Wyoming Nearing Game Week Preparations For Iowa

Laramie, Wyo. (Aug. 24, 2017) –  The 2017 season opener for the Wyoming Cowboys is approaching quickly — now only nine days away on Sept. 2.  As the Cowboys prepare for their opener on the road against Big Ten member Iowa, the Pokes again incorporated some scout team work into Thursday’s full-padded practice.  Wyoming will practice again on Friday and Saturday mornings this week, before entering their first game week of the season starting next Monday.

 

Thursday’s Practice Notes

�Head coach Craig Bohl indicated to media after practice that there was a lot of physical work done during Thursday’s practice.

�Sophomore place-kicker Cooper Rothe was seen consistently connecting on field goals of over 40 yards.

�The offensive and defensive units faced off in some seven-on-seven passing drills, as well as periods focused on the inside run game.

�Periods were also focused on kickoff and kick return situations.

�Bohl emphasized that the Cowboys also continue to focus on fundamental drills as they near the end of fall camp.

 

Quoting the Coach (Quotes from Head Coach Craig Bohl)

“We had a hard, physical practice this morning,” said Bohl.  “We were in full pads today.  We’ll be getting into game week here pretty soon, and it’s important that we continue to work on our fundamentals.  There are certain things that you can only do when you go full (pads).  We didn’t have any live work (tackling to the ground) today, but it was pretty darn close.

“We’re pleased with the effort, pleased with the engagement of our players.  With the length of this camp, everybody is grappling a little bit with how to stage certain things.  We’ve not had a hit-fest everyday, but we’ve had  days with pretty heavy contact, and today was one of those days.”

 

At linebacker has Ryan Gatoloai-Faupula secured the backup spot at weak-side linebacker behind Cassh Maluia?

“I really don’t think that is the case,” said Bohl.  “We like the progress that Ryan (Gatoloai-Faupula) has made, but I thought Ben (Wisdorf) also did some good things in the scrimmage last Saturday, and we’ll continue to evaluate guys.  We certainly have our starters set.  It’s unrealistic to go through an aggressive non-conference schedule like we have and get into what we believe is a great conference schedule without needing depth at those positions.  We won’t redshirt him (Ryan), but we’ll continue to work with all those guys.”

 

How nice is it for your program to see Josh Allen go on a couple national radio shows yesterday and give Wyoming national exposure?

            “There has been a lot of national exposure through the summer, and those things benefit our program specifically, but we’re in hopes it also benefits our university,” said Bohl.  “There is no doubt when you have an opportunity to be in USA Today or on these national shows it is beneficial.  I think Josh (Allen) has handled things well.

“I think the national coverage is great, but I also want to say that we value our local media and we appreciate the coverage we get locally.”

 

Do you personally know Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz?

“We’ve had some extended conversations over the phone,” said Bohl.  “Their A.D., Gary Barta, had of course been here (at Wyoming) and was a quarterback when I was a young secondary coach at North Dakota State, so I’ve known Gary for a long time.  Their offensive line coach (Tim Polasek) had worked with us at NDSU.  There are some connections between the programs.

“We anticipate that we will be facing a team that is really going to be set and ready to play us.

“I think we’re an improved football team from where we were last year, and it’s looking to me like it will be a heck of a ballgame.”

 

Coach Ferentz is the longest-tenured head coach in the FBS (entering his 19th season at Iowa in 2017).  Is it impressive to see a coach with that kind of longevity?

“I think it is really impressive,” said Bohl.  “One, Coach Ferentz made a commitment to stay at Iowa, and that typically does not happen for that length of time.  I think that is an indication of his value system and certainly his skill set.  He is one of the deans of college coaches and their football teams are always well-prepared.

“For me, I’ve never had a chance to coach against Iowa since I’ve been a head coach.  When I was an assistant at Nebraska, we played them a couple times.  I can tell you there is a great deal of respect for Iowa on our part.”