MIDTERM REPORT: Wyoming’s Defense at The Halfway Point

LARAMIE -- Sabastian Harsh is becoming a menace.

In last Saturday's loss, the junior edge rusher capped his afternoon with six tackles, four of which were for loss. He also hammered Danny O'Neil late in the first half, dropping San Diego State's rookie quarterback for a sack and a loss of four yards.

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The Scottsbluff, Neb., product had a number of violent meetings in the backfield with Marquez Cooper, too. The Aztecs' 200-pound running back lost all of those.

"I would say, stats wise, it was probably one of my better games," Harsh said postgame. "It doesn't really matter if you don't win the game. There's a bunch of guys after the game telling me good job and all this stuff. Oh, you played amazing. But at the end of the day, you know, we didn't win."

While Harsh has been a bright spot on this Wyoming defense, injuries have taken their toll.

After a rough start to the 2024 campaign -- allowing 41 of Arizona State's 48 points in the opener -- the ailments started to mount. DeVonne Harris was shelved with an elbow. Braden Siders has missed time. So has Tyce Westland. Kevin Sjogren was lost for the year prior to the season.

Those are just defensive ends.

Wyett Ekeler and Isaac White, two safeties who haven't left the field in two seasons, have barely played with one another this fall. Both missed last Saturday's tilt with SDSU. Both could miss this week's meeting with San Jose State.

Let's take a look at some of the stats from the first six games under new defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl:

TOTAL DEFENSE: D

Wyoming lands at No. 98 overall in this category out of 133 FBS programs, allowing 398.7 yards per game. The opposition has found the end zone 22 times in six games and is averaging more than six yards per play.

SCORING DEFENSE: D-

Twice so far this Cowboys' defense has allowed 44 points or more. BYU tacked on 34 in a victory in Laramie in Week 3. Wyoming ranks 110th in the country in scoring defense. The opposition averages 31.5 points per outing. Only New Mexico (42.7) and Utah State (42.8) have been worse in the Mountain West.

THIRD-DOWN CONVERSION DEFENSE: A

Wyoming is tied for eighth in the nation in this category. Shae Suiaunoa and Co. have limited teams to just 22-of-77 (.286) on that money down. That's the best mark in the conference.

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* LIVE FILE: Wyoming vs. San Diego State

* Rants and Raves: SDSU Edition

* Nation's sack, tackle-for-loss leader has UW's full attention

* Rookie QB Danny O'Neil hasn't been very generous this year

* Gear up for game day: San Diego State Aztecs

* San Diego State's new-look offense a familiar one for Sawvel and Co.

FOURTH-DOWN CONVERSION DEFENSE: F

This down has produced a much different result for the Cowboys. Opponents have converted 10 times on 15 attempts on fourth down through six games. That's good enough for 116th in the nation.

TURNOVERS GAINED: F

Two. That's it. One of those was a Wrook Brown interception against BYU. The other came last Saturday when Braden Siders hit SDSU quarterback Danny O'Neil from behind, forcing a loose ball that landed right into the awaiting arms of Johnny on the spot, linebacker Connor Shay. Wyoming is ranked dead last in this all-important category with Bowling Green. For perspective, James Madison has forced 17 turnovers, the most in the FBS.

PASSING YARDS ALLOWED: C-

Led by senior cornerback Tyrecus Davis, Wyoming is allowing 227.3 yards per game through the air, which ranks 86th in the nation. Keep in mind, this total includes Air Force, which managed just 115 passing yards. Idaho also only finished with 101. In the other four games against Arizona State, BYU, North Texas and SDSU, that average sits at 287 an outing. The Pokes are also allowing 11.6 yards per grab, which ranks them 90th.

RED-ZONE DEFENSE: D-

While Wyoming's offense is a perfect 13-for-13 in the red zone, the defense is one of the worst in the country, allowing 21 scores -- 12 touchdowns, nine field goals -- on 22 opportunities inside the 20-yard line. Only New Mexico (24-of-25) is worse in the conference.

RUSHING DEFENSE: D

No. 100. That's where the Cowboys land in this category, allowing 171.3 yards per game on the ground. Again, Air Force's yardage is already tacked on. Wyoming did hold the Falcons to just 205 rushing yards. The worst outing came against ASU. That night in Tempe the Pokes gave up 241 on the ground. North Texas also eclipsed the 200-yard mark.

TEAM SACKS: F

Sabastian Harsh is responsible for 2.5 of the team's seven sacks this season. Wyoming is ranked 124th overall in this category. Only Air Force (5) and Colorado State (5) have been worse in the league.

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