The Cowboys put on quite a show for the 21,784 fans in attendance for Saturday’s football game against Texas State. With a final score of 45-10, the Cowboys played a well-rounded game scoring in all three facets of the game.
Notable events that took place during the game is that quarterback Josh Allen became the tenth leading passer in University of Wyoming history as far as passing yards. And Tyler Hall became the first player at UW to record two career kickoff returns for touchdowns. Hall also became the first player to return a kickoff for a touchdown in two straight games.
The game started off slow with the first quarter ending scoreless. The Texas State Wildcats had a chance to score, but a sack by Josiah Hall drove the Wildcats back far enough to when Texas attempted a field goal it was out of range for their kicker Marcus Ripley.
Early in the second quarter, the Cowboys were piecing together a drive until running back Trey Woods fumbled and Texas State player A.J Krawczyk recovered and returned it 39 yards before he was tackled on the Wyoming 33-yard-line. The Wildcats were able to capitalize on this by driving down the field and making a field goal giving them a three to nothing lead.
When the Cowboys got the ball after the kickoff they were able to put a drive together after a screen pass thrown by backup quarterback Nick Smith went for 30 yards. The Drive was capped off by Allen throwing a 22-yard pass to CJ Johnson.
Only 11 seconds later the Cowboys were Able to score again after a pick 6 by cornerback Rico Gafford putting the score to 14-3 Cowboys.
The Wildcats were able to piece together a scoring drive after a questionable roughing the passer foul called on defensive end Carl Granderson. Wildcats were able to punch it in with a 5-yard pass complete to Elijah King. Tyler Hall was able to return the following Kickoff for a touchdown. Bringing the score to 21-10 Wyoming.
On the ensuing drive, Texas went 3 and out and gave Wyoming the ball with just over 2 minutes left in the half. After Allen connected a 39-yard pass to Avante’ Cox, the Cowboys were able to punch another touchdown in with a 15-yard pass to Johnson. The Cowboys were able to cap off the first half by scoring one more time with kicker Cooper Rothe making a 29-yard field goal. The score going into half was 31-10.
The second half was very one sided with the Pokes shutting Texas State out. Highlights of the second half included an 8-yard touchdown pass to Cowboy wide receiver Austin Conway, and a fumble returned for a touchdown by linebacker Logan Wilson.
Poke players who stood out were CJ Johnson, who scored twice and accumulated 57 yards; Tyler Hall, who returned a kickoff for a touchdown; defensive end Youhanna Ghaifan who is now leading the league in tackles by a defensive lineman; and Josh Allen, who had 219 yards passing and 28 yards rushing.
After this victory, the Cowboys are heading into a bye week on a high note.
