Offensive Overhaul: Taking a Blowtorch to Wyoming’s Offense
- Jeff Bugher
- 10 hours ago
- 5 min read
LAS VEGAS. Nev. – Jay Sawvel said he knew his offense was in trouble during the 2025 season opener against Akron. A costly goal-line interception later in the season appeared to be the final blow, leading to offensive coordinator Jay Johnson's dismissal following a frustrating loss to Air Force in Colorado Springs - a game Wyoming had every opportunity to win.
After an offense that struggled to consistently put points on the board over the past two seasons, University of Wyoming head football coach Sawvel said the status quo wasn't acceptable.
Article Continues Below
Article Continues Below
"We're a lot better talent-wise than what we've been the last two years. Period. It's not close," Sawvel said during Mountain West Football Media Days in July.
While Sawvel said Wyoming's overall roster has improved, he noted that talent alone wasn't enough to spark a stagnant offense. The Cowboys needed a complete offensive overhaul.
"I told the defensive kids I was taking a blowtorch… we're going to blow up everything on offense, and we're going to change how we operate,” Sawvel said.
The decision came after Wyoming averaged only 16 points per game in 2025, ranking 131st of 136 programs.
"I'm 5-3 as a head coach when we scored 21 points. 21 points a game is 113th in the country. So that's not a high bar."
Offensive production is a must for Sawvel.
"I don't see any way in today's day and age that [there] shouldn't be a touchdown a quarter. All of a sudden, you start averaging 28 points a game and play defense the way we do. We're probably being in a pretty good spot."
Key 1: Christian Taylor Brings a New Philosophy
One of the biggest offseason moves was hiring offensive coordinator Christian Taylor. Taylor comes to Wyoming with NFL coaching experience with the Buffalo Bills, and also a dynamic career at William and Mary.
Sawvel said Taylor's system gives Wyoming far more flexibility than it had previously.
"I think that first of all there's a true diversity to it that's impactful," Sawvel said. "I think that he embraces personnel that can be difficult at times to defend."
"He embraces tight ends, he embraces running backs. It's not always just about let's put as many receivers out there and just throw it."
Fans should expect the tempo to increase at times, more pre-snap motion, unique personnel usage, and overall play-call creativity to keep opposing defenses guessing.
Adding a dynamic to the run game really creates the makings of an explosive offense.
"I think there's also the element where we have a more diverse run game than what we had had before."
Key 2: Creating Explosive Plays
Sawvel expects Wyoming fans to notice the difference almost immediately.
"The first thing is the fact... we're going to create more explosive plays."
How will this happen?
Sawvel said those opportunities will come through formation adjustments and pre-snap movement designed to stress opposing defenses.
"I think we're going to create more explosive plays by movements, by misalignment from the defense, and then also you're out of a gap and here comes Sam Harris. The next thing you know it's not a 4-yard gain, it turns into a 40-yard gain because Sam Harris can really roll."
Just as important is adding mobility back to the quarterback position.
Sawvel brought up former Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley (Utah State Transfer, 2023) as someone who routinely extended drives even when passing plays broke down.
"I think there's going to be the element that Andrew Peasley brought us a few years ago to where a play breaks down, and Tyler Hughes or Landon Sims or one of these quarterbacks just makes a play."
"That element wasn't there really for us the last couple years at quarterback."
Key 3: More Weapons Across the Field
Sawvel said Wyoming now has the personnel to make the offense much more difficult to defend.
"Any of our six skill players [quarterback, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends] can be threats. Tyler Hughes included because he's a dynamic athlete."
Senior Quarterback Tyler Hughes is one of the team’s biggest offseason additions on offense, transferring in from William and Mary. New OC Christian Taylor initially recruited Hughes at William and Mary. The combination could be the saving grace for Wyoming’s offense this year.
When combined with the Cowboys' new offensive leadership and schemes, Sawvel sees the ingredients for a significant turnaround.
"I think when you combine all that together, you can look at it and say, 'Okay, I can see a world where this offense can become pretty good.'"
Sawvel to Fans: Confidence Instead of Hope
Perhaps Sawvel's biggest goal is changing how fans feel when Wyoming takes the field.
"I think that our fans, the hope would be as we go that they have a confidence that every time we step on the field we can score."
He contrasted that with what many fans have experienced in recent years.
"I think the last couple of years it's been like, 'Okay, I hope they score,' and not, 'Okay, we're going to score.'"
The Standard Has Changed
While Wyoming fans are eager to return to bowl eligibility, Sawvel's vision extends beyond simply reaching six wins.
"First things first, I want us to get to a bowl game."
"What I really want to be doing is getting into late November in big meaningful games."
The offensive overhaul represents the biggest piece of that puzzle to achieving several goals.
Sawvel believes nearly every aspect of the program has moved in the right direction.
"We've hit every marker in the program since I've been the head coach except for one."
That one missing piece that needs to change in 2026?
"Scoring points."
It's why Wyoming's head coach spent the offseason tearing down what wasn't working in hopes of building an offense capable of matching an already strong defense.
Overtime: 16 Points Per Game in 2025 - How Does it Compare Historically?
Not many Wyoming teams have scored less than 16 PPG in a season since 1975. Sawvel is looking to change that stat right away.
Most recently:
2008: 12.7 PPG - Joe Glenn Era
2000: 15.5 PPG - Vic Koenning Era
1975-1979: Three seasons.
About the Author:
Jeff Bugher is a third-generation Wyomingite living in Casper. He is a sportswriter and Wyoming Cowboys/Cowgirls enthusiast who is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA ) and the National Sports Media Association (NSMA). Jeff's work has been cited by Sports Illustrated, one of the world's leading sports publications.
Don't forget to sign up for our email list, and follow us on our socials!
Subscribe to receive our newsletter here (no spam, we promise): Subscribe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pokesnews
X (formerly known as Twitter): https://x.com/Pokes_News
Comments