LARAMIE — Lance Robinson isn’t one who looks at or cares about statistics.
The Wyoming defensive line coach said the most important statistic from a game is how many you have in the “left-hand column,” which is the win column.
So far, the Cowboys have three in the left-hand column as they take a 3-1 record into their Mountain West Conference opener Saturday at home against Texas Christian (3-2, 2-1).
But Robinson can’t help but be pleased with the play of his three starters on the defensive line – all of whom are sophomores.
Nose guard Fred Givens, defensive tackle John Fletcher and defensive end Mitch Unrein have combined for 49 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 4 1/2 sacks. They are among the top 10 in tackles on the team, and Fletcher is fourth in the conference with 2 1/2 sacks and is in the top 10 in tackles for loss with four.
However, Fletcher has missed the past two days of practice this week with an illness and his status for Saturday is uncertain.
Givens leads all Wyoming linemen with 19 tackles, which is sixth-best on the team.
“I’m just doing my job and doing what the coaches scheme up for us,” Givens said. “But I’m not satisfied. I want to be better than that. Stats don’t mean that much to us.”
Maybe not, but those three played a big role in Wyoming’s last game Sept. 22 at Ohio. They combined for 17 tackles, six for loss and 2 1/2 sacks. Add in the production from two reserves – sophomore defensive end Mike Neuhaus and junior defensive tackle Anthony Wilson – and the line recorded 19 tackles, 7 1/2 tackles for loss and four sacks in a 34-33 come-from-behind victory.
The defensive line, which had to replace five seniors from last year’s squad, has been a big factor in this year’s defense being ranked fourth nationally in total defense (248.8 yards per game).
The Pokes lead the MWC and are eighth nationally in rushing defense (72 ypg), and are tied for second in the league in quarterback sacks with 11.
“You always want to be better, and they’ve gotten better each week and that’s all you can ask young players to do,” Robinson said.
