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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 8-3 (6-2) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Dana Dimel Returning starters: 15 (offense 6, defense 8) Outlook Expectations are high for the Cowboys heading into the 1999 season, but that optimism has been tempered by the reality of what Wyoming faces. Not only are there six legitimate contenders for the conference title, but the Cowboys have the displeasure of opening the season at defending champ Tennessee. This is probably coach Dana Dimel's best squad in three years, which is saying something. The Cowboys have won eight games in each of the last two seasons. Offense Some thought the offense would take a dive when Joe Tiller left for Purdue, but that hasn't been the case. Quarterback Jay Stoner has gotten better each of the last two seasons -- last year, he passed for 2,373 yards and 11 TDs. This spring, Dimel changed offense to something he calls "the triple shoot," a one-back, four-receiver set that allows the team to run, throw and operate the option. The competition for those four receiver slots is furious. No less than 10 players are fighting for starting spots. Wendell Montgomery and Kofi Shuck are back in the starting lineup. Montgomery (57 catches, 789 yards) earned all-WAC honors last season and might be the next in line of great Cowboy wideouts, following Ryan Yarborough and Marcus Harris. The line returns two starters and Dimel could be left counting on redshirt freshmen Mike Irvin and Rob Kellerman. That won't help settle the running game, which is in flux. The team could use a tailback-by-committee approach. The spring session did little to settle the debate as Tim Beasley, Arlen Smith and Darth Tesinsky missed time. In their place, Jon Jennings got plenty of repetitions. It's a good sign if: Stoner continues his learning curve to flourish in the new offense.It's a bad sign if: The combination of a questionable line and inexperienced running backs leaves the passing game high and dry. Defense This year's defense features three of the best ever to play in Laramie. Nose guard Jeff Boyle, safety Al Rich and cornerback Robbie Duncan all deserve serious all-conference consideration. Boyle, a force at 6-1, 290, has been moved from tackle to nose guard to bring his massive strength more to bear on plugging the middle. He's joined along the line by returnees Bryan Van Emmerik and Patrick Chukwurah. With two stellar players in the secondary, Wyoming can take a few chances in its front seven. Rich was a first-team all-WAC pick as a sophomore in '98 while leading the team in tackles with 74. Duncan is one of the conference's top cover men. For Wyoming to become a dominant defense, it needs its linebackers to emerge. Dimel is looking for speed at this position. None of the projected starters -- Adrian Hill, Herman White and Cortney Barnes or Richard Peprah -- weigh over 238 pounds. It's a good sign if: Speed in the linebacking corps equates into big plays up and down the field.It's a bad sign if: The undersized line and linebackers lose the battle at the line of scrimmage. Special Teams Aaron Elling is a keeper at placekicker. He nailed 16 of 20 attempts last year and hit a 57-yarder and a62-yarder in spring practice. The punting job is less certain; Matt Swanson and Tom Waring are still battling for the starting nod. -- Greg Collins |
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