The Wyoming Cowboys came up short on the road against Air Force, losing 34-27. Despite a strong offensive start, the Pokes didn’t have enough coming down the stretch against the impressive Air Force offense.
The Wyoming offense received the opening kickoff and started the game strong, driving 75 yards to open with a touchdown. Andrew Peasley ran for over 40 yards and forced the ball in on a QB sneak to put the Pokes up early.
After a quick defensive stand, the defense put the ball back into the hands of Peasley, and he continued moving the ball for the Cowboys. Another drive of nearly 70 yards led to a Wyatt Weiland TD catch, making it 14-0.
QB Zac Larrier and the Falcons responded quickly however. Their strong run offense started to gain momentum, and it only took 7 straight runs to bring the game back to one score. Air Force running back Owen Burk took the ball into the endzone from15 yards out to make it 14-7.
Wyoming once again drove into Falcon territory, but John Hoyland’s 40 yard field goal missed the mark. This gave Larrier and the Falcons another chance, but after a short drive the defense seemed to stop them, forcing a punt. However, Air Force ran a clever fake punt to gain the first down, and Larrier threw a TD right after.
With the game tied at 14, Wyoming’s offense made it to the Falcons side of the field for the fourth straight drive. Andrew Peasley once again took to the air in the red zone, this time finding Ayir Asante for a toe tapping TD in the back of the endzone.
After a quick Air Force drive resulting in a field goal, the teams went to the locker room with Wyoming up 21-17. The 9/10 third down conversion rate of the Pokes was a huge factor in their first half lead, and Andrew Peasley also ran for the most UW yards with star Harrison Waylee injured.
Coming out of half, the Falcons operated a relentless run scheme, with runs on 16 out of 17 plays.This ground assault resulted in a Zac Larrier 1 yard TD putting Air Force up 24-21. Wyoming was forced to punt for the first time on their resulting drive, and Air Force got the ball back heading into the fourth quarter.
Wyoming struggled to stop the determined rushing of Air Force all game, but after the Falcons drove to the Wyoming 26-yard line, the defense held strong. Air Force kicked a second field goal to stretch their lead to 27-21.
Andrew Peasley stepped into the helm to lead the Pokes offense, but after a first down run he appeared to hurt his ankle. He stayed in the game, but the Pokes drive stalled and they were forced to punt with about 9 minutes left in the game.
With the ball on their own 25, a mishandled Air Force handoff led to the first turnover of the game and gave Wyoming great field position. Air Force stood strong however, and Wyoming was forced with a tough decision on 4th and 4 in the red zone. The Pokes went for it, and Peasley delivered a 7 yard TD strike to Treyton Welch. The extra point was blocked by the Falcons, and the score was knotted up at 27 with 6 minutes remaining.
On the first play of the next Air Force drive, Easton Gibbs ripped at the ball of the running back. As he went down, the ball came out and the Cowboys recovered it in Air Force territory once again. Despite the excellent defensive stop however, Wyoming was forced to kick but Hoyland sailed the attempt wide right.
3 plays later, John Eldridge III ran for 58 yards to the endzone to put Air Force up by 7 points. The Wyoming offense floundered again, and on a turnover on downs gave the ball back. Air Force was able to run the clock out for the win.
Andrew Peasley had another impressive outing, with 206 yards passing, 48 yards rushing, and 3 TDs. With two missed field goals and a missed extra point, lots of crucial points were left off the board for the Pokes. Air Force ran for over 350 yards and were able to secure the win despite two late turnovers.
Wyoming gets a week off, and will have time to rest up before they face off against Boise State on October 28th.
