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Christian Taylor Explains Hughes' 27 Carries Against San Jose State
LARAMIE, Wyo. (Oct. 13, 2026) - Offensive coordinator Christian Taylor didn't expect quarterback Tyler Hughes to carry the ball 27 times against San Jose State, but the senior's willingness to do whatever was necessary helped the Cowboys win 16-13 in overtime last Friday.
In an exclusive interview with Pokes News, Taylor discussed Hughes' expanded rushing role, the Cowboys' offensive challenges, and the criticism surrounding his quarterback.
"He's the heart and soul of the offense, and he wants to do anything it takes to win," Taylor said. "If I have to carry the ball 30 times a game to help us win, I want to do it."
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Taylor said he planned to increase Hughes' rushing opportunities as part of the game plan, but San Jose State's defense created opportunities for additional runs. The Spartans often focused on running backs Markell Holman and Samuel "Tote" Harris, letting Hughes keep the ball on zone-read plays.
"San Jose State was playing the backs and allowing him to pull it," Taylor said. "So he made the proper reads on the run game and pulled it and ended up with the 27 carries."
Hughes might play a larger role in the rushing attack in the future, yet Taylor doesn't expect as many carries every week. He also wants to keep the workload balanced between Holman and Harris.
This season hasn't been easy, and there's been criticism, especially toward the signal caller.
"He's been getting a lot of undeserved heat, to be blatantly honest with you, because all these mistakes are not, a lot of them are not his fault. Most of them are not his fault," Taylor said.
Taylor pointed to the quarterback's determination and leadership for helping Wyoming overcome adversity against San Jose State.
"He played with an edge and an attitude and put the team on the shoulders and the guys felt it," Taylor said. "And that's why he's the leader of the offense and the team."
"Bottom line, let's all rally around these 18 to 23-year-olds and help support them and encourage them and help them to succeed," Taylor said.
One area Taylor really wants to focus on is Wyoming's inability to finish drives near the goal line, which continues to be a concern.
"I think we've had a number of red zone drives where we've come away with no points, which is extremely frustrating," Taylor said.
"When there's less space, there's less room for error. We've got to pick up our attention to detail," Taylor explained.
Taylor also wants Wyoming's wide receivers more involved in the passing attack. Something that has been virtually nonexistent this season. The Cowboys had plays designed for Eric Richardson and Charlie Coenen against San Jose State, but defensive coverage adjustments and protection issues prevented those opportunities from developing.
Wyoming returns home Saturday to face Northern Illinois at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on The CW.
Coming off a victory that ended an eight-game road losing streak, the Cowboys will look to build on Hughes' increased involvement in the running game, improve their red-zone execution, and create more opportunities through the air.
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