Just announced news from the UW Athletic dept and head coach Dave Christensen, sophomore quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels will be leaving the University of Wyoming for personal reasons. The reasons for ACS transferring are not known at this time, but he appears that the former MWC Freshman of the Year will be heading to a JUCO school. ACS informed coach Dave Christensen of his decision Monday, the day 2nd semester classes started at UW. ACS was the face of the UW program under Christensen and was confirmed early in the winter that ACS would be back for the Pokes in ’11. This move comes at the heels of the Cowboys losing starting safety Shamiel Gary, starting kicker Ian Watts, and wide receiver David Tooley last week.

The Cowboys will rely on a group of four quarterbacks going into next season, none of played a regular season game for the Cowboys. There are two redshirt QBs, Sam Stratton and Emory Miller Jr, and two verbal commits for the Pokes this year, Brett Smith, who has already enrolled at UW and is currently on campus, and Adam Pittser. The Pokes will begin the year with two FCS teams, which should help the new QBs transition into the role of starting quarterback.

Dave Christensen released a statement saying, “While it is disappointing to our team and Wyoming fans that Austyn has made this decision, if you are in this business long enough as a coach you face situations where young men choose to transfer.  We wish Austyn the best in his future.”  The news story broke when Eric Schmoldt from the Casper Star Tribune was on a phone call with ACS, who confirmed his plans to leave, then an email from ACS was sent to Schmoldt and Wyoming Tribune Eagle writer Robert Gagliardi informing them of his decision to leave UW. The MTN.TV collected this snippet from ACS “”I’m very appreciative of my time here in Laramie. Everyone has been very supportive since I got here, and it’s a decision I need to make for myself. Its not me thinking I’m better than the team or the school I committed to. Things have changed that I’d rather not talk about, I’m looking forward to my football future.”

ACS leaves UW with a 9-12 record as a starter, and threw 3655 yards and 19 touchdown passes, as well as 758 yards rushing and 6 rushing touchdowns.

Go Pokes!