LARAMIE – Scrimmages can be a painful dichotomy for the head coach.
 
An explosive scoring play can elicit happiness as the crowd cheers. And also disappointment from the perspective of a longtime defensive coordinator.
 
If Brown wins, then Gold loses.
 
However, Jay Sawvel was pleased with key aspects of the performances turned in by his offense, defense and special teams during Wyoming's scrimmage under the bright new Thursday night lights at refurbished War Memorial Stadium.
 
Quarterbacks Kaden Anderson and Landon Sims looked comfortable operating Jay Johnson's offense, which clearly features more dynamic threats at wide receiver and more viable options at running back than last year.

Anderson, who has not officially been named the starter but has led the first-string throughout fall camp, will pack three reliable safety blankets in the passing game for UW's trip to Akron for the opener on Aug. 28.
 
Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and senior wide receiver Jaylen Sargent were among the established veterans held out of the scrimmage, but sophomore slot receiver Chris Durr Jr. was open and targeted throughout the evening.
 
"We're vastly upgraded there," Sawvel said. "Chris is a substantially better player than he was a year ago."
 
Sims connected on a deep touchdown pass to Bricen Brantley, who separated himself from the cornerback with a crafty double move. The 6-foot-3 sophomore from Houston adds to the depth at receiver along with 6-6 target Michael Fitzgerald and the speedy Eric Richardson, who both flashed their skills during the public audition.  
 
"He's had a good camp," Sawvel said of Brantley. "I think that it's reasonable for us to expect positive plays out of him, and I love his demeanor. He just works, and he's very fast. He just works and works. He has an unlimited gas tank and he never gets tired, so you appreciate that when a guy can play fast for prolonged periods."
 
The running back competition remains wide open.

Sam Scott capped a drive by plowing over the goal-line for a touchdown. Sam "Tote" Harris showed off his speed. Dontae Burch broke off a big run. Transfers Damashja Harris and Max White have had their moments during camp and are in the mix to get significant carries.
 
Sawvel said the pecking order still has time to sort itself out over the next 13 days.
 
Two starting offensive linemen, center Jack Walsh and right guard Caden Barnett, watched the action safely from the sideline in street clothes. That gave the staff a chance to get a longer look at their backups, Luke Sandy and Bralon Jenkins, while also focusing on the battle at the tackle spots between Rex Johnsen, Nathan Geiger, Jake Davies and Giovanni Panozzo.
 
On the other side of the line of scrimmage, defensive tackles Lucas Samsula and Jayden Williams played over 40 snaps each as they ramp up for game action.
 
During a situational period with the offense backed up at its own goal line, the defense recorded two safeties. Defensive end Brayden Wilson created a disruptive pass rush and linebacker Brayden Johnson made some pulverizing hits to highlight a textbook tackling night for Aaron Bohl's unit.
 
"Coach Bohl has a big thing of us running the ball, being there, so that's what I'm trying to do every play," said Johnson, who has impressed Sawvel by being tracked as the player who has run the most distance during this camp.
 
Brantley also blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.
 
"I knew I had the chance to block it. I was waiting for the call," Brantley said. "I might have jumped (offsides) a little bit, but I got the block, it rolled up my arm and I had to take it to the crib, as well. I had to go score."
 
Brantley was arguably the most valuable player in the scrimmage with his two splashy scoring plays.
 
But another special teams moment – Erik Sandvik calmly booting a 55-yard field goal through the uprights during a two-minute drill – was a good sign as UW enters the post-John Hoyland era.
 
The Pokes will continue to shore up all three phases as they wrap up camp practices and transition into game planning for the Zips.
 
"We've got to put the throttle down for two more weeks because we're not there yet," Sawvel said. "But you can see the glimmer of where we hope to get to."
 
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.
 
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