September 24, 2024 |
Photo – Cowboy player runs with ball – Courtesy gowyo.com
What a difference a year makes in college football. When Wyoming played Air Force last year, the Cowboys were flying high.
In 2023, the Cowboy were 5-and-1 on the season in mid-October when they played the Falcons at the Academy in Colorado Springs. The Falcons were undefeated and finished the season with 10 wins and no losses. In their matchup on October 14, the Cowboys were up 21-17 at the half but went on to lose 34-27.
This year, the Cowboys are still searching for their first win. The Falcons are coming off a bye-week and come into Laramie with a 1-and-2 record. Both teams are struggling.
In Laramie on Monday, Cowboys head coach Jay Sawvel talked about the beginning of conference play.
The Cowboys showed improvement at North Texas. Quarterback Evan Svoboda threw the ball well in the first half. Wyoming also converted on third downs but weren’t able to sustain the momentum after Big Green’s late field goal to end the first half.
During Monday’s news conference, Coach Sawvel used basketball as an example to show how his team’s energy level was deflated by their own mistakes. Sawvel compared the deflated Wyoming psychology in Denton, Texas Saturday night to blowing a layup and the opponent comes down court and makes a three at the other end.
The Cowboys are regrouping this week, and dealing with injuries as they get ready for the conference opener.
Fullback Caleb Driscoll, the senior from Gillette, is out with a thumb injury—no timetable on Driscoll’s return. Free Safety, Wyatt Eckler, is out until at least the San Diego State game on October 12, after the bye. Defensive End, Dvonne Harris, is out for the Air Force matchup, as is Sophomore Center Luke Sandy from Elizabeth, Colorado. Junior Strong Safety Andrew Johnson of Cheyenne will play with a broken thumb. Another strong safety, senior Isaac White, is crossed off the list for Air Force—at least as of Monday. Senior running back Dawaiian McNeely is out for the rest of the season, Coach Sawvel said Monday.
McNeely going back under the knife.
Continuing to run down the Wyoming injury list, Sawvel said the other senior runback, Harrison Waylee, will also be out for Saturday night’s game against Air Force. Waylee will play four games this year as a red shirt once he’s ready to return to the lineup. The four-game cap is designed so #4 can return next year as a fifth year senior.
The Cowboys are a four point underdog Saturday night at the War against Air Force. Kickoff is set for six p.m. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air with the pregame show at 4:30.
