All eyes were on the quarterbacks during Wyoming’s Spring Game, and the QB’s performed well Saturday afternoon in Laramie.

After a bit of a slow start for senior Nick Smith and redshirt freshman Tyler Vander Waal, both produced solid numbers. Both were also able to lead critical late drives that led to key scores, and neither turned the ball over.

Smith guided the Brown offense on an eight play, 74 yard drive that gave them their first lead of the day. Smith found Dontae Crow on a 38-yard catch and run for a touchdown. After a two-point pass to Mike Green II, the Brown led 8-7.

Vander Waal responded by leading the Gold on a 12 play, 56 yard drive in the last 1:45 for the game-winning field goal as time expired. The final was 10-8.

Smith also led the Gold to their first TD with 9:29 left in the second quarter. That 10 play, 75 yard drive was capped by Nico Evans 3-yard touchdown run.

Smith felt this was a respectable conclusion to spring practice.

Vander Wall said they made steps in the right direction.

Add-in junior Nick Szpor, and the Wyoming QB’s completed almost 66 percent of the passes. Combined they finished 25-of-38 for 250 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. The downfall was a few dropped passes and nine sacks. The no contact, touch rule (no tackling) for quarterbacks made it difficult to see if they would have been taken down.

Individually, Vander Waal was 15-23 for 129 yards. His longest connection was a 37-yard pass to Crow. Smith went 8-12 for 96 yards and one TD. His longest was the TD toss to Crow. Szpor added 2-3 for 25 yards, which included a 17-yarder to Milo Hall on his first attempt.

Head coach Craig Bohl was pleased with their play. He said they would announce a starter sometime next week, and that’s it’s been a close competition. Bohl also mentioned they’re not going to have a two-QB system or rotate them, but he likes competition.

Wyoming heads into its off-season before returning for Fall Camp in late July. The 2018 season begins August 25 at New Mexico State.

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