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Wyoming LB Ethan Stuhlsatz Brings More Than Tackles to the Cowboys’ Defense
LARAMIE, Wyo. - Ethan Stuhlsatz made the trip to Central Michigan. He spent the game watching from the sidelines due to an ankle injury.
Stuhlsatz isn't accustomed to watching from the sidelines.
“You just kind of have to be a bystander, but even in those instances, with adversity, you can’t let it consume you,” Stuhlsatz said. “You've just got to put your best foot forward and continue to be that leader on the sideline and keep the guys motivated and energized.”
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Stuhlsatz watched the linebackers, offered feedback, and motivated them.
Wyoming missed more than his tackling against Central Michigan. Without Stuhlsatz, the defense lost a steady voice communicating on the field. Third-year head coach Jay Sawvel said his absence affected the Cowboys’ speed, playmaking and leadership, and admitted that the coaches hadn’t adjusted well enough after preparing as though he would play.
“I think part of it was the fact that we kind of game planned a little bit like Ethan would be there,” Sawvel said. “Then all of a sudden he wasn’t there.”
Stuhlsatz returned to the field last Saturday in Hawai‘i, helping Wyoming put together a 27-10 victory despite telling PokesNews.com that he wasn’t fully healthy.
“Just being able to run out there and be with the guys again and obviously get a huge win, that was such a great feeling,” he said.
The Cowboys head to North Dakota State on Saturday with a defensive performance worth building on and one of their leaders back in the lineup.
Stuhlsatz has continued daily rehab with Wyoming’s training staff to regain his usual speed. Sawvel said Monday that he expected Stuhlsatz to be fully available against the Bison after getting banged up late in the Hawai‘i game. The Cowboys held him out as a precaution, but Sawvel said he could have returned if the game had tightened up.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl sees the effect Stuhlsatz has on the players around him.
“Everyone, there’s a big confidence from the whole group whenever he’s out there,” Bohl said.
Stuhlsatz noticed the group's confidence against Hawai‘i, too. He saw a defense playing with more swagger.
A players-only meeting during the week gave the Cowboys a chance to talk through what needed to change. Older players, including Ethan, helped lead the discussion, but Stuhlsatz said everyone had an opportunity to speak.
“We made it informal, like anyone could speak up,” he said. “We all kind of just, you know, got stuff off our chest and said some things that needed to be said.”
He takes that approach in the linebacker room, too. Stuhlsatz praised younger players, including Dash Bauman.
“I’m proud of those guys,” he said. “Everyone in that room is a leader, and they’re all very passionate about what they do. So I love being a part of that group.”
Another test awaits in Fargo this weekend.
North Dakota State enters unbeaten, and Stuhlsatz sees an offense capable of hurting Wyoming on the ground and through the air. He wants the Cowboys to establish themselves early inside the Fargodome. Ethan wants accountability to the new standard to be front and center.
“Just holding everyone accountable and making sure that people know that the standard is the standard,” Stuhlsatz said. “There’s no veering off of that.”
“Just take it one play at a time,” he said. “Just don’t rush anything. Don’t think too much. Just be where you’re at.”
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