LARAMIE – What happened over the final 12 minutes of the home opener can't be lightning in a bottle.
 
Wyoming outgained Northern Colorado 135-3 in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 unanswered points over the final 12 minutes to rally for a 21-13 victory last Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
 
Head coach Jay Sawvel expects the Cowboys (1-1) to execute with the same vigor from the opening kickoff against Central Michigan this Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium (11 a.m., ESPN+).
 
"It really comes back to playing with the force and intent that we did the last 12 minutes of the game," Sawvel said at his Monday press conference. "We found a level of urgency that we have to have all the time."
 
UW's defense allowed four explosive plays (25 or more yards): a 31-yard completion, a 34-yard run, a 38-yard completion and a 45-yard touchdown pass.
 
The Bears averaged just 2.8 yards on their other 56 plays.
 
Safety Jones Thomas finished with two interceptions, linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz racked up 11 tackles and defensive ends Jack Dunkley and Esaia Bogar each had a sack to lead the Pokes.
 
"It starts in practice. We have to be locked in," Bogar said. "All the explosives come from assignment errors. If we can clean up those assignment errors, I think we're going to be a really, really good defense."
 
Tyler Hughes finished 18-for-26 passing for 149 yards and two touchdowns. He also converted a critical third-down conversion during the late push with a 14-yard run.
 
Trailing 13-7 late in the game, Hughes threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Coenen with 3:44 remaining and an 18-yard touchdown to Kyle Frendt with 1:44 remaining.
 
"The entire locker room never stopped believing, and we'll take those last 12 minutes and we'll build off that," Hughes said. "We'll get the corrections done, and we'll get back to some Cowboy football."
 
During the weather delay, Sawvel reminded the offense what he knew they were capable of after watching them perform at a high level during spring practice and fall camp.
 
"He came in the locker room and told us exactly what we were going to do – and we did it," Hughes said. "He said, 'We're going to get a stop and we're going to score two times before the game is ended.'
 
"We did exactly what we set out to do."
 
A road test awaits
 
The Chippewas (1-1) opened the season with a 38-7 loss at New Mexico and rallied for a 13-10 victory over Colgate in their home opener.
 
The Lobos, who are expected to contend in the Mountain West, outgained CMU 364-149 in total yards. Last Saturday, the Raiders led 10-0 at halftime before the Chippewas leaned on a strong ground game and defense to pull out a victory.
 
CMU got a 50-yard touchdown run from quarterback Angel Flores with under a minute remaining in the third quarter and then Vaughn Blue scored the go-ahead 6-yard touchdown run with 7:29 remaining against Colgate.
 
The defense recorded two interceptions and held the Raiders to 219 total yards as the Chippewas completed their own comeback over Colgate, an FCS opponent.
 
Entering Saturday's game, CMU is averaging 10.0 points per game (136^th in the FBS) and allowing 24.0 points per game (tied for 85^th with UW). The Chippewas are averaging 212.5 total yards (137^th) and allowing 291.5 yards (50^th) through two games.
 
"It's a little different travel for us this week because not only is there distance in the flight, but we lose two time zones along with it," Sawvel said of the trip to Mount Pleasant, Mich. "It's all part of it. We'll get there Friday, go to bed Friday night and let's go play Saturday."
 
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.