Tag: Wyoming Cowboy Football

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Air Force: How the Cowboys will win

After upsetting Fresno State, what will it take for the Wyoming Cowboys to beat the Air Force Falcons?

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Air Force: How the Cowboys will win

Once again, the Cowboys find themselves in a must-win game against another top dog of the conference, the Air Force Falcons

Contact/Follow @KayceeClark and @MWCwire

WEEK 7: Wyoming Cowboys (5-1, 2-0 MW) vs. Air Force Falcons (5-0, 3-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 14 — 5 PM MST

WHERE: Falcon Stadium (37,655)

TV: CBS Sports Network

STREAMING: Get a free trial with FuboTV

RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network

SERIES RECORD: Air Force leads all-time series 30-27-3

LAST MATCHUP: Wyoming won 17-14 in Laramie

WEBSITES: GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website; GoAirForceFalcons.com, the official Fresno State athletics website.

GAME NOTES: Wyoming | Air Force

ODDS: Air Force -10.5

OVER/UNDER: 42.5 points

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Another week, another Wyoming Cowboy showdown with immense implications for the Mountain West Conference (MWC). Air Force is the only team in the conference that remains with zero losses, and both teams sit just outside of the AP Poll Top 25 and Coaches Polls, with the Pokes at 27 and Falcons at 28. A victory would nearly guarantee a top-25 ranking. For the Cowboys, the last time the team reached the AP Top 25 was 1998.

This 5-1 Pokes team has re-introduced Laramie and Wyoming football fans back to a hopeful season. In the preseason, MWC media predicted Wyoming to finish sixth in the conference. Now halfway through the season, Wyoming is one win away from becoming bowl-eligible.

On Saturday, the Pokes travel to Colorado Springs to take on the Falcons. As Air Force is a double-digit favorite, how does Wyoming escape with a victory?

Wyoming will return to the Gem City 6-1 if…

First, the triple option offense that Air Force operates out of has been extremely explosive. This season is once again a hot start for the Falcons on the ground as they lead the country in rushing yards per game with 329.8 yards. Air Force has led the nation in rushing yards per game for the last three seasons. A Cowboy victory comes from slowing down the rushing attack. It is easier said than done to stop the run, but this is a must for the Cowboys.

Pokes’ defensive front must be prepared to put extreme pressure on the Falcons’ rushers. Between quarterback Zac Larrier, fullback Emmanuel Michel and running back John Lee Eldridge III, the combo has totaled 1,040 yards on the ground through five games. The Wyoming defense will most likely have the return of defensive end Sebastian Harsh, which will be a benefit.

Mountain West Football: 2023 Midseason Team Grades

The Cowboys are going to be stacking the box to pressure the Falcons to run game with linebackers and safeties. Potential pressure may come from linebacker Shae Suiaunoa and safety Wyett Ekeler. Against New Mexico on Sept. 30, Ekeler recorded his first career sacks and led the team with four tackles for loss.

This defense has also held typically good offenses under their season averages, holding the Texas Longhorns to 316 total yards when the team averages 486 yards, and Fresno State only put up 324 yards on a 424-yard average.

Flipping to the other side, while Wyoming has been helped with a productive run game, converting big plays with the pass will be essential for the Cowboy offense. The Air Force defense only allows 70.6 rushing yards and 153.2 passing yards per game. Converting in one area is vital, and it is more likely that Wyoming gets a passing game going.

In recent weeks, quarterback Andrew Peasley has appeared to become more healthy following a shoulder injury that prevented his appearance in the Pokes only loss at No. 4 Texas. In Wyoming’s two MWC games, Peasley has 377 passing yards, four touchdowns, 59 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

The first half of last week’s game against Fresno State was nearly perfect for the offense. Every first-half drive for the Cowboys ended in points, with three touchdowns and a field goal. Peasley was 16-for-20 with 144 yards and three touchdowns by the half. However, the second half saw Peasley go 3-for-7 and 39 yards. For a whole game, replicating that first half would be extremely helpful for a Pokes victory.

The passing game finding success also showed the Cowboy pass-catchers such as wide receiver Wyatt Wieland and tight end Treyton Welch made their names known last Saturday.

Another key to the Wyoming offense’s success is ensuring the offensive line is creating the gaps for the run game, which it has done thus far, but also guarding Peasley from taking significant hits and losses. The Air Force defense features the third and tied-for-fourth-ranked sack leaders of the MWC in PJ Ramsey and Bo Richter, with 3.5 and 3, respectively.

Wyoming has only given up eight sacks through six games, but the Air Force defense averages 2.4 sacks per game. Winning the battle at the line is key for Wyoming to keep their offense on the field and prevent the Falcons from eating up the clock.

In what will be another emotional game for the Cowboys, some might say the fourth of the season, a victory can be difficult. Typically, teams fall short after repetitive attempts in high-energy games. However, this won’t be the case for the Cowboys this weekend.

Wyoming 31 – Air Force 30

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Fresno State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: How the Cowboys will win

The No. 24 Bulldogs travel to Laramie for a nationally televised showdown against the Cowboys with colossal Mountain West implications.

Fresno State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: How the Cowboys will win

The No. 24 Bulldogs travel to Laramie for a nationally televised showdown against the Cowboys with colossal conference implications.

Contact/Follow @KayceeClark and @MWCwire 

WEEK 6: No. 24 Fresno State (5-0, 1-0 MW) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (4-1, 1-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 7 — 6 PM MST

WHERE: War Memorial Stadium (29,181)

TV: FOX

STREAMING: Get a free trial with FuboTV

RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network

SERIES RECORD: Fresno State 9-5, four straight wins for Fresno State

LAST MATCHUP: Nov. 25, 2022 – Fresno State shut out Wyoming in Fresno last year, 30-0.

WEBSITES: GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website; GoBulldogs.com, the official Fresno State athletics website.

GAME NOTES: Wyoming | Fresno State

ODDS: Fresno State -6

OVER/UNDER: 44.5 points

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A matchup between two of the top dogs in the Mountain West sets up a potential game of the year for the conference. The undefeated No. 24 Fresno State Bulldogs come to Laramie for only their seventh time to face the one-loss Cowboys. In the last four meetings, the Bulldogs have outscored the Pokes 87-10, with the games in 2022 and 2021 being shutouts.

As the Bulldogs have had the number of the Cowboys, Wyoming’s season has been a surprise for many thus far. A team picked to finish sixth in the conference, now is 4-1 with their only loss coming at the nationally respected Texas Longhorns.

To open conference play last week, Wyoming’s offense looked improved. Quarterback Andrew Peasley appeared to be even healthier, with 194 yards through the air, an added 34 on the ground and two total touchdowns. Running back Harrison Waylee made his weekly appearance in the endzone again and 191 yards. He also added another breakaway touchdown, scoring from 46 yards out and adding a 66-yard rush.

Wide receiver Ayir Asante also sparked on offense with a flat route and some magic after the catch for a 66-yard touchdown.

The defense has room for improvement, especially in the first drive and the fourth quarter. However, nickelback Wrook Brown snatched an interception for the third time this season.

The Cowboys special teams showed up as well, now tied for second in the country with three blocked kicks, including the blocked field goal against Appalachian State and a blocked point after attempt, by Devonne Harris, both returned to the endzone by Jakorey Hawkins. Additionally, John Hoyland kicked four field goals and is still perfect on the season with eight.

It will be a good and close ball game. How can Wyoming pull out a victory? What do the Cowboys need to do to knock off the undefeated Bulldogs?

A Wyoming victory comes from…

Do not give the ball to the Bulldogs. It is much easier said than done, but Fresno State is tied for third in the country in the turnover margin at eight. This includes eight interceptions by the defense. However, even last week for Fresno, turnovers proved to be at least somewhat of a kryptonite for the Bulldogs.

After two interceptions thrown by quarterback Mikey Keene, Nevada, a 0-5 team, only trailed by 14 in the middle of the third quarter. Wyoming has increased its forced turnover rate with a fumble and interception in each of the last two games. Intercepting those passes was Brown, one sealing the victory against Appalachian State.

Head coach Craig Bohl said in his weekly media press conference that the defense needs to get off the field quicker than the New Mexico game. Forcing turnovers themselves is a great way to be positive in the margin and keep their offense off the field.

When getting interceptions and fumbles, forcing the turnovers allows the offense to be set up, typically, in good field position. In any capacity of the offense, something must keep moving the chains. This doesn’t require all aspects of the offense to be in its groove, but they must be adequate.

Against New Mexico, Peasley seemed to have his juice back behind his throws and appeared healthier. Even better, the receivers appeared to be finding the open space with Peasley finding nine different receivers during the game. With even more time to nurse his shoulder, the quarterback demonstrated play that Wyoming fans have become accustomed to.

However, the Bulldog defense has only allowed an average of 188 passing yards by their opponents. If through the air isn’t working, then the Cowboys must rely on the explosive back, Waylee. After missing the first two games, the Northern Illinois transfer is averaging the most rushing yards per game, at 152 yards, in the country; however, he isn’t eligible for the statistic. His yardage this season, in two fewer games than the team, makes up just over 50% of the Cowboys’ total rushing yards on the season. The next closest player is Peasley, who only makes up 14.25%.

In any capacity that Wyoming can manage, the offense must move down the field. If any of the past games are an indication, expect Waylee and the rushing attack to be on point as usual. No game this season thus far has seen the Cowboys rush for less than 150 yards.

For the Pokes to upset Fresno State, the offense will have to put on a show. A safe number to say that Wyoming will have to put on the scoreboard for the victory is around 35 points. Managing a season-high in points against a team only allowing 17 per game would help end Saturday night in Laramie with happy Wyomingites.

However, it’s not all about the statistics and yards for this game. It’s about getting the nasty taste out of the players’ mouths. Having two straight losses against the Bulldogs in which the Cowboys haven’t scored usually doesn’t sit well with players. The last victory for Wyoming against Fresno State came in the 2014 season, Bohl’s first season in Laramie.

Players like Frank Crum and Peasley, sixth-year players who have only played in the MW, have never come out victorious over the Bulldogs. Don’t be surprised to see Wyoming playing like it’s a rivalry game. For the Cowboys, this could be viewed as a grudge match.

As one last motivator for the Pokes, Bohl and Wyoming have been critiqued for it being his 10th season and never eclipsing a .500 record. That can change Saturday night. Bohl is 56-57 at Wyoming with the potential to have an even record after his 6-18 start as a FBS head coach.

The game will be one to keep an eye on, with some branding it as one of the most important Group of Five games this season. Kickoff is scheduled for just after 6 p.m. MST at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. The temperature should be around 60 degrees at kickoff but will be close to the mid-40s by the fourth quarter.

Wyoming 36 – Fresno State 30

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