Danielle Server – Staff Writer
The Wyoming Cowboys would extend their winning streak with a win against the Idaho Vandals 21-16. The rushing game would be key yet again to their victory with two rushing touchdowns from running back, Trey Smith.
Wyoming received the ball to start the first quarter. With penalties on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys made their way to field goal range in their first possession, but failed to score after failed kicking attempt by Senior Cooper Rothe, his second in two games.
The Vandals made the most of their own first possession of the game, quickly taking the lead 3-0 at 5:55. Their senior quarterback, Mason Petrino, drove the Vandals down the field in 11 plays, with three complete passes.
The Cowboys were not able to make the most of their drives with two failed kick attempts in the first quarter. Chambers went three for seven in the first two quarters of the game with a total of 44 passing yards, not the best start for the young quarterback who is working on his passing game.
The Wyoming defense had a difficult time stopping Petrino’s offense starting the second quarter. The Vandals would go down the field in 9 plays to get their first touchdown of the game. Wyoming had yet to score as the Vandals increased their lead to ten.
However, in the next drive of the game, the Wyoming offense finally found the endzone in the second quarter after their third possession with key rushing yards. Isamail Jr. rushed for 12 yards into the endzone at 7:28 of the second quarter. It would put the Cowboys on the board for the first time in the game, making it 7-10 before the half.
The defense started to heat up in the second half of the second quarter, putting a stop to Petrino’s offense early on, allowing for the Cowboys to take advantage of their fourth possession. Austin Conway returned the football for a 43 yd punt return, placing the Cowboys in an ideal position. Trey Smith would go on for a 10 yard rush for a touchdown with 4:57 to go in the second quarter.
The Vandals, in their second possession of the second half, scored with another field goal after 14 plays. They were able to make the most of their third downs, especially with a penalty from the Wyoming defense during the drive that allowed them to keep going.
The third quarter ended with third sack from Wyoming. This one by defensive end Josiah Hall. The Wyoming defense is averaging 3.5 sacks per game which leads the Mountain West and ranks 17th in the nation.
At 10:16 in the 4th quarter, Trey Smith would rush for 80 yards in his second touchdown of the game. The 80 yard rush would be the longest since 2014 by Brian Hill against Fresno State.
The Cowboy defense made some costly penalties in the fourth quarter. It would allow for the Vandals to continue driving the ball in the fourth quarter in two different possessions. The defense would hold the Vandals to a field goal in one of the two possessions, coming within five points from the Cowboys. However, the Cowboys offense and defense would defend the score to 21-15, extending their winning streak to seven and 3-0 on the season.
The Cowboys will face the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes in early afternoon match up on September 21st in Tulsa, Oklahoma at 1:30 pm.
