The Cowboy Chronicles

Archive for November, 2009

Hall of Shame

November 30th, 2009

I imagine by now you’ve heard about what BYU quarterback Max Hall said after his Cougars beat Utah 26-23 in overtime last Saturday.

If not, you’ve got to read this article in the Deseret News out of Salt Lake City.

I don’t want to spoil it for you, but the word “hate” was used a lot by Hall.

Now an apology has been issued and that all-mighty “public reprimand” by the Mountain West Conference has been handed down.

Here is the link. Would be curious to hear what you think.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705348033/Max-Hall-issues-apology.html

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Speculation continues for Wyoming and what bowl game it will play in. See Tuesday’s paper for more on that.

Like in the poll on this blog, the three candidates remain New Mexico, Armed Forces and Humanitarian. But a lot of pieces to the puzzle must fall into place to figure out who is going where.

I said a couple of weeks ago I thought it would be the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas. From all indications now I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Imagine that.

Will know for sure Sunday, but until then let the speculation and guessing continue.

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“Some night this team will make you go ‘oh’ and other it will make you go ‘ugh.’ ”

That’s what UW men’s basketball coach Heath Schroyer said prior to the season about his 2009-10 team.

He couldn’t have been more right.

Terrible losses to South Dakota State, Monmouth and Hampton at home, coupled with impressive wins against Boise State and Pepperdine have the team at 3-4.

Expect more ups and downs, but they should subside some once leading scorer and sophomore forward Afam Muojeke comes back from a knee injury.

But if you know anyone who can shoot a 3-pointer, let Schroyer know because this team desprately needs one right now.

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The UW women’s team is quietly off to a 6-0 start. Road games at Idaho and Washington State this week will be good tests.

Will be curious to see how this team stacks up in the Mountain West in a month or so.

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Posted in General, Moutain West Conference, UW men's basketball, UW women's basketball

Prosinski earns MWC honor

November 30th, 2009

University of Wyoming junior safety Chris Prosinski has been named the Mountain West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Week.

Prosinski had 10 tackles, including nine solo stops, a tackle for loss and forced a fumble in UW’s 17-16 win at Colorado State last Friday to secure a bowl berth for the Cowboys.

The biggest play came in the fourth quarter when Colorado State had a third-and-goal on the UW 4-yard line. He tackled CSU’s Dion Morton for a two-yard loss that forced the Rams to kick a field goal that kept the Cowboys within two points at 16-14.

It’s the first weekly honor for Prosinski.

TCU junior quarterback Andy Dalton won the offensive award and Utah kicker Joe Phillips earned the special teams honor.

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Posted in Moutain West Conference, UW-Colorado Game

A lifelong fan

November 29th, 2009

Got this e-mail today from a UW fan who took his son to the CSU football game Friday. Thought you would like to see this:

As a lifelong Wyoming football fan and proud UW alum, I had the pleasure of taking my eight year old son to watch our Cowboys beat CSU to bring the boot back to Laramie where it belongs!

While I have been impressed with the play of quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels this year, his actions immediately after the game impressed me even more by showing what kind of man he is.

The team had the Bronze Boot in hand and was leading the Wyoming faithful in a rousing rendition of “Ragtime Cowboy Joe.” Then here comes our QB whom just played his heart out and was obviously physically and mentally drained from playing the game of his life. But this QB doesn’t jump in the crowd, he doesn’t jump into the pile of teammates, he simply stops. He stops, grabs my son, kneels down and poses for a picture that would make every Wyoming fan/dad proud.

Here is a true freshman, who just minutes ago, put our team on his back and led them to victory in what has to be the most emotional game of his life…and he stops and takes the time to make a eight year old kid’s day!

What an amazing display of leadership and character by this young man!

My son will never forget the game and that Wyoming’s QB Austyn Carta-Samuels posed for a picture with him. I will never forget the look of excitement on my son’s face after Austyn so generously paused and performed such an act of kindness and selflessness.

So to Austyn, the Cowboy QB, my family and I look forward to cheering you on during your next three years under center at UW. To Austyn, the man, thank you…you have made a lifelong fan.

Travis Stevens, Wellington, Colo.

luke-acs-mod

Travis sent a photo, but I’m not savy enough to include it. Sorry. Still, hope you enjoyed this.

Edit: Photo now posted!

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Posted in General, UW-CSU Game

Cowboys lose third straight

November 28th, 2009

The Wyoming Cowboys lost 78-67 Saturday night to Hampton in the World Vision Challenge in Laramie.

Junior forward Djibril Thiam had 20 points and sophomore guard A.J. Davis added 18 for UW, which was 1 of 21 from 3-point range.

UW has lost three straight and is 2-4 on the season. It plays Pepperdine (3-3) at 3 p.m. today to conclude the tournament.

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Posted in UW men's basketball

UW trails Hampton at halftime

November 28th, 2009

The Wyoming Cowboys trail Hampton 34-26 at halftime Saturday night at the World Vision Challenge at the Arena-Auditorium in Laramie.

UW has never led and trailed by as many as 13.

Junior forward Djibril Thiam leads the Cowboys with 12 points.

Sophomore forward Afam Muojeke, the Cowboys’ leading scorer at 20.3 points per game, didn’t start because of a knee injury but came off the bench and played 14 minutes. However, he had a noticeable limp and wasn’t able to do much other than shoot perimeter shots. He had two points at the break on free throws.

Hampton shot 50 percent from the field, while UW hit 30.4 percent and committed 11 turnovers.

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Posted in UW men's basketball

More from the Border War

November 28th, 2009

Was going through my recorder after Wyoming’s 17-16 win over Colorado State and thought I would share these quotes with you:

“I almost threw up I was so excited.” — UW senior offensive tackle Ryan Otterson on how he felt after the game ended.

“This is the best. I took a team not supposed do anything and look what they’ve done. The saddest thing is we only have one more opportunity with these seniors. The job that they’ve done leading this football team is second to none.” — UW coach Dave Christensen.

“Quote me, please. That was a fiasco in the first half. There wasn’t anybody doing anything on either side. There wasn’t anyone on the field doing anything good in the first half. They should dock us all a month’s pay for that.” — CSU coach Steve Fairchild on the fact his team had seven penalties for 49 yards in the first half.

“They were taking away something that belongs to us. We’re going to get it back, though.” — CSU freshman defensive end C.J. James on watching UW coming over to the CSU sideline and taking the Bronze Boot traveling trophy after the game.”

“Unbelievable. I said Monday I wasn’t going to know until I got out here. It started before the game even started. It’s exciting and an awesome thing to be a part of. The next three years are going to be fun playing these guys.” — UW true freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels on his first Border War.

“I get one more (game) with all these guys. That’s all you can ask for.” — UW senior linebacker Weston Johnson.

“I don’t care in the least bit.” — Johnson on which bowl game he would like to play in.

See Sunday’s paper on more from the Border War, and also from UW men’s basketball as it tries to bounce back in its own World Vision Challenge after a 75-73 loss to Monmouth Friday night. Cowboys take on Hampton at 7:30 tonight at the Arena-Auditorium.

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Posted in UW men's basketball, UW-CSU Game

UW-CSU post-game thoughts

November 27th, 2009

If you have a heart condition, this Wyoming football team isn’t good for your health.

The Cowboys beat Border War rival Colorado State 17-16 on a 33-yard field goal by true freshman Ian Watts with 1:27 to play.

That was just one of several pivotal plays, which included two TD runs by true freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels of 6 and 49 yards.

The 49-yarder came on the second play of the fourth quarter, and included a heck of a stiff-arm by Carta-Samuels on CSU senior cornerback Nick Oppenneer.

“That’s something you play around with in high school and you’re able to push little kids on the ground,” he said. “College is a little different deal. First off I wasn’t fast enough to beat that guy to the end zone so I had to throw something back there and try and spring myself a little bit. Thank God he was wearing a visor or I wouldn’t have (scored).”

Tons of key and big plays in this game, especially in the fourth quarter.

David Tooley’s 23-yard catch set up Carta-Samuels’ 49-yard TD run. Only bad thing is Tooley tore ligaments in his left knee and is out for UW’s bowl game.

After converting a third and fourth down on the game-winning drive, sophomore running back Brandon Stewart’s 20-yard run and true freshman Alvester Alexander’s 8-yard scamper set up Watts for the game-winner.

Watts felt a little uneasy before the field goal. He bumped into the official taking his steps prior to the kick, and said he felt a little rushed when he heard the whistle blow to start the play.

But in the end, he made it — his third game-winning field goal of the season.

“Ian’s ice,” Carta-Samuels said.

How about true freshman Ghaali Muhammad and the game-clinching interception in the final seconds? That was his second big play of the season. He scored on a blocked punt against Texas. I really like the looks and future of that guy.

But the best part of the game was seeing the celebration and reaction of the UW players, coaches and fans after the game. Especially for the seniors.

“It makes all the work and time we put in worth it to experience this,” senior defensive lineman John Fletcher said.

Fletcher’s blocked extra point after CSU’s first touchdown proved to be the winning margin in the game.

Fitting.

UW will have to wait about a week to find out where it goes to a bowl game. The regular season ends next week. I’m thinking the New Mexico and Humanitarian bowls are the best bets, with the Armed Forces also an option.

See Saturday’s paper for more on this game, along with men’s basketball coverage against Monmouth in the World Vision Challenge in Laramie.

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Posted in UW men's basketball, UW-CSU Game

Muojeke doubtful for UW Friday

November 26th, 2009

Wyoming sophomore forward Afam Muojeke suffered a bruised left knee in the Cowboys’ 80-77 loss at Denver Wednesday night and is doubtful to play in the first game of the World Vision Challenge at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Monmouth at the Arena-Auditorium.

Coach Heath Schroyer said Thursday there was no structural damage to the knee.

Sophomore Thomas Manzano will start for Muojeke against Monmouth.

For more on this story, see Friday’s Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

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Posted in UW men's basketball

UW-CSU five things to watch

November 26th, 2009

1. Stop and/or contain the run: This is vital for UW’s defense. CSU thrives on its run game to set up the play-action pass. Last year’s game, a 31-20 Cowboys loss, is a great example of that. But the play-action is less effective when the run game isn’t working. Also, CSU may start and play an inexperienced QB in junior-college transfer Jon Eastman. If UW can contain the run and make CSU one dimensional its chances winning increase.

2. Score, score, score: No matter how it does it UW must score points on offense. Brilliant deduction, right? Well, in the Cowboys five wins its averaged about 31 points a game. In its six losses it has been shutout three times and held to one offensive touchdown.

3. Weather the storm: Even though CSU has lost eight straight, there have been times in just about all of those games it played good football. The Rams will likely do the same in this one, and probably early on. UW needs to push through this and not let the Rams get the upper hand.

4. Get a push up front: The Cowboys haven’t been able to get much pressure on the quarterack in recent games, no matter if it is in a 3-4 or 4-3 set. Pressure on the quarterback is one thing, but UW also has been soft against the run in recent weeks. The front seven need to play better and more consistent.

5. Emotional roller coaster: Rivalry games like this can have players’ emotions go up and down more than the stock market. Being too high or too low often can result in mistakes on the field. UW has a lot riding in this game — bowl game, .500 season, fifth-place finish in the MWC, Bronze Boot. Coach Dave Christensen wants his guy “higher than a kite” but that can’t get in the way of executing on the field. Same can be said for CSU.

Final score: It won’t be as dramatic of a comeback like at San Diego State a couple of weeks ago, but the Cowboys play well late to get this one: UW 31, CSU 27

Hope you will join me for the live blog of Friday’s game starting at 11 a.m. at http://wyomingcowboysblog.com/2009/11/23/wyoming-vs-csu-live-blog/

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Three other games to wrap-up the MWC regular-season Saturday. Here is a quick prediction of those contests:

New Mexico at No. 4 TCU: Horned Frogs head to a BCS bowl in style. TCU 45, New Mexico 16

No. 22 Utah at No. 18 BYU:BYU’s experience at quarterback in senior Max Hall will be too much for the Utes. BYU 27, Utah 20

San Diego State at UNLV: Rebels win their last game for fired coach Mike Sanford. The loss to UW a couple of weeks ago sent SDSU reeling. UNLV 33, SDSU 23

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Posted in Moutain West Conference, UW-CSU Game

Christensen not new to rivalry games

November 24th, 2009

This might be Wyoming coach Dave Christensen’s first Border War with Colorado State, but it’s not his first experience with rivalry games.

Early in his college coaching career he was part of the Apple Cup as an assistant at Washington and the rivalry with Washington State.

Bowling Green was the rival during Christensen’s nine years as an assistant at Toledo.

He also was part of one of the longest and biggest rivalries in all of college sports while at Missouri and its battles with Kansas.

“I got a pretty good feel of (the Border War) probably by the end of the first day that I got hired here,” Christensen said. “The Wyoming people talk very passionately about it and how important it is to them and how heated the rivalry is.”

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Speaking of heat, UW practiced indoors Tuesday in the heated comfort of its indoor practice facility. It has only done so a handful of times this season.

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The obscure stat of the week: UW sophomore Austin McCoy has recorded 3,178 punting yards this season, which is the fifth-most in a single season on Mountain West Conference history.

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Christensen was asked earlier in the week on his thoughts of facing a CSU team that has lost eight straight and desperate for a win.

“I’m desperate for a win, too,” he quickly replied.

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See Wednesday’s paper for stories on how Friday’s game will be special UW’s cornerback duo of Marcell and Tashaun Gipson, and on how CSU may have a new starting quarterback.

There also will be stories on the Cowgirls’ basketball game Tuesday night against Black Hills State, and on the men’s game Wednesday night at Denver.

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Don’t forget to join me on the live blog for Wednesday’s hoops game with Denver starting at about 6 p.m. at http://wyomingcowboysblog.com/2009/11/20/wyoming-vs-denver-live-blog-basketball/

The live blog for the Border War will begin around 11 a.m. Friday at http://wyomingcowboysblog.com/2009/11/23/wyoming-vs-csu-live-blog/