CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Wyoming preview

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Wyoming Cowboys

New-look offense has to work kinks out

College Football: The New Century

'99: 7-4, 4-3 Mountain West

Coach

Vic Koenning (first season)

Key offensive players

Jay Stoner, QB, Sr.
Best returning quarterback in the league will be starting for his fourth year.

Darth Tesinksy, RB, Jr.
Former linebacker is back to his original position, and needs to contribute.

Rob Kellerman, OT, So.
Anchors a line that needs to allow fewer than the 47 sacks it did in '99.

Key defensive players

Patrick Chukwurah, LB, Sr.
Sack leader plays the "bandit" position, combining linebacking and end duties.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Marcus Harris, WR, 1993-96
"Led the WAC in receiving three years and won the Biletnikoff Award as a senior."

Brightest Moment: Going unbeaten for the first time in 1950, when they won all 10 games behind their first All-American, quarterback Eddie "Boom Boom" Talboom.

Lowest Moment: The "Black 14" in 1969, when coach Lloyd Eaton threw 14 black players off the team for wanting to wear black armbands during a game against BYU to protest the Mormon Church.

Al Rich, SS, Sr.
All-conference pick in '98, but struggled with shoulder and wrist injuries in '99.

Key newcomer

Pete Merrill, FS, Jr.
One of six junior college transfer defensive backs, he should become a starter.

Throwback player

Nose tackle Jeff Boyle, who missed most of last season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, returns for his senior year.

21st century player

Patrick Chukwurah has the aggression and speed to make him a perfect hybrid linebacker/pass-rusher on defense.

Fast fact

Quarterback Jay Stoner needs 1,824 passing yards to become UW's all-time leader.

Outlook

The Cowboys have scrapped the "triple-shoot" offense employed last year by former coach Dana Dimel, but might need some time to re-establish a traditional approach. While Stoner returns for his fourth season as the starter, the Pokes lost their seven top receivers from a year ago and need to find somebody to play tight end, a position that wasn't used in the triple-shoot. As if that challenge isn't enough, the Pokes open the season at Auburn and Texas A&M. Don't expect miracles; Koenning is a former linebacker, and a defensive coach by trade. But perhaps the Pokes can improve enough in time to avoid losing their fourth straight season finale.

--Michael C. Lewis