LARAMIE – At 10:25 a.m. on Monday Jay Sawvel gave Kaden Anderson and John Michael Gyllenborg high-fives as the stretch period was ending.
 
Then the first official on-field practice of Wyoming's 2025 season commenced.
 
There were a lot of passes thrown on the North 40 practice field over the next two hours as the Cowboys returned to action on a warm summer day at 7,220 feet.
 
However, once the full pads come on as fall camp progresses, UW will be getting back to its roots.
 
"We've got to be able win games this year by running the ball and by being able to hit people and out-physical them," Sawvel said. "There is no doubt about it. We'll have some practices that will be mortal combat."
 
There is a lot of confidence in the program that Anderson and the passing game, which will feature Gyllenborg at tight end and an upgraded wide receiver room now under the tutelage of Jovon Bouknight, will be explosive.
 
But the Pokes need to help the quarterback with a dominant rushing game, which was among the glaring struggles last season.
 
Sam Scott might be the poster boy for the "it's personal" mantra this team has. The chiseled 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior led UW in rushing in 2024 but understands the standard was not met.
 
"The 'it's personal' motto is always just a reminder," Scott said. "It's really (about) how are you going to perceive it when somebody tells you that you are not doing something right? Are you going to just let it pass by or are you going to take it personally? If you think of it like that it means a whole lot more to you. It means a whole lot more to me."
 
Scott will be in a heated competition for carries with a list of candidates including transfers Damashja Harris (North Texas), Terron Kellman (Charlotte) and Max White (Iowa). In total, Sawvel has restocked the running backs room with 10 bodies entering fall camp.
 
"I think that has to do with how things went last year. If you look at a lot of the stats and variables they weren't on par to where we need to be as Wyoming Cowboys," Scott said. "I feel like though I had some great moments, if there's that improvement that needs to be had and we needed to bring in new guys to get guys to compete with one another to create that camaraderie that makes everybody better, I totally understand that."
 
The competition on the offensive line and wide receiver was on full display Monday.
 
At the critical left tackle position, Nate Geiger and Jake Davies picked up where they left off at the end of the 2024 camp. Geiger won the job a year ago but suffered a season-ending injury in the opener at Arizona State. Davies was thrust into the spotlight as a redshirt freshman.
 
Current redshirt freshman Giovanni was running with the first team at right tackle ahead of junior Rex Johnsen. The interior of the offensive line is led by center Jack Walsh and guards Wes King (left) and Caden Barnett (right).
 
"We've got competition. That's the biggest thing about it," Sawvel said. "I think any time you've got competition at a position it makes everybody better and that's the whole goal to it."
 
At wide receiver, Jaylen Sargent and Chris Durr Jr. remained steady on opening day while Bricen Brantley and Jaylan Bean flashed their ability to stretch the field and Deion DeBlanc made life difficult on the defenders chasing him. Michael Fitzgerald, a 6-6 graduate transfer, made a strong first impression.
 
Sawvel was also pleased with how the cornerbacks competed against Bouknight's group after being challenged by their position coach, Benny Boyd. The linebacker and safety positions have also been improved with young players and newcomers vying for snaps.
 
Overall, the team is healthy entering camp, but Sawvel told the media that two defensive tackles, Dante Drake and Caleb Robinson, will be out this season after suffering Achilles tendon injuries during summer workouts.
 
There is still talent on the defensive line with Ben Florentine, Jayden Williams, Lucas Samsula and Aneesh Vyas leading the way on the interior.
 
"Last year didn't go how we wanted it to. We all know that," Gyllenborg said. "We have kind of had to close the book on that, but for the guys that were here and experienced last season we all have that chip on our shoulder."
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.