Wyoming Holds Off Late Air Force Surge on Senior Night

Game Recap: Wyoming 74, Air Force 63 Wyoming Holds Off Late Air Force Surge on Senior Night Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire The Cowboys leaned heavily on their seniors to secure their final home win of the season. As the college basketball …

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 Game Recap: Wyoming 74, Air Force 63


Wyoming Holds Off Late Air Force Surge on Senior Night


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

The Cowboys leaned heavily on their seniors to secure their final home win of the season.

As the college basketball season is nearing it’s end in most conferences around the country. Fans around the Mountain West still have one more week of the regular season to go before they find their way to Sin City next week to end things the proper way, via net cutting.

Kicking Tuesday night’s action off was senior night in Laramie. With five players celebrating their Cowboy careers, looking for one last win against the visiting Air Force Falcons.

Wyoming came into this one also hoping to end a four game losing streak, which included two losses at home & two more on the road against teams from the top-half of the conference standings. Nothing to bat an eye at given how fierce Mountain West play has really been this season.

Just ask Air Force, who are riding a two game losing streak themselves. Falling by double-digits to league leaders Boise State & Utah State last week. Although the Falcons are likely also grateful they were able to end a seven game losing streak the week before with an upset win at New Mexico.

So to say the conference title would be up for grabs for grabs or a postseason appearance being on the line in Laramie on Tuesday night is far fetched. It didn’t stop either team from giving it everything they had inside the Arena-Auditorium.

Air Force has been known to start things very quickly this season, taking quick leads right out of the gate all season. Their only problem is letting the other team take control & beat them, usually in the second-half. Tuesday night was no different, as the Falcons scored the first six points of the night, thanks to back-to-back three pointers from Beau Becker & Byron Brown.

On the other side of the court, their hosts struggled as well. With Sam Griffin getting things started for the Cowboys with a three pointer of his own after four straight misses for Wyoming after tip-off.

It wouldn’t be that way for long. As senior Kenny Foster started what would become a 7-0 run with a layup in the paint.

A Luke Kearney three-pointer at the top of the arc ended that scoring drought to bring Air Force to within one just under the ten minute mark. After, a Wenzel layup on the other end extended their deficit by three.

Jeffrey Mills would tie things up at 15 a piece with his own three-pointer & not let the play end there by securing a steal off the Wyoming inbound while the rest of his team was already jogging back to play defense. Kearney utilized a turnaround jumper at the top of the key to give the Falcons back the lead at 17-15.

Ethan Taylor was able to put some points on the board with yet another Falcon three-pointer out of the timeout. As the first-half clock continued to wind down without much scoring on either side. Griffin netted his second three-point field goal of the night to put Wyoming back on top before a mass substitution by Jeff Linder. As fans yearned for scoring in the last closing minutes of the first-half, each squad finally answered.

After scoring runs on both sides of the ball, both teams went to their locker rooms after the half-time buzzer with Wyoming up 27-22.

Air Force was able to stay in competitive in the first twenty of minutes of play via their shooting from behind the arc. Which should be a no brainer at this point of the season. Entering half-time with a 5-14 (35.7%) shooting performance, which at times made them look dangerous. While their 8-24 (33.3%) shooting from the floor made them look vulnerable.

Luke Kearney led the Falcons with 7 first-half points off of 3-8 shooting in just eight minutes on the floor.

On the other side it was a cool & calm 14 points from Sam Griffin that led the way for the Cowboys. Including an impressive 3-5 shooting performance from beyond the arc, while the rest of his team shot a bleak 1-7 combined.

Neither team heard much of the whistle blown in the first-half & only made a combined five trips to the charity stripe. Air Force has built a bit of a reputation for hanging around and even leading teams in the first-half before fizzling out in the second.

Sometimes patterns & reputation are to be trusted for what they are. As the Falcons came out swinging, they just didn’t manage to hit anything fresh out of half-time. Wyoming wasn’t really dialed in either. Finding their first four points via the free throw line before they went on an unanswered 14-0 run in the first six minutes out of the break.

Jeffrey Mills finally ended that horrid shooting streak with another Falcon three-pointer. Air Force would proceed to put every previously mentioned notion about their second-half play to bed for the next seven minutes. Outscoring their hosts 21-12 during that time to bring their deficit to single-digits (53-44).

Wyoming grew their lead to double figures once again, capitalizing off of four straight made free throws. Air Force wasn’t out of steam just yet, with back-to-back three-point jumpers from Mills & Kearney in consecutive possessions.

Wenzel attempted to extend the home squad’s lead with an and-one opportunity down low. Which worked, before a couple of Air Force attempts on the other end lead to another Jeffrey Mills three-pointer shrank the deficit to it’s smallest all half to just 60-56.

It didn’t stop there as each side exchanged shots from inside the paint & beyond the arc as they approached the final two minutes of the game. Scoring leaders Brendan Wenzel & Jeffrey Mills continued to exchange buckets before Joe Scott called timeout to end the firefight.

After the timeout freshman Cam Manyawu found himself with the ball in the paint but couldn’t capitalize.

Air Force took possession & ran down to the other end, but made a fatal mistake. After staying in this one thanks to their three-point shooting, they held on to the ball too long & settled for a mid-range jumper. It didn’t go in & Akuel Kot went on to make four straight free throw attempts.

Air Force missed two straight three-pointers during that same time & the night was over. Wyoming escaped with their last home win of the season, holding strong to secure the 74-63 win over Air Force.

The Falcons went home with another loss in conference play, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Finding more offensive success in the second-half, shooting 48.1% (13-27) from the floor, 85.7% (6-7) from the free throw line & 40.9% (9-22) from three-point range. It was a great performance, but the home team played just a tad bit better.

The Cowboys were on absolute fire in the second-half; shooting 14-26 (53.8%) from the floor, 4-8 (50%) from deep & a surgical 15-16 (93.8%) from the charity stripe. Mostly thanks to a whopping 19 points from Akuel Kot & 15 points from Brendan Wenzel, two Cowboys playing their last games inside Arena-Auditorium.

Yes, the Cowboys were the favorites heading into this one, but as we’ve seen all season, no one is immune to the upset this year. Jeff Linder’s group stood tall & matched the Falcons’ energy all game & kept the last possible home win of the season at home on senior night.

Player Spotlights

Air Force GJeffrey Mills & Byron Brown

Stat line: Mills-17 points & 3 assists on 6-8 shooting (75%) from the floor & 5-7 (71.4%) from deep in just 24 minutes of action Brown-16 points on 6-13 (46.1%) shooting & 33.3% from deep in just 23 minutes of action

It was time for a co-player spotlight for Air Force. Jeffrey Mills had a very clutch 24 minutes on the floor. Scoring 14 of his team-high 17 points in the second-half & keeping the Cowboys on their toes in the process.

While Brown enjoyed a career high 16 points in just 23 minutes of play time. And in my opinion, helped Mills bring the Falcons to within striking distance with 11 of his points coming after half-time.

Wyoming G-Akuel Kot

Stat line: 19 points, 2 rebounds, & 2 assists on 6-13 shooting (46.1%) from the floor & 6-6 (100%) from the line in 35 minutes of action

The D-II transfer who celebrated his lone season in Laramie on senior night was huge for the Cowboys. Kot was one of three players to score 19+ points against the Falcons. But he scored all 19 of his points in the second-half. Keeping Air Force at bay as their guests brought the lead to within a few possessions late in the game, but Kot was there to get the job done.

Next Up:

Wyoming finishes out their regular season in Fresno on Saturday. The Bulldogs will be fighting for their last win of the regular season with no tangible stakes on the line aside from winning momentum heading to Las Vegas.

Fresno State is looking to end a five game losing streak tomorrow night against New Mexico before they host the Cowboys on Saturday. That game tips off at 5:00 PM MT and can be streamed on the Mountain West Network.

Air Force heads home to finish out their regular season against in-state conference foe Colorado State. The Rams will travel to Colorado Springs for their last game of the regular season after winning the second-leg of their basketball version of the boarder war last Saturday.

That matchup tips off at 2:00 PM MT and can be streamed on the Mountain West Network Saturday March 9th.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule

2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule The schedule is out! Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire Get ready for some football! The Mountain West released its football schedule for this fall, without TV schedules so there could be changes. The league …

2024 Mountain West College Football Schedule


The schedule is out!


Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire

Get ready for some football!

The Mountain West released its football schedule for this fall, without TV schedules so there could be changes.

The league includes Washington State and Oregon State which are quasi-members of the Mountain West.

Those two schools will play seven games against the Mountain West but they are not eligible to win the conference title.

Television assignments for Fox and CBS will be released at a later date.

Saturday, Aug. 24

Delaware State at Hawai‘i
SMU at Nevada
Montana State at New Mexico

Thursday, Aug. 29

Sacramento State at San José State

Saturday, Aug. 31

Merrimack at Air Force
Boise State at Georgia Southern
Colorado State at Texas
Fresno State at Michigan
UCLA at Hawai‘i
Nevada at Troy
New Mexico at Arizona
Texas A&M Commerce at San Diego State
UNLV at Houston
Robert Morris at Utah State
Wyoming at Arizona State
Idaho State at Oregon State
Portland State at Washington State

Saturday, September 7

San José State at Air Force
Boise State at Oregon
Northern Colorado at Colorado State
Sacramento State at Fresno State
Georgia Southern at Nevada
Oregon State at San Diego State
Utah Tech at UNLV
Utah State at USC
Idaho at Wyoming
Texas Tech at Washington State

Saturday, September 14

Air Force at Baylor
Colorado at Colorado State
New Mexico State at Fresno State
Hawai‘i at Sam Houston
Nevada at Minnesota
New Mexico at Auburn
San Diego State at California
Kennesaw State at San José State
UNLV vs. KansasUtah at Utah State
BYU at Wyoming
Oregon at Oregon State
Washington State vs. Washington

Saturday, September 21

Portland State at Boise State
UTEP at Colorado State
Fresno State at New Mexico
Northern Iowa at Hawai‘i
Eastern Washington at Nevada
San José State at Washington State
Utah State at Temple
Wyoming at North Texas
Purdue at Oregon State

Saturday, September 28

Air Force at Wyoming
Washington State at Boise State
Fresno State at UNLV
New Mexico at New Mexico State
San Diego State at Central Michigan

Saturday, October 5

Navy at Air Force
Utah State at Boise State
Colorado State at Oregon State
Hawai‘i at San Diego State
Nevada at San José State
Syracuse at UNLV

Saturday, October 12

Air Force at New Mexico
Boise State at Hawai‘i
San José State at Colorado State
Washington State at Fresno State
Oregon State at Nevada
San Diego State at Wyoming
UNLV at Utah State

Saturday, October 19

Colorado State at Air Force
Fresno State at Nevada
Hawai‘i at Washington State
New Mexico at Utah State
Wyoming at San José State
UNLV at Oregon State

Saturday, October 26

Boise State at UNLV
New Mexico at Colorado State
San José State at Fresno State
Nevada at Hawai‘i
Washington State at San Diego State
Utah State at Wyoming
Oregon State at California

Saturday, November 2

Air Force at Army
San Diego State at Boise State
Colorado State at Nevada
Hawai‘i at Fresno State
Wyoming at New Mexico

Saturday, November 9

Fresno State at Air Force
Nevada at Boise State
UNLV at Hawai‘i
New Mexico at San Diego State
San José State at Oregon State
Utah State at Washington State

Saturday, November 16

Oregon State at Air Force
Boise State at San José State
Wyoming at Colorado State
Hawai‘i at Utah State
Washington State at New Mexico
San Diego State at UNLV

Saturday, November 23

Air Force at Nevada
Boise State at Wyoming
Colorado State at Fresno State
San Diego State at Utah State
UNLV at San José State
Washington State at Oregon State

Saturday, November 30

Air Force at San Diego State
Oregon State at Boise State
Utah State at Colorado State
Fresno State at UCLA
New Mexico at Hawai‘i
Nevada at UNLV
Stanford at San José State
Wyoming at Washington State

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No. 25 New Mexico Achieves Sweep of Wyoming On the Road, Winning 91-73 in Laramie

Game Recap: No. 25 New Mexico 91, Wyoming 73 New Mexico sweeps Wyoming for the first time in three seasons. Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire No. 25 New Mexico sweeps Wyoming after second double-digit win over the Cowboys this season. Laramie, …

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 Game Recap: No. 25 New Mexico 91, Wyoming 73


New Mexico sweeps Wyoming for the first time in three seasons.


Contact/Follow @HardwoodTalk & @MWCwire

No. 25 New Mexico sweeps Wyoming after second double-digit win over the Cowboys this season.

Laramie, WY–The month of February is a special time of year. A time for love related holidays while also known for being the shortest month of the year. But maybe most importantly, it’s do or die time in conference play. And as far as must win games go, look no further than New Mexico’s trip north to face an always dangerous Wyoming team at home.

When Wyoming traveled to Albuquerque back in early January, they suffered a lopsided 77-60 loss in one of the toughest environments in the country. Since, the Cowboys have logged quality conference wins over rivals Colorado State & Nevada among others. Mostly due in part to the elevated play of Mason Walters & Brendan Wenzel to go along with the season long stellar play from Sam Grffin & Akuel Kot.

Both programs have split this regular season series the past two seasons. Including a double-digit avenging win by Jeff Linder’s squad inside the Pit by last Valentine’s day. Which happened during the Lobo’s Mountain West stretch without Jaelen House.

A healthy and dangerous New Mexico squad traveled to Laramie Tuesday night. Looking for their first sweep over the Cowboys since the 2019-2020 season, before Linder came to town. Something easier said than done as of late in an elevated Mountain West.

Things started off slow for both sides, with Wyoming missing their first five field goals and the Lobos committing two turnovers in the first few minutes of play. It wouldn’t last long as the Lobos took the early 9-3 lead soon after.

The Cowboys kept pounding the ball to Walters in the Paint, hoping to get him going early. Though in turn he missed all three of his field goals. An Akuel Kot three got Wyoming back in the game. Not to take all the credit, as New Mexico had five turnovers to that point. A Sam Griffin three pointer tied things up at 12 a piece at the 10:20 mark.

After a rare air ball by Jaelen House, he would drain his next to help end his team’s scoring drought. Both teams continued to trade buckets before the Lobos went on a 9-0 run to take the 33-20 lead with five minutes left in the first half.

Back-to-back Donovan Dent buckets combined with seven straight missed Cowboy field goals gave New Mexico the edge. Wyoming players looked winded in their own arena thanks to the Lobos’ elite offensive tempo just before half-time. They didn’t quit though. As a 5-0 Cowboy run after a timeout caused a Richard Pitino timeout of his own as momentum began to swing the other way.

It was enough to give New Mexico’s head man a bit of a scare but his squad still went into the locker room up 40-25 at the half.

Both teams began the second half quickly, with Mason Walters making only his second field goal of the night in the Cowboys opening possession. As Lobo freshman JT Toppin responded with a three pointer on the other end.

The Lobos would increase their lead with six straight points from Jamal Mashburn Jr. paired with a Jaelen House three as the cherry on top of that 9-0 run. Both teams would continue to trade buckets the rest of the way, but New Mexico’s lead stayed comfortably in the double-digits during that stretch.

Wyoming had a few runs which helped them shrink the Lobo lead to as little as 13 points as the game clocked chipped away, but it wasn’t enough. Thanks to that Lobo run mid-way through the first-half, the Cowboys never caught up.

It was a valiant effort though, with four Cowboys in double figures. Including 12 points & 7 rebounds from Cam Manyawu off of the bench for a quality 23 minutes. The freshman was joined by Akuel Kot (13 points), Sam Griffin (19 points) & Brendan Wenzel (20 points, read more below). As a whole Wyoming shot well with 27-67 (40.3%) made field goals but had a horrific night from beyond the arc on 6-26 (23.1%) shooting.

On the New Mexico side of things, they couldn’t miss. Shooting 45.1% from the field on a whopping 71 attempts, including shooting 13-35 (37%) from deep. Those 13 made three point field goals nearly tied their season high of 14 made against New Mexico State back in early December.

Five Lobos logged double-figures, Donovan Dent (19 points), Jamal Mashburn Jr. (15 points), Jaelen House (17 points), Mustapha Amzil (13 points) & a JT Toppin double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds). Giving him the record of most double-doubles by a freshman in a single season (8).

“It was a complete game. We built a lead and I thought they would throw a punch and they are really good offensively. We did a good job of sustaining it, getting some stops when we needed to and convert on the other end. I was concerned about this game. It is always a unique element with the elevation. I thought our guys were so locked in and were mature.” said Richard Pitino

These games may not feel super exciting, especially looking at a sparse crowd inside Arena-Auditorium Tuesday night. But at the end of the day, these are the games you have to win.

A loss to anyone outside of the top-half of the conference standings is nothing but a blotch on your resume at this point of the season. And the Lobos knew that. They also knew it could have been an entirely different outcome in Laramie, just ask Nevada and Colorado State. Kudos to New Mexico for winning a game they were predicted to win in more than convincing fashion.

Player Spotlights

New Mexico G-Donovan Dent

Stat line: 19 points, 7 assists on 8-13 (61.5%) from the floor in 36 minutes on the floor

Dent continues to show an ability to receive the ball on the offensive end and make it look like he’s the only one on the floor as he drives to the basket. He also continues to show the ability to stay hot as his teammates around him cool off along with an ever evolving game which including several pull up jumpers. An area in which he didn’t necessarily excel early in the season.

Dent’s 11 points were a big part of New Mexico’s first-half dominance after Wyoming kept things even in the first ten minutes or so of play. In the second-half his teammates stepped up in the scoring column, with plenty of credit going to dent with his 7 assists on the night. Not to mention his efforts defensively with 2 steals & 1 block in between all of that scoring.

Wyoming G/FBrendan Wenzel

Stat line: 20 points & 5 rebounds on 7-15 (46.6%) shooting from the floor, including 4-9 (44%) from deep in 39 minutes on the floor

Wenzel’s play as of late has helped give Wyoming their Cardiac Cowboys moniker and made them an opponent that keeps opposing fans on their seat until the final buzzer sounds. On Tuesday night it wasn’t enough, as his offensive absence in the first half hurt Wyoming from keeping up as New Mexico began to pull away.

A stellar second half performance made things sort of respectable. Ending the night with 20 points thanks to a monster shooting night, especially from beyond the arc.

Next Up:

The Lobos head back to Albuquerque to finish their week against UNLV on Saturday February 10th. New Mexico hosts the Runnin’ Rebels after a tough road loss to Kevin Kruger’s group in Las Vegas at the start of conference play.

It’s likely that the Lobos are looking to avenge that loss, this time facing UNLV on their home court. That game tips off at 6:00 PM MT and can be seen on the CBS Sports Network.

While the Cowboys stay in Laramie to host league leaders Utah State on Valentines day. Even with the Aggies dropping their last two games, they’re an NCAA Tournament team with plenty of weapons.

Wyoming will use their bye week to prepare for a home court upset, which has been common as of late inside the Arena-Auditorium. That matchup tips off at 8:00 PM MT and can be seen on FS1.

Larry Muniz covers college basketball as a writer for Mountain West Wire and WAC Hoops Digest. Also as a co-host of the college basketball podcast “Hoops Talk W/Jay & Larry”. He is also a USWBA Member.

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Wyoming vs. New Mexico Preview

Wyoming vs. New Mexico Preview Who are you taking? Follow @MWCwire Can the Lobos win in Laramie? Game: New Mexico Lobos vs Wyoming Cowboys Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 Location: Arena Auditorium in Laramie, WY TV: Watch on the Mountain West …

Wyoming vs. New Mexico Preview


Who are you taking?


Follow @MWCwire

Can the Lobos win in Laramie?

Game: New Mexico Lobos vs Wyoming Cowboys

Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Location: Arena Auditorium in Laramie, WY

TV: Watch on the Mountain West Network

The Wyoming Cowboys (12-10, 5-4 MWC) aim to extend their five-game home winning streak as they host the New Mexico Lobos (18-4, 6-3 MWC) on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Arena-Auditorium in Laramie. 

The No. 25 New Mexico men’s basketball team returns to action Tuesday with a visit to Wyoming. Game time in Laramie is 6:30 p.m. 

The game will air on the Mountain West Network and the Lobo Radio Network in what promises to be an exciting game between very well-coached teams.  

The Lobos and the Pokes will face off at 7,200 feet above sea level, setting the stage for a competitive matchup featuring two distinct offensive styles.

The Lobos are 18-4 this season, 6-3 in the Mountain West, and are ranked nationally for the third straight week, their longest stretch since the end of the 2013-14 season.

Richard Pitinos Lobos went from 19th to 25th (after last week’s Boise State loss)  in the AP Top  25 ranking and are listed as 18th in the NCAA NET ranking. 

According to most computer predictions, the anticipated outcome leans heavily towards a lopsided 82-69 victory for New Mexico.

There is no denying that this year’s Lobos team is one of the most talented teams to wear the Cherry and Silver for New Mexico. 

With a 12-10 overall record and a 5-4 standing in the Mountain West, Wyoming remains undefeated at home (4-0) in conference play this season. 

The Cowboys recently experienced a split outcome during a road trip last week, securing a victory at Air Force but facing defeat at the hands of UNLV. 

Notably, in their most recent home game, Wyoming displayed resilience by overcoming an 11-point deficit in the final minute to defeat No. 24 Colorado State in overtime ultimately.

Richard Pitinos Lobos defeated Wyoming 77-60 in January, with Donovan Dent scoring 21 points in that game. Dent is a big matchup problem for the Pokes. 

The Lobos had its five-game win streak snapped to Boise State 86-78 in Albuquerque at the PIT, breaking UNM’s win streak at the PIT of 11. 

With victories in four of the last five meetings, including their initial face-off this season, New Mexico aims to prolong its success against Wyoming. 

The first clash occurred on January 6 at The Pit, where the Lobos claimed a decisive 77-60 triumph, led by Donovan Dent’s stellar performance with 21 points.

 New Mexico is coming off an 86-78 loss to Boise State last week in The Pit, which snapped its five-game win streak. Donovan Dent scored a career-high 31 points against the Broncos.

Despite the loss, Donovan Dent was unstoppable on the Lobo side with 31 points, and Max Rice scored a career-high 35 for the Broncos. 

Jamal Mashburn, Jr. scored 14 points, and Jaelen House added 12 points, while JT Toppin just missed a double-double with eight points and 15 rebounds to go with four blocks.

The Lobos did not look very energetic in this late-night TV game versus the Boise State Broncos, who looked very energized, so look for that to change against the Pokes. 

If the Lobos can play their style of basketball, getting up and down the court in tempo, this would be disastrous for the Cowboys. 

“Credit to Boise State. I thought they played terrific and Max Rice continues to hurt us. They just played with such a great motor on the glass.

 We were not able to turn them over, which has really helped us, and we didn’t get the steals that we’ve been getting. 

We didn’t hit shots at the end. They made more plays in the end than we did so that we will learn from it. We got a little break now to get ready for Wyoming.” – Richard Pitino

So look for Wyoming head coach Jeff Linder to try to slow the game down in more of a half-court; it’s a very deliberate game. 

Wyoming holds a 9-12-0 record against the spread this season, while New Mexico boasts a 15-6-0 ATS record. 

Among the Cowboys’ games this season, 12 have exceeded the point total, and the Lobos have seen 11 of their games surpass the total points.

 In their last ten matchups, Wyoming is 4-6 against the spread and 5-5 overall. New Mexico has a 7-3 record against the spread and a 7-3 overall performance.

In their most recent matchup against Boise State, the New Mexico Lobos, they faced a setback, losing by a score of 86-78. During the game, the Lobos managed a 40.9% field goal percentage (27 of 66) and converted 7 out of 25 three-point attempts. 

Despite the Lobos shooting at a low percentage and not performing well, the fact that they only lost by eight points highlights the potential strength of this team. 

When operating at their best, particularly in an up-tempo style with excellent defense, they become a formidable force.

 Key scoring contributors to scoring include Jamal Mashburn, Jaelen House, Donovan Dent, and JT Toppin.

The Lobos bigs need a big defensive game out of both 6-10 Nelly Junion Joseph and freshman 6-8 JT Toppin. 

JT Toppin leads the Lobos in rebounding with 8.5 per game, 12.8 points, and .6 assists, while Nelly Junion Josopeh averages 9 points per game and 7.5 rebounds with 1.1 assists per game. 

They achieved an 89.5% success rate at the free-throw line, making 17 of 19 attempts. Securing 31 rebounds, with ten on the offensive end, the Lobos also recorded nine assists, ten turnovers forced, and four steals. 

On the defensive side, they allowed Boise State to shoot at a 48.5% accuracy from the field.

Donovan Dent played a significant role in the game, scoring 31 points on 66.7% shooting with 12 out of 18 attempts. He contributed for 36 minutes, securing 1 rebound and providing two assists.

The New Mexico Lobos hold a season record of 18-4 as they approach the next game. They boast an average of 84.1 points per game, shooting at 47.9% from the field.

 The team also manages a 34.3% success rate from three-point range and 69.2% from the free-throw line.

 Rebounding at an average of 38.7 per game, they have totaled 341 assists for the season. However, turnovers occur at a rate of 10.2 per game, accompanied by an average of 18.3 fouls committed.

Defensively, the Lobos force an average of 15.9 turnovers per game and draw 18.5 fouls. They allow opponents to shoot at a 41.9% accuracy, conceding an average of 69.5 points per game. 

Additionally, the team permits a 30.9% success rate on three-point attempts.

Turning to the Wyoming Cowboys, they recently suffered a 62-48 loss to UNLV. In that game, Wyoming secured 38 rebounds (11 offensive), but struggled with 12 turnovers and no steals. 

Cam Manyawu contributed 13 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists in 19 minutes of play.

Wyoming holds a record for the season of 12-10, with an offensive shooting percentage of 45.4%. 

They average 73.1 points per game and grab 34.9 rebounds per contest. The team averages 11.7 assists and commits 14.1 turnovers per game.

 On the defensive end, they surrender a 32.9% three-point shooting rate and allow opponents to shoot 73.6% from the free-throw line. 

The Cowboys give up an average of 74.2 points per game, forcing 11.5 turnovers and allowing a 45.2% shooting accuracy from the field.

Look for the Pokes to try to slow the game down to a half-court game while the Lobos will push the temp in transition in what promises to be a very good game. 

I see this game as a bounce-back game for the Lobos after last week’s loss to Boise; way too much to play for. Lobos with the victory is my prediction.

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Nevada vs. Wyoming: Game Preview, How to Watch, Central Players, Keys & Prediction

The Nevada Wolf Pack travels to the high plains of Wyoming to snap its six-game losing streak against the Wyoming Cowboys.

 

Nevada vs. Wyoming: Game Preview, How to Watch, Central Players, Keys & Prediction


The Wolf Pack travels to the high plains of Wyoming to snap its six-game losing streak against the Cowboys.


Contact/Follow @KayceeClark-Mellott and @MWCwire

WHO: Nevada (15-3, 2-2 in the MWC) vs. Wyoming (9-8, 2-2 in the MWC)

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 20, 5:30 PM MT

WHERE: Arena-Auditorium “Dome of Doom”, Laramie, Wyo.

TELEVISION: Mountain West Network

STREAM:  FuboTV – Get a free trial

LINE: Nevada +8.5

RANKINGS:

  Nevada Wyoming
AP RV (22) NR
USA TODAY COACHES POLL RV (14) NR
NET RANKINGS 45 204
KENPOM 47 214

The last victory for the Nevada Wolf Pack against the Wyoming Cowboys came in the 2020 COVID-19 season, Wyoming head coach Jeff Linder’s first season. Linder and the Pokes have won six straight from that season sweep of the Cowboys, including four games in Laramie.

Nevada’s season, thus far, is the best since the 2018-19 season, when they played in the NCAA Tournament as a seven-seed. The Wolf Pack is one of the best defensive teams in the Mountain West Conference (MWC), allowing the fewest points in the league. Coupled with three players scoring in double figures, Nevada has become one of the top teams in the conference. However, the team has lost two straight matchups against Boise State and San Diego State.

Both losses included some of Nevada’s worst shooting percentages of the season and the most fouls committed in a game against the Aztecs. The Wolf Pack allowed 41 rebounds in both games, the most in a season. Although both teams are in the top four in the conference for rebounding, Wyoming and Nevada are in the middle of the MWC.

The Cowboys have a season of many unknowns. They lost four starters from last season to graduation or the transfer portal. The only returning players for Wyoming are Brendan Wenzel, Caden Powell, Kenny Foster — who experienced a season-ending injury in the preseason — and Cort Roberson — who mainly works on the scout team.

As the team has already matched its win total from last year, the Cowboys are looking to reach double-digit wins with an upset over the Wolf Pack. Games at the “Dome of Doom” have favored Wyoming thus far this season, with a 6-1 record, including two conference victories, courtesy of Akuel Kot’s game-winning buzzer-beaters over San Jose State and Fresno State.

Turnovers have troubled the Pokes all season as the 20th most per game in the NCAA. Sam Griffin and Kot lead the team with 3.1 turnovers each per game. Only two games have seen the Cowboys commit less than 10 turnovers.

While Nevada looks to get back on track in conference play, Wyoming aims to achieve a winning record in the conference.

Key Players to the Game:

G Kenan BlackshearNevada

23-24 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 4.7 APG, 5.3 RPG, 1.5 SPG & 51.4% FG

Last time out: 14 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals on 6-12 (50%) shooting, including 2-5 from the line, at San Diego State.

Kenan Blackshear is an all-around player for the Wolf Pack. He leads the team in assists and steals and is second among starters in scoring, rebounds and shooting percentage. His four highest-scoring games have all come this season, with a career-high of 31 points at Washington in November. 

Both guards — Blackshear and Jarod Lucas — are prominent players for Nevada, but the stature of Blackshear may pose difficulties for Wyoming’s defense. His passing vision and abilities can help propel the Wolf Pack while drawing attention away from others.

F Caden Powell-Wyoming

23-24 Stats: 7.2 PPG, 1.0 APG, 5.9 RPG, 0.9 BPG & 50% FG

Last time out: 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a block on 0-2 shooting against Fresno State.

The obvious answer for the Pokes is leading scorer Griffin or Kot with the buzzer-beaters and scoring double digits in all but one game this season. However, Powell must be a dominant force on the glass. As Nevada has allowed over 40 rebounds in their last two games, it’s central for the Cowboys to continue that trend.

Powell also makes half the shots he puts up, and while playing the best scoring defense in the conference, throwing up the most efficient shots is vital. Since MWC play started, Powell has yet to post double figures, only averaging 4.8 points on 46.2%. A dominant big-man performance can send Wyoming into the driver’s seat of this game. 

Keys to the Game

For Nevada:  Control the glass. Improve shooting efficiency. Get back on defense.

The game plan must focus on rebounds after allowing over 40 rebounds in back-to-back games. The Wolf Pack has been outrebounded in half of its games this season. Additionally, the team’s rebound margin is even at zero, ranking 193 in the NCAA. The combination of Nick Davidson and Blackshear must be highly prominent in the paint, offensively and defensively. 

The Wolf Pack also must find efficient shots to take. Since MWC play started, the team’s field goal percentage has dropped 4.4 percentage points. Nevada shot 36% against Boise State. Additionally, the team has become less effective at the line, dropping nearly six percentage points in that same time. The goal is always to have more points than the opponent, and decreasing numbers is not a good sign for winning. 

Against San Diego State, Nevada gave up 15 fast break points. In MWC games, the average Nevada has allowed is 7.75, but it has only scored 7.83 on the season. It is pertinent to ensure that the Cowboys can’t get fast points against an unset defense, notably when Wyoming is ranked 19th lowest in fast break points.

For Wyoming: Get to the charity stripe. Box out and snag the rebounds. Beyond the arc action.

The Cowboys are one of the best from the line in the league. At 75.3%, Wyoming only trails Colorado State in free throw percentage. In addition, Nevada fouls the third most in the MWC, sending San Diego State to the line for 34 shots. Not a single player for Wyoming shoots under 50% from the line, with seven players shooting 80% or better.

Rebounding is a fundamental key to winning games. As a middle-tier rebounding team in the conference, Wyoming posts a 6-3 record when winning the rebound margin while 3-5 when opponents outrebound the Pokes.

Wyoming is one of the best from beyond the arc. Despite the low number of shots beyond the arc per game, the team shoots 38.6% from three and is ranked 16th in the NCAA. Wyoming has shot over 40% in eight games this season and won seven of them. Even when the team shoots above its average, it holds an 8-2 record while 1-6 when below. The magic number for the Pokes is 38.6%.

Prediction:

Nevada 68, Wyoming 60

Wyoming will cover the spread of +8.5 but ultimately come up short. While Nevada has not been able to grab a board the past two games, this came against the conference’s top teams. Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they are neither a top team in the MWC nor prolific at grabbing boards. The Wolf Pack will also clean up some of their foul troubles and return to the win column. Nevada will halt the Pokes’ domination over them and move to 16-3.

Kaycee Clark-Mellott covers college football and basketball for the Mountain West Wire, mainly covering the Wyoming Cowboys.

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Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Key Players, Who’s Out and Predictions

The Wyoming Cowboys look to take home an Arizona Bowl win against the Toledo Rockets in Craig Bohl’s final game as head coach.

 

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl: Game Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Key Players, Who’s Out and Predictions


The Wyoming Cowboys travel to Tucson for the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl, taking on the MAC runner-up Toledo Rockets. For the Cowboys’ head coach, Craig Bohl, it will be his final game before retirement, where the Pokes hope to seal its first nine-win season since 1996.


Contact/Follow @KayceeClark and @MWCwire

Mountain West bowl season ends in the desert.

BARSTOOL SPORTS ARIZONA BOWL: Toledo Rockets (11-2, 8-0 MAC) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (8-4, 5-3 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, December 30 — 2:30 PM MT

WHERE: Arizona Stadium (50,782)

TV: CW Network/Barstool Sports

RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network

SERIES RECORD: Series tied 1-1

LAST MATCHUP: Toledo won 34-31 on Sept. 8, 2012, in Laramie, Wyo.

WEBSITES: GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website; UTRockets.com, the official Toledo athletics website.

GAME NOTES: Wyoming | Toledo

ODDS: Wyoming -3.5

OVER/UNDER: 44.5 points

SP+ PROJECTION: Toledo by 7.8

FEI PROJECTION: Toledo by 1.4

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: Wyoming 58.99% win probability (27.04-24.03)

In only the third meeting between programs, the Toledo Rockets and Wyoming Cowboys enter the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl with sizeable record differences. The Rockets are 11-2 after falling to Miami (Ohio) in the MAC Championship Game and losing out on the chance to play in a New Year’s Six bowl game. A 5-1 start for the Cowboys had the team rolling with predictions of a Wyoming New Year’s Six bowl game. However, the Group of Five bid became unimaginable as the Pokes finished the season 3-3. 

The announcement of Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl’s retirement following the game has become one of the commanding storylines of the Wyoming team and Arizona Bowl. After a decade at the helm of the Cowboys, Bohl’s departure allowed the program to promote defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel as the 33rd head coach of Wyoming. The game’s outcome will also determine whether Bohl concludes his career with a winning or losing record for the Cowboys.

On the opposite sideline, the Rockets will be without quarterback DeQuan Finn — after five years in the program — as he has entered the transfer portal and committed to Baylor. The absence of Finn leaves a question mark at quarterback and offensive production. Assumingly, Tucker Gleason will be under center for Toledo. 

The Rocket’s offense has demonstrated its explosiveness all season long, scoring 30 or more points in eight games. They have also averaged 426.2 yards a game through its 13 games thus far. With backup Gleason, the team’s offense will still be able to count on running back Peny Boone, the seventh-leading rusher in FBS with 1,400 yards.

In comparison, Wyoming has only managed 324.8 yards per game, which ranks 107th nationally. However, in the final two games, the Wyoming offense averaged 440.5 yards per game against Hawaii and Nevada, including 42 points in each game and holding opponents to single digits. 

Both teams also enjoy the athletes’ accomplishments, with multiple all-conference players on each team. Toledo boasts 10 All-MAC First Team players, including Finn and Boone, and 14 total players awarded. Wyoming has two All-Mountain West First Team players, offensive lineman Frank Crum and linebacker Easton Gibbs. The Pokes also had six others make the all-conference teams. 

With the Rockets and Cowboys’ all-star-caliber players, there are significant players on both sides of the ball for both sidelines. 

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Key players and pieces (and those missing)

Toledo

With Finn’s transfer to Baylor, the question is whether Gleason will produce at levels similar to Finn’s. The backup stepped in last season for two games while Finn was injured and outperformed Finn against Western Michigan. However, Gleason has had limited opportunities this season, only appearing in three blowout victories. This season, he is 14 of 21 for 199 yards and four touchdowns against Texas Southern, Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

Having Finn under center, the offense operated using a dual-threat style of play for the quarterback. However, Gleason has only rushed the ball significantly once last season against Bowling Green. How will the transition work from a dual-threat quarterback to Gleason’s pocket presence?

Expect Toledo’s game plan to heavily emphasize the rushing attack, as it has all season long. However, Boone announced on Dec. 26 that he would enter the transfer portal. Instead, running back Jacquez Stuart, the All-MAC First Team kick returner, will be the presumed starter. Stuart finished the season with 475 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. The rushing game could falter for the Rockets as Stuart has not demonstrated the explosive runs like Boone.

The offense also lacks all-conference offensive lineman Vinny Sciury, who has announced his transfer to Texas Tech.

Defensively, the Rockets can also contain and sack the quarterback, heavily assisted by defensive tackle Judge Culpepper. On the season, Culpepper leads the team in sacks, with nine, and tackles for loss, with 10.5. The team has 35 sacks on the season, tied for 17th best in the nation.

Wyoming

Unlike previous seasons, the transfer portal has not heavily impacted the Cowboys. Thus far, the Pokes have only had four players enter the portal, with only one being a starter, cornerback Kolbey Taylor.

Instead, Wyoming enters the Arizona Bowl with nearly all talent available. This includes several players’ last game for the Cowboys, such as quarterback Andrew Peasley. In the most efficient season of his career, Peasley threw for career highs in yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, touchdown-interception ratio, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. The quarterback also received an honorable mention to the All-Mountain West team. The Cowboys’ captain threw for a career-high 319 yards against Hawaii on only 14 completions. 

Despite only averaging 167 yards through the air, Peasley has contributed to several Wyoming victories this season, including three-touchdown games against Texas Tech, Portland State, Fresno State, Hawaii and a four-touchdown game at Nevada. 

In addition, Wyoming’s transfer running back from last year, Harrison Waylee, has given a spark to the Pokes’ rushing attack. Waylee’s average of 95 rushing yards a game is 23rd at the FBS level, and 5.8 yards per carry ranks 34th. 

Waylee introduced himself to Pokes fans with his first appearance at No. 4 Texas, where he would break a 62-yard touchdown and finish with 110 yards. He would post a season-high of 191 yards against New Mexico. Waylee only dropped under four yards a carry in two losses this season, Boise State and UNLV.

While the offense isn’t missing its regular pieces, it will be without offensive coordinator Tim Polasek as he transitions to the head coaching job at North Dakota State. 

On the other side of the ball, Gibbs leads the team in tackles and will play a critical factor in the game on Saturday. The All-Mountain West First Team linebacker plays a pivotal role on defense by stopping the run. Gibbs has forced the second most turnovers on the team — behind safety Wyett Ekeler —with two forced fumbles and an interception.

The special teams of Wyoming can undoubtedly be special. Kicker John Hoyland has had a stellar career with the Cowboys, but around halfway through the season, he found himself in his worst statistical year. Hoyland missed his first extra point of his career and was one for seven on field goals in the second half of the season. If the Arizona Bowl comes down to a field goal, will the red shoe be able to come through?

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Cowboys or Rockets?

The Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl will not be a barn-burning shootout whatsoever. With both teams taking hits on the offensive side of the ball due to the transfer portal and coaching changes, it is unlikely that either team will explode for 30 or more points. Toledo only allows about 20 points per game, while Wyoming gives up about 23, both teams within the top 50 of FBS. The Cowboys and Rockets possess solid defenses that have helped them win games. Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell — an All-American Second Teamer by APFWAAAFCA and Sporting News — will be an influential factor in the passing game as he is second in the country in passes defended. 

Wyoming does not have just one player who stands out on defense but a combination of many. The all-around player Ekeler’s presence offers potential for lost yards and sacks with blitzes, pass coverage and interceptions, and stripping the ball away from carriers. Defensive back Wrook Brown leads the team in interceptions, and Devonne Harris and Braden Siders can get the quarterback as they have the most sacks on the team. 

This season was a challenge for the Cowboys defense. They have already faced three top-20 rushing yards per game backs in Jacory Croskey-Merritt (New Mexico), Jonathon Brooks (Texas) and Ashton Jeanty (Boise State). Even with the absence of Boone for Toledo, Wyoming has proven to limit the rushing attack of backs. 

In addition, the combination of defensive proficiency and offensive efficiency has allowed the Cowboys to be up 10 in the turnover margin this season. Compared to Toledo at two below even, it is more likely to see a player in brown and gold get a takeaway. 

As a wild prediction, with a turnover for one of the teams, there will be a defensive score in this bowl game. Whether it is a pick-six or a scoop and score, a tight game will be decided by a defensive touchdown. Based on the turnover margin and lack of turnovers by the Wyoming offense, a particular team is more likely to be the one to get it.

The bowl game could also become the staple for Bohl’s tenure at Wyoming. Currently sitting at 60-60 in his career for the Cowboys, a victory gives him a winning record, while a loss ends his career in poor taste. This game means more for Bohl, and while he has always preached the mantra of taking a season game by game, his final game will feel better with a win. The Pokes know it is his final game and will play with more intensity and desire to win a bowl for Bohl. In a storybook ending for the season, some players’ careers and Bohl, the game will be close but end in a Wyoming victory.

Wyoming 23 – Toledo 20

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Mountain West Football’s Updated 2024 Matchups Released

Mountain West Football’s Updated 2024 Matchups Released The Mountain West revised its college football schedule to include games against wayward Oregon State and Washington State. Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire What’s new? The vagaries of …

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Mountain West Football’s Updated 2024 Matchups Released


The Mountain West revised its college football schedule to include games against wayward Oregon State and Washington State.


Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire

What’s new?

The vagaries of college football realignment didn’t directly impact the Mountain West Conference over the last calendar year, but the shockwaves of moves across the country resulted today in a revised slate of matchups that includes the Oregon State Beavers and Washington State Cougars, the two Pac-12 programs left behind by their conference mates’ exodus.

When it was announced that the conference would do away with the Mountain and West divisions in 2022, the conference announced a rotation that would protect two games for each team and extend through the 2025 season. A multitude of Power 5 programs had other plans, however, and when the Big 12, Big Ten, and ACC raided the Pac-12 for ten of its teams throughout 2023, it left Oregon State and Washington State standing alone.

Here are the home and away games that the Mountain West had previously unveiled for 2024:

Air Force, Nevada, and San Diego State will host the Beavers while Boise State, Fresno State, and New Mexico will do the same for the Cougars. Conversely, Colorado State, San Jose State, and UNLV will travel to Corvallis; Hawaii, Utah State, and Wyoming will head to Pullman. None of the games will count as part of the conference standings, however, meaning that each Mountain West team will have seven conference games rather than the usual eight.

The changes, as you might expect, have differing impacts on every Mountain West team’s pre-existing schedule. Air Force, for instance, will get to face Oregon State at home instead of Hawaii, but Colorado State now travels to Oregon State and Nevada rather than Boise and San Diego. As DNVR Sports’s Justin Michael noted, it will be the first time since 2010 that the Rams and Broncos do not face each other. Similarly, Wyoming will now host San Diego State and Utah State rather than Nevada and UNLV.

One interesting twist is that the two teams who played in the Mountain West championship game this month, Boise State and UNLV, are now set to square off at Allegiant Stadium rather than Albertsons Stadium next year. Exact dates for the Mountain West schedule will be released at a later time, but next year’s title game is slated for Saturday, December 7, 2024.

Air Force

Home – Colorado State, Fresno State, San Jose State, Oregon State
Away – Nevada, New Mexico, San Diego State, Wyoming

Boise State

Home – Nevada, San Diego State, Utah State, Washington State
Away – Hawaii, San Jose State, UNLV, Wyoming

Colorado State

Home – New Mexico, San Jose State, Utah State, Wyoming
Away – Air Force, Fresno State, Nevada, Oregon State

Fresno State

Home – Colorado State, Hawaii, San Jose State, Washington State
Away – Air Force, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV

Hawaii

Home – Boise State, Nevada, New Mexico, UNLV
Away – Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, Washington State

Nevada

Home – Air Force, Colorado State, Fresno State, Oregon State
Away – Boise State, Hawaii, San Jose State, UNLV

New Mexico

Home – Air Force, Fresno State, Wyoming, Washington State
Away – Colorado State, Hawai‘i, San Diego State, Utah State

San Diego State

Home – Air Force, Hawaii, New Mexico, Oregon State
Away – Boise State, UNLV, Utah State, Wyoming

San Jose State

Home – Boise State, Nevada, UNLV, Wyoming
Away – Air Force, Colorado State, Fresno State, Oregon State

UNLV

Home – Boise State, Fresno State, Nevada, San Diego State
Away – Hawaii, San Jose State, Utah State, Oregon State

Utah State

Home – Hawaii, New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV
Away – Boise State, Colorado State, Wyoming, Washington State

Wyoming

Home – Air Force, Boise State, San Diego State, Utah State
Away – Colorado State, New Mexico, San Jose State, Washington State

Oregon State

Home – Colorado State, San Jose State, UNLV
Away – Air Force, Nevada, San Diego State

Washington State

Home – Hawaii, Utah State, Wyoming
Away – Boise State, Fresno State, New Mexico

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Mountain West Football: 2023 Bowl Season Opt-Out And Transfer Tracker

The transfer portal is open. NFL Draft prep looms. Business decisions are made. Which players will sit out the Mountain West’s bowl games?

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Mountain West Football: 2023 Bowl Season Opt-Out and Transfer Tracker


The transfer portal is open. NFL Draft prep looms. Business decisions are made. Which players will sit out the Mountain West’s bowl games?


Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Not all the stars will be out in December.

December marks perhaps the busiest time of college football season. Between the upcoming slate of bowl games, the official opening of the transfer portal, and buzz surrounding the game’s brightest stars and their standing in next year’s NFL Draft, players have plenty on their minds when deciding how to finish their season.

Not everyone will choose to stay on the field, though. Check back here throughout the month as we watch which athletes opt out of bowl season, both among the Mountain West’s seven bowl teams and their opponents.

Note: Significant contributors among opponents will be noted in italics.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Air Force

  • Aidan Behymer, TE
  • Caden Blum, DL
  • Mason Carlan, OL
  • John Lee Eldridge III, RB
  • Jonah Jensen, QB
  • Brady Phillips, DL
  • Caleb Rillos, TE
  • Jarius Stewart, QB
  • Anthony Wenson, WR

James Madison

  • Brent Austin, DB
  • Kaelon Black, RB — team-high 594 rushing yards, 23 catches, 220 receiving yards in 2023
  • James Carpenter, DL — FCS Freshman All-American in 2021; two-time all-Sun Belt
  • Aiden Fisher, LB — third-team all-Sun Belt, 91 tackles, seven passes defended, six tackles for loss in 2023
  • Desmond Green, WR
  • Zach Horton, TE — first-team all-Sun Belt, 26 catches, 266 yards, six touchdowns in 2023
  • Taurus Jones, LB — first-team all-Sun Belt, 82 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss in 2022
  • Mikail Kamara, DL — second-team all-Sun Belt, 18.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks in 2023
  • Wayne Knight, RB
  • Ty Son Lawton, RB — 742 all-purpose yards, six total touchdowns in 2023
  • Chauncey Logan, DB — 42 tackles, four tackles for loss, six passes defended in 2023
  • Carter Miller, OL — redshirt freshman, nine starts, 639 snaps at left guard in 2023
  • Abi Nwabuoku-Okonji, DL
  • Tyler Stephens, OL — 30 career starts; four starts each at left guard, right tackle, left tackle in 2023
  • Jailin Walker, LB — 30 career starts; 55 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four passes defended in 2023
  • Tyshawn Wyatt, OL

Starco Brands LA Bowl, Hosted By Gronk

Boise State 

  • Taylen Green, QB
  • Eric McAlister, WR
  • Keenan McCaddy, DB
  • Kivon Wright, DL

UCLA

  • Kam Brown, WR
  • Keegan Jones, WR
  • Laiatu Latu, DL — Ted Hendricks Award winner, Lombardi Award winner, Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2023
  • Dante Moore, QB — five-star true freshman, five starts in 2023
  • William Nimmo Jr., DB
  • Kamari Ramsey, DB — redshirt freshman safety, 11 starts in 2023
  • Carsen Ryan, TE
  • Jake Wiley, OL

Isleta New Mexico Bowl

Fresno State

  • Tanner Blount, LB
  • Logan Fife, QB
  • Chrishawn Gordon, DB
  • Abraham Montaño, K
  • Hayden Pulis, OL
  • Raymond Scott, LB

New Mexico State

  • Reggie Akles, WR
  • Ta’ir Brooks, WR
  • Jamari Buddin, LB
  • Tyler Devera, TE
  • Trent Hudson, WR — 36 catches, 571 yards, team-high ten touchdowns in 2023
  • PJ Johnson, WR
  • Malachi McLean, DB
  • Jordin Parker, WR
  • Tyriece Thomas, DL

EasyPost Hawaii Bowl

San Jose State

  • Branden Alvarez, WR
  • Fernando Carmona Jr., OL
  • Blake Davis, DB
  • Charlie Leota, DL
  • Anthony Madrigal, OL
  • Dominick Mazotti, TE
  • Elijah Wood, LB

Coastal Carolina

  • CJ Beasley, RB — team-high 717 rushing yards in 2022; 262 rushing yards, two touchdowns in 2023
  • Mason Bowers, OL
  • Jahmar Brown, DB
  • Jared Brown, WR — 2022 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year; 108 career receptions, 1,534 career receiving yards, 11 career touchdowns
  • Bailey Carraway, LB
  • Evan Crenshaw, P — sophomore; 83 career punts, 39.7 career yards per punt
  • Aaron Diggs, DB
  • Jarrett Guest, QB — two starts in 2023 following injury to Grayson McCall
  • Eli Hillman, DB
  • Kaleb Hutchinson, DB
  • Tavyn Jackson, DB
  • JT Killen, LB — 25 career starts; 65 tackles, three tackles for loss in 2023
  • Derrick Maxey, DB
  • Grayson McCall, QB — three-time Sun Belt Player of the Year
  • Tyson Mobley, WR
  • Tre Pinkney, LB
  • Jacob Proche, DB
  • Chris Rhone, WR
  • Braylon Ryan, DL — 38 career games, 21 career starts; 24 tackles, two tackles for loss in 2023
  • Laurence Sullivan, DB
  • Bryson Summers, OL
  • Dami’on Thompson, WR
  • Donnell Wilson, OL

Guaranteed Rate Bowl

UNLV

  • Jordan Jakes, WR
  • Jordyn Morgan, DB

Kansas

  • Will Huggins, TE
  • Reece Thomas, WR

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Utah State

  • William Testa, K
  • Josh Williams, LB

Georgia State

  • KZ Adams, RB
  • Rico Arnold, WR
  • Bryquice Brown, DB — 42 career games; 35 tackles, six passes defended in nine games
  • Marcus Carroll, RB — first-team all-Sun Belt, 1,350 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns
  • Montavious Cunningham, OL — redshirt sophomore, 15 career starts, 737 snaps at right tackle in 2023
  • Jaquon Dixon, RB
  • Cameron Dye, OL
  • Evan Graham, LB
  • JayT Jackson, DB
  • Jordan Jones, LB
  • Robert Lewis, WR — led team with 70 catches, 877 yards, five receiving touchdowns
  • Tony McCray, DB
  • Jalen Tate, DB

Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl

Wyoming

  • DQ James, RB
  • Kolbey Taylor, DB

Toledo

  • Dequan Finn, QB — three-time all-MAC, 2023 MAC Vern Smith Leadership Award winner (conference MVP)
  • Jaret Frantz, WR
  • Micah Kelly, RB
  • Brad Ling, K
  • Vinny Sciury, OL — first-team all-MAC in 2023, 836 snaps at left guard
  • Ty Thomas, DL

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Wyoming Football: Craig Bohl To Retire

One of the most successful coaches in Cowboys history is preparing to step down.

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Wyoming Football: Craig Bohl To Retire


One of the most successful coaches in Cowboys history is preparing to step down.


Contact/Follow @MattK_FS and @MWCwire

The end of an era.

The latest in a recent string of head coach transitions across the Mountain West arrived on Wednesday when Wyoming Cowboys head coach Craig Bohl announced his intent to retire, following the team’s appearance in the Arizona Bowl on December 30.

The imminent move will close the longest head coaching tenure in Wyoming football history, a ten-year stint in which Bohl has accrued an overall record of 60-60. If his Cowboys can defeat the Toledo Rockets in the bowl game, he will become the first Cowboys coach to step away having finished better than .500 since Dana Dimel in 1999.

Regardless of the result, however, there’s little doubt that Bohl will step away as one of the most, if not the most, successful head coaches in program history. He replaced Dave Christensen following the 2013 season and went 6-18 in his first two seasons at the helm, but Wyoming would appear in six bowls and one Mountain West championship game over the next eight seasons. Though he received some criticism that the Cowboys never had a true breakthrough, Bohl led the team to eight wins four times between 2016 and 2023; by contrast, the program had just four eight-win campaigns between 1993 and 2015.

Bohl’s Cowboys also developed a penchant for being no fun to face, defined by a punishing formula of running the football and playing stout defense. Three different running backs — Brian Hill, Nico Evans, and Xazavian Vallday — finished first or second in the Mountain West total rushing yards while defenders like Logan Wilson, Cassh Maluia, Andrew Wingard, and Marcus Epps helped to establish one of the most reliable college-to-NFL pipelines anywhere in the conference.

The highwater mark of Bohl’s time in charge might have come in 2016 when quarterback Josh Allen led Wyoming to its first conference championship clash since 1996. Though they fell short of claiming the title, that team featured six future NFL Draft selections in Allen, Epps, Hill, Maluia, Wilson, and Chase Roullier.

In a statement released along with the announcement, Bohl acknowledged, “Being the head football coach of the Wyoming Cowboys has been a privilege. I felt like now was the time for me step away and entrust the program to new leadership.  I want to thank all the young men who have worn the Brown and Gold over the past 10 years for their dedication and for their passion in representing this football program, this university and this state.”

As was noted by Cody Tucker of 7220 Sports and others, defensive coordinator Jay Sawvel will assume head coaching duties following the conclusion of the Arizona Bowl.

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Mountain West Wire’s 2023 Postseason All-Conference Football Team

Who did our staff pick as the best of the best in Mountain West football this season?

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Mountain West Wire Presents Its 2023 Postseason All-Mountain West Football Teams


Our staff has made its selections for the best of Mountain West football as we close out the 2023 season.


Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Only the best of the best make the cut.

Mountain West Wire’s 2023 postseason honors:

All-Conference Teams | Offensive Player of the Year | Defensive Player of the Year | Special Teams Player of the YearFreshman of the Year | Newcomer of the Year | Coach of the Year | Coordinator of the Year

With the Mountain West’s regular season in the books and the conference championship game just one day away, our staff here at Mountain West Wire has once again put its collective heads together to create our fifth annual postseason all-Mountain West football team.

If you’re interested in seeing how these selections stack up against our preseason picks, click here. Alternatively, you can click the following links to find our postseason honorees from 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

As always, our all-conference roster goes four deep and attempts to best reflect the variety of offenses and defenses we see week in and week out throughout the conference:

  • We vote for a Defensive Flex player to better reflect that some units — like Boise State, San Diego State, and Wyoming — often operate with five defensive backs or a nickelback/linebacker hybrid in their 3-3-5 or 4-2-5.
  • We split our linebacker selections into two, inside and outside, as we’d previously differentiated between centers, guards, and tackles on the offensive lines and between interior linemen and edge rushers on defense.
  • We vote for three wide receivers instead of two.

If you disagree with our choices, feel free to let us know what you’d have done differently on Twitter or Facebook.

First Team

Offense

QB – Chevan Cordeiro, San Jose State
RB – Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
RB – Jacory Croskey-Merritt, New Mexico
RB – Kairee Robinson, San Jose State
WR – Tory Horton, Colorado State
WR – Ricky White, UNLV
WR – Jalen Royals, Utah State
TE – Dallin Holker, Colorado State
C – Thor Paglialong, Air Force
G – Mark Hiestand, Air Force
G – Wesley Ndago, Air Force
T – Adam Karas, Air Force
T – Cade Beresford, Boise State

Defense

DT – Jordan Bertagnole, Wyoming
DT – Payton Zdroik, Air Force
DE – Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
DE – Ahmed Hassanein, Boise State
OLB – Jackson Woodard, UNLV
OLB – Bo Richter, Air Force
ILB – Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
ILB – MJ Tafisi, Utah State
CB – Cameron Oliver, UNLV
CB – Jay’Vion Cole, San Jose State
CB – Carlton Johnson, Fresno State
S – Ike Larsen, Utah State
S – Wyatt Ekeler, Wyoming
FLEX – Morice Norris Jr., Fresno State

Special Teams

K – Jose Pizano, UNLV
P – James Ferguson-Reynolds, Boise State
KR – Jacob De Jesus, UNLV
PR – Jacob De Jesus, UNLV

Second Team

Offense

QB – Jayden Maiava, UNLV
RB – Malik Sherrod, Fresno State
RB – Emmanuel Michel, Air Force
WR – Steven McBride, Hawaii
WR – Terrell Vaughn, Utah State
WR – Pofele Ashlock, Hawaii
TE – Mark Redman, San Diego State
C – Jacob Gardner, Colorado State
G – Mose Vavao, Fresno State
G – Wes King, Wyoming
T – Frank Crum, Wyoming
T – Kage Casey, Boise State

Defense

DT – Soane Toia, San Jose State
DT – Cole Godbout, Wyoming
DE – P.J. Ramsey, Air Force
DE – Tre Smith, San Jose State
OLB – Levelle Bailey, Fresno State
OLB – Andrew Simpson, Boise State
ILB – Alec Mock, Air Force
ILB – Bryun Parham, San Jose State
CB – Noah Tumblin, San Diego State
CB – Donte Martin, New Mexico
S – Trey Taylor, Air Force
S – Jack Howell, Colorado State
FLEX – Seyi Oladipo, Boise State

Special Teams

K – Jonah Dalmas, Boise State
P – Marshall Nichols, UNLV
KR – Jaelen Gill, Fresno State
PR – Tory Horton, Colorado State