Wyoming RB Sam Scott Re-Emerges as Key Playmaker for Cowboys
- Jeff Bugher
- Oct 9
- 4 min read
When senior running back Sam Scott’s number was called against UNLV, he was primed and ready. After several weeks of limited touches, the veteran running back injected life into the Wyoming offense, just as head coach Jay Sawvel hoped he would.
“It felt great,” Scott said during an interview with PokesNews.com earlier this week. “You know, it always feels great when you can give some life to your football team. And just not to take all the credit, but being a part of it and being a key role definitely makes you more confident and more excited to go out there each drive.”
Scott had 49 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards last Saturday night against the Rebels, which were his most since the season opener at Akron. His energy and production helped spark a stagnant offense after halftime.
Head coach Jay Sawvel noticed the difference. “We just needed a jolt,” Sawvel said after the game. “Sam gave us a good jolt, and did good things. He had a really good screen, had a couple good runs, and when we got down the field on that first drive, he was a big chunk of it.”
At Monday’s press conference, Sawvel reaffirmed Scott’s value to the offense: “Sam Scott did do a good job the other night. I think Sam has a big role in our offense, regardless of whether he starts the game or doesn’t… Sam the other night kind of got a hot hand going for us a little bit. And so we need to keep going with that.”
But many fans still have questions: Why was “the hot hand” not noticed after Akron, when he was the No. 13 running back in the nation for yards per game?
Staying Patient and Positive
Sam Scott is the most tenured and experienced running back on the team. Yet, his carries have dwindled following the season opener at Akron and the home opener at War Memorial Stadium against UNI. Rather than dwell on it, Sam has chosen to focus on the bigger picture.
“Pertaining to just the decrease in the amount of reps I’ve been getting. I mean, it really comes down to just getting other guys involved,” Scott said. “I believe in my abilities and I know what I'm able to do, but it's ultimately not up to me if I play as much as I think I can play. It's more about the team and what I'm able to do in order to help the team win.”
That team-first mindset has also translated into a leadership role among Wyoming’s deep running back group, which includes freshman speedster Samuel “Tote” Harris.
“It ultimately comes down to me just being like a positive role model in meeting rooms and at practice and having positivity throughout my entire day,” Scott said. “It’s more so just being a positive role model and being enthusiastic about the game of football and caring about the guys.”
Confidence Without a Chip
We asked if he felt the need to prove himself again after being limited in recent games.
“I feel like as far as proving myself, I feel like that's done and over,” he said. “If my abilities aren't seen at this point, then I'm just not sure what more I need to show. I feel like I've done that throughout my career. When I go out there, it's just always doing what I've always done. It's nothing to prove.”
Sam admitted that being on the sideline has tested his patience.
“I think as much as anybody could be upset about not playing and it being their last year,” he said. “The only way I can describe it is you're just itching, you're just itching to play and itching to get out there. When I do get my chances, I try to make the most of them.”
Looking Ahead
With San Jose State coming to Laramie this weekend, Scott said the Cowboys’ offense is focused on turning the page and finding more consistency.
“I think as far as getting our offense going, I think there’s a lot of things we do have to improve on and some spark plugs that we need to get going,” he said. “It’s not just about running the football, but it’s also about passing the ball and getting the ball to a bunch of talented guys on our offense. I think we’ll be able to do that against San Jose.”
Even after last week’s disappointment, Scott said the team’s maturity has kept the locker room focused.
“Whenever you lose a game, there’s a level of disappointment that you might carry,” he said. “But that doesn’t knock or distract you from the focus of the next game. I think we have a mature enough room and a mature enough football team to move on and go to the next game that’s in front of us.”
As Wyoming continues its Mountain West slate, Scott’s leadership and steady confidence could be exactly the spark the Cowboys need.
The Cowboys host the San Jose State University Spartans at War Memorial Stadium on Saturday, with kickoff at 5 PM MST. The game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network
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