that starting left defensive end Ben Durbin is transferring to Iowa State for his senior year. The Cyclones announced the transfer today, the University of Wyoming has not released any statement at this time. Even though Durbin is a senior he will be able to play right away. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology this spring which he won't need to sit out a year. Durbin used his redshirt in 2008, didn't play in 2009 and then spent the last two years at defensive tackle.

"I was at Wyoming for four years and Laramie is a great place," Durbin said. "This is not about Wyoming. I talked to my friends and family about it. Iowa State is doing great things under (Iowa State head) coach Paul Rhoads. Coming home is a dream. Believe me, I appreciate this opportunity."

The Gilbert, Iowa native always felt that he was a Cyclone and wanted the chance to play in front of his family. He was not offered by Iowa State as a high school linebacker and chose Wyoming.

In the off season Durbin was moved from tackle to defensive end where he was a starter throughout the spring. The problem I have here is how long did Durbin know he was going to transfer? He took all those reps with the #1 defense this spring and the Pokes will see no benefit. Someone else who will actually wear brown and gold in 2012 could have used that valuable practice time.

The Pokes do have some depth at defensive end, so at least the cupboard is not completely bare.

Currently Miraldo Michel is listed as the backup behind Durbin, followed by Jeff Rouche. There is also a chance that Eddie Yarbrough could make the move the from right defensive end where is currently backing up Sonny Puletasi.

Mark Willis has also played the last two seasons but dealt with injuries this spring. The latest recruiting class included a number of talented linemen. The staff was very high on JUCO transfer Justin Bernthaler who will enroll see action . There are also highly rated high school signees Uso Olive and Sam Awrabi.

This will now be one of the biggest position battles in August to watch. Any thoughts on who ends up taking the starting spot?

Leonard Washington Sentenced For Battery, Criminal Entry

2012-05-16T09:38:18Z

A bad off season for Wyoming forward Leonard Washington took another bad turn. The leading scorer for the Cowboys was suspended indefinitely on April 4th for not meeting the expectations and standards of the team. May Then yesterday Washington was sentenced in Albany County court for battery and criminal entry for an incident that occurred on April 15th.

The citation states that Washington admitted to entering a house without permission and then striking an individual with a closed fist. In laymen terms there a party that Washington visited without invitation and then punched someone. This can happen fairly often on college campuses and is certainly not good timing for Washington. Obviously fighting is never a good thing but at least it was not a serious assault case.

Washington was fined twice as well as some jail time and unsupervised probation. Surprising that news of this case was kept under wraps for so long. Nothing was mentioned of this incident until the sentencing today.

Here is a summary of the punishment handed down by the judge.

He received a $240 fine, with 10 days in jail suspended, for the criminal entry charge, and a $290 fine, with 21 days in jail suspended, for the battery charge. Washington was sentenced to one year of unsupervised probation for the battery charge and six months of unsupervised probation for the criminal entry charge. The probation charges will run concurrently.

The University of Wyoming didn't release any formal statement on the situation. Coach Shyatt did at least make a comment on the issue.

Shyatt issues comment on Washington situation. "We are very much aware of this situation and have been monitoring it closely with Leonard."
— Scott Nulph (@ScottNulph) May 15, 2012

So obviously the coaches were aware of everything happening with Washington. However Coach Shyatt didn't tip his hat on whether or not this was enough to remove Washington from the roster. It is sad to see someone who appeared to have really turned things around - suddenly run into all this trouble.

We'll post any further news on this story as it becomes available. Right now it will just be waiting game to see if Washington is able to stay a Cowboy or not.

They outspent the first three schools on the schedule of their coming football season — Wyoming,...

2012-05-14T21:11:55Z

They outspent the first three schools on the schedule of their coming football season — Wyoming, New Mexico and Mississippi — by nearly $18.5 million that year. Combined.

Wyoming Vs Texas On The Longhorn Network?

2012-05-11T21:19:33Z

Wyoming fans were mad when the Mountain West released their list of TV broadcasts for the 2012 football season. The Cowboys were only listed once, there is still a chance that a smaller channel like Altitude could pick up some of the open games.

One thing that most Wyoming fans were counting on was the season opener against Texas being shown on ESPN. That may not be the case as the mothership is trying to get back some money from their $300M investment in the Longhorn Network that launched last year. Verizon FIOS is the only cable system to carry the network at this time.

Basically ESPN is playing hardball with carriers and using football games as the bait to get more subscriptions.

UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Friday the Longhorns expect to have at least two and possibly three football games broadcast on the Longhorn Network this fall. A third game would be an increase from last year, when his office received widespread complaints about fans’ inability to watch two games on LHN.

The most coveted programming UT has is football. Dodds said if two games are on LHN this fall, they would likely be non conference games. A third game probably would be a Big 12 contest, Dodds said.

Texas only has three nonconference games in 2012 and two of them are at home.

9/1 - Wyoming Cowboys

9/8 - New Mexico Lobos

9/15 - @ Ole Miss

I doubt they can convince Ole Miss from the SEC to have their home game broadcast on the Longhorn Network. So it looks like Wyoming and New Mexico will be forced to play on the Longhorn Network.

Holy hell does that bite for most Wyoming fans who will have no access to LHN. Unless DirecTV picks up the channel then I won't be able to see it. The other option is to book a ticket to Austin and pay an arm and leg for a seat. Sucks that Wyoming and New Mexico fans have to suffer because ESPN overpaid terribly for a product that only a few people want.

Reading Roundup: Season Preview, BlogPoll and Cowboy Cribs

2012-05-10T19:05:50Z

Plenty of interesting things to read today on the inter-webs. We'll get you caught up on everything.

The latest BlogPoll was released yesterday and LSU is back at #1. I didn't vote this time and that meant that Wyoming got no love. Last time I put Wyoming at the #1 spot and it pretty much blew the computers up. Boise State was the only Mountain West team to make the Top 25 (landing at 22). Season opener Texas was 21.

Bill Connelly is doing incredibly in depth previews of every college football team. Right now he is progressing through the Mountain West. The Wyoming preview was just published and it is certainly worth reading. Bill is the innovator of the F+ ratings which haven't kind to Wyoming in the last couple years. He thinks the Cowboys will get a number of wins this year based on their depth and not just luck. There is also this Wyoming statistical profile that Bill compiled. It will likely blow your mind.

Josh Biezuns will get a shot with the Chicago Bears after signing as a free agent. He will attend the teams voluntary mini-camp that occurs later this month. Alvester Alexander reached a deal with Bears two weeks ago.

The latest Cowboys Cribs video was just released.

This week we can checkout the crib of RB Tedder Easton, OL Skyler Hinton and also DJ Christensen who is the son of Coach C. All three hail from Missouri and that is probably why they live together. Tedder is rocking the 95' Camry and the picture of Coach Christensen is hilarious.

Skyler and DJ are also handymen and can build fences.

A Look Back At The 2009 Wyoming Football Recruiting Class

2012-05-09T19:53:46Z

This football season will be the first that includes a group of seniors that were part of Dave Christensen's initial recruiting class at Wyoming. Seems like time is flying by and several members of this group will be playing in their final college football games this fall.

Coach Christensen only had a couple months to put together this group of 22 new recruits. Nick Carlson and Josh Leonard signed at the same time as grayshirts but they were recruited under Joe Glenn. Attrition is at 50% with just 11 of the 22 signees on the current roster that Christensen recruited. That number has improved greatly with the recruiting classes afterwards.

Still this group has gone through plenty and been a huge part of turning around the Cowboy program. Four of the eleven are now seniors. 10 members of this signing class played their first year at Wyoming and helped the Cowboys make two New Mexico Bowl appearances in three years.

Let's take a trip down memory lane back to February 9, 2009 and that first signing class.

ALVESTER ALEXANDER - RB: Alexander was a three starter at running back for the Pokes. He rushed for 2,127 yards and 27 touchdowns during his career. Decided to forgo his senior season and declare for the NFL in order to help his family. Signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent. Still plans on completing his degree. Alexander was the latest member of recruiting class to leave Laramie but it was under different circumstances then most.

ROBERT BENJAMIN - QB: The only junior college signee in this class Benjamin was a co-starter at QB for the Cowboys in 2009. He eventually lost the starting job to Carta-Samuels and decided to transfer after the season. He didn't want to spend his final year of eligibility serving as a backup. Benjamin ended up at D2 Fayetteville State in North Carolina where he was a starter for his final year.

KENNY BROWDER - DB: After an up and down four years it seems like Kenny Browder has gotten things figured out. Browder has missed several games over the years for violating team rules. He played well this spring and is part of a very deep secondary. Will begin 2012 as the backup free safety.

SPENCER BRUCE - DL: The only Wyoming product in this signing class. Bruce used his redshirt in 2009 and has transitioned from defensive end to tight end. Had three catches for 27 yards and a touchdown in 2011 as a sophomore. Should see much more playing time in 2012.

AUSTYN CARTA-SAMUELS - QB: Eventually won the starting spot at quarterback as a freshmen and led the Cowboys to a 7-6 record with a New Mexico Bowl victory. Named Mountain West Freshmen of the Year for 2009. The Cowboys struggled in 2010 and Carta-Samuels became unhappy. Transferred to a JUCO in January 2011 and then later ended up at Vanderbilt where he had to sit out a year. Will compete for the Commordores starting job this fall.

SCOTT CRISS - OL: After redshirting in 2009 the Omaha native decided he had to be a Husker. He chose to leave Laramie in order to pursue a walk-on spot at Nebraska.

SHAMIEL GARY - DB: Named freshmen All-American in 2009 at free safety after finishing with 98 tackles. Had 94 tackles as a sophomore but missed the last two games. Transferred to Oklahoma State in January 2011 to be closer to home. Sat out last season due to transfer rules and is competing for playing time in the Cowboy secondary.

DEVYN HARRIS - LB: Used his redshirt in 2009 after suffering a knee injury. Playing in all 12 games in 2010 including eight starts, had 47 tackles. Started at MLB for the Pokes in 2011 and finished with 67 tackles. Part of a very deep linebacker group in 2012.

RODNEY JAYNES - WR: Used his redshirt in 2009 and then left the program. Looks like he ended up at the JUCO College of DuPage back in Illinois.

TODD KNIGHT - LB: Used his redshirt in 2009 and is currently a junior. Didn't see any playing time as a sophomore. Played in every game last and finished with 12 tackles. Currently listed as the #3 SAM linebacker for the 2012 season.

TRENDT MARSOM - DB: The Hawaii native reshirted as a freshmen and then transferred out the second semester. No sign of him playing football elsewhere.

CHRIS MCNEILL - WR: Played in 13 games as a freshmen and caught 17 passes for 117 yards. Was third on the team with 257 receiving yards in 2010. Was the leading receiver for the Pokes as junior with 42 catches for 504 yards despite missing the last four games after injuring his shoulder. Will be the veteran leader of the receivers in 2012.

LARRY MITCHELL - DB: Used his redshirt in 2009 and then left the team on his own during 2010 fall camp.

ALO MOLI - WR: The Utah product signed with Wyoming and then went on a two year mission as part of his LDS faith. He never attending Wyoming but he can certainly play the ivories.

GHAALI MUHAMMAD - LB: A team first player Muhammad has been willing to play where ever the coaches needed him. He started off as a freshmen playing safety and special teams. Moved to outside linebacker in 2010 where he had 75 tackles including 6 tackles for loss. As a junior he switched sides and moved to running back. Averaged 6.3 yards per carry and had 379 yards as part of the Cowboys running back trio. Injured his knee in week eight against TCU and missed the rest of the season. As a senior Muhammad is moving back to linebacker and working his way back from that knee injury. He should be 100% by the time camp starts in August.

MIKE PURCELL - DL: Purcell has played all four years and will be entering his third season as a starter at defensive tackle. Played in 30 games so far in his career. Finished with 48 tackles and two sacks his junior season. Has been a very consistent and steady contributor each year. Will be a key piece of the veteran defensive line in 2012.

JEFF ROUECHE - LB: Used his redshirt in 2009 and didn't see any playing time in 2010. Recorded two tackles in four games last year as a linebacker in 2011. Now listed at 6-3 234lbs Rouche has moved to defensive end and is currently third on the depth at left defensive end.

LUKE RUFF - DB: As a freshmen Ruff played special teams, his highlight was blocking a punt in the Texas game that Muhammad recovered for a touchdown. Served a backup safety as a sophomore. In 2011 he earned the starting strong safety spot and was second on the team with 102 tackles. Will be a starter again in 2012 as well a team captain. Just named to the 2012 Lott Trophy Watch List.

T.J. SMITH - TE: Used his redshirt in 2009. Was able to earn some playing late in 2010 and finished with eight catches for 175 yards. Played in eight games a sophomore but only caught two passes for eight yards. Has been battling injuries and didn't participate in any spring scrimmages.

DAVID TOOLEY - TE: Made some several clutches catches as true freshmen. Unfortunately he blew out his knee in the Border War and was never the same. Tried to play through the pain in fall camp of 2010 but it didn't work out. He left the team for a brief a time before returning to school but was suspended for violating team rules. He left Laramie in January 2011.

THOMAS VONASHEK - OL: Listed at 6-9 302lbs Vonashek was certainly a big linemen. He used his redshirt 2009 and then got in some trouble during the summer of 2010. He was dismissed from the team for a "violation of team rules" and then went to Iowa Central CC. Vonsahek signed with FCS Western Carolina in 2011 but never appeared on their roster.

MARK WILLIS - DL: Willis used his redshirt year to add some weight to his frame. Played in six games at defensive end as a redshirt freshmen before a knee injury forced him to miss the last six games of the year. Saw more playing in 2011 as a backup but still missed the last three games with an injury. Did not participate in 2012 spring practice due to injuries but is expected to be healthy this fall.

****

Amazing that only half of this signing class remains on the roster. Plenty of turnover will happen with a coaching change but most of that occurs with former athletes. I think with Christensen being a first time head coach you didn't really know what type of atmosphere he would create. We now know that Christensen is a no nonsense coach that is very strict on following team rules. The percentage of signees in other classes that left have been much lower.

None of the playesr that left has made an impact elsewhere. Obviously we'll have to see what ACS and Gary do this year now that they are eligible to play. Alexander left for a shot at the pros and a chance to help his family, he was very happy at Wyoming and loved the fans.