LARAMIE — When many games are won by a margin of fewer than three points, Wyoming coach Joe Glenn said a 50 percent kicker is not going to cut it.
The Cowboys capped off their preseason camp with a scrimmage Wednesday night.
The quarterback is set, with Dax Crum winning the position after last week’s scrimmage. Now the Cowboys are trying to key in on a kicker.
“We can’t be 50 percent in the kicking game,” Glenn said. “We are going to look at some other guys. No. 21 (Jake Scott) has the most experience, but right now he is a 50 percent guy. I don’t think that is good enough.”
Scott made 4-of-5 field goals in the first scrimmage, but then some inconsistency showed through, sparking concern after a 2-for-4 performance.
Below Scott on the depth chart, the Cowboys have freshman Austin McCoy, who Glenn said will likely handle the punting duties.
“A week ago,” Glenn said, “I would have told you Jake was home free on the kicking game, but I don’t know.”
Wyoming expected a solid running game with senior Devin Moore playing a big role, but the tailback said his recent struggles have stemmed from trying too hard. Glenn said there needs to be more hard-nosed, 4-yard runs to work a successful offense and Moore will be a factor in that.
“We have to go get four (yards). If not, it’s going to be a long season,” Glenn said. “We need to run tougher. Devin knows. He wants to hit a home run every time he gets up to the plate. He is a tough kid. You just have to realize that you aren’t going to hit doubles, triples and home runs every time you get up to bat. Sometimes you’ve got to hit a single.”
Moore reached the end zone near the end of the scrimmage on a 2-yard run.
The only other score was a 46-yard touchdown pass from fourth-string quarterback Chris Stutzriem to Travis Burkhalter.
Glenn said a long preseason camp leaves everyone wanting to play against another team.
“We have had 44 practices against the same ugly guy,” Glenn said. “The same guy wearing our colors, which is not right. It’s time.”
The Cowboys open at home against Ohio on Aug. 30.
