Cavalry change up routine after disappointing loss to Arizona

By DAVID BUCK
Star-Tribune staff writer

Wyoming's loss to Arizona didn't just mean the end of the team's undefeated ways.

It also meant the end of easy practices without pads.

On Wednesday, the Cavalry practiced for the first time in shoulder pads and helmets since training camp.

"It was brought up to me by some of the guys. They felt like we needed to be in pads once a week," Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak said. "... Just kind of knocking the dust off a little bit more during the week, so that when it comes to game day its not foreign for us to be in pads."

Players hope the more intense practice translates into the team's best effort against the Utah Saints tonight at the Casper Events Center.

That wasn't the case last week when Wyoming was out-hustled by the Adrenaline in the 55-40 loss, the team's first loss of the season. The Cavs called their play against Arizona lackadaisical and lacking in effort.

"Without shoulder pads its totally different, you know -- catching a ball, throwing a ball, blocking -- when you get in a game, you have to adjust on the run," Cavs center Ray Gilmore said. "I think this helps us get back to the basics and get to where we need to be."

The Cavs destroyed Utah in the teams' previous four meetings by a combined score of 319-64. Wyoming players, however, aren't overlooking the Saints or getting bored with playing them.

"They keep switching around, trying to get better players, so it's a different challenge every week," Cavs offensive lineman Robby Klinetobe said. "It's not really like you are in a groove of playing over and over, because you have someone new. I know it's the same team, but they have different players."

Another reason not to dismiss Utah is the team is coming off its first win of a season, a 40-38 victory against New Mexico.

The Saints shut out the Wildcats in the first half, then hung on for the two-point victory at home.

"It just comes down to, No. 1, believing in your system, and the kids working hard," said Michael Mink, AIFA co-owner and new coach of the Saints, on the Internet radio show "This Week In The AIFA." "It's all about pride and dedication, and these guys out there are turning the table and starting to understand the game that we play in the AIFA and understanding what you have to do to sacrifice and play that game."

Wyoming realized that sacrifice too. With hopes of avoiding another loss, the Cavs are no longer allowing their bodies a week between hits.

DUDLEY UPDATE: Wyoming receiver Dante Dudley suffered fractured vertebrae and two bulging discs in his lower back after his head-on collision into the dasher boards during last week's game. Dudley was taken to the hospital during the game as a precautionary measure and was released at 2:30 a.m.

"Luckily, I was facemask into the mat and basically (it was) just a hyperextension of the back, which was the best way of going into it, if you had to go into it," Dudley said.

Dudley is sixth in the AIFA in scoring with 18 touchdown receptions. He is out until at least the June 28 regular-season finale at Arizona.

PRAISE FOR THE WEST: AIFA co-owner and new Utah head coach Michael Mink complimented the West Division of the Western Conference, which is comprised of Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico.

"I think eventually the Western Division will be the best division in the league," Mink said on "This Week In The AIFA." "We have some expansion plans and are talking to some ownership groups now to make that division bigger and make it stronger."

Mink complimented Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming for having great programs and fan bases.

"There is a lot of promise out there in the Western United States," Mink said. "I'm glad the AIFA, myself and (AIFA co-owner) John Morris believe in it, and want to be a big part of it, and I think great things will happen out there in the next couple of years."

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

Cavalry Tracker

TONIGHT: Utah at Wyoming, 7:30 p.m., Casper Events Center

RECORDS: Saints (1-9); Cavalry (9-1).

REVERSE MOMENTUM: Going into last week's games Utah was winless, while Wyoming was undefeated.

HIT ME: On Wednesday the Cavs practiced with helmets and shoulder pads for the first time since training camp.

HE SAID IT: "It was brought up to me by some of the guys. They felt like we needed to be in pads once a week. ... Just kind of knocking the dust off a little bit more during the week, so that when it comes to game day its not foreign for us to be in pads." -- Wyoming coach Dan Maciejczak.