In a season full of missed opportunities and questionable plays, the Wyoming Cowboys’ road loss to the San Jose State Spartans likely lands at the top of the list as the most bittersweet loss this season amongst a heaping pile of tough losses. The Cowboys were gifted five turnovers and blocked an early field goal in this one, but were unable to make good off the Spartans’ mistakes on their way to a final score that felt much more lopsided than it looked, losing 24-14.
The Spartans were quick to the punch with a 1:15 scoring drive to start the game, as Spartan running back Floyd Chalk IV broke through multiple tackles on his way to a 39 yard touchdown scamper.
The Cowboys, on their ensuing drive, seemed to be putting things together as they slowly made their way down the field, even converting a huge 4th and 1 in Spartan territory. The Cowboys would bite off more than they could chew, though, as their second attempt at a 4th and 1 would be unsuccessful and would remain scoreless despite easily being in the range for kicker John Hoyland to strike it through the uprights.
The Spartans would march right back into Cowboy territory and were in ideal range for a field goal to make it 10-0. The Cowboys were nowhere near passing the early eye test in this one, and it looked as if this game was going to get away from them early. That would be until Tyrecus Davis would fly in and bat away the Spartans’ 40 yard field goal attempt, which the Cowboy defense would scoop up for a turnover at their own 29 yard line.
You’d figure a play like that would be enough to shift the momentum and give the Cowboy offense a spark to find the scoreboard.
It wouldn’t.
That wouldn’t seem to matter much though, as on the ensuing Spartan drive, quarterback Walker Eget would fumble the football away to the Cowboys after Davis would make the play again to punch the ball out after the Spartans were again in prime field position to tack on more points. Again, the offense was gifted an opportunity to tie the game up.
Again, they’d fall short.
Right on cue, the Cowboy defense again would force their second straight turnover. Wyett Ekeler, with a club casted on each hand, would miraculously come down with an interception, even without any mobility in his thumbs and most of both forearms. Surely, a play like that would be enough to spark the Cowboy offense.
It would only be enough for a deflated three yard drive.
The Spartans would even drop the ball on the following punt, allowing the Cowboys to recover the ball and set up shop in Spartan territory. This time around, they would manage to lose yards on the drive, pushing Hoyland out of field goal range and the Cowboys would punt again.
The Spartans would waste no time finding the end zone once again, finally overcoming their turnover woes to make it 14-0 heading into the locker room.
The Cowboys’ offense would finally repay their defense in the second half, though, as they finally showed signs of life after the Cowboys defense would again pick off Eget. Starting quarterback Evan Svoboda would lead the Cowboys with a triad of impressive passes, capping off the drive with a 18 yard touchdown strike to freshman wideout Justin Stevenson.
Despite just how ineffective the Cowboy offense had been up to their first scoring drive, it was suddenly a one possession game in the third quarter. The Spartans would answer with a field goal to make it 17-7, but Svoboda and company were making their way back down the field and looked poised to answer deep in Spartan territory.
On a critical 3rd and 9 at the Spartan 14 yard line, Svoboda would sail a pass well over the outstretched hand of running back Sam Scott on a short screen pass. Spartan defensive back Amir Wallace would easily catch the errant pass, sealing the Cowboys’ fate on their sixth loss of the season.
Despite struggling to establish the run with only 56 yards rushing, the Cowboys threw for 310 yards. Svoboda had moments of brilliance in the contest, including his impressive touchdown throw to Stevenson. Still, his errant throw on an easy, short-yard screen route to Scott in the fourth quarter was enough for head coach Jay Sawvel to pull the plug on the struggling junior, as freshman Kaden Anderson played the remaining seven minutes in the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys easily won the time of possession battle as well, holding the ball for 36:16 compared to the Spartans’ time of possession of 23:44. Still, it didn’t matter how long the Cowboys held onto the ball if they couldn’t convert much of any of their drives into points.
The Cowboys will look to avenge their loss at home next week, with a pivotal Mountain West matchup against Utah State, who also currently sits at the same 1-6 record the Cowboys are currently at.
