11/9/2026 3:38:00 PM | Football, Pokes Insider
Wyoming quarterback preparing to fill in for Tyler Hughes at UTEP
LARAMIE – Tyler Hughes will be in El Paso trying to lead the Pokes to victory.
Whether that's on the field or the sideline remains to be seen.
Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel announced during his weekly press conference that the dynamic quarterback is "doubtful" to play against UTEP on Saturday at the Sun Bowl (8 p.m., FS1).
Hughes was scheduled for a follow-up appointment Monday to reassess a "small" fracture in his forearm suffered in the second quarter of the 41-35 victory at UNLV.
UW offensive coordinator Christian Taylor said Hughes will to continue to have an important role, even if he is not cleared to suit up.
"Oh gosh, I need to make sure he doesn't run on the field and try to do something he's not supposed to do," Taylor said of Hughes' possible absence from the lineup. "If he ends up not playing, he'll just be an extension of the coaching staff."
Landon Sims is the next man up and will be ready to take the reins as the Cowboys (6-3, 5-1) attempt to extend their winning streak to five games against the Miners (1-8, 0-5).
Both quarterbacks were on the field for a trick play against UNLV when Sims caught a lateral from Hughes and then threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Wilson.
Hughes was 5-for-9 passing for 107 yards and a touchdown and ran for 71 yards before halftime. Sims finished with 25 passing yards and had a 13-yard touchdown run against the Rebels.
"It felt good with the flow of the game and speed of the game," Hughes said of being part of the game plan before having to replace Sims in the second half. "I definitely have to play better, too. I can't put us in tough positions with delay of games. I know that.
"But that's stuff to get right (in practice) this week, don't overlook anything and then go out there and try to have our best game this Saturday."
Sims was on the verge of taking over the starting spot last November before suffering a torn ACL at San Diego State. Redshirt freshman Mason Drube was able to get some meaningful experience down the stretch and will be on call at UTEP.
"Our football team has a ton of confidence in Landon Sims. Everybody's got a ton of confidence in Mason Drube," Sawvel said. "I've always said all along I felt like we had good quarterbacks in the program, and that's where we're at."
Sims has fought back from three major knee surgeries during his career to put himself in position to possibly help UW stay in contention for the MW championship.
Sawvel compared his mental approach and fortitude to that of linebacker Steven Perez.
"It was a shock to our program a year ago when he got injured," Sawvel said. "(Our players) know what he is and he's a tough ass dude that cares about football, that always has energy. He's a little bit of a wild spirit, in terms of with the ball at times, and we have to make sure that he does the right things.
"Landon Sims plays quarterback the way that Steven Perez plays linebacker. If Landon Sims played quarterback the way that somebody does punter or a receiver who doesn't want to block anybody, then people would have a lot less respect for the guy, but he plays with a linebacker mentality, and I think that's a big deal."
Sims will lean on Hughes this week as the Pokes prepare for their final road game of the season.
"Tyler's definitely got experience, so, anything he has to say, I'm all ears," Sims said. "Any input at all, I'm willing to listen."
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.
Whether that's on the field or the sideline remains to be seen.
Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel announced during his weekly press conference that the dynamic quarterback is "doubtful" to play against UTEP on Saturday at the Sun Bowl (8 p.m., FS1).
Hughes was scheduled for a follow-up appointment Monday to reassess a "small" fracture in his forearm suffered in the second quarter of the 41-35 victory at UNLV.
UW offensive coordinator Christian Taylor said Hughes will to continue to have an important role, even if he is not cleared to suit up.
"Oh gosh, I need to make sure he doesn't run on the field and try to do something he's not supposed to do," Taylor said of Hughes' possible absence from the lineup. "If he ends up not playing, he'll just be an extension of the coaching staff."
Landon Sims is the next man up and will be ready to take the reins as the Cowboys (6-3, 5-1) attempt to extend their winning streak to five games against the Miners (1-8, 0-5).
Both quarterbacks were on the field for a trick play against UNLV when Sims caught a lateral from Hughes and then threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Wilson.
Hughes was 5-for-9 passing for 107 yards and a touchdown and ran for 71 yards before halftime. Sims finished with 25 passing yards and had a 13-yard touchdown run against the Rebels.
"It felt good with the flow of the game and speed of the game," Hughes said of being part of the game plan before having to replace Sims in the second half. "I definitely have to play better, too. I can't put us in tough positions with delay of games. I know that.
"But that's stuff to get right (in practice) this week, don't overlook anything and then go out there and try to have our best game this Saturday."
Sims was on the verge of taking over the starting spot last November before suffering a torn ACL at San Diego State. Redshirt freshman Mason Drube was able to get some meaningful experience down the stretch and will be on call at UTEP.
"Our football team has a ton of confidence in Landon Sims. Everybody's got a ton of confidence in Mason Drube," Sawvel said. "I've always said all along I felt like we had good quarterbacks in the program, and that's where we're at."
Sims has fought back from three major knee surgeries during his career to put himself in position to possibly help UW stay in contention for the MW championship.
Sawvel compared his mental approach and fortitude to that of linebacker Steven Perez.
"It was a shock to our program a year ago when he got injured," Sawvel said. "(Our players) know what he is and he's a tough ass dude that cares about football, that always has energy. He's a little bit of a wild spirit, in terms of with the ball at times, and we have to make sure that he does the right things.
"Landon Sims plays quarterback the way that Steven Perez plays linebacker. If Landon Sims played quarterback the way that somebody does punter or a receiver who doesn't want to block anybody, then people would have a lot less respect for the guy, but he plays with a linebacker mentality, and I think that's a big deal."
Sims will lean on Hughes this week as the Pokes prepare for their final road game of the season.
"Tyler's definitely got experience, so, anything he has to say, I'm all ears," Sims said. "Any input at all, I'm willing to listen."
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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