Wyoming Cowboys

Wyoming Ends Season With Loss

November 27, 2004

Game Report Posted: March 28, 2009 03:28  

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - For the second week in a row, the Wyoming defense played well enough to give the offense a chance to win, and for the second week in a row, an inept running game prevented Wyoming from capitalizing on the opportunity.

The defense allowed a season low 275 total yards of offense to UNLV, but the offense could only manage a field goal on their oppening possession and a short touchdown run by wideout Jovon Bouknight in the third quarter.

"Yup, no running game, no win," head coach Joe Glenn told reporters after the game.

"Sound familiar? Believe me, we've tried just about everything in practice to try and find some semblance of a rushing attack. Obviously, we never found one this year, and I'm convinced the answer is to bring in some different personnel this offseason. I'll let you know in August if that works," Glenn said as he walked away, clearly frustrated.

The loss brings an end to a season that was at times exciting, promising, frustrating and disappointing. In each of his two seasons at Wyoming, Glenn has increased the program's win total by two games over the previous year. He inherited a program that had gone 2 - 10 the year before, and finished 4 - 8 in his first season. This year, with his first recruiting class, Glenn's Cowboys won half of their games to finish 6 - 6. If that trend continues, Wyoming will have its first winning season of the millennium in 2005.

Cowboys No Match for Lobos

November 20, 2004

Game Report Posted: March 28, 2009 03:16  

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - Statistics can be misleading. Take, for example, the total yards gained by Wyoming and New Mexico Saturday. Wyoming finished with 588 total yards, and New Mexico finished with 589. Yet the game was never really in doubt, as the Lobos notched a convincing 35-21 victory over the Cowboys.

As was the case most of the year, Wyoming struggled to run the ball, finishing with 34 yards on 25 carries. That led to third and long all afternoon, which resulted in a dismal 3-13 performance on third down, and three interceptions.

"It's nothing new," head coach Joe Glenn announced.

"We couldn't run the ball at the beginning of the year, we couldn't run it last week, and we sure as hell couldn't run it today. In fact, we couldn't even hang onto the ball today. We're not going to beat anybody decent as long as our only offensive threat is Wingate's arm."

On the afternoon, Wyoming turned the ball over five times, including the three interceptions by Wingate and two fumbles, that gave New Mexico good field position all day. Considering the short field, the defense actually played a decent game. Strong safety Solomon Swift, starting in place of the injured Herbert Holland, led the way with ten tackles.

With the loss, Wyoming falls to 6-5 on the year. The Cowboys have one last chance to secure a winning season next week against UNLV.

Wyoming Holds Off Utah in Final Home Game

November 13, 2004

Game Report Posted: March 28, 2009 03:03  

LARAMIE, Wyoming - Wyoming played excellent team football for three quarters Saturday, jumping out to a 35 - 14 lead, and then weathered a 21 point fourth quarter by Utah to eek out a 42 - 35 win in a game dominated by big plays.

Wyoming scored first, on a six yard scamper by freshman tailback Johnny Connor on the opening drive of the game. Utah answered with a short run of their own, one made possible by a converted fake punt that went for 27 yards to the six yard line.

From there, quarterback Kenneth Wingate and wideout Jovon Bouknight took over. For the game, Wingate was 28 of 42 for 447 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions. Wingate also carried the ball nine times for twenty nine yards and two scores, making him both the leading passer and the leading rusher in the game for Wyoming. Bouknight, for his part, caught 15 passes for 279 yards and two touchdowns, in the process setting the school record for most receiving yards in a game.

With Wyoming up 35 - 14 late in the third quarter, Utah put together a long drive that culminated in a one yard run on the first play of the final period. The score gave the Utes momentum, and they scored twice more in the quarter, the last one coming on a 70 yard punt return for a touchdown with 2:31 remaining in the game.

Wyoming, however, wasn't finished, and Wingate connected with Bouknight from 13 yards out with 18 seconds remaining for the game winning touchdown.

Wyoming head coach Joe Glenn spoke with reporters after the game about Wingate's back to back touchdown runs.

"We've been practicing the option the last couple weeks in practice, and the coaches felt good about Ken's execution this week. Especially considering how much we've struggled to run the ball this year, we decided to try it out a couple times this game. Obviously, Kenneth made the right decisions on the field, and it worked out well for us. It certainly caught Utah by surprise."

With the win, Wyoming moves to 6 - 4 on the year. The Cowboys finish out the season on the road, next week at New Mexico, and the week after at UNLV.

Rams Pummel Cowboys

October 30, 2004

Game Report Posted: March 27, 2009 23:10  

FORT COLLINS, Colorado - Everyone in the state of Colorado knew that Colorado State was going to try and set the tempo of the Border War early by establishing the run, and wearing down the Wyoming defense. They did exactly that, and nothing the Cowboys tried could even slow them in the first half, as the Rams exploded for 24 second quarter points, and took a comfortable 31-7 lead to the locker room at the half.

The Cowboys' lone score in the half came a mere nine seconds before the break, when the Rams gave up consecutive long passes as they scrambled to cover the Cowboys' no-huddle offense.

The Cowboys made a number of adjustments in the locker room, and held Colorado State scoreless in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the Cowboys were unable to take advantage, as the Rams defense continued to dominate Wyoming.

The Wyoming offense finally got on track in the fourth quarter, mounting two scoring drives to close the gap to 21-31 with 2:09 remaining, but the onside kick was recovered by the Rams and they scored from 38 yards out on the next play.

Wyoming kept throwing the ball downfield, but freshman cornerback Emmitt Dennis stepped in front of Wingate's throw and returned the ball 68 yards for the score to seal the win for Colorado State.

After the game, Wyoming head coach Joe Glenn Spoke with the media. "Obviously, it hurts to lose any game, and it hurts more to lose to your rival. We didn't put up as good a fight as we did last year, but I'm proud of the way the guys never gave up, and battled back to make a game of it.

"Not to say it wasn't abundantly clear why we lost this game. Fact is, we can't run the ball worth a damn, and most of our opponents can. The Rams, well, they ran it well, and they ran it with authority.

"I've said it all year, but we're not going to get any better until we can find a running game worth hanging our hat on. And finding it will be a team effort. I'm still looking for somebody who can carry the load and the ball, and I'll be damned if I don't find some big farm boys to come knock some guys on their butts next fall."

Glenn is probably right. By way of illustration, just look at the yards gained on the ground by each team. Colorado State carried the ball 39 times for 191 yards, while Wyoming managed only 39 yards on 29 carries. With numbers like that, Wyoming is lucky to be 5-4.

The next game is November 13, at home versus a struggling Utah, who bring a 2-7 record into War Memorial Stadium. Game time is 12:30 p.m.