LARAMIE – The image is iconic.
 
Sam Scott, as the offensive line parts a sea of Red Raiders, converts a 2-point conversion to cap Wyoming's dramatic 35-33 double-overtime victory over Texas Tech.
 
The photograph of Scott looking over at the celebrating crowd and tight end Treyton Welch as he scampers into the end zone perfectly captures the magic that was the Cowboys' 2023 home season.
 
The unforgettable comeback victory over a talented Big 12 opponent set the tone for Wyoming's 7-0 finish at War Memorial Stadium with fans breaking the single-season attendance record along the way.
 
Scott, who made the switch from linebacker to running back last spring, also had his fingerprints all over the Pokes' dramatic 16-15 victory over Toledo in the Arizona Bowl.
 
The 6-foot-2, 228-pound junior pushed Evan Svoboda over the goal line for a 1-yard touchdown to cut Wyoming's deficit to 15-13 with 8:37 remaining.
 
Scott was the lead blocker on Svoboda's critical conversion on fourth-and-1 and the quarterback's 13-yard run during the final drive, which was capped with John Hoyland's walk-off field goal as time expired.
 
"It would be an understatement to say it wasn't the best moment for me," Scott said of his game-winning score against Texas Tech. "On the flip side, just being a team player, the bowl game was a big one, too. I was in on some of the last few plays, and I got to play a role in getting our offense down to score the field goal.
 
"Those two, beginning and end, were good moments for me."
 
Through the first two weeks of spring practice, Scott has been getting up to speed with the other running backs in new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson's scheme. There are plans for No. 22 to also learn the fullback and tight end positions.
 
"I want to say that he is like a Swiss Army Knife and that's how we're going to start training him," running backs coach Gordie Haug said of Scott. "He has great ball skills, and he can get in space and do some things as a running back. He can block and protect. He could play four different positions for us, and that's really exciting for me and the offense because he can do a lot of different things."
 
Scott was thrust into the spotlight against Texas Tech after projected starter Dawaiian McNeely suffered a torn ACL late in fall camp and Harrison Waylee being held out for the first two games of the campaign while recovering from an offseason surgery.
 
Waylee led the team with 164 carries for 947 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. Quarterback Andrew Peasley was Wyoming's second-leading rusher with 419 yards and seven touchdowns.
 
Despite the fast start and fantastic finish, Scott was limited to 49 carries for 237 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games.
 
Jay Sawvel has big plans for Scott beyond those bookend moments.
 
"I'm a big fan of Sam Scott," Sawvel said. "One thing that we've got to do is utilize him maybe in multiple, different things. So, that's something that we've talked about. He's got to learn quite a bit of stuff. This is a guy that can run well, he catches it well. …
 
"He's a good-looking athlete."
 
Scott, who is from Omaha, Nebraska, helped send Craig Bohl off with a nine-win season and believes the program can reach even greater heights with Sawvel taking the reins.
 
"Culturally, I think everything was elevated," Scott said of athletics director Tom Burman's decision to make the in-house hire and give Sawvel an opportunity to be the head coach after four seasons as Bohl's defensive coordinator. "The understanding of what a championship team is and the kind of role we need to step into for ourselves and for the team, everybody holding each other accountable. All those things were just elevated. He has done well with that."
 
Scott's busy spring will continue with Tuesday's practice. Wyoming will hold a scrimmage on Saturday that will be open to the public.
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes. 
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.