The players were in classes or the weight room and the stadium was blanketed in snow when Wyoming’s defensive revival sprang to life in February.
Defensive coordinator Mike Breske called Ardell Wiegandt, a retired defensive coach with ties to Wyoming along with numerous college and pro teams. Breske figured Wyoming’s depth at linebacker and difficulty attaining depth on the defensive line would be better suited to change from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
“For two days we chalked and chalked,” Wyoming coach Joe Glenn said drawing plays upon Wiegandt’s visit. “Mike decided this is what would be best for us, and I concurred. It helps us a lot. We’re pretty athletic on the field. We can do some things with our team speed that we haven’t been able to do for quite a while.”
Glenn won’t get carried away with statistics, but he’s hardly covering up the fact the Cowboys lead the nation in pass defense (106.9 yards), rank third in total defense (222.4) and are tied with New Mexico for the Mountain West Conference lead in sacks (19).
LSU ranks first in total defense, yielding 211.7 yards, and unbeaten Rutgers (221.3) is just ahead of Wyoming. Clemson, with former Wyoming coach Vic Koenning as defensive coordinator, is fourth (234).
“I don’t think we reinvented the wheel,” Glenn said. “We came with some pretty good athletes.”
Even in its lean years, Wyoming produced some exceptional linebackers, including the Broncos’ Patrick Chukwurah.
With Glenn turning around the program, Breske wanted to put the 17 linebackers on the rosters to more use.
“We wanted to get more athleticism on the field,” Breske said. “There’s a pecking order in recruiting down linemen. The USCs start first, and it works its way down. There are only so many big kids who can run.”
With Wyoming third nationally and Colorado State’s defense 15th, Saturday’s Border War in Laramie could be the lowest scoring in the series since CSU won 14-7 in 1997.
CSU’s main concern will be keeping quarterback Caleb Hanie from getting sacked.
Wyoming held Utah to 144 total yards, and forced four turnovers and six sacks after the Utes hadn’t allowed a sack all season.
“It’s the type of defense that comes at you in all directions,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “They are playing as a unit. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. They are playing together, they believe in each other, and they are very confident. They do have the one headliner in (safety) John Wendling. He’s outstanding. We didn’t block him all day.”
Wendling is the catalyst, but linebacker Ward Dobbs and cornerback Julius Stinson shared MWC defensive player of the week honors.
“Because Utah hadn’t given up a sack, maybe our kids were determined to get one,” Glenn said. “Wendling brought some sensational heat off the edge. Dobbs is a tough customer when he comes up the middle. You better be a good pass protector.”
It’s isn’t all the scheme. CSU offensive coordinator Dan Hammerschmidt said this week the Cowboys are “playing hard.”
“Their linebackers are flying around, their safeties are tackling. We have to worry about ourselves and not self-destruct.”
Even after dominating Utah, Breske won’t call the defense the long-sought antidote to the spread offense because Utah has changed in the two years since Urban Meyer departed.
Given the difficulty in developing quality defense linemen at any level, Breske wouldn’t be surprised to see more teams revert to the 3-4.
“Football is all about stealing,” he said, correcting himself to “borrowing.”
When the season is over Breske plans to give Wiegandt a thank-you call.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
