by Ian St. Clair , Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

LARAMIE - As a kid, Shamiel Gary dreamed he'd one day play college football .

Yet, even then, he could have never dreamed of this kind of start.

Indeed, his three interceptions in his first collegiate game for the University of Wyoming football team are very much real.

Gary's three picks helped the Cowboys to a 29-22 defeat of Weber State on Saturday at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium.

Still, if Gary is dreaming, he doesn't want woken up.

"It was a good start," he said. "I wasn't expecting that to happen, but I was expecting to play good. I didn't really think about doing anything like that when I was a kid.

"I used to play quarterback as a kid. But it was a good experience. And it was a good start for the first game of the year."

It's safe to say Gary's performance is one of the best of his life. And it's one he won't soon forget.

"I have never gotten three picks in my life," Gary said. "I used to play linebacker in high school. But when I was a quarterback, I also never threw three interceptions."

Gary's three picks in one game

ties him with two others for the most in UW history.

The true freshman joins Selmer Pederson who did it in 1950 against Denver, and Brian Lee who did it in 1996 against Southern Methodist and 1997 against Montana.

But don't forget, Gary did this in his first game.

"Not bad for a true freshman, huh?" First-year UW coach Dave Christensen said. "He's got a chance to get some honors this week. But you could see, though, that he's on defense because he dropped a couple. He probably could have had five.

"But he played a great game. We're real proud for a young guy to get three interceptions in his first game."

Now that Gary has set the bar like he has, how does he top it?

"I just have to keep working hard," he said. "I have to keep working hard each practice, and each game I have to improve."

More firsts

Coupled with Gary's three picks, the Pokes finished with five as a team.

It is the most turnovers UW has forced since its 37-32 defeat of Ole Miss in Laramie in 2004.

The other two interceptions came from guys who recorded their first career picks in senior linebacker Weston Johnson and sophomore cornerback Tashaun Gipson.

"That coverage . I was where I was supposed to be for once," Johnson said. "I messed that coverage up a couple times in practice this week. So I was just waiting for the receiver to make his break so I could see what route he was running.

"Then, I finally looked back at the quarterback, and to my luck, he threw it."

Not to be outdone, UW freshman running back Alvester Alexander scored on his first career carry.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound back raced 44 yards untouched to the South end zone to give the Pokes a 7-0 lead.

Moving on up

Senior defensive tackle John Fletcher recorded two sacks to give him 19 for his career.

He is now in a three-way tie for No. 8 on Wyoming's career list with Craig Schlichting (1986-89) and Brent Schieffer (1991-94).

Fletcher also blocked a Weber State field goal in the third quarter.

Injury report

Tashaun Gipson left with a back injury in the third quarter and is set for re-evaluation early this week.

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