11/11/2026 11:45:00 AM | Football, Pokes Insider
Cornerback has first interceptions of his Wyoming career to impact win at UNLV
LARAMIE – Painful-looking playmaking.
Wyett Ekeler set the precedent two years ago when the former Wyoming safety intercepted a pass at San Jose State with clubs on both hands to protect two injured thumbs.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl wasn't about to let Tyson Shamsid-Deen use the cast on his surgically repaired right hand as an excuse when the talented cornerback returned to the lineup.
"Coach Bohl holds us to a standard. He told me, 'I don't care if you got one club, Tyson, because Ekeler had two clubs. You better catch that ball,'" Shamsid-Deen said. "He has always been on us about it doesn't matter, one hand, two hands, when the ball comes, catch it."
The ball came Shamsid-Deen's way as the Cowboys' Mountain West championship hopes appeared to be slipping away.
UNLV, trailing by six points, drove to the 11-yard line when quarterback Alex Orji threw a pass into the end zone in an attempt to complete the Rebels' comeback from a 20-point deficit.
Defensive end Esaia Bogar pressured Orji as he rolled to his right and forced him to sail the pass beyond the reach of wide receiver Taeshaun Lyons.
Shamsid-Deen, the MW defensive player of the week, came up with the game-saving interception in the back of the end zone to preserve the Pokes' 41-35 victory last Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.
The sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, stood up and raised his arms with the ball in his healthy left hand and a giant club covering the other.
Markell Holman broke through a series of tackles behind the line of scrimmage and rumbled 48 yards, keeping the clock running and the crowd of visiting Brown & Gold faithful buzzing as the Cowboys improved to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in Mountain West play with their fourth consecutive victory.
"It felt really good. When I got up I was like, 'Oh my God, we just won,'" Shamsid-Deen said. "Then I see Markell with that big old run. I was like, 'We sealed it. Yes, thank God.'
"I'm just so glad that offense and defense were able to pull through the final two minutes."
Late in the second quarter, Shamsid-Deen recorded the first interception of his Cowboy career, picking off Jackson Arnold with 40 seconds remaining. The turnover set up a 35-yard field goal by Erik Sandvik as time expired, giving UW a 34-21 advantage at halftime.
"A guy with a cast made two interceptions," head coach Jay Sawvel marveled after the memorable victory. "We had some things go against us a little bit, but we gutted through it."
Shamsid-Deen missed the games against Hawai'i, North Dakota State and San Jose State because of his injury. True freshman Kendall Griffin has been sidelined throughout conference play after undergoing his own hand surgery. Safety Brooklyn Cheek is out indefinitely with an injury suffered during the victory over Air Force.
Therman Williams, another true freshman, has emerged as an elite cornerback. Safety Jones Thomas is tied for fourth in the FBS with 12 passes defended, and nickel Desman Hearns is fourth on the team with 39 tackles.
"I feel like we could be the best DB's in the Mountain West," Shamsid-Deen said. "We have Boogie (Williams) on the other side, he's a top corner, and then you have Desman who was originally an all-American safety, and Jones with two picks and 10 PBUs (pass breakups). He's really good. (Cheek), who's unfortunately not with us due to injury, is a physically sound safety."
The Cowboys will face UTEP on Saturday at the Sun Bowl (8 p.m., FS1). The Miners (1-8, 0-5) rank last among the 138 FBS teams in scoring (14.1 points per game) and 133rd in passing offense (140.3 yards per game).
Shamsid-Deen said the secondary will not take anything for granted in El Paso.
"We just have to keep the same mindset that every team that we play from here on out is in our way to getting a conference championship," Shamsid-Deen said. "College football is any given Saturday; anybody can get it. It's who really wants it."
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.
Wyett Ekeler set the precedent two years ago when the former Wyoming safety intercepted a pass at San Jose State with clubs on both hands to protect two injured thumbs.
Defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl wasn't about to let Tyson Shamsid-Deen use the cast on his surgically repaired right hand as an excuse when the talented cornerback returned to the lineup.
"Coach Bohl holds us to a standard. He told me, 'I don't care if you got one club, Tyson, because Ekeler had two clubs. You better catch that ball,'" Shamsid-Deen said. "He has always been on us about it doesn't matter, one hand, two hands, when the ball comes, catch it."
The ball came Shamsid-Deen's way as the Cowboys' Mountain West championship hopes appeared to be slipping away.
UNLV, trailing by six points, drove to the 11-yard line when quarterback Alex Orji threw a pass into the end zone in an attempt to complete the Rebels' comeback from a 20-point deficit.
Defensive end Esaia Bogar pressured Orji as he rolled to his right and forced him to sail the pass beyond the reach of wide receiver Taeshaun Lyons.
Shamsid-Deen, the MW defensive player of the week, came up with the game-saving interception in the back of the end zone to preserve the Pokes' 41-35 victory last Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.
The sophomore from San Antonio, Texas, stood up and raised his arms with the ball in his healthy left hand and a giant club covering the other.
Markell Holman broke through a series of tackles behind the line of scrimmage and rumbled 48 yards, keeping the clock running and the crowd of visiting Brown & Gold faithful buzzing as the Cowboys improved to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in Mountain West play with their fourth consecutive victory.
"It felt really good. When I got up I was like, 'Oh my God, we just won,'" Shamsid-Deen said. "Then I see Markell with that big old run. I was like, 'We sealed it. Yes, thank God.'
"I'm just so glad that offense and defense were able to pull through the final two minutes."
Late in the second quarter, Shamsid-Deen recorded the first interception of his Cowboy career, picking off Jackson Arnold with 40 seconds remaining. The turnover set up a 35-yard field goal by Erik Sandvik as time expired, giving UW a 34-21 advantage at halftime.
"A guy with a cast made two interceptions," head coach Jay Sawvel marveled after the memorable victory. "We had some things go against us a little bit, but we gutted through it."
Shamsid-Deen missed the games against Hawai'i, North Dakota State and San Jose State because of his injury. True freshman Kendall Griffin has been sidelined throughout conference play after undergoing his own hand surgery. Safety Brooklyn Cheek is out indefinitely with an injury suffered during the victory over Air Force.
Therman Williams, another true freshman, has emerged as an elite cornerback. Safety Jones Thomas is tied for fourth in the FBS with 12 passes defended, and nickel Desman Hearns is fourth on the team with 39 tackles.
"I feel like we could be the best DB's in the Mountain West," Shamsid-Deen said. "We have Boogie (Williams) on the other side, he's a top corner, and then you have Desman who was originally an all-American safety, and Jones with two picks and 10 PBUs (pass breakups). He's really good. (Cheek), who's unfortunately not with us due to injury, is a physically sound safety."
The Cowboys will face UTEP on Saturday at the Sun Bowl (8 p.m., FS1). The Miners (1-8, 0-5) rank last among the 138 FBS teams in scoring (14.1 points per game) and 133rd in passing offense (140.3 yards per game).
Shamsid-Deen said the secondary will not take anything for granted in El Paso.
"We just have to keep the same mindset that every team that we play from here on out is in our way to getting a conference championship," Shamsid-Deen said. "College football is any given Saturday; anybody can get it. It's who really wants it."
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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