Nick Seeman- Wyoming Athletics
LARAMIE, Wyo. (Sept. 28, 2024) – The Wyoming Cowboys erupted for 24 points in the second half to fly past the Air Force Falcons 31-19 on Homecoming inside War Memorial Stadium in Laramie on Saturday evening. The Pokes recorded 278 yards of total offense in the second frame and held onto the ball for nearly 22 minutes in the second half.
“I’m really happy for our team. I’m really proud of our players,” UW head coach Jay Sawvel said. “I’m happy for everybody associated with the organization. For where we are at right now, we couldn’t have asked for a better time for an open date. We needed to get a game to go into the open date. The way that they have practiced. The way they have continued to fight. The way that they have continued to improve. We’ll come back two weeks from now and be a better football team than what we were today. (The first win), it’s hollow a little bit with the way it all started. But look, take a list and take a look at who’s not here. You go down the list. We had two backup guards and a hobbled center, and we were able to run it in and score a touchdown there late. I’m really happy for the team. I’m really happy for our offensive staff. They have been working hard to try and get us jumpstarted.”
The Cowboys finished the night with a season-high 361 yards of total offense with a balanced attack that featured 188 yards passing and 173 yards on the ground. The Wyoming defense held Air Force to 320 yards of total offense with only 103 yards of total offense in the second half.
The Pokes got on the board first with a touchdown run from Sam Scott for his first of the season. But the Cowboys trailed 13-7 going into the half. Wyoming responded with a dominating third quarter with a pair of scores with a rush by quarterback Evan Svoboda and a scamper from wide receiver Tyler King. Svoboda was 8-of-9 passing in the third quarter.
Wyoming added 10 points in the final frame with a field goal from John Hoyland and another touchdown from Svoboda on the ground. A late sack on the Falcons final drive sealed the first win of the season for the Brown and Gold.
The Cowboy offense was led by Svoboda completing 71 percent of his passes for the game and throwing for a career-high 165 yard on 15-of-21. He also added a season-high 70 yards on the ground. Running back Sam Scott added a career-high 97 yards rushing. Wide Receiver Chris Durr, Jr. added a career-high three catches for a career-high 71 yards.
The Cowboys were paced by linebacker Shae Suiaunoa with a career-high 13 tackles on the night. He also added three tackles for loss for a career-high and the most by a Cowboy since Braden Siders had three against Ohio in the Arizona Bowl in 2022. Nose Tackle Ben Florentine added a career-high seven tackles.
The Cowboys will enjoy a bye week next weekend and return to action on October 12 hosting San Diego State inside War Memorial Stadium for a 1:30 p.m. start.