Evan Svoboda returns home to face Arizona State

After spending a season at Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, Svoboda transferred to the Cowboys and served as Andrew Peasley’s backup last fall. After making one start for UW in a road matchup against No. 3-ranked Texas, Svoboda was handed the keys to the Cowboys’ offense this offseason.

“Being named the starter, things can always change,” Svoboda told WyoSports on Monday. “You have to always continue to work, on and off the field. It’s constant preparation and doing the part. It’s been a really fun offseason getting to know the guys and getting to know the staff.”

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback’s start against the Longhorns was the first in his career. His second will come during this weekend’s season-opener at Arizona State on Saturday night in Tempe.

“It’s special,” Svoboda said. “It’s been a while since I’ve played in front of my friends, and my family for that matter. It’s going to be super exciting, and I’m excited to see them and to play for them.”

Jay Sawvel named Svoboda the Cowboys’ starting quarterback shortly after being hired as UW’s new head coach in December. The former defensive coordinator was impressed with Svoboda’s poise during his start against Texas, and he’s expecting similar results this weekend.

“His demeanor when we went to Texas was ... he was excited for his opportunity and wanted to go take charge of it, and he did a very good job with that,” Sawvel said Monday. “I think that’ll be the big key (against Arizona State) is to see, ‘OK, this is your full-time ship now.’ The control of emotion (is important).

“You just want to make sure he doesn’t go out there and he’s inaccurate early on because he’s so amped up or something that way. There’s a poise that comes with it, as well, with the execution that you have to have. I’m looking forward to seeing him play. I think we all are.”

Svoboda’s calmness playing in front of more than 100,000 fans last year in Austin helped solidify his confidence as a college quarterback. It was a learning experience the junior is taking with him into his first season as a full-time starter.

“That’s the plan,” Svoboda said with a smile. “When I go out there, I’m just kind of super poised. I try to just block out everything and go have fun. Kind of similar to the Texas game, I just want to go do my thing and go have fun. You can’t think too much. Just go out and enjoy it.

“... The biggest thing I think of is body language. You can’t allow the other team to see you get frustrated or upset. You just have to stay super controlled and super poised throughout the whole thing.”

The Cowboys will have a new playbook under first-year offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. When asked about his confidence level in the new system, Svoboda didn’t mince words.

“Extremely confident,” Svoboda said. “Having been hitting it the last couple weeks, especially during camp, I think we’re all super confident. The chemistry is better than it’s ever been, so we’re all looking forward to it.”

Four captains

Sawvel announced the team’s captains for the season Monday, a list including Svoboda, center Nofoafia Tulafono, defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole and linebacker Shae Suiaunoa.

Despite Svoboda being the youngest of the group, Sawvel feels his status as a captain — which is voted on by players — is a good indication of the trust he earned from his teammates over the offseason.

“When you have Evan being elected as a captain and having started one game as a quarterback in the program, I think that’s a good indication of what people feel that he is about and what he will bring when it is time to start playing,” Sawvel said.

Added Svoboda: “It’s super special, and it means a lot to me. Shout out to the guys on the team. I really appreciate them all, and having them vote me (captain), I’m super appreciative for just having those guys put their trust in me and seeing that I’m a leader and that I can lead these guys.”

The Cowboys will face Arizona State at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in Tempe.