The Wyoming Cowboys open up conference play this Saturday at home against the New Mexico Lobos. After an exhilarating four weeks for the Pokes that included a double overtime win, blocked field goal in the fourth quarter, and a trip to play the 4th ranked Texas Longhorns, Wyoming looks to earn a comfortable victory this weekend.
New Mexico sits at 2-2, coming off an overtime win against University of Massachusetts last week. The Lobos are 6th in the Mountain West in both offensive yards per game and yards allowed per game. The rushing attack looks to be the strong point of New Mexico’s offense, and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (#5) leads the team with 358 yards and 7 touchdowns. Meanwhile, QB Dylan Hopkins (#10) has thrown for 857 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Lobos. While playing in only 3 of the teams 4 games, safety Tavian Combs (#7) still leads the Lobos in tackles with 33. Linebackers Syaire Riley(#36) and Alec Marenco(#18) also anchor the defense, but the Lobos still allow over 434 yards per game.
For the Pokes, the offense still proves to be the weak link. The Cowboys are dead last in the Mountain West in terms of offensive production in yards, and this is due to a mere 517 yards passing. While the Wyoming QB’s have not thrown lots of interceptions, they are just a step behind their Mountain West peers when it comes to the air attack. This being said, the running backs, especially Harrison Waylee(#4), have stepped up to rush for over 670 yards. Waylee in only two games has posted an impressive 266 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were over 60 yards. Since he has played two less games than other NCAA backs, he isn’t eligible for the stats rankings, but his pace of 133 yards/game would currently put him as the number 2 rusher in the nation, right behind App. St. standout Nate Noel.
The defense and special teams for Wyoming was the difference last week, blocking a field goal and taking it to the house for the lead. While they haven’t posted anything outstanding on paper, any Pokes fan can tell you how solid they have been through four games. A wide array of Cowboys have made big plays, but a few Pokes keep showing up game after game. Wrook Brown (#2) has two interceptions and one fumble recovery, while linebackers Easton Gibbs(#28) and Shae Suiaunoa(#43) have recorded over 30 tackles. Safety Wyett Eckler(#31) also has 31 tackles, but has one interception and 3 passes defended as well, and is a true leader for this strong defensive group.
For the Pokes, upping the pass attack will help take the pressure off Harrison Waylee and the other running backs. This is important this week especially, with the departure of DQ James on Tuesday, which will put more work on secondary backs Sam Scott(#22) and Jamari Ferrell(#32). While New Mexico certainly isn’t an incredibly difficult opponent to open conference play against, the Pokes can’t take anyone for granted, and will look to win the Homecoming game in comfortable fashion. Kickoff is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, and will be broadcast on Mountain West Network.
