On Thursday, the Mountain West Conference released the game time for the Nov. 18, Wyoming-Fresno State football game. That game will kick off at Noon, Mountain Time from Wyoming’s War Memorial Stadium, and will be the final regular-season home game for the Cowboys in 2017.
As Wyoming continued its preparation for the 2017 season, the Cowboys practiced in full pads on Thursday in what was a very physical practice, including a lot of work on the running game.
Thursday’s Practice Notes
•Thursday’s practice included an “Inside Run” period that saw the offensive line perform very well.
•Cowboy running backs Milo Hall, Nico Evans and Kellen Overstreet all had impressive runs. Redshirt freshman running back Mike Green II also broke a couple long plays.
•The Pokes incorporated a red-zone period into practice that saw junior tight end Josh Harshman make a big catch in the corner of the end zone over the top of a defender. Sophomore running back Garrett Gardner also scored a touchdown on a screen pass during the red-zone period.
•Later in Thursday’s practice, both the offense and defense worked against scout teams that simulated some opponent schemes the Cowboys will face this coming season.
•The practice ended with a goal-line situation that saw the Cowboy defense stop the offense on a fourth and one play to wrap up the 17th practice of fall camp.
Quoting the Coach (Quotes from Head Coach Craig Bohl)
“We had a full-padded practice today, and we certainly took full advantage of it,” said head coach Craig Bohl. “We had a lot of full-contact work. We did some scrimmaging, including a goal-line scrimmage at the end. Our defense stopped our offense on a fourth and one. Hooray for the defense. It was a grinder today, and we worked our guys hard.
“We continue to see some of our younger players emerge. Alonzo Velazquez (true freshman) is really showing great presence at tackle. I also see Cassh (Maluia) (sophomore linebacker) doing some good things on defense.”
How do you like how the running back position is shaping up this fall?
“It is kind of what we thought it would be coming into this fall -- more of a running back by committee,” said Bohl. “I do think that Milo (Hall) has shown some burst. It was good to see Kellen (Overstreet) back out there. Between Milo, Kellen and Nico (Evans) we feel like we have three guys who can perform. Mike Green broke off a big run today, but those other three guys are kind of separating themselves. I don’t know if we’ll play a freshman unless one of those guys gets hurt.”
You mentioned yesterday that Wednesday’s practice was more of a mental day, how much more of a physical practice was today?
“It was 180 degrees different,” said Bohl. “We covered a lot of different things yesterday. Today we grinded, and we banged. It was purposefully planned out that way. As we go through camp, I think it’s important we have full-contact work. Guys were taking people to the ground today. You always hold your breath a little bit as a coach, but Iowa is right around the corner and we have to be game ready.”
It seems like various position groups are doing different things to keep things loose this fall camp. As a head coach do you like that?
“Today, players started saying happy birthday to me -- well it wasn’t my birthday,” said Bohl. “But when you’re young I think those types of things are great. The attitude of this team is excellent. We’re really pleased with their focus. There is a lot of camaraderie and really good team spirit.”
Do you like where you’re at with the center position right now?
“Logan (Harris) is taking the lion’s share of the reps,” said Bohl. “We’ll roll Gavin (Rush) over from guard some, but Logan has done a nice job. We’re pleased with his understanding of our offense. Going into a Big Ten stadium (season opener at Iowa) is going to be new for a young man from Torrington (Wyo.). But my sense is he has a really good value system, and I don’t think there is going to be a stage too big for him. He’s a big, strong guy, and we’re pleased with him.”
