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Texas Tech football: Wyoming Cowboys that Red Raider fans need to know

By Matthew Conner

Sep 3, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys head coach Craig Bohl leads his team out before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys head coach Craig Bohl leads his team out before the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will Wyoming center

Dec 30, 2022; Tucson, AZ, USA; Wyoming Cowboys running back Jordon Vaughn (28) and guard Nofoafia Tulafono (77) against the Ohio Bobcats during the 2022 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2022; Tucson, AZ, USA; Wyoming Cowboys running back Jordon Vaughn (28) and guard Nofoafia Tulafono (77) against the Ohio Bobcats during the 2022 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

be able to hold his own against the outstanding Texas Tech defensive tackles?

It is not easy to spotlight an offensive lineman because that position group usually goes unnoticed by fans as we are conditioned to watch the football more than the line play.  However, one important matchup this week will be Texas Tech’s talented defensive tackles against Wyoming’s massive center, Nofoafia Tulafono.

At 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, the California native is Wyoming’s biggest lineman.  He might also be its most important given that the Cowboys want to run the ball between the tackles.

Last season, Tulafono started all 13 games and was named Second Team All-Mountain West Conference by Pro Football Focus.  He also helped pave the way for a 1,000-yard rusher.

It could be argued that both centers in this game will be in the spotlight.  Tulafono will be because of his matchup with Jaylon Hutchings and Tony Bradford Jr. while Texas Tech center Rusty Staats will be watched closely because he will be making his first start as a Red Raider after transferring in from Western Kentucky.

The line of scrimmage is where most football games are won and that will especially be the case in this contest.  Each team is excited about what its center can bring to the equation this year but both Tulafono and Staats will be tested by quality defensive tackles on Saturday.

It will be tough to quantify what Tulafono is able to do on Saturday but if Wyoming has success running the ball up the middle, it will be a sign that he’s winning his battles.  So even though we may not think about this big center by name on Saturday, it will be easy to tell whether or not he’s having an impact.

The 2010's All-Decade Texas Tech offensive line. dark. Next

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