Most wide receivers don’t want to listen to anything a defensive back has to say. But there are two words Jovon Bouknight loves to hear. In polite company, those two words would be, “Oh, no.”
So when Bouknight, Wyoming’s best weapon, lines up Saturday against the University of Louisiana-Monroe for the Cowboys’ home opener on the new synthetic turf at War Memorial Stadium, all his senses will be tuned in. Especially his hearing.
“I listen to everything because sometimes you run by a corner, and you’ll hear him say, ‘Oh, …’ and some swear word, and you know you got him,” Bouknight said. “I love to hear a cornerback swear. … You know you’re probably going to be making a big play.”
Bouknight, a former standout quarterback at Manual High School, heard lots of swearing in “The Swamp” on Saturday. He made an impression with 194 all-purpose yards against Florida.
He had a 66-yard kickoff return to set up Wyoming’s first touchdown and ran 31 yards on a fake punt to set the stage for another touchdown, which he scored on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Corey Bramlet.
“He had a heckuva game against us last year, so it didn’t surprise me to see what he did against Florida,” ULM coach Charlie Weatherbie said. “He can hurt you in a lot of different ways.”
But the Indians, who blew a 23-0 halftime lead in a season-opening loss to Northwestern State last Saturday, have a lot more than Bouknight and Bramlet to worry about.
“They’ve also become a very good defensive team with nine returning starters over there,” Weatherbie said. “They make you go the long, hard way, make you execute to your fullest. We had three turnovers last week, so we’re going to have to play hard and take care of the ball or we’re going to be in trouble.”
ULM may be a big step down from Florida, but Wyoming coach Joe Glenn sees reasons for concern, starting with quarterback Steven Jyles.
“Hey, they won five of their last seven games, and they came on like gangbusters at the end of the season,” Glenn said. “Steven Jyles is the best player in their (Sun Belt) conference. They’re probably feeling a little puny for not winning at home last week, so I think we’re going to have our hands full.”
More likely, the Indians will have their hands full stopping Bouknight, who is just 368 yards from Wyoming’s career all-purpose yardage record of 4,718 held by Marcus Harris (1993-96).
La.-Monroe (0-1) at Wyoming (0-1)
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wyoming: After the way he nearly put 200 yards on talent-rich Florida last Saturday, WR/KR Jovon Bouknight is sure to have the Indians’ attention, no matter where he lines up. The most important matchup of the game will probably be the Cowboys’ defensive line, led by nose guard Dusty Hoffschneider, against ULM’s young offensive line, especially in pass-rush situations. The Cowboys are also looking to get running back Wynel Seldon going, after not being able to establish a ground game against Florida.
ULM: Even before they lost their most dangerous running back, Mason Denham, to an ankle sprain in the opener, the Indians were only as good as their record-setting quarterback, Steven Jyles, could make them. He has thrown for 7,897 yards in his career. Jyles’ favorite receiver is 6-foot-6 Drouzan Quillen, who caught six passes for 94 yards and a touchdown last week. Indians defensive end Brandon Guillory is an NFL prospect. Punter Joel Stelly is a Ray Guy Award candidate.
KEY STAT
Wyoming is 6-0 against Sun Belt Conference teams, with three of those victories coming against Louisiana-Monroe.
KEY FOR WYOMING
If the Cowboys’ defense can dominate the Indians like it did in the second half of last year’s game, this could be a blowout.
KEY FOR ULM
The Indians need their young offensive line to keep the Cowboys’ defense off of their multitalented quarterback and probably need to take some chances on defense to force turnovers and rattle Wyoming.
Joseph Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-5458 or jsanchez@denverpost.com.
