Karsten Sween never has been short on confidence, and one of the things that first impressed Wyoming coach Joe Glenn was the maturity Sween displayed, which always seemed well beyond his years.

Still, there has been a different swagger about Sween as the Cowboys have prepared for the 2007 season.

When the sophomore quarterback's first and second options prove useless, more often than not he checks his next available receivers before taking off on foot. Moreover, when guys in his huddle need pumping up, Sween quickly has asserted himself as the offense's take-charge guy.

A year ago, the kid from tiny Inyokern, Calif., was just trying to learn Wyoming's offense. After proving he is perhaps the top young quarterback in the Mountain West Conference, though, Sween is ready to tackle bigger obstacles this season.

"Last year, we didn't know who would be the guy," Sween said. "Now that I'm the guy, I'm trying to get the other guys up as much as possible at every practice. We're meshing so much better. (The receivers) know what's coming and I have much better chemistry with them. It's really going to open up the playbook. The more I play, the more film study I do, the easier it has become to read defenses."

Sween's leadership rallied the Cowboys last season. With a season of experience under the married, 20-year-old's belt, that role should expand this year.

Sween entered the game in the second half and nearly guided Wyoming to a comeback win at Syracuse, losing 40-34 in overtime, in the fifth game of the 2006 season. He started the Cowboys' final seven games and went 5-2.

Despite playing only once, briefly, before the Syracuse game, Sween still ranked sixth in the MWC with 1,304 passing yards. He completed 60.4 percent of his passes and threw nine touchdowns and eight interceptions, all commendable marks for a redshirt freshman.

Glenn hopes Sween's maturity will add more firepower to an offense that has seven returning starters. The Cowboys boast a solid running game with juniors Wynel Seldon and Devin Moore and have another weapon in receiver Michael Ford, who finished second in the MWC with five receptions a game.

"Remember, we started out last year with no quarterback having made a start in a college game, so what Karsten did was fantastic," Glenn said. "We had a 1-4 team here. We had a fragile psyche. Now we're putting in a freshman quarterback and we won five of the last seven games.

"He took the bull by the horns. For a guy who had never taken a snap in a college football game, it was incredible. We expect him to pick it up and get even better."

Depth chart

OFFENSE Pos. Starter Backup Comment

QB Karsten Sween Ian Hetrick Sween lost only twice as a starter.

RB Devin Moore Wynel Seldon Tandem combined for 1,184 rushing yards.

H-B Wade Betschart Greg Genho Betschart had 18 receptions last season.

WR Michael Ford Travis Burkhalter Ford closing in on all-time top-10 lists.

WR Greg Bolling David Leonard Big things expected from Bolling.

WR Hoost Marsh Kyle Jacobo Marsh ready for bigger role in offense.

TE Chris Sundberg Jesson Salyards Sundberg: eight catches in seven games.

LT Ryan Otterson Nick Brousseau Otterson replaces four-year starter.

LG Sam Sterner Zack Kennedy Sterner is part of youth movement on line.

C Tim Bond Eric Auflick Bond is on watch list for Rimington Trophy.

RG Russ Arnold Jack Tennant Arnold started three games last season.

RT Kyle Howard Garrett King Howard has started 16 consecutive games.

PK Billy Vinnedge Jake Scott Scott went 2-for-4 on field-goal attempts.

DEFENSE Pos. Starter Backup Comment

DT John Fletcher Danny Dutmer Fletcher beefed up to help bolster 3-4 front.

NG Fred Givens Ben Smith Givens (310 pounds) is the perfect plug.

DE Mitch Unrein Mike Neuhaus Unrein gained experience last season.

LB Sean Claffey Weston Johnson Claffey ranks high in tackles for loss, sacks.

LB Luke Chase John Prater Chase excelled against CSU, Air Force.

LB Ward Dobbs Zeb Whipp Dobbs was second-team all-MWC.

LB Mike Juergens Brandon Haugen Juergens is impressive all-around athlete.

CB Michael Medina Keith Lewis Medina broke up team-best seven passes.

CB Julius Stinson Troy Lewis One of best corner tandems in the MWC.

FS Quincy Rogers Chris Prosinski Rogers ranked seventh on team in tackles.

SS Michael Ray Alex Toney Ray must replace John Wendling.

P Billy Vinnedge Nick Landess Vinnedge averaged 43.2 yards.

Getting to know Karsten Sween

• The first jersey number you wore and why . . .

"My very, very first . . . when I first started playing I was bigger than everyone else so I played right guard. My dad liked No. 9, so I picked 99."

• Favorite NFL quarterback right now . . .

"Tom Brady, because he's smart and he's a proven winner."

• Music you listen to before games . . .

"On mornings of games, about two to three hours before, I listen to Christian rap or Christian rock. Then, before the game, I listen to (Christian rocker) Jeremy Camp."

• Favorite sports movie . . .

"I'd have to go with Radio for how it deals with sports as well as mental handicap issues."

• Best moment of freshman year was . . .

"My best game definitely was Utah (Sween was 17-of-24 for 202 yards and one touchdown in 31-15 win). Things were clicking for me. I want to have every game like that this year."

Three things the Cowboys must prove

1 That the defense can adapt to offensive adjustments throughout the Mountain West Conference. Wyoming's defense enjoyed a breakout season a year ago after shifting to a 3-4 formation. The Cowboys' conference opponents have had an entire offseason to study film and dissect cracks in Wyoming's armor.

2 That the offense can provide big-play ability. Wyoming averaged 3.6 yards a rushing attempt last season, but that total included 119 rushing yards on six trick-play carries by graduated safety John Wendling and a meaningless 71-yard touchdown run at the end of a 55-7 loss at Brigham Young. Karsten Sween was efficient in his first season as a starter, but only one of his nine touchdown passes was from beyond 26 yards.

3 That special teams can give the Cowboys an edge in field position battles. In the conference, Wyoming will win few blowouts and will lose even fewer. If punter Billy Vinnedge can keep the Cowboys in positive field position, he could be the unsung hero if they earn a bowl berth.

Schedule, forecast

Date Opponent Time Last year Pick

Sept. 1 VIRGINIA Noon Lost 13-12 (OT) Wyoming

Sept. 8 UTAH STATE Noon Won 38-7 Wyoming

Sept. 15 at Boise State 6 p.m. Lost 17-10 Boise State

Sept. 22 at Ohio TBA Did not play Ohio

Oct. 6 TEXAS CHRISTIAN Noon Lost 26-3 TCU

Oct. 13 NEW MEXICO Noon Won 14-10 Wyoming

Oct. 20 at Air Force Noon Lost 31-24 Wyoming

Oct. 27 NEVADA-LAS VEGAS Noon Won 34-26 Wyoming

Nov. 3 at San Diego State 7 p.m. Won 27-24 Wyoming

Nov. 10 at Utah 1:30 Won 31-15 Utah

Nov. 17 BRIGHAM YOUNG Noon Lost 55-7 Brigham Young

Nov. 23 at Colorado State Noon Won 24-0 Wyoming

• NOTE: Home games in CAPS. All times Mountain and subject to change .

• RADIO: KEPN-AM (1600) in Denver.

• TICKETS: 1-800-922-9641. WyomingAthletics.CSTV.com.

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