Wyoming coach is a Weddle fan

Joe Glenn has a high opinion of Eric Weddle.

"He should win the Heisman Trophy," Glenn said. "I sincerely mean that."

The Wyoming coach and the Utah cornerback have a history. They've known each other for years — dating back to Weddle's high school days when Glenn, who was coaching Montana at the time, actively recruited him.

"We knew who he was early. We watched him. He was off the beaten path and under the radar screen a little bit," Glenn said. "We were recruiting him and calling him every week.

"He wasn't getting a lot of that even though he did everything for his high school team that he's doing for Utah," he added.

Montana offered him a scholarship after his junior year.

"If I didn't come here I was going up there for sure because of coach Glenn," Weddle said. "He's a great guy and I respect him as a coach and for everything he's done for that program turning it around. I wish him all the best."

Glenn and Weddle had a chance to hang out a little bit at the Mountain West Conference media blitz in Coronado, Calif., over the summer.

"He's one of my favorites," Glenn said. "A terrific guy and a sensational football player."

As coach of the nation's top pass defense (allowing just 106.2 yards per game), Glenn is well-versed in recognizing talent in the secondary. He'll be surrounded by such in Saturday's game at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie with All-America candidates Weddle and Wyoming senior safety John Wendling on the field.

"They're both great, great athletes," Glenn said. "I think it's obvious Eric makes more plays than anybody in the United States. John makes a lot of plays as well, but there aren't many people who can do what Eric is doing. He's a fantastic football player."

Though the Cowboys can't match Weddle's six interceptions, they do have effective all-around pass protection.

Glenn credits the play of unheralded cornerbacks Michael Medina and Julius Stinson, who are first-year starters, and safeties Wendling and Dorsey Golston for setting the tone.

Athletic linebackers, an improved pass rush and the luxury of going two deep up front are bolstering Wyoming's success in defending the pass.

"Those things have added up to some pretty decent numbers for us," Glenn said.

In last week's 14-10 win at New Mexico, the Cowboys racked up season highs with eight tackles-for-loss and four sacks. They enter their homecoming date with Utah on a roll of sorts—holding four of six opponents to under 250 yards of total offense.

Wyoming's defense also tops the MWC in pass efficiency and total defense.

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Utes on the air

Utah (4-2, 2-0-) at Wyoming (2-4, 1-1)

Saturday, 1 p.m.

War Memorial Stadium

Laramie, Wyo.

TV: The mtn.

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E-mail: dirk@desnews.com