LARAMIE - Tight-lipped as he might be, there's one fact Tom Burman can't hide.

The Wyoming athletic director didn't need to confirm the sight of Dave Christensen walking off a plane on Saturday night in Laramie.

The Missouri offensive coordinator didn't have much to celebrate after a disappointing loss to rival Kansas earlier in the day, but it apparently didn't do much to diminish his chances of replacing Joe Glenn and taking over as the next coach of the Cowboys.

A chartered flight left Laramie for Kansas City in the afternoon, picked up Christensen and landed back in Wyoming around 7 p.m., the first definitive evidence of reciprocal interest and progress for UW's marquee coaching gig.

"No comments tonight," Christensen said before climbing into a white Suburban with his family and a member of the UW athletic department.

Christensen wasn't the only one refusing to open up before his second interview with the Cowboys.

Burman spoke briefly before UW's basketball win over Denver about the success of his quick search so far, which is already halfway to meeting his desire to sit down with five or six possible candidates.

He also reiterated a goal to have the process wrapped up within the next two weeks, but UW could be well ahead of the pace in both areas considering the sudden appearance of Christensen.

The no-huddle, spread offense guru has been tied to several openings - including spots at Washington and New Mexico - but Burman's fast work and a situation that would seem to be desirable might have UW on the inside track for one of the nation's hottest assistants.

"We're right on schedule, we wanted to move as quick as we could, and we're doing fine," Burman said. "I guess five or six would be a good number (to interview), but if we find somebody in the process that's the right guy, it may be less than that."

The Cowboys might have already found him, though Burman reportedly still has plans to get back on the road either tonight or Monday.

Christensen will almost assuredly be leaving soon as well with the Tigers playing again in Kansas City this weekend in the Big XII title game after winning the conference's North Division.

But depending on the impression left by the lights at War Memorial Stadium and the royal treatment the Christensen family received at the Laramie airport, he might not need to leave again.

Even if there's not yet a firm timetable for when Burman might actually start talking about his current visitor.

Contact sports reporter Austin Ward at (307) 266-0634 or austin.ward@trib.com.

Cowboys Tracker

SATURDAY: UW athletic director Tom Burman continues to play the search for a football coach close to the vest, but he couldn't deny an appearance by Dave Christensen in Laramie on Saturday night.

The Missouri offensive coordinator flew in after the Tigers' loss to rival Kansas earlier in the day for his second interview and a visit around town.

COACHING CREDENTIALS: The no-huddle, spread offense guru is one of the hottest prospects in the nation and finished second last year in voting for the Frank Broyles Award (top assistant).

Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel was a Heisman Trophy finalist last season under Christensen, and improved play under center is one of UW's biggest needs.

HE SAID IT: "No comments tonight." - Christensen.