10/26/2026 3:20:00 PM | Football, Pokes Insider
Wyoming enjoying open date after extending win streak to three games
LARAMIE – The first three weeks of September were shocking for the Cowboys and disheartening for fans.
Wyoming lost possession of the Bronze Boot in Fort Collins, pulled out a victory after a lightning delay in the home opener and had a miserable time in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
During his Monday press conference, UW head coach Jay Sawvel, whose team is enjoying this week's open date following a three-game winning streak, was asked if there was a specific moment he could pinpoint when things changed for the Pokes.
"I thought the low point was after the Central Michigan game," Sawvel said of the head-scratching 24-10 loss. "We played like crap. … To be honest, I don't even remember what I said to the team after that game in the locker room, other than everything was from the heart and it was like, 'We've got to be much better than this.'"
UW responded with a 27-10 victory over Hawai'i in the Mountain West opener but took a big step back offensively during the 28-0 loss at North Dakota State on Oct. 3 in the Fargodome.
"From that point forward, our energy has been great in every game," Sawvel said. "Even in the North Dakota State game. It wasn't like we lacked energy; we lacked execution."
Over the first five games, the Cowboys scored an average of 14.2 points and allowed an average of 22.0 points. They were minus-6 in turnover margin and averaged 49.4 penalty yards.
Over the last three games, the Cowboys scored an average of 28.3 points and allowed an average of 16.7 points. They are plus-3 in turnover margin and averaging 36.0 penalty yards during the winning streak.
"It's satisfying just in the fact that we're playing good football," Sawvel said. "Offensively, we're being productive. Defensively, we're not giving up big plays."
The Pokes, now 5-3 overall and 4-1 in conference, stayed in contention in the MW race with a rousing 28-14 victory over Air Force last Friday at War Memorial Stadium.
The methodical Falcons ran 78 plays for 387 yards but lost three fumbles and were 2-for-4 in the red zone. UW ran 41 plays for 301 yards, including 188 rushing and 113 passing, with no turnovers and went 3-for-4 in the red zone.
"I told (offensive coordinator) Christian Taylor earlier in the week, we have to figure out a way to score four touchdowns on nine possessions," Sawvel said. "We did that."
The Cowboys actually had only seven drives against Air Force. Those possessions ended with four touchdowns, two punts and a missed field goal.
Tyler Hughes set the tone with a 68-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage and put the exclamation point on the win with a dizzying 15-yard run down to the 1-yard line to set up Markell Holman's touchdown with 3:04 remaining.
"He's a special talent," Sawvel said. "I know it took us a couple of games to kind of get some things going, but I think people see why he's a special player and a really good leader."
Over the last three games, Hughes has completed 70% of his passes with three touchdowns and one interception. The dynamic quarterback has also rushed for 421 yards (140.3 ypg) and five touchdowns.
Despite the shaky start, Hughes is sixth in the MW in passing with 1,131 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is fifth in the conference in rushing with 605 yards and six touchdowns.
"I've just never given up on myself," Hughes said. "I understand from the first couple of games that I felt I wasn't giving enough, and I made a note to all of my teammates, and I spoke to them and we had a little players meeting that I was going to give my best effort. The guys around me also stepped up three times as much, too.
"We realized how close we were at the beginning stages of the season. These past three weeks we've been able to put it together and finish some pretty tough games."
The Cowboys will exhale this week and work on themselves in practice after playing eight consecutive games to start the season. Sawvel said the team came out of the Air Force game relatively healthy.
UW will face UNLV on Nov. 7 in Las Vegas (8:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
"Confidence can be a dangerous thing when you've got some guys that have talent," Sawvel said. "We're using that right now. I just love this football team."
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.
Don't just watch the game — change it. The most powerful way to support University of Wyoming student-athletes is by joining the Cowboy Joe Club. Your membership fuels scholarships, provides essential resources, and helps Cowboys and Cowgirls succeed both in the classroom and in competition. Your gift is not just support — it's access. As a member, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits that bring you closer to the action than ever before. Be a champion. Join our team. Visit CowboyJoeClub.com or call 307-766-6242.
Wyoming lost possession of the Bronze Boot in Fort Collins, pulled out a victory after a lightning delay in the home opener and had a miserable time in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
During his Monday press conference, UW head coach Jay Sawvel, whose team is enjoying this week's open date following a three-game winning streak, was asked if there was a specific moment he could pinpoint when things changed for the Pokes.
"I thought the low point was after the Central Michigan game," Sawvel said of the head-scratching 24-10 loss. "We played like crap. … To be honest, I don't even remember what I said to the team after that game in the locker room, other than everything was from the heart and it was like, 'We've got to be much better than this.'"
UW responded with a 27-10 victory over Hawai'i in the Mountain West opener but took a big step back offensively during the 28-0 loss at North Dakota State on Oct. 3 in the Fargodome.
"From that point forward, our energy has been great in every game," Sawvel said. "Even in the North Dakota State game. It wasn't like we lacked energy; we lacked execution."
Over the first five games, the Cowboys scored an average of 14.2 points and allowed an average of 22.0 points. They were minus-6 in turnover margin and averaged 49.4 penalty yards.
Over the last three games, the Cowboys scored an average of 28.3 points and allowed an average of 16.7 points. They are plus-3 in turnover margin and averaging 36.0 penalty yards during the winning streak.
"It's satisfying just in the fact that we're playing good football," Sawvel said. "Offensively, we're being productive. Defensively, we're not giving up big plays."
The Pokes, now 5-3 overall and 4-1 in conference, stayed in contention in the MW race with a rousing 28-14 victory over Air Force last Friday at War Memorial Stadium.
The methodical Falcons ran 78 plays for 387 yards but lost three fumbles and were 2-for-4 in the red zone. UW ran 41 plays for 301 yards, including 188 rushing and 113 passing, with no turnovers and went 3-for-4 in the red zone.
"I told (offensive coordinator) Christian Taylor earlier in the week, we have to figure out a way to score four touchdowns on nine possessions," Sawvel said. "We did that."
The Cowboys actually had only seven drives against Air Force. Those possessions ended with four touchdowns, two punts and a missed field goal.
Tyler Hughes set the tone with a 68-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage and put the exclamation point on the win with a dizzying 15-yard run down to the 1-yard line to set up Markell Holman's touchdown with 3:04 remaining.
"He's a special talent," Sawvel said. "I know it took us a couple of games to kind of get some things going, but I think people see why he's a special player and a really good leader."
Over the last three games, Hughes has completed 70% of his passes with three touchdowns and one interception. The dynamic quarterback has also rushed for 421 yards (140.3 ypg) and five touchdowns.
Despite the shaky start, Hughes is sixth in the MW in passing with 1,131 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions. He is fifth in the conference in rushing with 605 yards and six touchdowns.
"I've just never given up on myself," Hughes said. "I understand from the first couple of games that I felt I wasn't giving enough, and I made a note to all of my teammates, and I spoke to them and we had a little players meeting that I was going to give my best effort. The guys around me also stepped up three times as much, too.
"We realized how close we were at the beginning stages of the season. These past three weeks we've been able to put it together and finish some pretty tough games."
The Cowboys will exhale this week and work on themselves in practice after playing eight consecutive games to start the season. Sawvel said the team came out of the Air Force game relatively healthy.
UW will face UNLV on Nov. 7 in Las Vegas (8:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
"Confidence can be a dangerous thing when you've got some guys that have talent," Sawvel said. "We're using that right now. I just love this football team."
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.
Don't just watch the game — change it. The most powerful way to support University of Wyoming student-athletes is by joining the Cowboy Joe Club. Your membership fuels scholarships, provides essential resources, and helps Cowboys and Cowgirls succeed both in the classroom and in competition. Your gift is not just support — it's access. As a member, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits that bring you closer to the action than ever before. Be a champion. Join our team. Visit CowboyJoeClub.com or call 307-766-6242.
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