It would be easy for Wyoming coach Vic Koenning to blame injuries as the key reason the Cowboys have won only three games the last two seasons. Easy, because he wouldn’t be far from wrong.

That’s why Koenning was grinning after the Cowboys made it through spring practice healthy. After a successful spring training that focused on fundamentals, Koenning said his third Cowboy edition can realize marked improvement.

Beset by injuries over the last two seasons, the Cowboys’ spring training was successful for no other reason than the fact that major injuries were few. That fact alone allowed for more individuals to make more improvement.

"There is no question we are a better football team now than we were two years ago, in every phase of our game," Koenning said. "This group headed into winter conditioning with great resolve, dedicated to being a better football team. The fact that we were not plagued with injuries during spring ball gave us a chance to continue that dedication, and to improve.

"We entered spring training with definite goals in mind, not only to improve fundamentally, but to strengthen ourselves in several positions. We were able to do that in specific areas, but overall, we made ourselves better by concentrating on the basics, the little things. There is no question we still have some "ifs", but we have improved ourselves, and expect to build on that improvement with a great summer conditioning program, and a productive pre-fall camp."

The starter will be junior Casey Bramlet (6-4, 200), who completed 75 percent of his passes in spring practice and did not throw an interception. Last year, Bramlet completed 225-of-432 passes for 3, 069 yards, nine touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

"Casey continues to get better and better," Koenning said. "I believe he can be as good a quarterback as there is in the country. He has learned so much, and that experience will be a major factor for him this season. He has now been through the wars enough to recognize coverages, feel pressure, and know when to throw and when not to throw."

Bramlet’s brother, red-shirt freshman Corey Bramlet (6-4, 205) looks like his brother and has similar skills.

Sophomore J.J. Raterink (6-1, 205) is a "classic overachiever," Koenning said.

Junior Derek Armah (5-10, 205) jumped ahead of the other running backs in the spring. He ran for 396 yards on 121 attempts last year and scored four touchdowns.

"We were really happy the way our running backs came along during the spring," Koenning said. "Derek has worked very hard to make himself a better football player. He is quicker, and he does a much better job of hitting the hole quickly. We feel very good about him."

Sophomore Kit Bradshaw (6-1. 208) also had an outstanding spring.

Red-shirt freshman C.R. Davis (5-10, 190) and sophomore Kevin Fulton (5-9, 195) also played well in the spring.

The offensive coaching staff is looking forward to the arrival of junior college transfer Reymon Murphy (5-9, 170). Murphy was a standout last season at San Jose City College in Killian, Fla.

Koenning thinks this is the most talented area of the team.

"We believe we have a stable of excellent weapons," he said. "Spring training was important for a number of young people who received an opportunity after we held out our top three guys."

Missing spring drills with injuries were junior Ryan McGuffey (6-1, 204), junior Malcom Floyd (6-6, 210) and senior Brock Ralph (6-3, 182). McGuffey and Ralph had shoulder problems and Floyd a knee injury.

McGuffey had 65 catches for 751 yards and one touchdown last year. Floyd hauled in 53 passes for 790 yards and four scores.

Players like senior Scottie Vines (6-2, 203), red-shirt freshman Jovon Bouknight (6-1, 180), junior Leonard Jones (5-9, 163) and sophomore Sean Bowman (6-2, 210) took advantage of the opportunity.

Junior Marshall Schaap (6-4, 245) solidified him position as the starting tight end in the spring.

"He had an excellent spring," Koenning said. "He has been a good blocker for us, but he really improved at catching the football."

Senior Scott Sorensen (6-4, 243) came along very well in the spring and is a solid backup. Koenning said the Cowboys’ most improved offensive player is sophomore Chris Cox (6-7, 255).

"Chris worked very hard to make himself a better player," he said. "He has the size and athleticism to be a very good tight end."

Freshman Aaron Robbins (6-4, 250) also made progress in the spring.

Senior left tackle Adam Goldberg (6-7, 330) and senior right tackle Rob Kellerman (6-6, 305) may be as good a tackle tandem as there is in the Mountain West, at least in the unbiased opinion of Koenning.

"Goldberg has a chance to be as good as there is," Keonning said. "He has a tremendous amount of experience, and he is an excellent technician. He should be a highly honored player.

"Kellerman is also is an outstanding technician. He is a big, physical player. Those two guys are going to be two of our best leaders offensively."

Behind Goldberg on the left side is red-shirt freshman Dan Fisher (6-5, 190), who came to Wyoming as a tight end. Behind Kellerman will be red-shirt freshman Brandon Avery (6-4, 275). Sophomore David Gough (6-6, 250) will also see playing time.

Sophomore Isaac Morales (6-5, 303) will start at left guard. His backup will be sophomore Tim Riley (6-2, 265).

"Isaac is going to be a very good football player," Koenning said. "He is big, and very athletic. He saw action last year, and was a starter for the majority of spring training."

At right guard is junior Henry Randle (6-3, 301). Senior Mike Irvin (6-3, 276) has been moved from center to right guard behind Randle.

At center, sophomore Trenton Franz (6-3, 272) had an excellent spring and is ready to have an outstanding season. Red-shirt freshman Jeff Warren (6-2, 271) is the third center behind Franz and Irvin.

Senior J.D. Wallum (5-11, 195) is among the top kickers in college football. He has a strong leg and accuracy to go with it.

Wallum made 20-of-23 field-goal attempts and 17-of-18 PAT kicks last year. He finished with 77 points in leading the team in scoring.

Veterans like red-shirt junior Brandon Casavan (6-5, 286), who is finally healthy, senior Chad Beuhler (6-2, 265), senior Josh Rollins (6-3, 267) and junior Casey Adams (6-5, 260) had outstanding springs.

"We made as much progress in this area as just about any area on the team," Koenning said. "Young guys stepped up during spring ball, and along with a couple of veterans, made this area a strength for us. Casavan, especially, has become a special football player at tackle. He always had that potential, but injuries prevented him from reaching that.

"Beuhler also had an outstanding spring at the other tackle spot. Another veteran tackle, senior Tam Pruitt (6-3, 274), is a much-improved player who has earned our confidence. He will see a lot of playing time. Adams came along as well as anyone and will battle Rollins for that starting defensive end position. In fact, that was probably one of the most heated battles on the team during spring ball. Rollins played very well for us last year, and entered the spring as the guy, but Adams really came along. He made himself stronger, and will make a heck of a run for the starting spot during fall ball. Whatever happens there, both will see plenty of time on the field, and both will be impact players."

If he is healthy, senior Jon Aimone (6-4, 238) will make a huge difference at the bandit. He can cause all kinds of problems for an offense because of his desire and athleticism.

"Opponents must find where he is at all times," Koenning said. "But what has really gotten me excited about the defensive line is the improvement and maturation of our young guys."

Sophomore Jacob Bonde (6-3, 280), red-shirt freshmen Drew Severn (6-1, 283) and Derrick Glasper (6-1, 275, RFr.) at tackle, and sophomore Zach Morris (6-2, 265), at bandit, had good spring practices.

The Cowboys have a lot of ifs at linebacker. The first is whether senior Herman White (6-0, 226) will be ready after missing spring practice with shoulder surgery.

"If he can come back healthy, he will be a force for us in the middle," Koenning said. "He is a veteran, he is proven. But health problems have prevented him from becoming an impact player."

White will battle senior John Wilson (6-3, 238) for the starting "Mike" (middle linebacker) position.

Junior Ryan Zodda (6-2, 230), a transfer from Scottsdale (Ariz.) Community College, could be an impact player at weak-side linebacker, if he gains eligibility.

"But he must take care of some things academically before he is eligible for us," Koenning said. "We simply will have to wait and see on him. If he takes care of his academic business, and is available, it could mean a great deal. "During the spring, we prepared as if neither [White nor Zodda] would be available, and lots of guys made a great deal of improvement. Wilson had an outstanding spring, and will wage quite a battle with White for that starting spot. John [Wilson] has made tremendous improvement because he worked extremely hard, and wants to be a good football player. He is much stronger, and he can run."

Sophomore Shane Powell (5-10, 220) moved over from offense and will play at "Mike." He will be the backup to White and Wilson.

On the weak-side, junior Tyler Gottschalk (6-4, 235) earned the starting spot with an outstanding spring. Senior Andy Deselms (5-11, 211) and freshman Matt Chase (6-1, 215) will be the backups.

Koenning said the secondary is the most improved area of his team.

"We had some excellent players returning, but we really helped ourselves with mid-year transfers," he said. "Our safeties are a mix of returnees and transfers, and they worked very well together during spring training."

Sophomore Guy Tuell (6-1, 202) could be one of the best in the league at strong safety.

"He can officially be listed as a veteran at strong safety since he saw so much action there last season as a true freshman," Koenning said. "He is exactly what you want as a safety. He is a smart player who is a good hitter and can cover ground. He made so much progress during his freshman season that we are expecting him to have an even better year as a sophomore. He has a chance to be a very special player."

Backing up Tuell will be junior Tom Vincent (6-2, 199), who also had a good spring.

"He is a tough, hard-nosed player who has the kind of attitude we are looking for at the strong safety position," Koenning said. "We are excited about our free safeties." Both junior Armand Woodson (6-1, 190) and junior Nate Young (6-1, 175) came in at mid-year at the free-safety position.

Junior Jacque Finn (6-2, 196) is an experienced veteran who had his best spring.

"He has emerged as a team leader for us, and will be an outstanding player," Koenning said. "He waged a heck of a battle during the spring with another of our mid-year guys, sophomore Jay McNeal (6-1, 190).

"Both are outstanding football players. We do need to develop a couple more backup players at rover and free safety."

Sophomore Gary Wright (5-9, 168) is the Cowboys’ most gifted cornerback. The other starter is junior boundary corner Roderrick Jackson (5-11, 164).

Also in the mix in the fall will be junior transfer Chris Dixon (6-0, 180) and senior Ryan Calahan (5-10, 188).

Junior Luke Donovan (6-0, 188) averaged 40.6 yards on 57 punts last year.

"I think we are very fortunate with our punter and place-kicker," Koenning said.

"Donovan is quite a football player," Koenning said. "He is a very good athlete, who has proven to be effective in all phases of punting. I very definitely believe he is capable of more. I think both he and J.D. need to control where they are kicking the football. They are becoming more consistent, and both had very good springs."

Koenning said the Cowboys need some work on kickoff returns and punt returns.

"Last year, people gained too many yards off of punt and kickoff returns," he said. "We must shore that up. Believe me it will be a major area of concentration for us in the fall. We are going to look at a number of different things regarding our coverages and our personnel during two-a-days."

Koenning and his staff signed 21 players on national signing day -- 15 from high school and six junior college players.

Improving the overall depth and skill level in the defensive secondary was the biggest area of need, and the Cowboy coaching staff filled that need by signing a total of seven defensive backs -- four from junior-college and three from high school.

On offense, five of the eight signees were backs and receivers.

The 2002 class features eight offensive players, 10 defensive players and three student-athletes who were recruited as combination players -- players who could play either offense or defense.

The quarterback is Jeff Rush (6-3, 230) from Brophy Prep in Phoenix. He earned first team all-region honors as a senior, completed 108-of-208 pass attempts for 1,620 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Wyoming got a late signee in May, Jon Hawk from Aurora, Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas.

Hawk is a 6-5, 310-pound offensive tackle. He played two years at Garden City, earning All-America honors. He originally signed with the University of Oklahoma out of high school before deciding to attend junior college. Hawk helped lead Garden City to a combined 19-4 record in his two seasons.

"Jon is a great addition to our team," Koenning said. "He is a very athletic offensive lineman, who comes to us with two years experience playing in one of the top junior-college leagues in the country. Jon has been a part of winning programs wherever he has been. We expect him to come in and immediately make us a better football team."

In the spring, the Cowboys made good progress at tight end and in the secondary. And White’s return to full strength (shoulder surgery) at linebacker will be a key, as well as whether Zodda will become eligible. Depth was also developed in the defensive line.

Koenning said the receiver corps did a good job of developing into a cohesive unit. And the offensive line improved.

"I want to see improvement in the offensive line," Koenning said. "That is a veteran unit that has a chance of being outstanding. I do want them to develop that tougher persona we’ve been talking about. There are some good leaders along that front, and I want them to step up, get tougher. I want to see continued development from Casey [quarterback Bramlet]. He has made great improvement, and if he continues that progress he can be as good as there is. He certainly has all of the tools.

"Defensively we want to continue teaching these guys to play at a higher level than they thought they could. Athletically, I think the secondary is as talented a group as I have ever coached. Confidence is what these guys need. They have to believe that they are going to win. Each player must have faith in every other player that they will all get it done."

It’s difficult to develop that confidence without winning games. Perhaps that will come this year if the Cowboys can avoid the injury plague and improve their defense. A .500 season will be a stretch.