Setting the Stage: Antwi Continues Comeback Path

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at Wyoming

The box score doesn't tell the whole story.

According to the numbers, it was just one catch, good for 3 yards on two targets. To Kojo Antwi, the figures tell a completely different story.

"I was pretty excited. Obviously, it wasn't what I wanted in terms of reps, but I was just excited to be out there, especially after this injury," Antwi said. "It's been seven-and-a-half months. I mean, I'm blessed. I thank God for giving me great trainers in the training room and just a good supporting cast here just to help me get back to where I want to be."

Which is not where the wideout wants to be, but it is more than amazing the injury he sustained was to his Achillies' tendon. He transferred in from Ohio State after the setback and has been working ever since to get back into form.

In the spring he watched. In the summer he started running.

A few reps and one catch is a start.

"I wish I could have got on the field and done something with it, but the catch definitely felt good," he said with a big smile. "It felt good to have the ball in my hands, for sure. Realistically, I didn't think I would be back right now. Like I said, it's all been God and the trainers here, everybody here that's been helping me every day.

"Hopefully this week I'll get some more reps and try and get more catches and stuff like that, but whatever the team needs me to do this week, I'll do."

A statement which comes as no surprise to coach Jay Norvell, who has seen Antwi do nothing but impress from his first day on campus.

Norvell has witnessed the work and the dedication to task, even with the idea it could be late in the season before he could impact the offense. Antwi had different plans.

"He's been amazing. We have a lot of guys impacting our team that haven't played a lot, and he's one of them," Norvell said. "I always mention Phillip Ocon snapping left-handed, but Kojo has just been amazing. The way he works, his toughness, his resiliency, his dependability every day, and he's just continuing to get healthier, and the healthier he gets, the more he's going to help us. We're looking forward to him. You know, as conference play comes on, he should be a big part of what we're doing."
Not Stereotypical

The corners were brought in to help tighten coverage, but they've proven – especially Lamondre Joe – they aren't afraid to come up and produce a hit.

Count linebacker Owen Long – who leads the country in tackles per game – among the impressed, saying after Saturday's game they are not the "stereotypical" corners who try to avoid contact.

Joe is second on the team in tackles with 18, and he's second on the team with 2.5 tackles for loss. Jahari Rogers has one for loss himself as part of his 10 stops. Joe also leads the team with six passes broken up, while Rogers has a pick to go with two breakups. Each of them also has a quarterback hurry.

"I think it's all been by design. I mean, we demand physicality from our skill players," Norvell said. "I mean, if you're going to be a corner or a wide receiver in our program, you're going to block and you're going to tackle. And I've been so proud of Lemondre and Jahari. The edge pressure that we put on them really changed the game."

Norvell referenced a hit by Rogers on quarterback Owen McCown, and a snap later, the UTSA quarterback forced a bad pass under pressure which was intercepted.

It is by design, as defensive coordinator Tyson Summers said he expects his corners to make plays like they did, such as when Joe blew up a slip screen, putting them in positions to be physical in their play.

Here and There

Norvell announced the team took another hit to the defensive line with the loss of Mukendi Wa-Kalonji to a knee injury which will keep him out for the season. That's two starters lost to the unit from the opening week, with Gabe Jones injured in the Washington game. … Norvell is hopeful to get both Jaxxon Warren and Jordan Ross, both being game-time decisions. … Washington State ranks No. 133 in turnover margin, gaining just two and turning the ball over nine times, five of them interceptions.

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