WYOMING FOOTBALL: UW Seeks to Snap Losing Streak Against Boise State

By Kaycee Clark-Mellott

Special to the Wyoming Truth

After a much-needed bye week, the University of Wyoming Cowboys (5-2, 2-1) will travel to the infamous “Smurf Turf” to take on the Boise State Broncos (3-4, 2-1) today. UW will need to bounce back to stay in contention to play in the Mountain West Conference championship game in December following a loss to the Air Force Falcons.

For head coach Craig Bohl, the loss in Colorado Springs was “gut wrenching.” It put the Falcons in the driver’s seat to potentially host the conference championship, become ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll and gain national attention for a prominent bowl game. Wyoming stopped receiving any votes in AP’s poll and no longer is undefeated in conference play.

“I’m pleased with our team, but we’re not complacent,” Bohl said at his bye week press conference on Monday. “There’s more out there for us to do.”

UW’s goal is clear: Win the Mountain West for the first time in school history. But as Bohl’s M.O. has always been, the team must go “one-and-o” each week, and it isn’t any easier come Saturday.

Boise State has dominated UW since the teams’ first meeting in 2002, winning 16 of their 17 games, including the heartbreaker in Laramie last year.

“This is a game at the beginning of the year that I had circled,” Bohl said. “Simply because of the rich tradition they have and how they play at home.”

Saturday night’s stars

Last year’s matchup didn’t include quarterback Andrew Peasley, who was injured. But his performance so far this season suggests he may play a major role in today’s game. Peasley passed for a season high in yards against Air Force, and with the probable return of Harrison Waylee, the passing game will open up. The Bronco defense allows 304 passing yards per game, so expect a heavy attack on Boise’s secondary.

Waylee’s potential return is good news for UW’s offense. His 7.2 yards per carry is sixth in the country; however, Waylee has not played enough games to be eligible for that official ranking. Bohl called him a “dynamic weapon,” as he typically produced at least one explosive play per game. This prevents the Cowboys from becoming one-dimensional in their attack.

But Ashton Jeanty is Boise’s offense and a Midseason All-American as named by AP, The Athletic, CBS Sports, ESPN and Fox Sports, He has tallied 1,264 yards and 15 total touchdowns this season, which leads college football. He also leads the country in broken tackles (71) and yards after contact (604). Look for Wyoming to throw anything and everything at Jeanty to contain him.

That’s where the Pokes’ defense will come into play. The defensive line will try to keep Jeanty to short gains. Watch for Devonne Harris, Jordan Bertagnole, Sabastian Harsh and Shae Suiaunoa to limit Jeanty’s impact.

What does a win mean to UW?

A victory for Wyoming against Boise in Idaho would be the first of its kind and snap the team’s six-year losing streak against the Broncos.

During Bohl’s tenure, four of the nine games have been decided by one possession—and most have been within reach for the Pokes. This is the third time Wyoming has begun 5-2 under Bohl; the 2016 season ended with a 3-4 record after the hot start, and the 2019 Cowboys finished 3-3.

A win in Boise would prove that Wyoming can finish a season strong.

Watch the Cowboys visit the Broncos today at 3:30 p.m. Mountain on FS2 or listen on the Cowboy Sports Network.