2002 Statistics

written by Ryan Hockensmith

New coach Joe Glenn says without hesitation that Casey Bramlet is as good as any quarterback in the United States. So don't bother scanning the depth chart any farther than the top spot, although it's interesting to note Bramlet's back-up is his brother, Corey. They say, like so many do about related offspring, that he could be better than Casey, some day. But for now, the offense revolves around the elder Bramlet, who threw for 3,290 yards and 24 TDs in 2002. Bramlet is a 6'4", 231-pounder with a cannon arm and decent wheels (five rushing TDs). Glenn's one-back, three-receiver offense is still being learned, but the weapons are in place for him to post even better numbers.

His one back will alternate between senior Derek Armah and junior Kit Bradshaw, the Cowboys' two leading rushers of 2002. Both will get carries, but neither is spectacular. They'll obviously be most effective if Bramlet gets the passing game going, which he should with the receivers Wyoming returns.

Three of the Cowboys' top five receivers return, led by sophomore Jovon Bouknight. Bouknight is a solid, possession-type receiver. He averaged 10.9 yards per catch and had a long grab of 36 yards. The Cowboys will rely on seniors Ryan McGuffey and Malcom Floyd to open things up deep. McGuffey has a nice frame at 6'1", 216, and can get down the field. Same with Floyd, who at 6'6" and 215 pounds can get up-for-grab-type passes. All three are inviting targets, so expect at least 40 catches for each. Tight end Aaron Robbins, who saw real-game action as a true freshman, will only get better. With the wideouts running loose on the outside, Robbins should have room to maneuver over the middle.

Four starters return on the offensive line, so Bramlet probably won't hit the deck 40 more times again in 2003. They'll have to play better, though, and that will start in the middle with junior center Trenton Franz. He'll be responsible for all the line calls and keeping a pair of young tackles, sophomore Dan Fisher and freshman Chase Johnson, calm and effective. Both tackles played well this spring, pleasantly surprising Glenn. Fisher and Johnson are challenged with protecting Bramlet's blind side. Inside, returning starters Isaac Morales and Henry Randle will man the middle.

RB Derek Armah

written by Ryan Hockensmith

Glenn hasn't beat around the bush regarding his front four: Wyoming must get better push up front. Last year, the Cowboys mustered only 10 sacks. That number has to double, and it starts here.

Three veterans are back, starting with defensive tackle Zach Morris, nose guard Jacob Bonde and defensive end Brandon Casavan. Morris drew high praise from Glenn for an explosive spring. He will be key to creating havoc up the gut. Morris had merely 20 tackles, but looks like a much improved player. Casavan also had a spring worthy of Glenn's kudos. He has a knack for being around the ball, but he needs to get after the quarterback, as does opposite end John Flora. Bottom line - the defensive line returnees totaled 1.5 sacks a year ago. That number at least has to approach double-digits if a .500 season is to be theirs.

Wyoming's LBs are probably the unit's bright spot. Top tackler Tyler Gottschalk used his great range to rack up 125 tackles in 2002. He has a knack for making big plays (three forced fumbles in 2002) and the Cowboys will need plenty of those this year. He'll move to the strong side linebacker spot opposite junior Guy Tuell, a 2002 starter at strong safety. Tuell will have his hands full playing weak side linebacker at 6'1", 207 pounds. In the middle, junior Randy Tscharner will be the anchor. Like Tuell, he's a little undersized at 6'3", 231, so it will be pivotal for the defensive front to gobble up blockers and keep offensive linemen from running downhill and getting clean shots at the linebackers. If that can all occur, this group can track down ball carriers and cause pressure on blitzes, which is exactly what Glenn has vowed.

The area Glenn has expressed the most concern, surprisingly, isn't the defensive line. It's the secondary. He wants to blitz and force offenses out of their rhythm(s). That means defensive backs will be put in one-on-one situations downfield. That could be a problem at the current talent levels.

Cornerbacks Chris Dixon and Roderrick Jackson both have experience (combined for 107 tackles). They'll have to do more if Wyoming is going to keep opposing offenses off the field. Up the middle, Tom Vincent, Jacque Finn and Nate Young are the favorites to fill the free and strong safety spots. Unfortunately, only two of them can play at once (most of the time). Young, a senior, is small (6'1", 178 pounds) but experienced, good in coverage and a capable tackler. Both Young and Finn are slotted to see action at free safety, while Vincent is more of a strong safety. Vincent's a senior, too, can lay a lick on ball carriers, but also has enough speed to hang with tight ends and guys out of the backfield. Glenn says he'd like to apply pressure to offenses with zone blitzes, and those three players are guys to watch for offensive linemen trying to pick up the blitz.

LB Tyler Gottschalk