When the 2005 season came to an end Nov. 19, Wyoming coach Joe Glenn knew he was about to endure the longest test of patience in his adult life. And Glenn’s first name is Joe, not Job.
“I’ve never had a sour stomach longer than that,” said Glenn, coach of the Cowboys. “I had a chalkboard waiting for 284 days.”
That was the number of days between that November day and Saturday, when Wyoming beat Utah State 38-7.
Glenn’s wait for a victory was longer, stretching back to Oct. 1, the day the Cowboys beat Nevada-Las Vegas. Six straight losses and an unbearably long offseason are finally history.
Wyoming’s reward for its first victory in nearly a year is a trip to Charlottesville, Va., to play the Virginia Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers are playing their home opener after losing 38-13 Saturday at Pittsburgh. A Cavaliers team that is as angry as the Cowboys were jubilant in finally getting a win.
Glenn, however, does not believe his players are self-satisfied or heading for an emotional letdown.
“We’ll find more out about our football team this week. But I think you’ll see a tough Wyoming football team go into Charlottesville and play their heart out,” Glenn said. “We’ll saw wood. We’re not going down there to be a scout team for the Cavaliers, I guarantee you.”
Wyoming’s chances for victory could be enhanced with the return of starting senior running back Joseph Harris, who served a one-game suspension in the opener.
Saturday will be Harris’ first game since 2004: He redshirted the 2005 season because of a torn ACL in his left knee. Harris (5-foot-7, 206 pounds) ran for 409 yards on 94 carries in 2004.
“Harris is a powder keg. He can move the pile,” Glenn said.
Wyoming was hoping senior running back Ivan Harrison would be back against Virginia, but Glenn said Harrison might not be ready because of an undisclosed injury. Harris and sophomores Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon figure to get most of the carries against the Cavaliers.
“Our offense was really gelling,” Seldon said after last week’s win. “As running backs, we’re really comfortable with the offensive line.”
Seldon ran for 99 yards against Utah State, while Moore had 110 yards of total offense.
“We’ll mix (Harris) into the mix,” Glenn said. “We’ll work with those three guys, but we’ve got to keep Devin getting the football. He’s too fast not to get some touches.
“The price of poker will go up now. (Virginia) looks good getting off the bus. … They look like a BCS football team.”
GAME BREAKDOWN
Players to watch
Wyoming – Senior running back Joseph Harris is playing in his first game since the 2004 season, after redshirting 2005 because of a knee injury. The Cowboys are counting on his return to form after a solid junior year in 2004. Quarterback Jacob Doss threw for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opening win. He’ll face a tougher defense in the Cavaliers.
Virginia – Senior running back Michael Johnson averaged 5.3 yards per carry last season, but ran for just 3 yards on two carries last week in a 38-13 loss at Pittsburgh. Named the Cavaliers’ starter this year by coach Al Groh, quarterback Christian Olsen completed 17-of-34 passes at Pitt, with no touchdowns and one interception. Groh expects more this week.
Key stat
The Cavaliers were only 3-for-14 on third downs against Pittsburgh.
Key for Wyoming
Coach Joe Glenn needs to get another solid outing from his defense, which converted to a 3-4 front this season. How Doss handles his first road test as a starter, in a tough stadium, will be big.
Key for Virginia
The Cavaliers simply must do a better job of running the ball. Virginia was held to 52 yards on 21 carries.
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
