December 19, 2023 |
Photo – Coach Craig Bohl – Courtesy gowyo.com
Wyoming football coach Craig Bohl is deep into preparations for his final football game as he prepares to retire, but he brushed off questions Friday about his own plans. Bohl stuck to the X’s and O’s as he and his staff get ready to play the University of Toledo at the Arizona Bowl in Tucson on Saturday, December 30th.
Coach Bohl talked to the media on Friday in Laramie. He began by thanking the Arizona Bowl officials saying they stage a great event. He then moved right into the team. Finals are over and Cowboys have been preparing for their final game of the year.
The Cowboys are looking to make school history with a fourth bowl win under a single head coach. Bohl plans to step down after the game. Several times during the news conference last week, the head coach declined to talk about himself or his plans after stepping down at the end of the year. He kept the focus on the team and its future.
The head coach said he has enjoyed coaching the Cowboys over the last ten years and he is keeping his focus on the players, the game plan and the opponent headed into the bowl game.
Unlike Wyoming, Toledo has lost two key players in the transfer portal in December. The Cowboy defense won’t face quarterback Dequann Finn who led the Rockets to the MAC Championship game with 2,657 total yards and 22 touchdowns. Finn was a powerhouse who rushed for 563 yards and seven touchdowns.
Vinny Sciury, a three-year starter on Toledo’s offensive line, also entered the portal after earning all-MAC honors.
The Rocket’s backup Tucker Gleason appeared in all 13 games this season. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 199 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Wyoming has been studying the tape on Gleason.
The Rockets quarterback may be a plug-in player for the contest, but Gleason will be operating with two experienced wide receivers. Jerjuan Newton and Junior Vandeross combined for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.
Running back Penny Boone ranks 11th in the FBS with 1,400 rushing yards and is tied for ninth nationwide with 15 rushing touchdowns. The Rockets were ranked as high as No. 23 in the AP Top 25 poll before they lost the MAC championship game.
Toledo has lots of weapons. So does Wyoming.
Coach Bohl encouraged fans to make the trip to Tucson for the game. Toledo’s fan bases is regarded as one of the best in college football. Bowl officials describe them as “rabid.” Coach Bohl says the same about Wyoming fans.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 30th for Coach Bohl’s final game as Wyoming head coach.
