Pokes Pulse: A Bigger, Faster, Stronger Wyoming
- Jeff Bugher
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
OPINION: Jeff Bugher, Editor
In the game of football, size matters. “Bigger, faster, stronger,” is the mantra. In a game of brute force, Newton’s Second Law of Motion, F=MA (Force equals Mass times Acceleration), carries a lot of weight.
Some thought the Cowboys were undersized at critical positions last year. In their off-season training, the players, coaches, and trainers shared a common goal: to maintain speed and agility while adding “good weight.” To motivate the team, players were given t-shirts emblazoned with the words, “IT’S PERSONAL.”
Mission accomplished! With the release of the 2025 football depth chart ahead of Thursday’s season opener, it is clear that the 2025 Cowboys have a new look that is bigger, faster, and stronger than last year.
Year over year, from 2024 to 2025, here is the average weight of the players in each position:
Offensive Line
2024 – 289 lbs.
2025 – 306 lbs.
Defensive Line
2024 – 265 lbs.
2025 – 275 lbs.
Secondary
2024 – 185 lbs.
2025 – 194 lbs.
Linebackers
2024 – 214 lbs.
2025 – 232 lbs.
Receivers
2024 – 186 lbs.
2025 – 191 lbs.
Tight Ends
2024 – 245 lbs.
2025 – 251 lbs.
Nearly every presumed starter listed on the 2025 Wyoming Cowboys depth chart added “good weight” from last season. Dedication. Devotion. Discipline.
Does this effort to be a bigger, faster, and stronger football team in 2025 guarantee a winning season for the Wyoming Cowboys? I think it does. I also think it shows a mindset that was forged in the final game of last season. The Cowboys traveled to Pullman, Washington, and took on a Washington State Cougars team on its Senior Night, a team that was averaging 44 points per home game with an early Heisman candidate quarterback. The Cowboys trailed the entire game until the final 24 seconds. “The Drive.” In the end, Wyoming dominated the Cougars with more total yards, more rushing yards, more passing yards, more first downs, more converted third downs, more converted fourth downs, fewer penalty yards, more time-of-possession, and more points. Final score: 15-14. “No other 2-9 team in the country could come in here and play like we did tonight!” shouted right tackle Caden Barnett following the victory.
It had taken all season, but the “Cowboy Tough” football team Jay Sawvel and the coaching staff were developing had arrived. Now, all they had to do was persuade core players to forego the temptations of the transfer portal. They did.
The 2025 Wyoming Cowboys boast more size, speed, and strength than last season. They have more senior leadership. And they have something crucial to winning tough games at home or away. They showed it at the end of last season. I expect to see it in every game this season. This team has true grit, like they say in the old west.
One state. One university. One team.
GO POKES!
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