ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Nov. 2, 2024) – The Wyoming Cowboys racked up a season-high 604 yards for the most yards in a game since November of 2021 in a 49-45 road win over New Mexico on Saturday afternoon in University Stadium in Albuquerque. Wyoming added the final 14 points of the contest in the fourth quarter to earn the victory.

The Cowboys rushed for 262 yards in the contest with 342 yards passing. The Lobos countered with 576 yards of total offense with 164 yards through the air and 412 on the ground. The Pokes recorded 30 first downs for the night for the first game with 30 first downs since the Hawaii game in 2013. 

The contest saw the return of running back Harrison Waylee to the Cowboy offense. He added 170 yards for his fifth 100-yard game with the Brown and Gold. Quarterback Kaden Anderson had a career day with 342 yards passing with three touchdowns. He was 20-of-29 passing. Wide receiver Jaylen Sargent recorded a career-high 186 yards receiving in the contest. 

Wyoming kicker John Hoyland recorded seven points in the game and is now Wyoming's all-time leader with 346 points. He passed Cooper Rothe's previous record of 342 points.

The Cowboy defense was paced by safety Isaac White recording eight tackles. He went over 200 career tackles in the contest. Linebacker Connor Shay added six tackles along with fellow linebacker Shae Suiaunoa adding six tackles. Nickel Wrook Brown returned an interception for a score for his sixth career interception and third of the season. It was the first interception returned for the score of his career and first since Wyett Ekeler did so against Nevada in the regular season finale last season. Defensive end Tyce Westland added a sack and forced fumble.

The Lobos were paced by quarterback Devon Dampier with 207 yards rushing and 164 passing. Running back Eli Sanders added 205 yards.

Wyoming will have a bye week next weekend and will return to action on Nov. 15 with a trip to Colorado State for the Border War at 6 p.m.

TEAM NOTES

•The Cowboys and Lobos met for the 77th time on Saturday.

•The Pokes are 42-35 all-time against the Lobos in a series that dates back to 1930.

•The Cowboys are 21-18 against the Lobos in Albuquerque.

•The Lobos lead the Mountain West portion of the series 14-12. 

•Wyoming recorded 334 yard in the first half marking back-to-back halfs with 300 or more yards. Wyoming had 314 yards in the second half against Utah State.

•The Cowboys recorded 35 points in the first half for the most in an opening frame since scoring 35 against Hawaii last season.

•Wyoming recorded 604 yards of total offense for the most since recording 604 yards on Nov. 20, 2021 at Utah State.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

•Running back Harrison Waylee appeared in his first game.

•In his return, he rushed for 170 yards for his first 100-yard game since rushing for 128 against Colorado State last season. He has rushed for more than 100 yards five times in his career with the Pokes.

•Waylee now has over 3,000 career rushing yards. He came into the game with 2,876 yards

•Quarterback Kaden Anderson made his first career start.

•Anderson threw for a career-high 342 yards with threw touchdowns for a career-high.

•Running back Jamari Ferrell recorded his first touchdown of the season and second of his career.

•Ferrell recorded a career-high 89 yards rushing in the contest. 

•Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg recorded a touchdown reception in the first quarter for the fifth of his career and second of the season.

•Wide receiver Jaylen Sargent recorded a career-high six catches for a career-high 186 yards. 

•Tight end Nick Miles hauled in a career-long 25 yard reception in the first half.

•Wie receiver Justin Stevenson recorded three catches for 45 yards for a career-high.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

•Safety Isaac White recorded eight tackles in the game and now has 205 career tackles after coming into the game with 197. 

•Linebacker Connor Shay recorded  six tackles.

•Nickel Wrook Brown recorded an interception for a touchdown. It was his first career touchdown. It was the first interception for a touchdown by the Cowboys since Wyett Ekeler returned on 38 yards against Nevada last season in the Regular season finale.

•It was Brown's sixth career interception and third of the season. He had three last season for the Cowboys. 

•Defensive end Tyce Westland recorded a forced fumble to help give the Pokes the win.

SPECIAL NOTES

•Cowboy kicker John Hoyland recorded seven points on the night and now has 346 in his career after recording seven on the night. He came into the game with 339 and passed Cooper Rothe (342 points) for the school record in career scoring.

•Cornerback Keany Parks recorded a 54-yard kick return in the first quarter for the longest return of his career.