Undefeated Cavs stay on the road

By DAVID BUCK
Star-Tribune staff writer

Wyoming passed the test.

Now the Cavalry (7-0) have two easier road challenges, including tonight's game at Utah, before returning home to the Casper Events Center.

Wyoming, facing a road game and its closest game of the year, prevailed against Arizona 72-56 last Sunday.

Word around the league was the Cavs would crumble when faced with a close game because they hadn't been challenged yet this season. Wyoming proved the doubters wrong.

"We were tested and we didn't fall apart," Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak said. "They got us to a pivotal point where we were only up seven or eight points.

"I told them at halftime: 'We have the game secured as long as we score every series,' and we did that."

The game was the Cavs' first on the road since their season opener. Wyoming had to deal with a long bus ride, home-town officials and a drum band behind its bench.

"It helped us come closer as team," Maciejczak said. "It was not a blowout and we learned to lean on each other."

Now the Cavs face the bottom two teams in the American Indoor Football Association's West division -- Utah and New Mexico -- in their next two games.

First up are the Saints, an 0-7 team who give up an average of 67 points per game. Wyoming beat Utah 103-15 on April 25 in Casper.

Though Utah is the only winless team in the division, Maciejczak said the Saints are improving every week. One reason for that improvement is help from the AIFA. League officials went to Utah and are helping the team get better players while also assisting the Utah coaches.

"You can't overlook anyone," Maciejczak said. "We need to come out, play football the way we can and we'll be tough to beat."

It's just another test the Cavs need to pass if they want to remain unbeaten.

Contact sports reporter David Buck at (307) 266-0596 or david.buck@trib.com.

Cavalry Tracker

TODAY: Wyoming Cavalry at Utah Saints, 7 p.m.

RECORDS: Cavs (7-0), Saints (0-7)

LAST WEEK: Wyoming won 72-56 in Arizona; while Utah lost 32-9 in New Mexico.

EASIER TEST: Wyoming had its closest game of the year last week against the Adrenaline and hopes for an easier victory this week. Wyoming beat Utah 103-15 the last time the teams played.

RADIO: Go to www.wyomingcavalry.com for a live play-by-play from Utah.