Wyoming Cowboys head coach Jay Sawvel addressed the media on Monday to speak about his team. The Cowboys will face the Falcons of the Air Force Academy in Laramie on Saturday.
"We've got a big game Saturday night against a Air Force team is always well coached, between what coach [Troy] Calhoun, Mike Thiessen, and Brian Knorr.” He continued, “They've had a week off to prepare for us. So that's always a challenge too, especially when you defend their offense because there's always going to be some wrinkles that you’ve got to deal with through the course of the game."
Sawvel spoke about the things Wyoming will face as Air Force will present unique challenges. "It's a game that you have to be on top of it from a coaching standpoint. We're going to have to play really well, and you know that's the biggest piece of it."
Sawvel also acknowledged missed opportunities on both sides of the ball against North Texas last Saturday. "Going back to last Saturday... the biggest message that everybody in the organization gets is it's not OK," he said. "As coaches, we have to look at all the situations that we feel like we could do better, as far as play calls, the type of scheme we're running, and the situations we're calling in defensively. And then, as players, we have to make plays. It's a shared thing."
Sawvel broke down the critical statistics from last week's game. "There were 4 of 14 on third down, 4 for 4 on fourth down. We missed a sack on one third down, they scrambled and got a first down. We don’t make a couple plays on third downs that led to fourth-and-shorters," he explained. "We had two guys tackle a screen 2 yards in front of the line, but he reaches out and gets the first down. We’ve got to make the play."
Sawvel spoke about the importance of momentum and timing. "I could point to a handful of plays and swing at 21 points one way or the other, and the game changes, then your energy level changes," Sawvel said, comparing it to the energy shift in basketball after missing a layup and giving up a three-pointer.
As Sawvel gears up for Air Force, he made it clear that the focus remains on improvement and resilience. "We've got to make plays. As coaches, we have to look at all the situations we're asking people to make those plays and how that all goes."
Injury Report
Sawvel provided an update on the team's injury report. "Caleb Cooley is out. Caleb Driskill is still out with a thumb; there's no timetable on that. Wyett Eckeler is out, but we're hoping maybe we can get him for the game after the open date. DeVonne Harris is out. Luke Sandy is out. Andrew Johnson will play with a broken thumb and will get a procedure done next week. Isaac White is probably out right now." Additionally, Nate Geiger and Tyrese Boss are also out.
The injury report also includes more long-term concerns. "Dawaiian McNeely will have another surgery soon and will be out for the remainder of the season. The fortunate thing in his situation is that he'll have a full offseason. This is not a reconstruction like before, so when we start winter workouts and spring practice, he'll be full go."
Sawvel also spoke about running back Harrison Waylee’s unique situation. "Harrison Waylee is still out. This is what's going to happen with him this year: Harrison Waylee has a redshirt season. We can play him in four games, and once he's ready, he'll play four games, which won't be until after the open date. We’ve had great discussions about this, and he wants a full year rather than a six-game senior season." Sawvel spoke about the importance of Waylee getting in a full season next year to improve his chances at advancing further in football.
Sawvel hit home what he mentioned earlier…"We've got to make plays, we’ve got to coach better, and we’ve got to execute, especially in a game as tough as Air Force," he said.
The Cowboys will need all hands on deck as they face a well-rested Air Force team this Saturday night.
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