Cowboys work to correct shortcomings from opener

LARAMIE -- Upon further review, video confirmed what University of Wyoming football coach Craig Bohl initially thought.

That his football team played poorly in its 24-13 season-opening loss to North Dakota last Saturday.

"We all own that as coaches and players, and we're in the process of doing all the things we can do get the direction of this football team changed," Bohl said during his weekly news conference Monday afternoon.

"I think there needs to be a measured approach. You don't have complete urban renewal where you change offenses and defenses, and have drastic changes on your depth chart. I was as surprised as anybody with our performance. I believe we can be a good football team this year. But that performance was not reflective of that."

UW hosts Eastern Michigan (0-1) at 2 p.m. Saturday, and the Cowboys began preparations for that game late Monday afternoon.

But most of the talk during the news conference was about the North Dakota loss. Bohl said he wouldn't talk with rose-colored glasses about the Cowboys' shortcomings, and he didn't, especially about the offense.

"That's probably one of the poorer performances that we've had since I've been a head coach, said Bohl, who is in his 13th years as head coach. "Our efficiency on offense is staying on the field.

The offense was on the field for only 22 minutes, 46 seconds. It ran for only 41 yards, punted seven times and was 3 of 13 on third-down conversions.

Defensively, the Cowboys allowed 9 of 17 third-down conversions. Bohl said many of those were third-and-long situations. Bohl also said the defensive line needed to cancel out gaps better. And two of the three North Dakota touchdowns came on big plays -- runs of 52 and 44 yards.

UW's eight penalties for 96 yards didn't help, nor did the fact it played with 17 true or redshirt freshmen. That figure is tied for the seventh-most among Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the nation.

"I overestimated our ability to handle situations with our youth. I will own that one," Bohl said. "I thought we would be further along with some of our players who are young. Then we have players at different positions (two linebackers in juniors Eric Nzeocha in the middle and D.J. May outside). I'll own that one, too."

Three of UW's four starters in the secondary were freshmen, and Bohl said there is a "steep learning curve" for those guys. But they still appear eager to learn.

"We will bounce back and everyone is hungry to get back out there," said redshirt freshman walk-on Marcus Epps, who in his first game and start at free safety last week recorded 11 tackles.

"We have to learn from our mistakes, but after that we need to move on. All we can do is play the next game and keep getting better so we don't feel like this ever again."

Bohl said paying better attention to detail in practice will be key for the entire team this week, and for them to take advantage of all the "teachable moments." Bohl added that this team has strong character and wants to get better, and that it's his "experienced" coaching staff's job to bring that along.

Added sophomore running back Brian Hill: "I've had a bad taste in my mouth all weekend and even (Monday) thinking about how we lost that game. I just want to come out and have a better game than last week (10 carries for 31 yards) and I know all the people on team want to do the same."

Coffman's knee

Redshirt senior quarterback Cameron Coffman is listed as the starter, but Bohl said he doubted Coffman would practice Monday after suffering a slight meniscus strain near the end of the North Dakota game.

"It's doing all right. It's a little sore," he said. "We're going to take it day-by-day and try to get as much treatment as we can between now and Saturday. Hopefully I'll be ready to go."

When asked if he thinks he will play, Coffman added: "We'll see."

Coffman also said he's been a fast healer in the past, and has never missed a game in his career due to injury.

Pilapil back

Redshirt freshman walk-on Adam Pilapil is listed as the starter at free safety this week. Pilapil missed the North Dakota game due a one-game suspension for a violation of team rules, which was announced during fall camp.

"For his age he is an intelligent player and hopefully he brings that to the field in terms of getting line up and getting guys calmed down. It will be good to have him back," UW defensive coordinator Steve Stanard said.

Epps started for Pilapil last week, and is now the backup at strong safety behind redshirt freshman Chavez Pownell Jr.

There were no other changes to Monday's depth chart.