LARAMIE – Jordan Bertagnole was bruised and battered after Wyoming's disappointing loss at Arizona State.
 
The senior defensive tackle was also bleeding brown and gold.
 
Bertagnole, a Casper native, knew all eyes in the locker room would be looking at him to lead a quick turnaround as the Cowboys turned the page to the home opener against Idaho on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
 
"I need to be better. It starts with the leadership," Bertagnole said after UW opened a highly anticipated 2024 campaign with an agonizing 48-7 defeat to the Sun Devils. "As a captain on the team it really starts with us. We didn't live up to that expectation. …
 
"It's only up from here."
 
Bertagnole is one of 16 players from the state of Wyoming on this year's roster.
 
In middle school, he idolized Natrona County High School standouts like Josh Harshman and Logan Wilson before following in their footsteps playing for the Mustangs and the Cowboys.
 
"It's the greatest honor," Bertagnole said of being voted a UW captain by his teammates. "Being able to represent the state of Wyoming by just being on the team is one thing, but being able to represent all the guys that you are here with every single day and leading them onto the field is a whole different thing."
 
First-year head coach Jay Sawvel understands the importance of continuing to recruit in-state players, which was an emphasis for the program under Craig Bohl during his 10 seasons.
 
Wyoming natives understand what the tradition of Cowboy football means to loyal alumni, fans and supporters that stretch from Afton to Burns to Cheyenne to Dubois to Evanston and all points in between that vast state.
 
The way players like Bertagnole ride for the brand also rubs off on the rest of the team.
 
"One of the things that I think is always key here is you have to have really good players from the state of Wyoming in the program," Sawvel said. "Not just players on the roster but guys that are impactful."
 
Will Pelissier, whose great uncle is UW legend Jerry Hill, has developed into a front-line wide receiver after a stellar prep career in Big Horn.
 
The senior knows what the kids in attendance for Saturday's sold-out home opener will be feeling before kickoff.
 
"I just remember going to the tunnel where they ran out and reaching my hand out trying to get the high five from some of the players," Pelissier said. "That was definitely the biggest memory that has stuck with me."
 
Pelissier, who played at the 1A 11-man level in high school, has proven that prospects from small towns in the state can also dream about developing into contributors for the Cowboys.
 
The 6-foot-3, 211-pound senior caught a touchdown against Tulsa to help UW bounce back from a frustrating loss in the 2022 opener at Illinois. Pelissier, who also had a touchdown catch in last season's regular-season finale at Nevada, is healthy and ready for a breakout season after battling injuries the past two falls.
 
"I get instant goose bumps as soon as I hear 'Dead or Alive' come on and start to walk out and the fans are all roaring," Pelissier said. "It's just different when you grow up in the stands watching that and suddenly you are transformed into that spot running onto the field. It's kind of surreal."
 
Bertagnole thought about quitting football after suffering a season-ending injury as a sophomore at Natrona. Longtime Mustangs head coach Steve Harshman wisely talked him into sticking with the sport and now the 6-foot-5, 295-pound husband and new father is one of the best players in the Mountain West.
 
The Cowboys are counting on Bertagnole to mentor redshirt freshman Jayden Williams and sophomores Jaden Williams and Dante Drake on the interior of the defensive line.
 
"It has been a pleasure playing with Bert. He is one of the best leaders I've ever had the honor of being on the field with," Pelissier said. "Obviously, he's great on the field but one thing I respect about Bert is he's an even better guy. He's a dad and the responsibilities for Bert right now are endless. But aside from being a father he's able to be the leader of the defensive tackles in that room. I'm super thankful to play with Bert this season."
 
Pelissier and fellow senior Alex Brown also have important dual roles during their last ride with the Cowboys. They need to be productive for first-year starting quarterback Evan Svoboda while also setting the expectation for talented young receivers like true freshman Chris Durr Jr., redshirt freshman Justin Stevenson and sophomore Devin Boddie Jr.
 
"Will is one of my dudes on this team," Bertagnole said. "I love that guy. He came out a year after me, so I've had a lot of time here with him and I've been able to see him make a lot of exceptional plays and battle injuries. He has been through a lot of adversity to get where he is and he's a great dude to have on this team."
 
Frank Crum, the Laramie High School legend who is now a rookie offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos, was able to hold a young offensive line to a high standard last season.
 
Strong safety Andrew Johnson (Cheyenne), fullback Caleb Driskill (Gillette) and tight end Evan Schoenfeld (Rock Springs) also have key roles on this year's team.
 
Sawvel will lean on this year's "W-Y-O Boys" to make sure the loss to the Sun Devils is in the rear-view mirror and sunny days are ahead for the '24 Pokes.
 
"I care about this program and state so much," Bertagnole said. "It's where I want to live when I'm older, so this definitely means a lot to be a leader of this team."
 
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.