Wyoming QB remains upbeat in tough year

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2000 | 10:04 a.m.

This is not quite the way Wyoming quarterback Jay Stoner had hoped his senior year would go.

Things started fine for the 6-1, 200-pounder from Colorado Springs. He was named the Mountain West's offensive preseason player of the year in August. And the Cowboys were expected to contend for a bowl berth under new coach Vic Koenning.

But thanks to an unusual rash of injuries that has sidelined as many as a dozen starters or key contributers at times, the Cowboys (1-6, 0-3) won't be going to any bowl game in 2000.

And Stoner, only the second quarterback in school history to throw for more 7,000 yards in his career, actually heard rumblings that he might get benched by Koenning if he didn't turn things around quickly.

That talk was put on hold after last week's 51-34 loss at Air Force, a game that saw Stoner pass for a season-high 339 yards and two touchdowns.

"It's been frustrating," Stoner said. "There's no way you think things are going to be like they've turned out. All the injuries have really hurt us. But you've just got to go out and encourage the guys to keep doing their best."

Stoner needs to pass for 726 yards in his final four games to surpass Tom Corontzos (7,945) as the school's all-time passing leader. However, he doesn't seem possessed with statistics or breaking school records.

When asked about passing the 7,000-yard mark in career passing over the weekend, Stoner replied, "I'm trying not to pay too much attention to that. You're the first person who has really brought it up to me.

"Right now we're just trying to stay positive and focus on playing UNLV this weekend. They have a good defense and a really good secondary. It's going to be a very big challenge for us down there."

One of Stoner's biggest fans is UNLV safety Randy Black.

"Jay is awesome," Black said. "I love Jay. I hung out a lot with Jay and (injured Cowboy RB/DB Al Rich) at Mountain West media day. They're great guys."

What about Stoner the quarterback?

"He's very talented," Black said. "He's a guy who can get it done. If he gets into a groove where he feels comfortable throwing the ball back there, it could be a long day for us."

That would suit Stoner just fine. After all, it was a 24-point underdog UNLV team that put a huge dent in Wyoming's bowl hopes a year ago when the Rebels pulled off a 35-32 stunner in Laramie.

"I'm not really big on being an underdog," Stoner said. "I'd just as soon have a lot more wins instead."

Rebels coach John Robinson said Thomas could do some light work at today's practice.

"We're trying to keep him off (the foot)," Robinson said. "(Today) he'll probably be out here a little. Thursday he may practice. Then he could play on Saturday. We'll just have to wait and see how things go."