September 29, 2023 |
Photo – Pistol Pete on parade – Courtesy University of Wyoming
A parade, returning alumni, a tribute to Steamboat, a rodeo, a swing dance, and even the conference football opener: It’s all part of homecoming in Laramie, Wyoming on Saturday.
The 3-1 Cowboys host the 2-2 New Mexico Lobos.
The two teams will meet for the 25th consecutive season in what has turned into a competitive rivalry. Tomorrow’s game will be the 76th meeting between the two squads. The Cowboys and Lobos were founding members of the Western Athletic Conference. Before that, they were in the Skyline Conference together. UW leads the series 40-35. Their history is long. The rivalry is great. The Cowboys may be a two-touchdown favorite going into the matchup, but the game could be a lot closer if history is any indicator.
Coach Bohl said this week that the Wyoming defense will see a different Lobos offense tomorrow than in past years, starting with their new quarterback. The 6-2, 225 pound Dylan Hopkins is a gunslinger.
Coach Craig Bohl also said that New Mexico’s “new look” offense is not afraid of going deep with the pass.
The New Mexico defense, chaotic and disruptive, has proven a challenge for Wyoming’s offense in the past.
The Lobos defeated Massachusetts last week 34-31. Hopkins threw for 192 yards.
The Wyoming offense will have to up its game. Quarterback Andrew Peasley threw for only 31 yards with a completion rate of only 33% against App State last Saturday. Other Cowboys stepped up, though, to win a game that was close to being out of reach. Cornerback Jakorey Hawkins returned a blocked punt 62 yards for a touchdown with less than two minutes to play, Wrook Brown made an interception at the 6-yard line with 12 seconds left and Wyoming edged Appalachian State 22-19 on Saturday night.
Craig Bohl had some simple coaching advice to how the Cowboys need to play tomorrow.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. tomorrow. The pregame show launches at 12:30 here on Bigfoot 99.
