Strand helps Cavs remain perfect

By DAVID BUCK
Star-Tribune staff writer

Matt Strand started the scoring with his foot then let his arm take over.

Strand, the Wyoming Cavalry's quarterback, earned the team one point by kicking the ball through the uprights on the opening kickoff, then threw for nine touchdowns in the team's 67-32 victory in New Mexico on Saturday.

"He made the rouge, so that gave us one point," Maciejczak said. "Our defense got the stop and we scored on the first play we get the ball. We just came out and took care of business."

The Cavs' offense once again destroyed an opposing defense as Wyoming scored on all but two of its possessions in improving to 9-0 on the season.

Both times the team failed to score were because of fumbles, the second of which occurred because of an exchange problem between center Cody Beguin and Strand.

Playing with what Maciejczak called a duct-taped offensive line, the Cavalry replaced starters Chase Olsen (knee injury) and Ray Gilmore (attending a wedding) with Beguin and Matt Ullrich. Beguin is a former player of Maciejczak's, while Ullrich played at Black Hill State.

"An offensive lineman is tough to find, let alone two guys," Maciejczak said. "They did a great job. We only gave up one sack and, at the end, a center-quarterback exchange problem. I'll take those mistakes over what could have happened for us."

Dante Dudley and B.J. Charlton were Strand's favorite receivers on the night. Dudley caught seven passes for 100 yards and four touchdowns, while Charlton had five receptions for 112 yards and four scores.

"They did a great job," Maciejczak said. "In our system, it just happened to be their day. ... They get the credit for the touchdowns, but the other receivers did a great job of getting them open."

Running back James Jones had the Cavs' other touchdown reception. He also rushed for one touchdown.

Saturday's game was Wyoming's third in a row on the road. The team came into the trip looking for respect from American Indoor Football Association teams on the East Coast, and Maciejczak believes the Cavs earned it.

"I think there is always a question of us playing on the road, and we beat New Mexico pretty handily at home," Maciejczak said. "If anything they've got to respect the fact we can win big football games."

Wyoming won all three games, with an average margin of victory of 37 points. The Cavs are the only undefeated team in the AIFA.

Wyoming is home for its next two games, starting with Arizona on Friday.

"You have no clue how great it is to be back in Casper," Maciejczak said, mentioning the countless hours the team has spent on a bus.

Luckily, those long trips gave Strand's leg and arm plenty of rest.

Cavs Tracker

SATURDAY: Wyoming 67, New Mexico 32

RECORDS: Cavalry (9-0); Wildcats (2-7)

KICKING AND THROWING: Cavs quarterback Matt Strand knocked the opening kickoff through the uprights for one point, then went on to throw nine touchdowns against New Mexico.

UP NEXT: Arizona at Wyoming, 7:30 p.m., Friday, at the Casper Events Center.