Hard Work Rewarded: Wyoming’s Charlie Coenen Scores First Career Touchdown vs. SJSU
- Jeff Bugher
- Oct 18
- 5 min read
LARAMIE, Wyo. - Late in the fourth quarter against San Jose State last Saturday at War Memorial Stadium, it was redshirt junior wide receiver Charlie Coenen who stepped up and delivered one of the biggest plays of his young career.
With Wyoming trailing 28–21 in the third quarter, Coenen hauled in a strike from quarterback Kaden Anderson to tie the game at 28–28. The crowd erupted with excitement. The Pokes won the game 35-28.
During postgame interviews, we asked Charlie about the significance of his TD, but he really wanted to give the credit to the team around him.
We followed up again on Monday.
“It just all happened to play out how it did,” Coenen said. “Kaden threw the ball, it landed into my arms, and I just ran for a touchdown. It wasn’t necessarily planned… until it actually happens, you never know if you’re getting it or not.”
For Coenen, the moment was surreal. “I was just so happy,” he said. “It doesn’t even feel real when you get in there, you know? But the first one feels great, and you just got to build off of it. Props to my teammates - everyone, the line, Kaden for throwing the ball - it was just great.”
That touchdown was just the tip of the iceberg, a result of years of hard work from the Chanhassen, Minnesota native. Coenen, who joined Wyoming as a walk-on, who has quietly earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.
“I think it all starts with how I grew up,” Coenen explained. “My parents always kind of pushed me to do more, whether that’s in school, in the classroom, or on the field. So I guess just growing up, my parents kind of just taught me to always be consistent and never be satisfied.”
That mentality has served him well. After years of grinding behind the scenes, Coenen’s efforts were recognized earlier this season when head coach Jay Sawvel awarded him a scholarship. He admitted that he wasn’t sure why Sawvel asked to meet him in his office.
“It was a couple weeks before the Akron game where I actually got put on scholarship,” Coenen said. “Sawvel asked me to go up to his room and he put me on scholarship. So it was great. It just felt great to finally feel seen and that the hard work’s paying off.”
The moment meant just as much to his family. “It was great because they’ve always trusted in me and they were all excited when I told them,” Coenen said with a smile.
Coenen didn’t get there on his own; he credits several former receivers for shaping his development at Wyoming, including Will Pelissier, Ayir Asante, Wyatt Wieland, and Ryan Marquez. “Seeing how they worked, how they approached the game—it just helped me kind of learn the right thing to do and how to approach each game, each practice, and really just play hard.”
Wide receivers coach Jovon Bouknight spoke highly of Coenen’s growth and work ethic earlier this season when Jeff Bughe of PokesNews.com interviewed him several weeks ago. “He’s a guy that’s really impressed me and doesn’t get his flowers as much,” Bouknight said. “Charlie’s worked his tail off. There’s a lot of great guys in the room, but he probably stands out the most as far as putting in his time and putting in his work… It’s obviously paying off for him.” Little did we know that he would be highlighting his first collegiate touchdown several weeks later.
When asked about playing under Bouknight, Coenen praised his coach. “He knows his stuff,” he said. “Our indie times are focused on maybe what we didn’t do well the previous game and what we need to focus on for our next opponent. He has a plan and really knows how to get us open… He gives us the mental tools on when to use what, when to really get open and to succeed.”
Beyond football, Coenen is majoring in kinesiology and plans to graduate in the spring. “I might go the physical therapy route, but we’ll see where football takes me,” he said. “I’m just taking it one step at a time.”
As for his football future, Coenen still has another year of eligibility and insists that he’s not done yet. “I’m a senior in school, but I’ll definitely take that fifth year,” he confirmed.
After battling through a three-game losing streak, Coenen’s touchdown helped remind him and the team about what they are working towards. “It feels great,” he said. “Obviously, it was frustrating because we know what type of team we have and who we can be. We knew our potential. We have playmakers all over the field. To finally put it together in the second half last week, it was just great.”
That mentality has served him well. After years of grinding behind the scenes, Coenen’s efforts were recognized before the start of the season when head coach Jay Sawvel awarded him a scholarship. He admitted that he wasn’t sure why Sawvel asked to meet him in his office.
“It was a couple of weeks before the Akron game where I actually got put on scholarship,” Coenen said. “Sawvel asked me to go up to his room, and he put me on scholarship. So it was great. It just felt great to finally feel seen and that the hard work’s paying off.”
The moment meant just as much to his family. “It was great because they’ve always trusted in me and they were all excited when I told them,” Coenen said with a smile.
Coenen didn’t get there on his own; he credits several former receivers for shaping his development at Wyoming, including Will Pelissier, Ayir Asante, Wyatt Wieland, and Ryan Marquez. “Seeing how they worked, how they approached the game—it just helped me kind of learn the right thing to do and how to approach each game, each practice, and really just play hard.”
Wide receivers coach Jovon Bouknight spoke highly of Coenen’s growth and work ethic earlier this season when Jeff Bughe of PokesNews.com interviewed him several weeks ago. “He’s a guy that’s really impressed me and doesn’t get his flowers as much,” Bouknight said. “Charlie’s worked his tail off. There’s a lot of great guys in the room, but he probably stands out the most as far as putting in his time and putting in his work… It’s obviously paying off for him.” Little did we know that he would be highlighting his first collegiate touchdown several weeks later.
When asked about playing under Bouknight, Coenen praised his coach. “He knows his stuff,” he said. “Our indie times are focused on maybe what we didn’t do well the previous game and what we need to focus on for our next opponent. He has a plan and really knows how to get us open… He gives us the mental tools on when to use what, when to really get open and to succeed.”
Beyond football, Coenen is majoring in kinesiology and plans to graduate in the spring. “I might go the physical therapy route, but we’ll see where football takes me,” he said. “I’m just taking it one step at a time.”
As for his football future, Coenen still has another year of eligibility and insists that he’s not done yet. “I’m a senior in school, but I’ll definitely take that fifth year,” he confirmed.
After battling through a three-game losing streak, Coenen’s touchdown helped remind him and the team about what they are working towards. “It feels great,” he said. “Obviously, it was frustrating because we know what type of team we have and who we can be. We knew our potential. We have playmakers all over the field. To finally put it together in the second half last week, it was just great.”
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