LARAMIE — In a post-game discussion on Monday, Harrison Waylee expressed that he is not feeling disappointed with his involvement in the recent 24-10 Border War defeat against Colorado State, even though his body language and succinct responses suggested otherwise.
The senior running back’s role in the game was minimal; he was only given the ball eight times, resulting in a mere 15 yards rushing. Notably, he did not start the game for the Wyoming Cowboys and saw no handoffs during the fourth quarter, raising eyebrows about his usage in crucial moments.
Despite this, Waylee maintained his characteristic optimism, stating, “I was there. I just do what I had to do. They put me in, I do what I have to do.”
Jay Sawvel, Wyoming’s head coach, acknowledged after the game that a combination of different personnel packages and struggles along the offensive line contributed to Waylee’s limited touches. However, Monday saw him make a turnaround in his stance on Waylee’s role, emphatically stating, “He’s got to get the ball more,” highlighting that the eight carries were inadequate for a player of Waylee’s caliber. “He’s a home-run hitter, though, too, so that’s why you got to get him the ball. The eight carries weren’t enough, and we’ll get that addressed,” Sawvel reiterated.
Sawvel reflected that trailing 24-3 early in the third quarter drastically shifted the team’s strategy, which negatively impacted Waylee’s opportunities. However, Waylee had only three carries in the first half of the game, which raised questions about the game plan.
He reminisced about a previous encounter where Waylee showcased his explosive talent, recalling a game in September 2021 where Waylee rushed for 179 yards and scored two touchdowns in a wild win over Northern Illinois. In that game, Wyoming had a commanding lead before Northern Illinois rallied, demonstrating Waylee’s potential to change the game’s momentum drastically.
“We’ve got to make sure that we stay with that, to some degree,” Sawvel noted. “That’s something that, you know, we abandoned it too early and didn’t give him enough touches. That’s not going to be part of the plan going forward.”
Reflecting on injury concerns, Waylee mentioned dealing with a “little toe” ailment after a remarkable game against New Mexico, where he rushed for 170 yards on 27 carries and scored a touchdown. Sawvel indicated that without the bye week, Waylee might not have suited up at all due to this injury.
Waylee, who missed the first eight games of the season due to a knee injury, has since worked out a plan with Sawvel to compete in the final four games while keeping his redshirt status intact for a potential return to Laramie in 2025.
Asked about whether he felt he could find a rhythm with the offense, he pointed to Jamari Ferrell, who started in his place and finished the game with an impressive 74 yards on six carries. Waylee expressed pride in Ferrell’s performance, showing camaraderie among teammates.
As the team prepares for their upcoming game against Boise State with Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty, Waylee was nonchalant about whether he would start, indicating, “That doesn’t bother me, I’m still going to get playing time,” and emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “So, just as long as I play … It’s going to be a battle this week, Jamari and all of them. So, you know, whoever wins, I want them to play.”
Waylee recently surpassed the 3,000-yard mark in his career rushing total, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry and scoring 17 total touchdowns, six of which have been scored since his transfer to Wyoming.
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**Editor’s Note: Interview with Harrison Waylee**
**Interviewer:** Harrison, thank you for joining us today. You mentioned after the game that you weren’t disappointed with your performance against Colorado State, even though your body language suggested otherwise. Can you elaborate on that?
**Harrison Waylee:** Thanks for having me. I mean, I’m here for the team, you know? I did what I could when I was given the chance. It’s all about the team’s success for me, so I just focus on what I can control.
**Interviewer:** You had a pretty limited number of carries during the game — only eight for 15 yards. Was it frustrating for you to not have more opportunities, especially when the team fell behind?
**Harrison Waylee:** It’s always tough to see the team struggle, and as a player, you want to make an impact. But I trust the coaches’ decisions. Sometimes the game just goes that way; you can’t always predict how things will unfold.
**Interviewer:** Your head coach, Jay Sawvel, has said that you need more touches and that your potential as a “home-run hitter” hasn’t been fully utilized. How do you feel about his comments?
**Harrison Waylee:** I appreciate his support. It’s nice to hear him recognize my abilities. I just want to do my part. If I get the ball more, I’ll make the most of it, but it’s all about what the team needs.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are you hoping for in the coming games, especially with regards to your role?
**Harrison Waylee:** I hope we can stick to our game plan and incorporate all our strengths. As for me, I just want to help push for victory, no matter how many touches I get. We all have to keep improving.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned earlier in the season that you were dealing with a muscle strain. Are you feeling fully recovered now?
**Harrison Waylee:** Absolutely. I’m feeling great and ready to go. Injuries are part of the game, but I’m just focused on being healthy and contributing to my team.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Harrison. Best of luck in the upcoming games!
**Harrison Waylee:** Thanks! I appreciate it.
