LAS VEGAS – Planes, airport trains, and simulated automobiles.
 
The four traveling companions representing Wyoming at the Mountain West football media day event – quarterback Tyler Hughes, left tackle Rex Johnsen, linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz and defensive tackle Jayden Williams – grew even closer during a 48-hour whirlwind road trip from 7,220 feet to the Strip.
 
Before leaving Laramie early Tuesday, director of sports performance Eric Donoval made sure they finished a grueling morning run that had Williams sleeping soundly in the back seat during the commute to Denver International Airport.
 
The Cowboy quartet shared meals – including some donuts from Yo! Mochi Café and an In-N-Out run Donoval doesn't need to hear about – while swapping stories between scheduled events, which included a simulated race against MW peers at the F1 Arcade in Ceasers Palace.
 
"I've learned more about their personalities," Johnsen said of Hughes, Stuhlsatz and Williams. "It is the longest I've hung out with all three of them and getting to know each of them as a person has been great. I love each one of these dudes and the Strip has been a blast with them so far."
 
UW was the first team to appear on the MW+ live show to kick off Wednesday's media blitz in the Palms Casino Resort Las Vegas. The players changed into their uniforms, including cleats and shoulder pads, in a cramped space filled with 10 live mascots, before an NCAA photo shoot.
 
Interviews with CBS Sports, Fox Sports and The CW followed before cutting MW promos.
 
Hughes was asked on camera by one of the television producers how old he thought UW head coach Jay Sawvel was.
 
"Sixty-five," Hughes answered, which was followed by a belly laugh from Johnsen in the background.
 
Later that afternoon, the 55-year-old Sawvel entered the print interview room with a few follow-up questions for his new signal caller, who plans to make up for his verbal miscue on the field this season.
 
"That's great praise from Coach Sawvel," Hughes said of being chosen to represent the program at the event six months after transferring from William & Mary. "He's a tremendous person, he's a tremendous coach and I just can't say it enough that I'm so excited to play for him. …
 
"I want to run through a wall for him, I want to give the best effort on Saturdays for him, on Fridays for him. He's a guy who is easy to play for and I'm excited for him, I'm excited for the state of Wyoming and I'm excited for the team."
 
The MW did not release a preseason poll. Nationally, UNLV and New Mexico are widely viewed as the favorites in the reconfigured conference. Newcomer North Dakota State is also expected to factor in the championship race.
 
The Cowboys relish the underdog role and understand they have a lot to prove this fall after two frustrating seasons. Hughes said the topic was mentioned while hanging out with his teammates in the hotel room watching the FIFA World Cup in between interviews.
 
"The camaraderie this year is welded more. It's just so different," Williams said. "Not to sound cliché or anything but I really, truly believe that this team this year is going to change."
 
Johnsen and Stuhlsatz were named to the preseason all-MW team, along with punter Bart Edmiston. Hughes bring impressive credentials after passing for 2,330 yards with 20 touchdowns and three interceptions and rushing for 670 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at the FCS level. Williams, who has played in 23 games over the past two seasons, is ready to anchor the defensive line.
 
"I never imagined it, always dreamed of it though," Stuhlsatz, who played at Butler Community College and Lindenwood before arriving at UW last season, said of being one of the chosen leaders of the team. "I always wanted to play at the FBS level. That was a chip on my shoulder and once I reached this level I was like, I love this place and I want to play hard for Wyoming."
 
The Cowboys finished media day doing various radio shows and podcasts. Their flight back to DIA was delayed, which gave them some extra time to kill.
 
Sawvel does not designate captains, but these four players know they will be leaned on during the grind of fall camp and throughout the 2026 season, which begins with a Border War on Sept. 5 at Colorado State.
 
"There's a bunch of other guys that could have been up here, too. There's a bunch of hard-working dudes on our team, which is awesome," Johnsen said. "Once you have a tight-knit group and everybody wants to go on the field and die for each other, that's when you win football games."
 
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.
 
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