Saturday afternoon at Laramie’s War Memorial Stadium, Wyoming fans will salute 16 seniors playing their final home game.
It should make for a memorable afternoon. But coach Joe Glenn wants to give his seniors an additional parting gift. Namely, a bowl invitation. To keep that dream alive, the Cowboys (4-5, 3-2 Mountain West) must beat San Diego State (1-6, 1-2).
“We’re grinding; we’re trying hard,” Glenn said Thursday. “A bowl game is something we are very aware of, but you’ve got to care of business. … If we can regroup and put a little bit of a run together here at the finish, we anticipate doing just that.”
After Saturday’s game against the Aztecs, the Cowboys travel to BYU for a Thursday night game, then finish the season Nov. 18 at UNLV. To become bowl-eligible, Wyoming must win two more games. That means putting last week’s 26-3 loss to TCU in the wastebasket.
“We have been in every game except one, and that was last week,” Glenn said. “I anticipate we will bounce back. But this is not going to be an easy deal. I can’t sit here and say we are playing the Chicago Bears, but there are some things about San Diego State that don’t meet the eye.”
Translation: Glenn hopes the Cowboys don’t underestimate the Aztecs, who surprised Air Force two weeks ago, and running back Atiyyah Henderson, who averages 5.2 yards per carry.
Wyoming’s defense, ranked among the best in the nation all the season, was humbled last week by TCU. Horned Frogs quarterback Jeff Ballard threw for 244 yards against the Cowboys’ top-ranked pass defense.
The Aztecs hope to apply the same level of pressure, but know it won’t be easy.
“They play well as a defensive team,” San Diego State wide receiver Chaz Schilens told reporters this week. “They don’t have what you would say is one standout star, but they play well as a team. I know their linebackers run well, and their defensive line puts a lot of pressure on the ball.”
The Cowboys are giving up an average of just 249.8 yards per game in total offense. That ranks first in the conference and sixth among the country’s 119 Division I-A schools. The Cowboys still rank No. 1 in the country in pass defense (134.3 yards per game).
Aztecs coach Chuck Long was criticized for being too conservative in a 16-14 loss to Cal Poly last week. He admitted relying too much on the ground attack late in the game. The game plan could change Saturday.
“I think throwing the ball better will help us run better and help us put more points on the board,” Schilens said. “I think it is time to maybe open it up more.”
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
