Nebraska hits the road and takes on Wyoming Saturday night in Laramie. Both teams are 3-0 for a game that kicks off at 6:38 p.m. (CDT) and is set to be televised by Versus. The Cowboys will try to take advantage of playing at 7,300 feet above sea level in the Huskers first game away from Lincoln.
Dave Christensen is the coach for the Cowboys. In his third season, he is 10-15 as the head man for Wyoming. The offense has been balanced in the undefeated start for the Cowboys. Brett Smith (6-foot-3, 195 pounds, Freshman) is the quarterback. Smith averages over 265 yards passing per game with seven touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He completes 61.8 percent (68 of 110) of his passes so far in 2011. Smith is also a good runner. He averages over 51 yards per game with three scores. Smith's youth may hurt him, especially if the Husker defense disguises some of the coverages for the freshman quarterback. If Smith plays well, Nebraska will have to play a full four quarter game. If Smith turns the ball over the game may be over early in the second half.
Wyoming likes to run the ball with three players. Smith is a quality runner, but he is by no means alone. Alvester Alexander (5-11, 204, Jr.) is the starter at running back for Wyoming. Alexander averages 45 yards per game with three touchdowns. Brandon Miller (6-0, 187, So.) averages 56 yards per game rushing while Ghaali Muhammad (6-0, 221, Jr.) leads the way with 66 yards per game. As a team, Wyoming averages over 226 yards per game rushing.
In the passing game, Robert Herron (5-10, 187, So.) paces the Cowboy receivers. He has 17 catches for 176 yards and two scores on the season. Each of those totals tops the Wyoming season statistics. Mazi Ogbonna (6-1, 200, Sr.) is the second option with 14 receptions and junior Chris McNeill (6-1, 180) adds 12 grabs for 139 yards this season. The Cowboys definitely show balance this season between running and throwing the ball. Five receivers average over 38 yards receiving per game this season. No one in this group is a major threat, but the Husker secondary must come ready to play.
Wyoming starts a veteran offensive line. Three seniors and a junior lead the Cowboys up front. On the left side, tackle John Hutchins (6-5, 295, Sr.) and guard Brandon Self (6-3,301, Sr.) are solid players. As a team Wyoming averages over 6-4 and 297 pounds from tackle to tackle. Wyoming will have trouble matching the depth and quickness of the Husker defensive front.
Defensively Wyoming gives up plenty of yards. Opponents average nearly 415 yards per game of total offense, including 287 yards per game through the air. The spark on defense has been end Korey Jones (6-2, 225, Jr.). Jones is undersized, but his speed has led to four sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss so far this season. Sophomore Devin Harris (6-3, 225) leads the team with 23 total tackles from his middle linebacker spot. Freshman Blair Burns (5-10, 170) has a pair of interceptions as a cornerback. The secondary is young and susceptible to the big play. The Cowboy defense will have a great deal of trouble matching up the Husker speed offensively.
On special teams, Wyoming does not really stand out. Kicker Daniel Sullivan (5-10, 185, Fr.) is only 1 of 2 on field goals with his good kick from only 20 yards out. Punter Austin McCoy (6-3, 208, Sr.) averages less than 39 yards per punt. The biggest threat on returns is Dominic Rufran (6-0, 185, Fr.) who averages over 24 yards on kickoff returns.
Wyoming has played powerhouses like Weber State, Texas State and Bowling Green. The Cowboys are making a major step up in competition as the Big Red comes to town. Wyoming is a very youthful football team that likely will have problems matching Nebraska at almost any position. The Huskers will give up a few points and may start slow, but then adjust and shut Wyoming down. Nebraska will dominate Wyoming late in posting a 52-21 win over the Cowboys Saturday night.
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