by Robert Gagliardi , Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

LARAMIE - First and foremost, the University of Wyoming football team hopes to go to Colorado Saturday and win.

But in the process, it also hopes to get a win in the ongoing recruiting battle in a state where 23 of its players list Colorado as home - the most of any state in the country.

"I think it is," UW coach Dave Christensen said Monday when asked if he thinks this game is important in recruiting. "It's certainly going to give us some exposure. There's no question it's going to make a statement for our program or their program."

Colorado has long been considered the king of the hill in terms of college football programs along the Front Range.

The Buffaloes are in the Big 12 Conference, a Bowl Championship Series affiliated league, and won a national championship in 1990.

Their athletics budget is larger than any of the other public schools along the Front Range. They also have shown over time they are more often than not better than UW (CU leads the series 22-3-1), Colorado State (CU leads 59-20-2) and Air Force (CU leads 12-4).

A UW win Saturday wouldn't erase history, but it certainly wouldn't hurt its present positioning in Colorado in terms of recruiting.

See UW, page B2

"There are a lot of kids we want that they're recruiting," said UW defensive coordinator Marty English, who recruits Colorado and did so the previous six years as linebackers coach for the Cowboys under former coach Joe Glenn.

"Fortunately, in the last three or four years, we've gotten some and they've gotten some."

Sophomore linebackers Gabe Knapton of Mead, Colo., and Brian Hendricks from Burlington, Colo., both turned down scholarship offers from CU and signed with the Cowboys.

Both also are starters this season.

"With the kids, it's about credibility," English added. "If they see you as a Mountain West Conference team that goes down and plays Colorado of the Big 12, and you beat them, then I think there's more recognition.

"It's up and down the Front Range. They all know who we are, but I still think kids believe there is a pecking order. I think the Mountain West has closed that gap tremendously.

"So whether it's CU or CSU, I think all of it is going to help with us winning in getting that recognition from the kids down there."

UW will stay Friday night in Boulder, Colo., but Christensen said he won't send any coaches out recruiting that night because he wants his assistants with their players making sure they are getting ready for the game.

That will wait until UW's bye week in mid-October and when the season's over.

And since this is a road game for UW, it won't host recruits at the game.

English added, however, that several Colorado kids were up for last weekend's Texas game and were "impressed" with what UW had to offer.

QB rotation the same

Like in the first two games, Christensen said junior Robert Benjamin will start at quarterback and true freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels also will play.

How much both quarterbacks play will be determined by Christensen and his staff late in the week.

Third of the story

"Not very good," Christensen said when asked about his team's 6 of 32 effort converting third downs this season, which is 111th out of 120 teams in the nation.

Christensen added that third down is only part of the problem.

"Generally, if you're struggling on third down, it's usually because you're not efficient on first and second down," he said.

Bolling back

Senior receiver Greg Bolling is expected to start against Colorado in his first game after serving a two-game suspension for violating team rules in the off-season.

"He was a starter prior to his suspension, so he comes back as a starter," Christensen said.

Bolling led UW with 26 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns last season. He is UW's most experienced and productive receiver with 62 catches for 646 yards and four touchdowns in his career.

"He has big-play ability," Christensen added. "He's been making a lot of plays at the other end on the scout team. If that's any indication of what's to come, then I think he's got a chance to be a great shot in the arm for this offense."

Injury report

Christensen said senior outside linebacker Weston Johnson (bruised left knee) will be limited today in practice, but he is expected to start and play Saturday.

Senior tight end Orlando Arnold (bruised back) also is expected to play.

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