By Robert Gagliardi
WyoSports 

Coffman hopes mental work helps him transition back onto the field this week

 

November 11, 2015

Jeremy Martin/WyoSports

Senior quarterback Cameron Coffman is set to start on Saturday after missing the last two weeks with a shoulder injury.

LARAMIE – Cameron Coffman may not have played the last two games, but that doesn't mean the University of Wyoming redshirt senior quarterback wasn't trying to work on his game.

Coffman didn't do much throwing after suffering a right shoulder injury in the third quarter of UW's 34-14 loss at Boise State Oct. 24. The right-handed quarterback missed UW's next two games.

Coffman was cleared to play prior to the Cowboys' home game last week against Colorado State. However, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brent Vigen said the throwing Coffman did in pre-game warm-ups prior to the game was the most he threw that week.

UW started redshirt freshman Nick Smith for the second consecutive game. He finished 10 of 21 for 109 yards with an interception and two lost fumbles in the Cowboys 26-7 loss.

Coffman is expected to start when UW (1-9 overall, 1-5 Mountain West) plays at San Diego State (6-3, 5-0) Saturday night.

Coffman's spent a lot of time in the training room the last couple of weeks. However, he's also been preparing for when he comes back.

"I tried to stay sharp mentally," Coffman said. "That's a big thing playing quarterback. I'm not too worried about the physical part, but I needed to stay on top of things mentally."

This isn't the first time Coffman has missed games due to injury this season.

He injured his right knee late in UW's season-opening 24-13 loss to North Dakota, and didn't play in the next game – a 48-29 home loss to Eastern Michigan.

Coffman returned at Washington State the following week and was 25 of 36 for 296 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Cowboys' 31-14 loss.

UW hopes Coffman's return means a more balanced offense. Smith, who started the season as the No. 3 quarterback, was 20 of 39 for 192 yards with two touchdowns, one interception and two lost fumbles in his two starts.

The Cowboys ran for 400 yards in those two games.

The loss of junior wide receiver Tanner Gentry (shoulder) hasn't helped UW's passing game. Gentry has missed the Cowboys last three games, and is expected to be out again this week. Gentry leads the Cowboys with 678 yards.

But based on Coffman's experience and Smith's inexperience, Vigen feels Coffman can help the offense do more things moving forward.

"(Coffman) opens thing up for us again," Vigen said. "The last couple of weeks we've thrown it less than 20 times a game. Our offense with Cam out there has a lot more potential for balance depending on how San Diego State wants t plays us. They've been pretty aggressive and daring teams to throw the football."

Smith ran for 93 yards in games against Boise State, Utah State and Colorado State. Smith is second on the team with 156 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

"Hat's off to Nick, I thought he did a fantastic job," UW junior wide receiver Jake Maulhardt said. "But it will be nice to have Cam back.

"He hasn't really thrown with us in a couple of weeks, but I think he will shake the rust and polish up on things this week in practice."

Dominant defense

San Diego State ranks in the top three in the MW in eight defensive categories.

It leads with a plus-12 turnover margin and allowing teams to make only 29.6 percent of their third down conversions.

The Aztecs also are second with 14 interceptions, and have returned a league-best three for touchdowns.

"They have good players, first and foremost," Vigen said. "They have a good front seven. They have aggressive, fast players that get off blocks, and they're really good in the secondary. Their cornerback tandem (junior Damontae Kazee and senior J.J. Whitaker) is as good in the league.

"They tackle well, and schematically (San Diego State runs a 3-3-5 defense) they're trying to cause a lot of confusion for offenses."

 
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