2005 Week 3

BOULDER, Colorado - The rain fell for three days solid before today's game between the Wyoming Cowboys and the Colorado Buffalos. The field was a pit of mud long before kickoff. At times, it rained so hard players struggled to see ten yards down the field. Colorado practiced in these tornado-like conditions all week, and fumbled three times, though all three were recovered by the Buffalos. Wyoming practiced at home in light rain most of the week, and fumbled eight times, and recovered just three of them.

They gave the ball up just about every way possible, fumbling away handoffs, quarterback keepers, completed passes, kickoffs and even an interception.

"Obviously, our biggest problem today was none of us could hold onto the ball," quarterback Kenneth Wingate told reporters after the game.

"I've never been more wet or seen a slicker field in my life. Most of the time, you lost the ball the moment you hit the ground, but the worst were the times the ball just seemed determined to get free and would come flying out on even the most incedental contact."

Just about everyone who touched the ball coughed it up at least once. Wingate was credited with two fumbles, halfbacks Billings and Connor fumbled once each, and fullback London Barnes fumbled on the second of only two carries. All-American wideout Jovon Bouknight fumbled away a sure touchdown and safety Herbert Holland was in the midst of an 18 yard interception return when he simply dropped the ball.

"Clearly, our guys were not prepared for the conditions out there today," head coach Joe Glenn stated.

"The blame for that falls squarely on the shoulders of myself and the rest of the coaching staff. The entire team will be spending a good deal more time practicing their ball handling skills the next few weeks, I can assure you that."

"Maybe I can convince the fire chief to bring one of his ladder trucks over to practice so he can hit guys with the water cannon as they practice holding onto the ball. That oughtta be fun."

Wyoming will try to get a grip next week against Air Force, in the conference opener for both teams.