Matthew Fabian
Mfabian1@uwyo.edu
The Wyoming Cowboys allowed their highest point total of the season against the Mountain West Champion favorite Aggies in Logan.
The Cowboys remained within 10 points of the Aggies up until 34 seconds left in the first half when the floodgates officially opened on the Cowboys. The Aggies scored 13 unanswered points in about 16 minutes of game play and lead 37-14 with 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. The final score came to 58-27, and the Cowboy defensive unit left scratching their heads.
It was no secret the Cowboys were not meant to win this game. Vegas odds makers predicted something along the lines of 37-10 in Utah State’s favor. But to allow 58 points to a team that barely got 14 the week before? To make progress in the weeks leading up, even in a blow out loss to the Broncos in Boise, then to lay an egg?
This anomaly can be explained through injuries, starting at the quarterback position. Coffman has been hurt for stretches of the season, and probably will not be back soon enough to play against the team from the south on Saturday. Nick Smith, a freshman, has stepped in this year and done a formidable job in his time under center. He accounted for three touchdowns against the Aggies and threw no interceptions.
“All the x-rays [for Coffman] have come back as negative, but he is very sore. It will probably be a couple more weeks,” head coach Craig Bohl said before taking the field against the Aggies. “Nick’s our number one quarterback and we’ll prepare him as such.”
The brightest spot for the Cowboys shined again in Utah, with Brian Hill rushing for 201 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown run. Hill now has rushed for more than 100 yards in 10 games out of the last 14 he has played. He also ran for 200 yards, the fourth time in his career. Finally, Hill has now rushed for 1,262 yards on the season, which is good enough for fourth in the nation. Yes, a top five running back graces our presence in Laramie, and Bohl agrees.
“We have one of the best running backs in America, and I have seen some damn good ones,” Bohl said on the sophomore running back.
The season stands as a lost cause, as far as going to a bowl game. With a 1-8 record, the Wyoming team can only match last year’s team record by winning out. With Colorado State, San Diego State and UNLV left, a 1-2 record the rest of the way seems like best-case scenario. The season, as a campaign, does not fall as a lost cause.
Everything there is to gain from the season can be gained this coming Saturday. By stealing a win against the Rams, Bohl can salvage the season and cuddle with the Bronze Boot. The Cowboys just need to step up and fight, not run and hide.
