The Wyoming Cowboys will take to the turf one final time for the 2021 season against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
For the 2021-22 round of bowl games, 53 teams were hoping for a spot in a 26-game schedule, meaning only 52 of the 53 had the opportunity to be placed. Wyoming was lucky enough to make the cut for its second-ever appearance in the 25th edition of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
The Cowboys’ opponent Kent State played the regular season in the Mid-Western Conference. Kent State and Wyoming are almost evenly matched in records, with Kent State hoisting a record of 7-6 and Wyoming at 6-6.
The 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl kicks off on Sat. Dec. 21 at 1:30 p.m. MST in Boise, ID. The game is set to be the first meeting between the teams as the two squads have never played each other in the history of either program.
However, Kent State and Wyoming did face one common opponent this season in Northern Illinois University. Wyoming won against NIU 50-43 as the away team, and Kent State played against NIU twice, once in their regular season and a second time in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game.
Kent State lost the home game against the NIU Huskies 52-47, and then also lost the MAC Championship game to Northern Illinois 41-23 in Detroit on Dec. 4.
Understandably, there are few predictions to be made for this novel matchup, but Cowboys head coach Craig Bohl is anticipating a good game.
“I know our fans remember the great experience they had back in 2017 at the bowl game, and we look forward to seeing them in Boise later this month,” Bohl said. “We know we will be playing a very good football team in Kent State, and we’re excited for the challenge.”
The Cowboys will travel to Boise hoping for a third consecutive bowl game win, to add to the win column of their 8-8 bowl game record. Wyoming has appeared in 16 bowl games since 1951.
Wyoming’s last bowl appearance was in the Arizona Bowl against Georgia State to end off the 2019 season. The Cowboys won 38-17. Before 2019, the Cowboy’s last bowl game was the 2017 edition of the Potato Bowl, where they beat Central Michigan University 37-14.
UW Athletics Director Tom Burman explained how much a postseason game meant to the team and the university. A bowl game is a chance at redemption, and this specific game is a historic chance to play a new team, and have a whole new experience.
“We’re excited for our players, coaches and fans that we have the opportunity to be playing in a bowl game again this year,” Burman said. “For some of our players this will be the fourth bowl team they have been a part of, so we are happy our players get to cap off their careers in postseason play.”
Craig Bohl will be setting his own records, as he will now overtake UW Athletics Hall of Fame Coach Paul Roach in taking the most teams to postseason bowl games. This will be Bohl’s fourth time taking the Cowboys to such an event during his tenure.
“Our team had a great experience in 2017 when we played in Boise,” Bohl said. “The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl staff and the Boise community do a great job of hosting the game and the events surrounding it. Our coaching staff and players are looking forward to the opportunity of playing together again this season.”
Executive Director of the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Kevin McDonald welcomed both teams with open arms via a press release on Sunday.
“We really enjoyed hosting Coach (Craig) Bohl and Wyoming in 2017 and can’t wait to have the Cowboys and their fans back this year,” McDonald said. “Welcoming a team for the first time is always a unique experience, and we look forward to showing Kent State and their supporters the very best of Boise.”
