By Jeff Bugher
4/14/2024
Laramie, Wyoming - Amidst a backdrop of orange barricades and the hum of construction on War Memorial Stadium's lower east side…there are both physical renovations and a metaphorical rebuilding effort. Head Coach Jay Sawvel, much like the construction workers working away on Saturday, is diligently crafting his vision for the team, with an ambitious deadline looming at the end of August. Saturday's scrimmage offered a glimpse into the team’s process, revealing a team that is still in development. While no touchdowns were scored, the defense showcased its strength, which has been the team’s consistency over the last several years. The team seized the opportunity, engaging in nearly 50 plays over a two-hour scrimmage. The scene painted a picture of progress but also showed signs of a lot of work to do…both on the field and physically in the stadium.
Reflecting on the day's practice, Coach Sawvel expressed gratitude towards the spectators and emphasized the importance of incorporating various scenarios into the session. "Beautiful day and appreciative of all the people that came out and watched us run around, hit each other today, which was a good thing," he remarked. Sawvel immediately said, “there’s a lot of work to do.” Sawvel highlighted the team's focus on specific situations like the four-minute and two-minute drills, aiming to provide valuable experience for certain players while avoiding unnecessary risk of injury. "I wanted to do that as much as anything because we've got a couple of guys… I don't want them rolled up in piles and I wanted them to play in two-minute scenarios and do that," he explained. Emphasizing the significance of live gameplay, Sawvel stressed the difference in execution when players are subjected to real tackling situations. "It's important for us to get live. The minute we're actually, they're getting tackled and you got to get the ball, the official and the mechanics of it is different. So that's why we did a lot of that," he concluded.
Sawvell commented on the team's quarterback performance, offering insights into their recent scrimmage. Sawvel noted, "I think sometimes we’re there, I think there were some good balls that were thrown. I think we got the ball in some good places." He acknowledged areas for improvement, citing timing issues and the management of two-minute situations. Despite these challenges, he praised the team's discipline, stating, "We didn't have a lot of procedural issues and we didn't turn the ball over... so that's always an A+ there in an early scrimmage like that." Regarding the team's tempo, Sawvel hinted at potential changes, stating, "I think at times I think you want to be able to have the possibility to mix things up
The media asked Sawvel about his biggest takeaways, which was a question on our list to ask. Coach Sawvel expressed a mixture of anticipation and realism. "It's a good thing we won't play a game tomorrow," he acknowledged. Reflecting on the intensity of the recent scrimmage, he remarked, "This was more plays than what we've went in a scrimmage since I've been here." He praised the players' dedication, highlighting the increased workload and productivity during practice sessions. However, Sawvel remained grounded, acknowledging the challenges of new offensive schemes and personnel changes. "We’ve just got to get better at a lot of stuff," he admitted. "… my takeaway right now, we’ve got work to do."
The spring game is set for April 27 at Cheyenne East High School at 1 p.m. The spring game is also a free event.