LARAMIE – The defense was dominant, and the offense was productive everywhere on the state sheet except the scoreboard.
 
Still, Wyoming found itself clinging to a 3-0 lead over Akron in last Thursday's opener with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
That's when quarterback Kaden Anderson, on first-and-10 from the UW 15-yard line, unleashed a deep shot hauled in by Jackson Holman for a 44-yard gain.
 
Three snaps later, on third-and-4, Anderson alertly hit Chris Durr Jr. on a perfectly executed screen pass for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys some breathing room in the 10-0 victory over the Zips.
 
The two explosive plays in the passing game provided Pokes fans with a taste of what this offense can deliver this season.
 
"We left a lot out there for sure," Holman said. "We all know what we need to fix to make that a 35-point game, which it easily could have been had we capitalized and been better on conversion downs. It comes down to the little details and technique. I think this week we'll be more polished."
 
The Cowboys (1-0) host Northern Iowa on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium (2 p.m., Altitude).
 
The iconic stadium was not the only aspect of the program that has been refurbished.
 
Under the direction of Jovon Bouknight, the Cowboy wide receiver room has a chance to be the most improved unit on the team and perhaps in the Mountain West.
 
Durr, an electrifying target in the slot, headlines the group. The sophomore had seven receptions for 146 yards, including a 49-yard catch and run, to lead the way against Akron.
 
"It just feels good to showcase my talent and I'm going to do that week after week," Durr said. "A moment like that (last scoring drive drive) happened and we've got to seize the opportunity. I just thank my O-line for the touchdown, too."
 
Holman was a strong complement to Durr with four receptions for 79 yards. The impact transfer from Arizona was as surprised to see Anderson targeting him down the field as the Zips' secondary.
 
"Usually, I know when I'm getting the ball. I was not expecting to get the ball on that play because it was designed to go to someone else," Holman said. "I saw the ball in the air and was thinking, 'Catch the ball, make the play.'
 
"Coming out of the huddle, I knew a big play was coming regardless."
 
Holman missed parts of spring practice and fall camp due to injury. He was listed second on the depth chart at his receiver position by camp standout Michael Fitzgerald.
 
"Playbook wise and mentally I feel I'm always in a good space. It was obviously concerning when I pretty much missed all of fall camp with a hamstring," Holman said. "But as soon as I started practicing it wasn't bothering me at all. My numbers and my speeds are right where they need to be. I felt pretty confident going into this game that I was going to be able to play."
 
Jaylen Sargent, who should be poised for a big senior season, was pulled from the game by Bouknight, which allowed Bricen Brantley to get extra snaps.
 
"Sarge has got to play better," said UW head coach Jay Sawvel, who had a lengthy meeting with Sargent over the weekend. "He'll respond. I think you'll see a completely different Jaylen Sargent this week, which is a very good thing."
 
If Sargent bounces back and star tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, limited to three catches for 19 yards at Akron, gets rolling the passing game should be even more productive.
 
"I think we have a chance to be a very special offense and one that hopefully is very explosive, very productive, scoring points and giving the fans what they want to see and making the coaches happy," Holman said.
 
Sam Scott balanced the attack with 29 carries for 132 yards against the Zips. Sawvel would like to get other running backs more involved in the rotation so the bruising senior can sustain his level of play through a long season.
 
"Sam played great," center Jack Walsh said. "He runs really hard, and we've got a bunch of backs that run really hard. They'll help each other and it will be a community for sure. I'm very excited about blocking for these guys."
 
Scott moved the chains with a 6-yard run on fourth-and-1 from UW's own 34-yard line on the first drive of the game. But the Zips stuffed him on a fourth-and-1 at the Akron 31 in the second quarter and a fourth-and-2 at the Akron 8 in the fourth quarter.
 
"We'll focus on that a ton," Walsh said. "Akron brought some great looks on defense. They executed really well; they executed better than us straight up. We've got to emphasis those short yardage plays because you've got to be 100 percent on those and that has to be your mindset."
 
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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