COWBOYS OFFENSE

WR—11 Michael Fitzgerald 6-6 210 Gr.

WR—8 Jaylen Sargent 6-2 185 Sr.

SB—3 Deion DeBlanc 5-10 185 Fr.

TE—84 John Michael Gyllenborg 6-5 251 Sr.

LT—70 Rex Johnsen 6-5 296 So.

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LG—78 Wes King 6-5 315 Jr.

C—79 Jack Walsh 6-3 314 Sr.

RG—72 Caden Barnett 6-5 320 Sr.

RT—63 Braylon Jenkins 6-4 314 Fr.

QB—12 Kaden Anderson 6-4 230 So.

RB—22 Sam Scott 6-2 227 Sr.

After averaging 20 points in the first seven games, the Cowboys moved offensive coordinator Jay Johnson to analyst and promoted receivers coach Jovon Bouknight to play-caller. Bouknight is a former standout receiver for the Cowboys who returned to his alma mater as an analyst last year after stints with Marshall, Kentucky and Oregon. He was bumped up to receivers coach in January. In his first game as OC, the Cowboys beat Colorado State 28-0. But they have averaged 5.7 points the three games since. QB Kaden Anderson is a pocket passer with a quick release (averages 2.85 seconds from snap to throw) and strong arm. He is most effective on play-action throws. But those deceptions are limited because two of the top three running backs — Samuel Harris and Terron Kellman — are listed as “out” on the availability report. The Cowboys’ fastest receiver, slotback Chris Durr, won’t play. Anderson averages 3.1 yards on non-sack scrambles and keepers. On run-pass options, Travis Sims (no relation to the UH running back) or Mason Drube replaced Anderson. But Sims recently suffered a season-ending injury. The O-line’s strength is the trio of interior blockers (50.1% of the rushes are through the middle). Guards Wes King and Caden Barnett sometimes set up in a two-point stance. Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg was named to sports guru Bruce Feldman’s “Freak List 25” for his strength (500-pound squat), speed (21.6 mph) and anti-gravity powers (37-inch vertical jump). Gyllenborg has not relinquished a sack this season nor been penalized during his Wyoming career. Gyllenborg also is 3-for-3 in converting third-down catches into fresh downs. “That’s a testament to the staff calling the right play and putting me in good spots, and the quarterback delivering good balls,” Gyllenborg said. “When the ball gets into my hands, I’ll do everything I can to get that first down.” Gyllenborg, who grew up in Kansas City, is a fan of the area’s two favorites — Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and barbecue sauce. “I’ve been perfecting my ribs and briskets,” Gyllenborg said. “There’s definitely an art to it.”

COWBOYS DEFENSE

DE—5 Larry Wilson 6-5 253 Sr.

NT—94 Ben Florentine 6-1 282 Sr.

DT—97 Lucas Samsula 6-4 306 So.

DE—40 Tyce Westland 6-5 241 Sr.

WLB—9 Brayden Johnson 6-3 248 Sr.

MLB—6 Evan Eller 6-0 230 Gr.

NB—12 Desman Hearns 6-0 190 Jr.

CB—20 Dainsus Miller 5-10 181 Sr.

FS—23 Jones Thomas 6-2 200 So.

SS—3 Andrew Johnson 6-1 208 Sr.

CB—8 Tyrese Boss 5-11 190 Fr.

In his second year orchestrating the 4-2 defense, Aaron Bohl — son of retired head coach Craig Bohl — has built a defense with playmakers at all three tiers. Up front, Ben Florentine is a brawler who tries to reset the line of scrimmage with double-thrusted moves. Against Fresno State, he relocated the center and guard to clear a path to make a stop on the running back. Florentine, who initially joined the Cowboys as a 218-pound walk-on, is now 282. The elder Bohl described Florentine as “mustard gas” because of his toughness. Florentine leads with seven tackles for loss, including five sacks. The Cowboys often show a pre-snap, two-deep zone. Andrew Johnson or Jones Thomas will break toward the flats while the other will stay put in a one-high coverage. Thomas, who has 37 solo stops, uses his speed and low leverage to target a ball-carrier’s hips for midsection tackles. Mike linebacker Evan Eller and will ’backer Brayden Johnson are interchangeable in fitting run gaps, flexing into coverage or moving up to the side of a D-end to pass rush or set the edge. Eller, who began his career at VMI, has surpassed 300 career tackles. Johnson leads the Cowboys with 76 tackles this season. “That’s what you want to do playing linebacker,” Johnson said. “You want to make a lot of tackles. It’s a good time.” Johnson grew up in Ringling, Okla., a town of 869 named for John Ringling, the founder of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Johnson played both ways on a high school team with 30 players. He played at Division II Oklahoma Baptist before transferring to Wyoming. “I was grateful for the opportunity there,” he said of OBU “They gave me a chance to play college football.” Johnson and Eller have formed a linebacker tandem. Johnson made an interception in the end zone in a 10-0 shutout of Akron, and scored on a 65-yard pick-6 against San Jose State. Eller tipped the pass that ricocheted off a teammate’s helmet and “the ball landed in my hands,” Johnson said of his first college TD.

COWBOYS SPECIALISTS

KO/P—18 Bart Edmiston 6-0 200 So.

PK—47 Erik Sandvik 6-1 200 So.

H—43 Gavyn Helm 6-3 214 Fr.

LS—52 Carson York 6-1 219 Sr.

KR—3 Deion DeBlanc 5-10 185 Fr.

PR—19 Charlie Coenen 6-0 194 Jr.

After serving a two-year apprenticeship under kicker John Hoyland, Erik Sandvik earned the starting point- scoring job. Sandvik attempted only two kicks as a backup in high school. But he impressed at the Cowboys’ summer camp, eventually earning a walk-on invitation. Sandvik made five of his first six this season, but then wasn’t summoned for three games and missed two 50-yarders against San Diego State. He has connected on one FG in five attempts the past six weeks. The Cowboys have blocked three kicks this year, and Deion DeBlanc has scored on a 73-yard punt return.

RAINBOW WARRIORS OFFENSE

WO—9 Jackson Harris 6-3 205 So.

SB—5 Pofele Ashlock 6-2 185 Jr.

LT—52 Dean Briski 6-5 300 Jr.

LG—58 Zhen Sotelo 6-2 310 Sr.

C—57 Ethan Spencer 6-2 295 Jr.

RG—59 Kuao Peihopa 6-3 290 Sr.

RT—70 James Milovale 6-6 320 Sr.

SB—8 Tama Uiliata 5-11 190 Fr.

WO—1 Brandon White 5-8 170 Jr.

QB—12 Micah Alejado 5-10 180 Fr.

RB—0 Cam Barfield 5-7 185 Jr.

Despite last week’s difficult performance against UNLV — zero catches (two drops) in four targets — slotback Pofele Ashlock remains as one of the top aerial weapons. He has converted on 17 of 18 third-down catches; five of his seven red-zone receptions were in the end zone. Similar to Kealoha Pilares’ 2009 season, Ashlock is a convincing run-off receiver whose decoy routes draw a second defender away from wideout Jackson Harris. Against UNLV, the players switched spots, confusing the Rebels and freeing Harris as the slotback to break away for a 70-yard TD. Quarterback Micah Alejado was held to two appearances in the first 10 games during his true freshman season in 2024. That allowed him to compete in the final two regular-season games without exceeding the four-game limit to redshirt. Alejado went 11-for-12 in relief against Utah State, threw for 469 yards as a starter in the 2024 finale against New Mexico, and entered this season as a second-year freshman. By freezing QB Luke Weaver’s 2025 season after the first four games, he can redshirt this season, play in the Hawaii Bowl (redshirt limits don’t apply to the postseason) and retain his junior status in 2026. Titan Lacaden, who was held to three games this year, will be used Saturday and in the Hawaii Bowl while qualifying for a redshirt this season. It has been a long-term relationship between UH and Lacaden, who famously received a scholarship offer as a fifth grader in 2017. Lacaden eventually starred at Saint Louis School, helping to lead the Crusaders to the Open Division state title in 2024. “I’m trying to be great at simple, and taking my game to the next level, and that’s by doing the little things,” said Lacaden, who rotates between receiver and running back. “Most of the little things come from off the field.” Lacaden also has benefited from UH strength/conditioning coach Bobby Thomas’ program. “It’s different ways of lifting,” Lacaden said. “It’s not just your basic squat, dead-lift or bench. Just a lot of dynamic movements that can really translate to the game.”

RAINBOW WARRIORS DEFENSE

DE—51 Lester Lagafuaina 6-4 240 So.

DT—79 De’Jon Benton 6-2 270 Gr.

NT—77 Jamar Sekona 6-2 275 Sr.

DE—5 Tariq Jones 6-2 245 Sr.

DLB—3 Jalen Smith 6-0 220 Sr.

MLB—17 Giovanni Iovino 6-1 235 Gr.

NB—4 Elijah Palmer 5-8 180 Jr.

CB—14 Jaheim Wilson-Jones 5-11 175 Sr.

CB—24 Devyn King 5-11 175 Sr.

S—1 Peter Manuma 6-0 205 Sr.

S—8 Kilinahe Mendiola-Jensen. 6-1 170 Sr.

For the third time in four years, the Warriors lost a play-making linebacker to a season-ending injury. The Warriors will be without Jamih Otis, who is the top run-stopper (34 in-the-box, non-sack tackles on rushes), play-caller and on-field coach. “Jamih is the foundation of our defense and the Lion’s Den,” said Giovanni Iovino, referencing the collective nickname of the linebackers. “To lose him hurts. … It means us guys have to step up.” Iovino, a San Diego transfer and Otis’ teammate at Las Vegas football power Bishop Gorman High, ascends to No. 1 mike linebacker. Jalen Smith, who plays on the weak side, becomes the on-field assignment manager. Smith and Wynden Ho‘ohuli also can slide to middle. Smith is capable of bench-pressing 350 pounds, back-squatting 550 pounds, and sprinting 22 mph. But Lions Den coach Chris “CB” Brown and defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman lauded Smith more for his open-field tackling, change-of-direction moves, and coverage skills. “I give a lot of credit to Coach CB,” Smith said. “When I first came here (three years ago), I was just an athlete. I was ‘see ball, get ball.’ Every day Coach CB helped me sharpen my skills.” Last year, Thurman told Smith he would play dime linebacker. “When I hear ‘dime,’ I’m thinking DB,” Smith said. “I’m thinking I’m switching positions. But Coach CB let me know it’s basically a (weak-side) linebacker.” Bart Scott, whom Thurman coached with the Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets, played dime linebacker. Saturday night marks the final regular-season game for four interior D-linemen. Jamar Sekona, who transferred from USC last year, made a remarkable recovery from three injuries to his left knee to start in this year’s opener, make UH’s first tackle, and play 10 of 11 games. “I was supposed to come back midseason to late season,” Sekona said. “It’s been nothing but a blessing and a great opportunity.” Of Sekona’s 14 stops, 3.5 have been in the backfield, the rest in the tackle box.

RAINBOW WARRIORS SPECIALISTS

PK/KO—17 Kansei Matsuzawa 6-2 200 Sr.

P—19 Billy Gowers 6-1 205 Fr.

LS—33 Jack Mowrey 6-3 240 So.

H—18 Caleb Freeman 6-0 185 Sr.

KR—0 Cam Barfield 5-7 185 So.

PR—8 Tama Uiliata 5-11 190 Fr.

In nine of the Warriors’ 11 winning seasons since 2001, a slotback has been the primary punt returner. It makes sense because slotbacks are sure-handed and required to catch in congested areas. It is why Tama Uiliata has followed the paths of Chad Owens, Davone Bess, Greg Salas and Cedric Byrd. “Tama is so diverse in what he can bring to us,” receivers coach Jared Ursua said. “He’s caught passes. He’s thrown passes. He’s smart., He understands football. He makes the right plays.” UH’s average start is the 29 on Uiliata’s 24 fair catches, the 33 on his eight punt returns.