DAVID BUCK Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Monday, April 7, 2008 12:00 am
Two things are clear after the Wyoming Cavalry's home opener.
The Cavs have one of the most prolific offenses in their conference - and Jon Smit can take care of the rest.
Wyoming scored more than 60 points for the second game in a row and Smit led the defense in a 69-30 rout of the Arizona Adrenaline on Friday at the Casper Events Center.
Cavs quarterback Matt Strand threw an interception on his first pass of the game, but it was smooth sailing after that for the offense. Wyoming had a 48-8 halftime lead and Strand had 160 passing yards and five touchdown passes before intermission.
Four different Wyoming receivers scored. Dante Dudley led the receiving corps with two touchdowns, and BJ Charlton, James Everage and Arthur Ireland each had one.
The offense can thank Smit and the defense for getting them the ball and limiting the Adrenaline's offense. Arizona didn't score until the final minute of second quarter.
The Cavs had three fumble recoveries, two safeties and one interception in the half and cruised the rest of the way.
The Adrenaline was driving during their second possession of the game when Smit stepped up with his first big play of the game. Arizona fumbled the ball on a pitch on first and goal and Smit recovered it. He also recovered a fumble on a kickoff. Midway through the second quarter Smit sacked Arizona quarterback Jason Swanson in the end zone for a safety.
"(Smit) did a great job (Friday)," Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak said. "What our (defensive) line lacks in talent they make up for in work ethic."
As if Smit's defense wasn't enough, he gave Wyoming a stable kicking game after regular kicker Fata Carter had to leave the game with a knee injury in the first quarter. Running back James Jones attempted a kick after Carter's injury, then Smit stepped up and gave the Cavs consistent kicking the rest of the way.
"He was getting it done," Maciejczak said.
Wyoming's offense wasn't as impressive in the second half, but the team created multiple highlights for fans including a 51-yard kickoff return by Jones and a 50-yard interception returned for a touchdown by Corey Roberson.
Notes
WELCOME BACK: Two former Cavs players, Lucian Scott and Craig Brooks, were part of the Adrenaline's roster Friday.
QB SWITCH: The Adrenaline started Jason Swanson at quarterback instead of regular starter Chad DeGrenier. DeGrenier missed the game because of a foot injury.
HIT ME: The hit of the game came late in the third quarter when Arizona receiver Quincy Jackson was knocked over the boards and into the Calvary bench. Play was stopped for a few minutes as Jackson received medical attention.
Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or
Cavs Tracker
FRIDAY: Wyoming 69, Arizona 30.
SMIT STEPS UP: Wyoming defensive lineman Jon Smit had two fumble recoveries, a safety, and proved to be the Cavs most consistent kicker after Fata Carter injured his knee.
UP NEXT: Utah Saints at Wyoming Cavalry, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 12.
Wyoming 69, Arizona 30
Ariz 0 8 8 14-30
Wyo 22 26 13 8-69
FIRST QUARTER
Wyo. - Dante Dudley 12 pass from Matt Strand (Strand to Dudley conversion) 10:21
Wyo. - Dudley 7 pass from Strand (Strand to James Everage conversion) 5:25
Wyo. - BJ Charlton 4 pass from Strand (Failed conversion) 0:00
SECOND QUARTER
Wyo. - Everage 9 pass from Strand (Strand to Dudley conversion) 13:00
Wyo. - Jon Smit safety 7:36
Wyo. - James Jones 13 rush (Strand to Charlton conversion) 5:09
Wyo. - Everage safety 3:30
Wyo. - Arthur Ireland 8 pass from Strand (Conversion failed) 2:03
Ariz. - Maurice Bryant 15 pass from Jason Swanson (Paris Moore rush) 0:20
THIRD QUARTER
Wyo. - Jones 1 rush (Conversion failed) 10:13
Ariz. - Quincy Jackson 28 pass from Swanson (Swanson rush) 5:56
Wyo. - Jones 51 kickoff return (Conversion failed) 5:28
Wyo. - Rouge 5:00
FOURTH QUARTER
Wyo. - Corey Roberson 50 interception (Strand to Charlton conversion) 11:10
Ariz. - Moore 6 pass from Swanson (Conversion failed) 8:27
Ariz. - Jarvis Dunn 11 pass from Swanson (Swanson to Jackson) :43
david.buck@trib.com