As Jay Sawvel Era Begins, Wyoming Eyes Fourth Straight Bowl Appearance

Wyoming Cowboys Aim for Continued Success With Evan Svoboda at the Helm

With the Jay Sawvel era commencing in Laramie, the Wyoming Cowboys set their sights on a fourth consecutive bowl appearance, led by dual-threat quarterback Evan Svoboda.

Svoboda, a 6'2", 220-pound redshirt sophomore, emerged as a dynamic playmaker in 2022, completing 63.1% of his passes for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns while also rushing for 532 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Promising Prospects for the Cowboys' Offense

Svoboda's versatility adds a new dimension to Wyoming's offense, which ranked 10th in the Mountain West in passing yards per game (230.6) and 11th in rushing yards per game (135.0) last season.

Along with Svoboda, the Cowboys return several key offensive players, including running back Titus Swen, wide receiver Joshua Cobbs, and tight end Treyton Welch.

Defensive Challenges Ahead

While the Cowboys' offense has the potential to be explosive, their defense faces some challenges in 2023 after losing several key players, including All-Mountain West selections Oluwaseyi Omotosho and Chad Muma.

However, Wyoming has a talented group of underclassmen who will be looking to step up this season, led by defensive end Garrett Crall and linebacker Easton Gibbs.

Schedule Overview

Wyoming's 2023 schedule features a mix of tough matchups and potential opportunities for wins.

The Cowboys open the season on the road against the Illinois Fighting Illini (Big Ten) before hosting the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (AAC) in their home opener.

Other notable non-conference matchups include a game against the Ball State Cardinals (MAC) and a trip to face the BYU Cougars (independent).

Season Expectations

With Svoboda leading the offense and a solid core of returning players on both sides of the ball, Wyoming has the potential to compete for a bowl berth once again in 2023.

The Cowboys are projected to finish third in the Mountain West Mountain Division behind Boise State and Utah State, but a strong start to the season could put them in position to challenge for the division title.

Ultimately, the success of the Jay Sawvel era will depend on the development of Svoboda and the Cowboys' ability to overcome the loss of several key players on defense.