An early look at the first scrimmage
Here's some early observations from Friday's Wyoming scrimmage.
Robert Benjamin has the tools to run Dave Christensen's offense.
Now, that doesn't mean he will be the starting quarterback when the Cowboys open the season on Sept. 5 when they host Weber State. It is still somewhat of a learning curve for Benjamin, as he wasn't able to get to Laramie until late this summer after completing his courses at Phoenix college.
Senior Karsten Sween probably has grasped Christensen's spread offense a little better with his experience and his work this spring and summer. But there is no denying that Benjamin can do some good things. He has a strong arm with touch, which was evident on a beautiful 45-yard TD pass to Travis Burkhalter. He can run, which was obvious on his 38-yard touchdown scamper.
All-in-all, it was a nice get to meet the new quarterback for Wyoming fans, as he finished the day with three touchdown passes and the one TD run. He did throw one interception, but credit big John Fletcher for jumping high and grabbing the pass at the line of scrimmage. It was more of a great play by Fletcher than a bad play by Benjamin.
Sween had a decent day as well, highlighted by a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stewart. In fact, it really wasn't a bad day by all of the quarterbacks, as junior Dax Crum did some good things, as well as true freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels.
It is apparent, though, that the QB battle will go down to Sween and Benjamin, although Christensen didn't rule out the other two signal callers.
It was probably one of the better scrimmages or practices for the Wyoming receivers. There were a few drops -- still too many for Christensen's liking -- but overall, they did a good job of catching and running with the football.
The ground game looked solid behind Darius Terry and freshman Alvester Alexander.
Defensively, the Cowboys forced four turnovers, which Marty English likes and Christensen doesn't for his offense. In fact, Christensen said turnovers are still a problem and something they must overcome.
But when it was all said and done, I think most Wyoming fans came away with the thoughts of promising and encouraging in their heads. Still plenty of work to do, but it appears the Cowboys, especially offensive, are heading in a better direction.
Of course, this was just one of four scrimmages before the season opener and a lot can change for the good and the bad.
In an injury note, freshman receiver Chris McNeill appears to be OK after taking a tough hit on a reception that left him motionless for several minutes. Christensen said that McNeill had feeling and movment in his entire body and was taken to Ivinson Memorial Hospital for precautionary reasons.
Fletcher also strained his knee and sat out a good chunk of the scrimmage, but the injury doesn't appear to be serious and he should back to practice in a couple of days. Freshman outside linebacker Devyn Harris, who had a big pass interception return early in the scrimmage, hurt his knee as well and his prognosis is unknown at this time.
Robert Benjamin has the tools to run Dave Christensen's offense.
Now, that doesn't mean he will be the starting quarterback when the Cowboys open the season on Sept. 5 when they host Weber State. It is still somewhat of a learning curve for Benjamin, as he wasn't able to get to Laramie until late this summer after completing his courses at Phoenix college.
Senior Karsten Sween probably has grasped Christensen's spread offense a little better with his experience and his work this spring and summer. But there is no denying that Benjamin can do some good things. He has a strong arm with touch, which was evident on a beautiful 45-yard TD pass to Travis Burkhalter. He can run, which was obvious on his 38-yard touchdown scamper.
All-in-all, it was a nice get to meet the new quarterback for Wyoming fans, as he finished the day with three touchdown passes and the one TD run. He did throw one interception, but credit big John Fletcher for jumping high and grabbing the pass at the line of scrimmage. It was more of a great play by Fletcher than a bad play by Benjamin.
Sween had a decent day as well, highlighted by a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Stewart. In fact, it really wasn't a bad day by all of the quarterbacks, as junior Dax Crum did some good things, as well as true freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels.
It is apparent, though, that the QB battle will go down to Sween and Benjamin, although Christensen didn't rule out the other two signal callers.
It was probably one of the better scrimmages or practices for the Wyoming receivers. There were a few drops -- still too many for Christensen's liking -- but overall, they did a good job of catching and running with the football.
The ground game looked solid behind Darius Terry and freshman Alvester Alexander.
Defensively, the Cowboys forced four turnovers, which Marty English likes and Christensen doesn't for his offense. In fact, Christensen said turnovers are still a problem and something they must overcome.
But when it was all said and done, I think most Wyoming fans came away with the thoughts of promising and encouraging in their heads. Still plenty of work to do, but it appears the Cowboys, especially offensive, are heading in a better direction.
Of course, this was just one of four scrimmages before the season opener and a lot can change for the good and the bad.
In an injury note, freshman receiver Chris McNeill appears to be OK after taking a tough hit on a reception that left him motionless for several minutes. Christensen said that McNeill had feeling and movment in his entire body and was taken to Ivinson Memorial Hospital for precautionary reasons.
Fletcher also strained his knee and sat out a good chunk of the scrimmage, but the injury doesn't appear to be serious and he should back to practice in a couple of days. Freshman outside linebacker Devyn Harris, who had a big pass interception return early in the scrimmage, hurt his knee as well and his prognosis is unknown at this time.
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