Members of the Cowboy defense take a time out during a defensive series against opponent Cal Poly as fans look on. The Cowboy defense had five defenders record tackles in double figures during the 22-24 loss.
The University of Wyoming Cowboys will be hosting their 88th annual homecoming football game against the Air Force Falcons. The game is also UW’s 63rd homecoming game to be played in War Memorial Stadium. The Cowboys current ranking is 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the Mountain West, while the Falcons rank 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the MW. This year’s meeting between the Pokes and the Falcons is the 51st in the series.
The Wyoming-Air Force series began in 1957. Air Force holds a 26-21-3 advantage heading into this week’s meeting, according to Wyoming Athletics. In games played in Laramie, the Cowboys hold a one-game advantage with a record of 11-10-2. Air Force holds a six-game advantage in games played at the Academy, leading 16-10-1. Since the two Front Range rivals moved to the Mountain West Conference, Air Force holds an 8-5 advantage in the MW series record.
Both the Cowboys and the Falcons are coming off overtime losses from last week. Both teams held leads into the fourth quarter before suffering losses in OT against their opponents.
Sophomore quarterback Brett Smith continues to rank among the nation’s best quarterbacks. According to reports from the MW, Smith leads the Mountain West in passing efficiency (167.1 rating) and ranks No. 7 in the nation. He also leads the conference in total offense (336.0 yards per game) and is ninth in the country in that category. Smith has thrown for an average of 295.5 yards through the air to rank No. 2 in the MW and No. 15 in the NCAA.
This coming Saturday, the Pokes will face the NCAA’s No. 1 ranked rusher, Air Force running back Cody Getz. Getz averages 177.4 yards rushing per game, according to the athletics department. He is the first Falcon in school history to rush for 200 yards in three different games in the same season. Getz has rushed for 218 yards vs. Idaho State, 222 vs. Colorado State and 204 vs. Navy this season.
Air Force is the No. 2 ranked rushing team in the nation, averaging 389.6 yards per game.
Junior Quarterback Colby Kirkegaard runs the ball against the Cal Poly defense at War Memorial Stadium on September 15, 2012. Kirkegaard started in place of the injured Brett Smith.
Reports from the MW state that five of the top 10 tacklers in the conference will be featured in Saturday’s game. For Wyoming, senior linebackers Ghaali Muhammad and Korey Jones rank second and third in the conference in tackles. Muhammad averages 9.2 tackles to rank No. 2 in the MW and No. 41 in the nation. Jones averages 8.6 tackles per game, ranking him No. 3 in the conference and No. 64 nationally. Cowboy senior defensive tackle Mike Purcell leads all Mountain West defensive linemen in tackles this season, averaging 7.6 per game. He ranks eighth in the league.
The Mountain West’s leading tackler is The Mountain West’s leading tackler is Air Force senior linebacker Austin Niklas, who averages 9.6 tackles per outing, which also ranks him 25 in the nation. Senior defensive back Brian Lindsay of Air Force is tied with Purcell for eighth place at 7.6 tackles per game.
The Cowboys have taken a great stride forward in turnover margin over their past two games against both Idaho and at Nevada. UW’s defense has forced three turnovers in each of those two games for a total of six forced turnovers, while the offense did not commit any turnovers at Idaho and committed only two at Nevada.
The Wyoming-Air Force game will be broadcast live on radio over the Cowboy Sports Network, beginning with the pregame show one hour prior to kickoff.
