(Editor’s note: UW Athletics release)
LARAMIE, Wyo. — On a perfect spring day in the 60s, the Wyoming Cowboys put the final touches on 2019 spring practice on Thursday as they prepare for Saturday’s Spring Game. Thursday’s practice was the 14th of 15 spring practices. The only practice date remaining is the Spring Game that will kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday from War Memorial Stadium.
“It was our last practice, and we’re pretty thin (at some positions) but we’re getting ready for a big, big Spring ball game,”said head coach Craig Bohl. “We did sustain a couple injuries. I don’t think Austin Conway (senior wide receiver) will be going (Saturday). He’s got a little bit of a nicked up knee.
“I thought today was a good finish to Spring Football. We’re probably about where I thought we’d be. I thought we made some progress during the course of the spring, and it will be an opportunity come Saturday for our players to get in a game-like situation and see how they respond.”
Asked what he hoped to see from Saturday’s Spring Game, Bohl responded, “I think we need to see a cohesive offensive line that is able to come off the football, and certainly we would like to see that be balanced by strong defensive line play.
“I think it is another opportunity for our safeties to come up and make some plays. Those are always situations that are somewhat difficult to replicate in practice when you are not going full speed. When there is either a pass down field or a run that pops through the middle it is good to see who can make a play defensively.
“It will also be an important opportunity for Jackson Marcotte (redshirt freshman), who is going to be out their at tight end. He’s a really young, promising prospect as a tight end, and it will be interesting to see what he can do. The last thing would be an opportunity to see a couple of these younger defensive linemen, particularly the inside linemen.
“There is always some surprising star from the Spring Game. It’s fun for me to have a chance to watch, and hopefully we have some great competition and stay healthy. Every coach in Division I holds their breath. You want to see some good things happen, but you don’t want to see a season-ending injury in the Spring Game.
“We think Spring Games are important, not just for the evaluation, but to give guys an opportunity to go out and play in a game.”
Update on Quarterback Competition
Of course one of the most watched competitions during Wyoming’s 2019 Spring Drills has been at quarterback between redshirt freshman Sean Chambers and sophomore Tyler Vander Waal. Thursday Bohl was asked how much of a gap there was between the two quarterbacks.
“I don’t think it’s real wide gap,” said Bohl. “Sean (Chambers) has improved. I thought last Saturday and through the course of this week he has continued to improve, but Tyler (Vander Waal) has done a good job. He’s done some good things with his completion percentage, and he has continued to improve. I think those two guys are going to push one another. But I can tell you this, we’ll name a starter after we come through the Spring Game.”
Wyoming Signs Graduate Transfer Running Back Trey Smith
The Wyoming Cowboys have added a graduate transfer running back to their roster for next season. Trey Smith, who is transferring from the University of Louisville, has signed a scholarship offer with Wyoming. Smith will be eligible to play for the Cowboys in the 2019 season as he graduated in December of 2018 from Louisville. He has one year of eligibility. Here is more on Smith.
Trey Smith, Running Back
6-0, 218
Madison, Miss. (University of Louisville)
Smith played in 32 games for the Louisville Cardinals from 2016-18. He has averaged 5.1 yards per carry for his college career, carrying the ball 82 times for 415 yards. Smith also proved to be an effective receiver out of the backfield his junior season, catching 10 passes for 74 yards. His parents are Sandra Smith and former Jacksonville Jaguars career receiving leader Jimmy Smith.
“Typically when you take a transfer you’re looking at a guy who is going to have an impact,” said Bohl. “His (Trey’s) role will be defined by where we’re at during the course of the fall with our other returning players, but we really feel good about the things that he did when he was at Louisville. He’s a guy who has great character, and he wants to be part of this team. I think he’s a complete back as far as his size, he’s a good runner, he’s a capable receiver and also a very good pass blocker. He’s certainly going to add a lot of experience to our (running back) group.”
Cowboys to Wear Helmet Decal Saturday Honoring Signee Naphtali Moi Moi
The Wyoming Cowboys will wear a special helmet decal for Saturday’s Spring Game. The helmet decal will feature the initials NM and a number 50 in black and white to honor 2019 Cowboy Football signee Naphtali Moi Moi, who went missing off the coast of Half Moon Bay, Calif., on Thursday, April 18 when he was caught in a rip current.
2019 Wyoming Spring Game Information
Game Time:
2 p.m., M.T. in War Memorial Stadium, Saturday, April 27
Admittance:
The Spring Game is Free to the Public
Parking:
Parking will be Free on Saturday
Concessions:
After 1 p.m., fans will be able to purchase food and drink at the Concession Cabin in the Southwest Corner of War Memorial Stadium and at Roxie’s in the area under the south video board. Roxie’s will be selling beer on Saturday.
Tailgating:
An open container permit will enable fans to tailgate in the Ford Stadium Lot on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Season-Ticket Sales:
25% discount on season tickets purchased at the Spring Game
Ticket Representatives will be available at the War Memorial Stadium Ticket Office near Gate 4 on the east side of War Memorial Stadium from 1 p.m. through halftime.
Ticket Representatives can review prices and available seat options for fans on Saturday.
Fans may also contact the Ticket Office at 307-766-7220 or at tickets@uwyo.edu in advance of the game to set an appointment to meet with a ticket representative
Alumni Flag Football Game
Game Time:
11:30 a.m., M.T. in War Memorial Stadium, Saturday, April 27. Free and open to the public.
Cowboy Greats Participating:
Among some of the great former Cowboys expected to participate on Saturday in the Alumni Flag Football Game are Wade Betschart, Casey Bramlet, Brian Brown, Dave Clements, Ken Fantetti, Ty Muma, J.D. Wallum, Randy Welniak and John Wendling.
