Laramie
There is no shortage of healthy egos in the Wyoming locker room. How to get them all to coalesce into a force for common good is what senior wide receiver Michael Ford sees as the team’s big challenge.
“The thing about this team is the players that are at the skill positions are very, very confident in their own games,” said Ford, an Aurora native who played at Mullen. “That’s something I haven’t been around my whole life. It’s one thing to feel that way, though, and another to go out on the football field and get it done. But this is the most confident about our team that I’ve felt since I’ve been here.
“I wouldn’t say we’re there yet, but we’re on our way. There’s a sense of urgency, more than in the past. If we don’t go to a bowl game or win more than six games, then it’s a failure.”
Led by an already strong defense – ranked ninth nationally in 2006 – the Cowboys’ ultimate success hinges on the offense, and Ford will be a big part of it.
The 6-foot-2, 203-pounder finished second among Mountain West receivers last year, with 60 catches for 674 yards and four touchdowns. He needs 12 more receptions and 474 yards to break into the top 10 of those categories in Wyoming history.
“I think I have good odds of having my best season,” Ford said. “Our QB (sophomore Karsten Sween) has a lot more experience. I think I’m on my way to being No. 1 (receiver) in the conference, but I just have to keep working hard.”
Wyoming coach Joe Glenn isn’t lacking outward confidence about his team, either.
“I totally believe this is the best team we’ve had since we’ve been at Wyoming,” said Glenn, who enters his fifth season in Laramie. “This is our fifth year, it should be our best. The carryover and retention by our veteran players is outstanding. It is time for us to make a move.”
The Cowboys, who went 6-6 last season, open the season at home against Virginia, a Bowl Championship Series team. Wyoming lost to the Cavs by one point last season on the road.
“I know we’re all real eager for that game,” Ford said. “We want to come out of the blocks real strong, and I know our crowd is going to be behind us this time.”
Ford is used to living in Laramie by now. But he’s not sure he’ll ever get used to the sheer fanaticism of Cowboys fans.
“It just breathes football out here,” he said. “Everywhere you walk around, it’s Wyoming Cowboys football. It’s great. I mean, it really keeps you on your toes and makes you want to play your hardest for them.”
Ford has never had any trouble with motivation. He strives every day to make his mother, Debora, proud – along with two nephews.
“My mom, she’s my heart and soul,” Ford said. “Whenever things are going bad, I can always talk to her and she always gets me through. And my two little nephews, when they say ‘Uncle Michael,’ they give me the motivation to keep doing what I’m doing.”
Staff writer Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
ABOUT THE COWBOYS
COACH JOE GLENN, FIFTH SEASON (21-26) | 2006 RECORD: 6-6, 5-3 MOUNTAIN WEST
WHAT’S NEW
The Cowboys return seven lettermen on the offensive starting lineup, five on defense and one on special teams. Junior quarterback Ian Hetrick moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart behind sophomore Karsten Sween after a strong spring scrimmage.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Wyoming figures to beat teams with an excellent linebacking corps and a quick, 3-4 defense. The offense should be better, with Sween’s valuable experience as a freshman. Speedy junior running back Devin Moore is poised for a strong year, but the offensive and defensive lines have some experience issues.
PREDICTION
Things are looking up again in Laramie, and this is the year the Cowboys get back to a bowl game with a 9-3 record. The defense is strong, Sween won five of seven starts as a freshman and enters this season confident. Joe Glenn is a smart coach and fans are hungry for a big year. If the offensive line holds up, the Cowboys should get it. Wyoming felt it deserved a bowl bid last year, but a slow start kept it out of the spotlight until it was too late.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB Karsten Sween, sophomore
Won five of his seven starts as a redshirt freshman in 2006 and has a better grasp of the offense.
LB Sean Claffey, senior
Leads a strong linebacking corps and defense that finished ninth nationally.
WR Michael Ford, senior
Could improve on last year’s numbers – he was second in the MWC with 60 catches.
RB Devin Moore, junior
Was second on the team in rushing last season (574 yards) and looked solid in spring and preseason scrimmage.
P Billy Vinnedge, senior
Finished 21st in the country last year as a junior, at 43.2 yards a punt.
