LARAMIE, Wyoming - For the second week in a row, freshman quarterback Kenneth Wingate had a big outing, throwing for more than 400 yards on 27 completions, as the Cowboys held off Air Force to open conference play, 31 - 21.

Also for the second week in a row, sophomore safety Herbert Holland led the team in tackles, and was a leader on defense.

"Last week, I said big offense wasn't going to win a lot of games, and I stand by that," head coach Joe Glenn said after the game.

"Not to take anything away from our offense, but everybody knows Jovon is going to get his yards. (Bouknight had 216 on 10 catches and a touchdown.) We won this game today because our defense stepped up, made big plays when we needed them and made the Falcon running game work for every yard they got. Holland especially, was all over the field, and his pick in the fourth quarter was huge. He doesn't make that play, we probably lose that game."

The win was a big one for Wyoming, who move to 4 - 0 on the season, equalling their win total for all of last year. Perhaps more importantly, they open conference play with a win, and against an Air Force team that embarrassed the Cowboys last year.

Granted, the competition will get tougher as the year goes on, but if the first four games of the season is any indication, Glenn's first recruiting class intends to have a say in the shape of the Mountain West conference in the coming years.

Their next stage is next Saturday at Colorado.