Cowboys Beat Lobos in Homecoming Victory

Quick Take

A low-scoring game where Wyoming controlled the momentum throughout. A pretty clean (one turnover by New Mexico) and quick game in which the Cowboys never trailed.

The Recap

Not much first half action.

Wyoming had a solid drive after receiving the opening kickoff. However, the drive stalled at the New Mexico 44, so the Cowboys punted. After exchanging a couple more punts, New Mexico would turn the ball over and set Wyoming up with good field position.

Four plays later, the Cowboys capitalized with a TD to take the first lead of the game.

From there, the first half would finish uneventfully with 3 punts and a missed Wyoming field goal.

To start the 2nd half, New Mexico came out and put together a decent little drive. However, the Cowboys would stuff the Lobos on 4th and 3 from the Wyoming 29.

The Cowboys took possession and would kill any Lobos momentum by immediately driving down the field for another TD.

After Wyoming missed the PAT, the teams exchanged punts. New Mexico got the ball and put together another solid drive. With the first play of the 4th quarter, the Lobos would finally get on the board with a 25 yard field goal.

Wyoming would immediately respond, putting together their 3rd TD drive of the game.

New Mexico would march down the field for their first TD of the game. It appeared the Cowboys had stopped the Lobos again, but New Mexico went for it on 4th and 15 and came up with a 21 yard score through the air to keep some slim hopes alive.

With 6:31 left in the game, Wyoming got the ball and ran off much of the remainder of the clock. After New Mexico stopped Wyoming in the red zone, Cooper Rothe kicked a 36 yard field goal with 58 seconds remaining to extend the Cowboys lead.

New Mexico would drive all the way to the Wyoming 17 before time would run out on the Lobos.

New Mexico 10, Wyoming 23

Final Thoughts

It went sort of how I expected. New Mexico put together a good effort and did not beat themselves with turnovers. Still, Wyoming controlled the game on the ground with both Chambers and Valladay rushing for over 100 yards and a TD.

Up next is Nevada. Wyoming needs to get ready to play the Wolf Pack next Saturday in another home game and try to get a 6th win to get to bowl eligible. Though the Cowboys should know that will not necessarily be enough after missing out on a bowl game last season at 6-6. Sitting at 5-2, the Cowboys should be shooting to finish 2-3 (at a minimum) to finish the season with a winning record and a bowl game. Of course, much more could be possible if Wyoming keeps winning. Bottom line, the Cowboys need to keep playing week-to-week and get ready to play a Nevada team next week that will be much more of a challenge than New Mexico.