Broncos Top Cowboys In Overtime

Wyoming came close but didn’t make enough plays to finish on top

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In a game that was much closer than Vegas predicted, the Cowboys turned the matchup against the favored Broncos into more of a parking lot brawl. Despite trailing for much of the game, Boise State did just enough to steal the game late.

Tyler Vander Waal is going to be fine

In his first start of the season, the sophomore went 15-23 for 160 yards. It was a performance that was good enough for Wyoming to leave Boise with the W. On Wyoming’s final drive of the game, Vander Waal led the Pokes on a 10 play, 5-minute drive to get the team near scoring position before a failed 4th down conversion gave Boise State one final chance. Should he be able to replicate and possibly improve on his performance in the final 3 weeks, the Cowboys still have a shot at a 10-win season.

Where are the playmakers?

Xazavian Valladay provided a hard-earned 124 rushing yards on 37 attempts and TE Josh Harshman added a solid 6 receptions for 48 yards but WR’s Austin Conway and Rocket Ismail Jr. only combined to add 4 catches for 57 yards. Conway had a nice punt return early in the game that led to a score and Ismail Jr. had an 18-yard reception on a nifty run after the catch but it’s hard to explain the lack of touches they get from week to week. It would be great to see them get more opportunities to make plays especially with the running back depth essentially down to one man.  It’s hard watching the Cowboys crash Valladay into a wall 37 times when Conway and Rocket Jr. have shown how explosive they can be in the open field. 

The Defense Was Phenomenal

Aside from the opening drive of the game when Boise State opened up the playbook and threw everything at them, they completely dominated the game. The defensive line owned the line of scrimmage and Logan Wilson had one of the better games he’s had this season with 10 tackles, a sack, and a game-saving INT at the end of the 4th quarter. While the Broncos were also starting a backup quarterback, they have more weapons than any team left on the Cowboys schedule.

The Chambers injury seemed to slow the bandwagon that has grown with the team this season but the Pokes showed that they have the formula to compete regardless of who suits up and who they line up against. Utah State, Colorado State, and Air Force have challenges that Wyoming will need to overcome but there is no reason to think that the Cowboys won’t be up to the task.

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