Allen remains day-to-day as UW prepares for regular-season finale
November 23, 2017
LARAMIE – Same message, different week.
Fourth-year University of Wyoming football coach Craig Bohl said Monday junior quarterback Josh Allen is day-to-day and is hopeful he will play in UW's regular-season finale Saturday at San Jose State.
Allen missed UW's 13-7 home loss last Saturday against Fresno State with an injured right shoulder he suffered late in the second quarter of the Cowboys' 28-14 win Nov. 11 at Air Force.
Bohl was hopeful last week that Allen would play against Fresno State.
Allen normally speaks to media on Mondays, but for the second consecutive week wasn't available because he was receiving medical treatment.
"We're seeing some pretty significant progress," Bohl said. "In talking to the sports medicine staff (Monday morning), they were encouraged by some of his progress.
"I can tell you Josh is all in for the Cowboys. We will see how this week goes. If he's capable of playing to help us win, he will play."
Allen was listed as the starter on UW's depth chart Monday, but also was last week.
Redshirt junior backup Nick Smith started in and played the entire Fresno State game. He was 20 of 32 for 231 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, and 133 of those yards and the touchdown came on the Cowboys' final two offensive possessions. It was Smith's first start since he was a redshirt freshman in 2015.
"I thought Nick played well and operated our offense well," Bohl said. "We are pleased with his progress and appreciate his efforts."
On UW's final offensive play of the game, Smith was tackled for no gain on fourth down, and was unable to get off a pass into the end zone for a potential game-winning touchdown.
When Smith was interviewed by the media Monday, he had yet to meet with the coaches to go over the game film from last week. Smith said that late-game scenario will be a topic of discussion.
Injury report
Bohl said junior right guard Kaden Jackson (arm) is expected start at San Jose State. Jackson left the Fresno State game in the first half and didn't return.
Sophomore wide receiver C.J. Johnson left the Fresno State game late and didn't return, but Bohl said he will play Saturday.
Plenty to play for
UW (7-4 overall, 5-2 Mountain West) can't win the Mountain Division, and no matter the outcome Saturday will play in a bowl game, although where won't be known until Dec. 3.
San Jose State (1-11, 0-7) hasn't defeated a Football Bowl Subdivision team this season and has lost 11 consecutive games.
Talk of a potential letdown was squashed by Bohl and the players Monday.
"I don't think we're in position to have any talk of a letdown because we just got beat," Bohl said. "In the Mountain West, all these games are competitive. Our players and coaches know that.
"We've got to make sure we don't let this loss linger. We have a great deal of respect for San Jose State. They beat us the last time we played them."
San Jose State won 27-20 in overtime Oct. 18, 2014, in Laramie during Bohl's first season. The Spartans also beat UW 51-44 on Oct. 26, 2013, in San Jose.
"Every week we have a chip on our shoulder, and now it is bigger after last week's tough loss," UW redshirt sophomore outside linebacker Cassh Maluia said.
"I feel like our team is very motivated because close losses hurt more."