LARAMIE — Mitch Unrein’s statistics don’t indicate he’s having an outstanding season. But numbers don’t tell the true impact the University of Wyoming senior defensive end has had in the Cowboys’ 4-2 record and 2-0 start in the Mountain West.
Unrein has started and played in all six games. He has 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and one quarterback sack.
But he leads the team with four quarterback hurries, and also scored a safety in Wyoming’s 37-13 win last week against New Mexico when he tackled sophomore running back James Wright in the end zone.
“No question he is,” Wyoming first-year coach Dave Christensen when asked if he thought Unrein has been playing well this season. “I think he’s a guy you circle when you play us and that you’re aware where he’s at and how he’s playing. He’s done a nice job up to this point and time.
“He beats guys a lot with his first move. He’s quick off the ball. It may be a quarterback scramble or quarterback hurry, but a lot of times there are things he’s not getting credit for. But when teams are aware of him it helps free up some other guys.
“He just plays extremely hard and consistent every single snap, and he plays almost every single snap.”
Wyoming has five quarterback hurries this season, compared to three last season and two in 2007.
In terms of quarterback sacks, the Cowboys have 11 this season, compared to 17 all of last season. They also are on pace to surpass the number of tackles for loss from last year. And Unrein, from Eaton High School, is doing his part, even though it’s not always showing up on the stat sheet.
“The stats don’t show it, but I think I’m getting a little more pressure on the quarterback than I have in the past,” he said.
“That’s really encouraging. That helps me go out and practice even harder so I can get there sooner.
“I really don’t look at stats. Me putting pressure on the quarterback can make him mess up and then somebody else can make a play. If I do my job, it’s going to help the entire defense.”
