8.72

The number of yards per carry Wyoming is averaging on first down though the first two games this season. Even though we are early in the early portions of the schedule this is an astonishing number for a team who struggled to run the ball last season. The rushing success on first down has been vital in the offensive production so far, as it has allowed Christensen to be balanced in his play calling with 69 rushes and 83 passes called so far this season.

55

Brett Smith has now passed for 55 career touchdown passes ranking him 2nd in the Wyoming record books passing Josh Wallwork (54) leaving him only one passing touchdown behind current record holder Casey Bramlet (56). This is quite impressive considering Smith still has 10 games left this season and all of next season to improve on his passing touchdown total.

7

The total number of sacks Wyoming has in the first two games this season three of which belong to Eddie Yarbrough. The Cowboy defense only managed 14 sacks in 12 games last season so they are in line for a huge improvement. What has spurred on this improvement? First, the maturation of the players on the defensive line (Yarbrough, Olive, and Mertens) and secondly the switch to the 3-4 defense. As I have written before, the 3-4 defense has varied looks and packages that allows Wyoming to disguise where the fourth pass rusher is coming from making it harder on the opponents offensive line to block.