ESPN Independents and Others Blog

2008 conference record: 1-7, T-8th

Returning starters

Offense: 7, defense: 8, punter/kicker: 2

Top returners

DT John Fletcher, DE Mitch Unrein, FS Chris Prosinski, OT Ryan Otterson, WR Greg Bolling, CB Marcell Gipson, CB Tashaun Gipson, ILB Gabe Knapton, OLB Weston Johnson

Key losses

RB Devin Moore, OG Kyle Howard, C Tim Bond, ILB Ward Dobbs, OLB Mike Juergens, SS Quincy Rogers

2008 statistical leaders (*returners)

Rushing: Devin Moore (1,301 yards)
Passing: Chris Stutzriem (660 yards)
Receiving: Greg Bolling* (271 yards)
Tackles: Ward Dobbs (101)
Sacks: Ward Dobbs (8.0)
Interceptions: Chris Prosinski*, Ward Dobbs (3)

Spring answers

1. Sween is the starter: Embattled senior Karsten Sween emerged from the spring as the team's starter, after calling on his high school days to remember the nuances of a spread offense. However, he'll have another battle to win against incoming freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels and junior college transfer Robert Benjamin.

2. No more Moore: Devin Moore had been the team's premier running back for the past few seasons and his departure might have hit the team hard had Darius Terry not stepped into the role and performed admirably during the spring. Terry has rushed for just 42 yards in his career, but should be a key component in the Cowboys' new offense.

3. Gipson brothers help transition: The secondary should be a strength again with the return of cornerbacks Marcell Gipson and Tashaun Gipson and free safety Chris Prosinski, who led the team in interceptions and was second in tackles. The secondary allowed 189.50 passing yards per game last season, which ranked second in the Mountain West

Fall questions

1. Learning the spread: Even though the offense played better this spring than it has in some time, there's still a lot of learning to do this summer and into fall camp before the Cowboys have a firm grasp on the spread, no-huddle system new head coach Dave Christensen brought over from Missouri.

2. Receiver hands: One of the most important facets of the new spread system is the connection between the quarterbacks and receivers. At times this spring, that connection was impressive. Other times, it fell far short of expectations. There will be a lot of catch going on this summer to get those receiving woes rectified.

3. Injuries mounted: Christensen allowed his team to go full bore most of the spring session and consequently the Cowboys suffered numerous injuries. So numerous were the injuries that alumni had to come back and play the spring game. The biggest concern is on defense. There weren't even enough players to field a second string at some positions. Christensen is hoping for recovery in the fall and will bring on walk-ons for depth.