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2017 Wyoming Offense - Craig Bohl & Brent Vigen

In 2017, the Wyoming Cowboys’ offense, led by head coach Craig Bohl and offensive coordinator Brent Vigen, was a run-heavy, pro-style unit that helped the team achieve an 8-5 record, a tie for second in the Mountain West Conference’s Mountain Division, and a victory in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl over Central Michigan (37-14). The offense, built around quarterback Josh Allen’s arm and a bruising ground game, ranked 76th in FBS, scoring 305 points (23.5 points per game), 104th in total yards (346.5 per game), 29th in rushing yards (179.6 per game), and 119th in passing yards (166.9 per game), per Sports-Reference.com. While not explosive, the offense complemented a stout defense (17.5 points allowed per game, 9th in FBS) to secure Wyoming’s first back-to-back bowl appearances since 1987-88.

Bohl and Vigen’s pro-style offense, rooted in Bohl’s Nebraska and North Dakota State pedigree, emphasized a power run game with fullbacks and tight ends, paired with play-action passes to exploit Allen’s strong arm, as noted in USA Today. The system used 12 and 22 personnel (1-2 RBs, 1-2 TEs) to control the line of scrimmage, with 222 more rushing attempts (529) than passes (307), per Bohl’s “bareknuckle” philosophy. Zone and gap schemes dominated the run game, while the passing attack focused on deep shots and quick outs, though it struggled with efficiency (5.9 yards per attempt, 115th). The no-huddle was used sparingly, with the offense ranking 10th in the Mountain West in time of possession (28:58 per game), reflecting a deliberate pace.

Quarterback Josh Allen, a junior, was the focal point, throwing for 1,812 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, with a 56.3% completion rate, while rushing for 204 yards and 5 touchdowns. His raw talent, highlighted by a 70-yard touchdown pass against Boise State, drew NFL attention, leading to his No. 7 overall draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2018. Running back Kellen Overstreet led with 419 yards and 3 touchdowns, supported by Milo Hall (397 yards, 3 TDs) and quarterback Sean Chambers in short-yardage roles. Wide receiver Austin Conway was the top receiver with 24 catches for 243 yards, while tight end Josh Harshman and fullback Drew Van Maanen were key blockers. The offensive line, featuring Pahl Olinger and Brinkley Seymore, powered 2,335 rushing yards (4.4 yards per carry) but allowed 25 sacks, per GoWyo.com.
Standout games included a 28-23 upset over Boise State, where Allen threw for 131 yards and a touchdown, and the bowl win over Central Michigan, with 237 total yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. However, inconsistency plagued the offense, notably in a 23-13 loss to Iowa, where Allen threw 2 interceptions and the team managed 233 yards, and a 45-10 loss to Oregon, with just 183 total yards. Vigen noted Allen’s improved decision-making but acknowledged the passing game’s struggles due to new receivers and a lack of continuity.

The offense faced growing pains transitioning from a spread system under previous coach Dave Christensen to Bohl’s pro-style attack, a process Vigen described as requiring time to align personnel. The departure of running back Brian Hill (1,860 yards in 2016) to the NFL left a void, and the receiving corps, lacking a true No. 1 target, limited passing efficiency. Wyoming ranked 104th in third-down conversions (34.5%) and ran just 836 plays (96th), partly due to a defense-heavy game plan. Bohl and Vigen’s focus on developing under-recruited talent, like Allen, paid dividends, but the offense was critiqued for being “subpar” and “inconsistent,” with Vigen under scrutiny for a lack of passing balance.

The 2017 Wyoming offense, while not statistically dominant, was effective in Bohl and Vigen’s culture-driven program, which prioritized physicality and complementary football. Allen’s development under Vigen, who had a track record with quarterbacks like Carson Wentz, solidified Wyoming’s reputation for producing NFL talent. The season’s 8-5 record and bowl win marked a program resurgence, with Bohl earning Mountain West Coach of the Year honors. However, fan frustration with the offense’s conservatism foreshadowed Vigen’s departure to Montana State in 2021, where he became head coach. For Wyoming, 2017 was a stepping stone in Bohl’s rebuild, proving his smashmouth style could compete in the Mountain West despite offensive limitations.

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