Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What’s Next For UW Football
HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The second Kansei Matsuzawa's first of two 47-yard field goals on the night soared through the yellow uprights, it was likely lights out for the visitors.
That stroke gave Hawaii a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.
Wyoming didn't hit double digits on the scoreboard one time in the entire month of November, scoring just 24 combined points in losses to San Diego State, Fresno State, Nevada and Hawaii.
How did the Cowboys even get on the board in this one?
That took a Jones Thomas interception. The sophomore safety stepped in front of a Micah Alejado throw over the middle in the first quarter and raced 50 yards down the sideline for the score.
"That was a really good play by Jones. He read the throw, really good catch," Jay Sawvel told Learfield sideline reporter Cody Beers. "You know, he's got excellent speed. He showed that off. It was a big play for us, but we weren't able to sustain."
That's an understatement.
Wyoming finished with just 63 yards of total offense in the first half as it played musical chairs at the quarterback spot. The embattled Kaden Anderson got the start, his 12th of the season, but was soon in and out of the huddle, replaced by rookie Mason Drube.
Wyoming's head coach said he was kicking around the idea of giving Drube a "long run" in this meaningless season finale. He eventually did just that, handing the Gillette native the reins, exclusively, over the final two quarters.
"He extended plays, kept plays alive. He's a tough kid and a really good athlete," Sawvel added. "Best part of all this, you know, he got to play a little bit, but we still kept that year of eligibility on him. So, you know, when he starts off in the spring, he still has four years of eligibility. I expect there's a lot of growth. I mean, he's uber competitive.
Drube completed 17-of-32 throws for 179 yards. He also tossed his first-career interception in the fourth quarter. The 6-foot-3, 218-pound signal caller also gained 48 yards on the ground, including an impressive 23-yard jaunt on a 3rd-and-11.
How did he feel about his extended audition?
"I learned so much from that, just tonight," Drube said. "I mean, just going out there and playing ball is all it was. I mean, you get juiced up out there in those big moments and, you know, that (defense) is flying the game. You got to slow it down and just get ready to go."
Just how bad has this offense been since that 28-0 blanking of Border War rival Colorado State?
* Three total touchdowns, two by the offense
* 27 punts
* Five interceptions
* Fumble
* Five turnovers on downs
* 14 penalties: seven false starts, five holds, facemask, delay of game
* Average of 211 yards per game, less than 80 an outing have come on the ground
* 12 scoreless quarters, including no points in second or fourth quarters.
* 21.5 QBR rating for Anderson, who finished with a 4.7 in Fresno
* Anderson completed just 43-of-91 passes for 337 yards with four interceptions
Mixed in with that mess have been five missed field goals, including a 30-yard chip shot in Honolulu. Erik Sandvik is just 6-for-11 on the season. If the sophomore didn't squeak in a 41-yarder at Fresno State, he would be on a six-miss skid.
"We have to go through a remake this offseason. There's no question about it," Sawvel said. "As far as the whole picture, what we're doing will be so much different. We're going to have to upgrade some things, too. I mean, that's something that, as a head coach, I have to address.
"... We have to be so much better than what we've been lately."
Drube has an idea of how to begin this process.
"Our biggest takeaway from that is to do little things right. That's our biggest issue," he said, adding he made plenty of mistakes in this latest loss. "I mean, we've got players, we can make the plays, it's just taking turns on who messes up every single drive. We just got to get back there and, you know, just have more discipline."
Is the Anderson era over in Laramie? Will Jovon Bouknight remain the play caller? Will the Cowboys find a proven quarterback in the portal? Who's leaving in free agency?
Lots of questions surround this team after this mostly forgettable 4-8 campaign. The conference title drought isn't getting any younger, either. That's now nearly 32 years old.
Hawaii 27, Wyoming 7
UNSUNG HERO
Wyoming may have found itself a new kick returner.
Bricen Brantley, a 6-foot-3, 181-pound wideout, earned the start on special teams in this one, replacing rookie slot receiver Deion DeBlanc. Maybe that decision was purely out of necessity in Hawaii with Chris Durr Jr. sidelined with a concussion? DeBlanc was thrust into a larger offensive role in this outing, catching four passes and taking the same number of handoffs out of the backfield.
Either way, Brantley was impressive, leading the team in all-purpose yards with 93, 73 of which came in the return game. He finished with a long of 19.
The sophomore from Houston also hauled in a 20-yard toss from Drube in the fourth quarter.
MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:
* FINAL LIVE FILE: Hawaii 27, Wyoming 7
* Drube Welcomes Challenge, Pressure of QB Gig at Wyoming
* PODCAST: Where Does Wyoming Go From Here?
* Who Will Be Under Center for the Pokes in Hawaii?
* Tuck's Take: Top-10 'Keepers' Ahead of January's Portal Opening
* Hawaii Notebook: Sawvel Confident in Retaining, Adding Talent
* What is True Cost of Competing for a Title at Wyoming?
* Tuck's Take: Another Goal-Line Gaff Derails Pokes' Bowl Hopes
* GALLERY: Josh Allen Receives Hero's Welcome in Wyoming
QUOTEABLE
"It was more than I could ask for, for sure. I know the record didn't show what it was, but I developed a lot of brotherly friendships that I'll never trade. It was just so fun playing on the defense and guys allowing me to step into a role, to lead. It was just a blessing."
-- Wyoming senior linebacker Evan Eller on playing his final game in a Wyoming uniform.
"All we have to do, as an offense, is get guys to buy in. And then this offseason, really work on just the little details, because right now, as an offense, the little details are the problem more than the big plays."
--Wyoming QB Mason Drube again on what has plagued this offense over the final month of the season.
"A lot of work to do. There's no rest, because these next two months are critical for our program and for defining things going forward. And, so, you know, next up is signing day. What comes after that is, maneuvering and preparing things, roster wise. Then we get the transfer portal starting up in early January. That's going to be critical for us."
-- Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel on a busy offseason ahead, beginning Wednesday with national signing day.
WHAT'S NEXT?
This Wednesday, Sawvel and Co. are expecting "19-to-21" incoming freshmen to ink on the dotted line. And while signing day is the first order of business, a very important offseason is already underway. The NCAA Transfer Portal will open for a two-week period, beginning Jan. 2. Wyoming's head coach has been saying for weeks now that he will "remake" this offense over the winter. That will no doubt include a number of transfers from other programs. A quarterback, one that is proven elsewhere, is on the docket, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. This staff could also look a little different real soon. Stay tuned.