LARAMIE — He knew the question was coming.

The performance that just took place inside University Stadium over the previous three hours warranted an answer.

Why did it take so long to insert Kaden Anderson under center, replacing an ineffective Evan Svoboda?

Jay Sawvel pointed to a number of reasons that evening in Albuquerque.

First and foremost, there was Anderson’s injury history. The Southlake Carroll product suffered two ACL tears, derailing what was supposed to be a decorated prep career at that Texas football factory.

Jayden Clemons took the majority of the scout team snaps in 2023 while Anderson slowly rehabbed his knee back into playing shape. The senior back-up again asserted himself the following offseason before unexpectedly leaving the program in early October.

Was Anderson truly ready to take the reins and lead this offense?

The eye test was important in this equation, too, according to Sawvel.

Wyoming’s head coach said though Anderson had a solid fall camp — and was showing constant improvement — he was not yet the guy who just torched New Mexico’s secondary to the tune of 342 yards through the air and three scores. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound signal caller also added a rushing touchdown during his starting debut.

“I was just out there having fun, playing ball,” Anderson said postgame. “It was a really great time.”

He was also named the Mountain West’s Freshman of the Week.

Sawvel added additional rationale to his ultimate decision earlier this month after an early morning workout in Laramie.

“One of the things that we had to take into consideration, Evan was like our run game, too,” he said. “It’s like, OK, if Evan Svoboda wasn’t playing quarterback, then what were we doing in the run game? You know, Sam Scott was banged up. Harrison Waylee wasn’t around.

“… When you’re down a couple of offensive linemen, it’s like, OK, we’re not just rolling people out of there. Evan had to be a big chunk of the run game.”

Running back DJ Jones also left the program for “personal reasons” after the non-conference slate. Jamari Ferrell was averaging under four yards per carry.

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After that spirited victory over the Lobos last November, one in which the Cowboys found the end zone on their initial four possessions and overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, Sawvel smiled and simply said, “I think we found a quarterback.”

“There is so much to build on with that guy,” he continued. “So, we’re excited … I’m proud of the way Kaden played today.”

Anderson, still sporting that curly hair do and ever-present smile, blew through drills inside the team’s indoor practice facility two weeks ago, competing against Wyoming’s newest gun slinger, Mason Drube.

They raced around cones. They sprinted. They weaved around tackling dummies.

The bulky black brace Anderson has worn for two years on his surgically repaired right knee is gone. He’s healthy. He’s visibly stronger. He’s in a great mental space, too, Sawvel added.

The biggest difference, though, might be in the leadership category.

“Way different,” Sawvel said bluntly. “… This is an incredible offseason for him.”

Anderson and Cowboys are set to begin spring practices Tuesday, March 25 in Laramie. The annual Brown and Gold Spring game will take place Saturday, April 26 inside War Memorial Stadium.

– University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players