I have so many great memories of games played in War Memorial Stadium through the years.
The first night game ever played in the stadium, a 24-14 win over Brigham Young in the opening game of 1988, was always at the top of my list. The 45-43 win over 11th-ranked Arizona State in 1972 (the Cowboys had lost two of their first three games heading into that one), was up there as well as. And, the spectacular two-point victory over Boise State (the Broncos were ranked 13th) in 2016, is an all-timer.
But I'm not sure any of them could surpass the season-opener two weeks ago against Missouri. The victory over an SEC team would have probably been memory enough. But for me, it was the crowd and the atmosphere that made it unforgettable.
When our marketing director Lonnie Penner and his group came up with the idea of a stripe out, I loved the idea but wasn't sure how much Cowboy fans would get into it. As the stadium began to fill up, it became more and more apparent that they had gotten into it, and how. It was spectacular and gave me chills. I couldn't have been more proud for Wyoming that day. It was so much fun, and the game's outcome made it even more so. An all-time memory.
If you missed that one, you have another opportunity to be in the War Saturday when the Cowboys host the Idaho Vandals of the Big Sky Conference.
After a victory at Texas State last week, we come to home-game number two. The Cowboys are 2-0, and have won six consecutive games (dating back to last season). Tickets have gone well, and another outstanding crowd is anticipated.
It will be a festival-like atmosphere Saturday wrapped around the game. First and foremost, on Fan Appreciation Day tickets are just $20, a heck of a buy in the current market of college football. The annual Fan Fest for children also is scheduled in the Indoor Practice Facility at the Pepsi Pregame Zone. Cowboy and Cowgirl student-athletes will be working with kids and signing autographs as a part of the Fan Fest activities.
UW will be honoring the "Black 14" at halftime. Eight members and the son of another will be recognized at halftime. This season marks the 50th anniversary of the event that thrust Wyoming into the national limelight. This commemoration is very, very special.
By the way, the weather is supposed to be excellent and the 3 p.m. kickoff is certainly a plus.
As for the game itself, the Pokes and Vandals have met seven times through the years, and the Cowboys own a 6-1 series lead. Idaho is one of 13 members of the Big Sky Conference. It enters Saturday's game with a 1-1 record, having lost big at Penn State in week one, and coming back to defeat Central Washington in game two, its home-opener.
Idaho utilizes a two-quarterback system with Mason Petrino, Head Coach Paul Petrino's son, and Colton Richardson who will be one of the bigger quarterbacks you'll see anywhere at 6-4, 270. The guy to watch, however, is wide receiver Jeff Cotton, a redshirt senior who caught 16 passes in the Vandal victory last week.
The Pokes are receiving votes in the USA Today's Amway Coaches Poll. They are tied for the fourth-longest winning streak in the country.
Wyoming's successful M.O. after two games has been running the football with a punishing ground attack, a big-play defense and a solid kicking game. The Cowboys lead the Mountain West in interceptions with three, a number that ranks ninth in the nation. The Pokes have also recovered three fumbles which ranks sixth in the country, and third in the MW. Last week at Texas State the Pokes produced five sacks, the most in a game for them since totaled five against Central Michigan in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in 2017. They lead the league in that category, too, averaging 3.5 sacks per game. That ranks 17th in the country.
With Sean Chambers at quarterback, the three-headed monster at running back (Xazavian Valladay, Trey Smith, Titus Swen) and a physical offensive line, the Cowboy offense has been able to put together long drives as well as some opportunistic strikes.
In short, the Pokes have taken on the personality of their head coach, and they are winning games the way Craig Bohl loves to win games.
If you weren't planning on coming Saturday, you probably should. It's all there, great weather, a good game-time, good ticket prices, good seats remaining and a good Cowboy football team. Be there, you'll love it.
