Matthew Fabian
Mfabian1@uwyo.edu
For the eight listed seniors on the Wyoming roster, they left War Memorial Stadium on Saturday for the final time as a football player and with a win against the UNLV Rebels.
“It was a hard fought game and I couldn’t be more please, especially for our seniors,” head coach Craig Bohl said. “We are excited about what kind of message it’s sends for next year [sic].”
The Wyoming Cowboys found themselves in an all too familiar spot only 4:26 into the game, behind on the scoreboard.
In a six-play drive that only took 2:52 off the game clock, the Rebels found themselves with a 7-0 lead after a 22-yard touchdown reception from Devonte Boyd.
On the next drive, senior quarterback Cameron Coffman threw an interception down near the goal line. It brought up similar moods for not only Wyoming fans, but also the Wyoming coaching staff.
“There were certainly feelings of here we go again when we got down and it didn’t go that way,” Bohl said.
Things certainly did not go as the same song and dance Wyoming had come accustomed to under choreographer Craig Bohl. Fortunately for the Cowboys, a record-breaking performance from sophomore running back Brian Hill broke the momentum of a losing Cowboy team.
“Brian is a champ, works hard and is competitive. Everything he has done all summer, all season, been a team player and today is another example of his ability,” Bohl said.
With 3:37 left in the half, Hill rattled off a 72-yard run into the end zone to tie the game. More impressively, it left him with the single greatest rushing season in Wyoming history. Ryan Christopherson’s record of 1,455 yards in a season stood for 20 years, until Hill surpassed it with 1,631 yards in a season. Hill ran for 232 of those yards against UNLV.
“Feels like every other day to tell you the truth. I feel like the same Brian. When the season is over I can look back and reflect on this record, but this is the day for the seniors,” Hill said.
Wyoming finished the game with a 35-28 win over the Rebels, and a 2-10 record overall. Hill set up the game winning score without even touching the ball.
With less than three minutes remaining in the game, and Wyoming at their own 36-yard line, the Cowboys ran a play out of their standard two tight end set. Wyoming faked the handoff to Hill, and the entire UNLV defense bit. They focused on stopping the sophomore record-breaker.
Suddenly, Coffman pulled the ball back into his body and threw to a wide-open Jacob Hollister, who walked into the end zone untouched. Wyoming left the field with a 2-6 record in Mountain West play.
Next year, the Cowboys are projected to return 18 of 22 starters and possibly even Shaun Wick who can apply for medical hardship after his concussion earlier in the season.
The Cowboys will need to show more progress next fall, after taking a step back this season. Youth will not be a legitimate excuse for Bohl and his coaching staff next year.
Yet, the future for Wyoming football is bright. Players like freshman Andrew Wingard – who led the team in tackles – and Hill coming back next year points toward a big jump for this Cowboy squad.
News and Notes:
1) Coffman finished the season with 1,951 yards passing on 63.1 percent completion percentage.
2) Hill moved into top five career yards for Wyoming with 2,427 in his two seasons playing at War Memorial Stadium.
3) The 35 point total from Saturday was Wyoming’s season-high. Wyoming moved to 2-0 on the season when leading at the half.
