The Bulldogs used the bye week to put a disappointing loss at Hawaii in the rearview mirror. With a mantra of going 1-0 each week, the focus is on Wyoming on Saturday (12:30 p.m., televised on FS2).
“A little refresher is always good,” Bulldogs Coach Kalen DeBoer said. “We still got a team that is super hungry. You got a team that is chomping at the bit to get back out there and re-prove themselves.”
The Bulldogs (4-2, 1-1 Mountain West Conference) want to get more from the running game in Laramie. The team has passed 57% of all offensive plays.
“Balance to me is the ability to be able to run the football when you need to,” DeBoer said. “We’re under par right now. We’re not where we need to be.”
The Cowboys (4-1, 0-1 MWC) are coming off a 24-14 loss last week to Air Force.
Haener Expected to Return
DeBoer fully expects star QB Jake Haener to return to playing. After getting roughed up in Hawaii, Haener skipped some bye week practices wearing a medical boot, with what DeBoer called a sprain in the foot/ankle area.
DeBoer said he didn’t know if Haener could play if the team did not have a bye week, but is monitoring his recovery.
“It is very fortunate for him that he has this extra week to be able to take precautions,” DeBoer said. “Every day he’s getting better. He’s doing everything he can with our training staff. I hope tomorrow is better than today.”
The coach said no one is 100% halfway through the season.
Haener ranks third in the nation in passing yards (2,230) and in the Top 5 in most other offensive categories. His favorite target, WR Jalen Cropper, remains tied for the national lead with nine touchdown catches.
