LARAMIE – Jay Sawvel's relentless mission to improve the competition, depth and talent on Wyoming's roster over the winter and spring is paying off this fall.
 
During the Cowboys' 2-0 start five different wide receivers have receptions, four different running backs have carries and four different players have scored touchdowns.
 
Defensively, UW used 28 different players during the 31-7 victory over Northern Iowa last Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
 
And when the quarterback depth was tested, Landon Sims aced his first on-field exam.
 
"The program has a real confidence in Landon Sims," Sawvel said after QB2 made his UW debut following an injury to Kaden Anderson. "If Landon Sims has to go out there for an extended period of time or a part-time period of time – he kept a drive alive with a scramble (Saturday), he kept (a play) alive with his feet and completed a ball and he got us into a lot of good run checks at different times.
 
"We've got a lot of confidence in Landon."
 
After Anderson was knocked out of the game late in the third quarter, Sawvel's preseason statement about the quarterback room being in the best shape since he joined the program in 2020 was backed up by the backup.
 
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Sims, a sophomore from Evergreen, Ala., completed all three of his pass attempts and picked up a key first down with a 12-yard run.
 
"It feels good because the guys, especially on offense, they make my job easier," Sims said. "With the defense and how they're playing, they make my job so much easier if I have to come in for a situation like that.
 
"I love the confidence they have in me. I really appreciate it."
 
Anderson has been practicing this week and is expected to start for UW against No. 20 Utah this Saturday at War Memorial Stadium (6 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
 
Sawvel said during camp that Sims' athleticism is better in person than what the staff expected after watching his film of the East Central Community College (Miss.) transfer before signing him. The offense will not change if No. 14 is called again.
 
Sims performed well during spring practice and fall camp while pushing Anderson and solidifying his position as the backup. Gage Brook was also impressive throughout the competition and true freshman Mason Drube, currently running the scout team offense, has a bright future with the Cowboys.
 
"We've been very fortunate in the quarterback room right now of having people who work together really well, who have their own individual goals but are supportive and coach each other and are all talented," Sawvel said during camp.
 
Sims, like Anderson, had to overcome two torn ACLs before getting on the field for an FBS game with UW. Following his recovery from the injuries, he passed for 1,760 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024.
 
Sawvel noted that Sims is faster than Anderson and provides more of a dual-threat style to the position. Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has helped elevate the passing mechanics of all the quarterbacks.
 
"Pocket presence," Sims said on what he has improved on since arriving in Laramie. "I used to have the tendency to want to get out of the pocket and make a play outside of it. Coach Johnson really helped me and really stressed there's plays to be made in the pocket. …
 
"He has really helped me with this process to stay in the pocket, and I wouldn't call it being a pocket passer but a better passer."
 
Anderson was 17-for-23 passing for 167 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions before absorbing a painful sack by a blitzing cornerback. The 6-4, 230-pound sophomore put a scare into the UW fan base but was back on the practice field smiling on Monday.
 
"You've just got to stay ready to be ready," Sims said of his role with the Pokes. "You don't want to go in when somebody gets hurt. Stay ready to be ready and I'll always be ready."
 
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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