LAS VEGAS – Jay Sawvel has put away the blowtorch.
 
Now it's time for the Cowboys to rise from the ashes.
 
Wyoming's third-year head coach overhauled the defense between the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The unit already has a championship foundation. The Cowboys ranked second nationally in red-zone defense, 14th in passing defense, 30th in scoring defense and 45th in total defense last season.
 
In January, Sawvel "took a blowtorch" to UW's offense with a plan to bring balance to the program.
 
Offensive coordinator Christian Taylor was hired, and dynamic dual-threat quarterback Tyler Hughes was acquired from the transfer portal. Left tackles Rex Johnsen, running back Samuel "Tote" Harris and other key players were retained.
 
During Thursday's Mountain West football media day circuit at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Sawvel's answers for what will be different about the offense ranged from details about formation and personnel variations to the simple goal of scoring "a lot more points."
 
The Cowboys averaged 16.0 points per game last season, which ranked 131^st out of 136 FBS teams. Taylor, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant with the Buffalo Bills watching Josh Allen produce video game statistics, plans to routinely double that total this fall.
 
"We're on a completely new path," Sawvel said. "It doesn't take long to see there's an upgrade in talent. We want every single (skill) player on the field to be a threat."
 
Sawvel wants to see some depth on the offensive line and more play-making at wide receiver emerge during fall camp, but he is confident Hughes' skillset will translate well in the MW.
 
Last season at the FCS level, Hughes passed for 2,330 yards with 20 touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 670 yards and 11 touchdowns at William & Mary.
 
"Tyler Hughes brings an energy and a way to him to where if our first game was at Georgia, I wouldn't worry about how he's going to handle it," Sawvel said.
 
There will be times when Hughes is the fastest player on the field. That won't be the case, however, when Harris – who played at 187 pounds as a freshman and is currently 203 pounds – is lined up.
 
"What you saw last year was just a teaser," Sawvel said of Harris' dynamism. "He's hit speeds that we haven't had anybody hit. He's in a really, really good place. He cannot wait to get started, and we expect him to have a big year."
 
Taylor plans to utilize Hughes as a passer and a run threat and Harris as a runner and a receiving threat. Markell Holman, who rushed for 1,063 yards at Western Illinois last season, adds proven depth at running back.
 
Tight ends Kyle Frendt and Jake Wilson will be targeted and help create space for receivers Eric Richardson, Deion DeBlanc, Jackson Holman and Charlie Coenen in the passing game.
 
The offensive line is anchored by Johnsen and Braylon Jenkins at the tackle spots and was fortified with the addition of transfers to the unit.
 
"I always thought of him as a football scientist even when we were at William & Mary. I always thought of him as a genius," Hughes said of Taylor, who recruited him out of high school. "Now coming from the NFL and coming back adding some of the things he's learned from the Bills and the teams they have faced, it's like times two. He's a tremendous coach."
 
The spotlight will be on Hughes, Harris and Co. in Taylor's offense. But that doesn't mean the defense will be taking a step back in Aaron Bohl's third season as coordinator.
 
Jayden Williams is poised for a big season at defensive tackle, where UW welcomes back Dante Drake and Caleb Robinson from injuries that prevented them from playing in 2025.
 
Defensive ends headliners Jack Dunkley, Thaddeus Gianaris, Cade Brook and Donnie Wingate will provide the Pokes with a formidable pass rush.
 
Ethan Stuhlsatz will carry on the program's tradition of producing elite middle linebackers. Nickel back Desman Hearns and safety Jones Thomas didn't join Stuhlsatz on the preseason all-MW team but are capable of being on the all-conference team at the end of the season.
 
"We can be the best defense since I've been at Wyoming," Sawvel said. "But there's a lot of coaching to do."
 
The Cowboys' first practice of camp will be Aug. 5 as preparations for the Sept. 5 opener at Colorado State ramp up.
 
Sawvel is looking forward to kicking the campaign off with a non-conference Border War and competing with longtime rivals Air Force, New Mexico and UNLV, and newcomers North Dakota State, Northern Illinois and UTEP to begin the MW's new era.
 
"We can't wait to get started," Sawvel said. "There's a lot of grown-ups on this football team right now."
 
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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