Cowboys Win Back-and-Forth Game in Double Overtime

By Kaycee Clark-Mellott

Special to the Wyoming Truth

LARAMIE, Wyo.—Following a blowout loss to Illinois in the season opener last week, the University of Wyoming Cowboys looked like a different team on the football field Saturday against the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes. Compared to 30 passing yards last week, quarterback Andrew Peasley threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 45 yards on the ground and led the team in rushing. 

The running game featured a plethora of players, including the hobbled Titus Swen, Dawaiian McNeely (who is recovering from a hand injury) and wideout Will Pelissier. The team ran for 143 yards on the ground.

Tulsa put on a show of their own on offense, with 460 passing yards by quarterback Davis Brin and three passing touchdowns. The Golden Hurricanes also added a touchdown on the ground from 269-pound running back Steven Anderson.

“All that back and forth, I think it just makes this victory sweeter,” UW Head Coach Craig Bohl said in a post-game press conference.

The game began with a bang for Wyoming.

In less than a minute, the Cowboys took the lead on a strip sack fumble recovery for a touchdown. Tulsa and Wyoming both put up a field goal before the end of the first quarter, making it 10-3.

The second quarter featured Tulsa scoring back-to-back with a goal line touchdown from Anderson and a field goal to take the lead 13-10. The last minute of the half saw UW answer with a 48-yard touchdown by Pelissier and Tulsa score a five-yard touchdown caught by Malachai Jones to go ahead 20-17.

Tulsa’s first possession of the third quarter resulted in a punt; however, Wyoming’s Ryan Marquez blocked it and then scooped the ball up to score and return the lead to the Pokes. Four minutes later, Tulsa scored on a 41-yard touchdown to JuanCarlos Santana.

Entering the fourth quarter, Tulsa led 27-24. On the first play, Tulsa scored another touchdown from Brin and possessed a 10-point lead. Wyoming responded with a 55-yard field goal from John Hoyland, setting a new career best. 

Tulsa then attempted a 49-yard field goal which missed wide left. Three plays later, Wyoming scored on a 41-yard touchdown catch from a wide open Joshua Cobbs. The defense forced a three-and-out and drive down to Tulsa’s seven-yard line when Swen fumbled the ball, giving it to Tulsa tied at 34. Three plays later Tulsa fumbled the ball for Wyoming to recover.

With 1:20 left in the game, tied at 34, Wyoming drove down to Tulsa’s 27-yard line with two seconds left to kick a field goal and win the game. Hoyland’s kick was pushed right by the wind and hit the upright, forcing overtime. 

In the first overtime, both Wyoming and Tulsa each kicked field goals to force double overtime. Wyoming kicked a 30-yard field goal, requiring Tulsa to at least match it. Tulsa missed a 43-yard field goal, giving the Cowboys the victory, 40-37.

Wyoming will host Northern Colorado on Sept. 10, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.