LARAMIE, Wyoming - The Wyoming defense has been criticized all year for its anemic pass defense, and the unit came into today's contest against Oklahoma State with something to prove. Wyoming, led by strong performances by both starting cornerbacks, shut down the 23rd rated passing offense of Oklahoma State, allowing zero passing yards in the first half, and only 116 for the game, as the Cowboys in brown controlled the clock and withstood a late comeback attempt to hold off Oklahoma State 17 - 14 Saturday.

The defense was on a mission in the first half, holding Oklahoma State to 58 yards, all on the ground, and only two first downs. The offense, while able to move the ball, again struggled in the red zone as normally reliable place kicker Scott Parker missed field goals of 28 and 47 yards.

The offense finally got on track late in the second quarter, scoring on a pair of one yard runs by quarterback Kenneth Wingate and tailback Terrence Billings to take a 14 - 0 lead into the locker room.

It was more of the same in the third, with Wyoming controlling the clock, and scoring three points on a 26 yard field goal by Parker.

Oklahoma State responded with a 14 play, 78 yard drive that took just over four minutes and ended with a one yard dive from halfback Leroy Molloy, who carried the ball 20 times on the afternoon for a total of 73 yards.

From there, the defense tightened again, and forced two punts by the Cowboys. The offense could not score, and Oklahoma State began a long, slow drive down the field, culminating in a 28 yard strike to the tight end for the score, pulling the Cowboys to within three. Fortunately for Wyoming, the drive took 17 plays and nearly five minutes, leaving only 43 seconds on the clock.

Wyoming recovered the onside kick, but Oklahoma State had three time outs and Wyoming could not convert a first down. Long booted a high, spiraling punt that traveled only 30 yards, but pinned Oklahoma State at their own eight yard line with only twenty seconds remaining, and the Wyoming defense held on for the win.

After the game, Wyoming head coach Joe Glenn praised both Wingate and his defense.

"Our secondary has been burned deep a number of times this year, and when they have, we've heard about it. In practice this week, Cedric and Cal (Wilson and Craig, senior cornerbacks) really stepped up, both in intensity and as leaders. The guys really responded to that, and I think it showed in the game today.

"Add to that a phenomenal job taking care of the football by everyone on the field, and we really put ourselves in a good position to win. In particular, I was impressed by the decisions Ken made on the field. I don't think he had a bad throw all day.

"Especially considering how many guys got banged up over the course of the game, we really got an excellent effort all around. We had what, five, six guys injured just today? And everybody stepped up and made plays when we needed them. I couldn't have asked for more from any of the guys."

Five Wyoming players missed at least one play due to injury, though Wingate (thigh) and Gaines (broken thumb) returned to the game. Safety Scott Potts (ankle) and linebacker O.J. Landrum (strained shoulder) left the game and did not return, although Wyoming personnel predicted both would play next week. The biggest loss was freshman wide receiver and returner Andre Kirkpatrick (concussion) who is expected to miss at least two weeks. Wyoming faces the University of Nevada at home next Saturday.