LARAMIE – There isn't a more bitter pill for Wyoming coaches and players to swallow than watching Colorado State players streak across the field to grab the Bronze Boot.
 
When the scene unfolds in a season opener, as was the case after the Cowboys' 35-13 loss last Saturday in Fort Collins, the acrid taste of a Border War defeat is even more difficult to wash away.
 
But there is no alternative for third-year UW head coach Jay Sawvel and his team other than to turn the page beginning with the home opener against Northern Colorado this Saturday at War Memorial Stadium (2 p.m., MW+).
 
CSU has possession of the Bronze Boot after a rivalry game that is now a non-conference contest, but the Pokes still have 11 opportunities to redeem themselves and make this a memorable season in the Mountain West.
 
"What you do is, you stick together, No. 1," Sawvel said. "We talked to the team about, fundamentally, we beat ourselves in certain situations. So those are things that, as a collective, players and coaches, we have to own in those situations."
 
UW made too many mistakes in the opener – from the opening kickoff sailing out of bounds, to allowing CSU to execute a trick play on its opening scoring drive, to failing to pick up a blitz on the first interception and having a receiver fall on the second interception – to pull out a road win.
 
Despite a sloppy first half, Tyler Hughes capped a seven-play, 55-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run to get the Cowboys within 14-13 on the first possession of the third quarter.
 
After the defense forced a three-and-out, Hughes completed a 21-yard pass to Charlie Coenen to move the sticks on third-and-16.
 
UW appeared to have a first down at the CSU 20-yard line, but a flag was thrown for an illegal man downfield. The call was correct, and the Rams came up with an interception on the next play when Hughes' pass slipped through the fingertips of Nico Hamilton.
 
Hauss Hejny took advantage of a mistake by UW's secondary to connect with a wide-open Reginald Vick for a 57-yard touchdown.
 
Things snowballed from there.
 
"We learned as a unit that every play really matters. We have to be super focused as a unit every play, every down," Hughes said. "But it's not something to where I'm super discouraged or anything. We have to get back to work. We have to take every day seriously. We have to do extra work and we have to just keep going."
 
Sawvel was pleased with the Cowboys' response during Sunday night's practice.
 
The offense showed creativity and signs of explosiveness. Tight ends Jake Wilson, Kyle Frendt and Isaac Schoenfeld combined for six receptions and 79 yards. The offensive line, which had three new starters, did a good job in pass protection. Hughes' dual-threat skills were on display, and the offense was slowed mostly by self-inflicted wounds.
 
"I can go back and watch that video after it all and I am pretty optimistic as to where we can get to offensively," Sawvel said.
 
The special teams were solid, with Eric Richardson returning a kickoff for 36 yards to create some momentum to start the second half, Erik Sandvik making field goals of 37 and 48 yards and Bart Edmiston Jr. averaging 53.5 yards on four punt attempts.
 
The defense, which made another critical mistake by failing to check out of a blitz on a back-breaking CSU touchdown in the fourth quarter, played hard. Middle linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz, who finished with 15 tackles, and defensive end Esaia Bogar (11 tackles) were outstanding. True freshman cornerbacks Therman Williams and Kendall Griffin also appeared ready for the spotlight.
 
"I have faith in my guys," Stuhlsatz said. "We're going to keep fighting. We're going to go back to work (Sunday). Once midnight hits, it's over with. Just based on everything I've seen this offseason with this group of guys, I have no doubt what we're going to do this season. Our goals are still intact."
 
UW has a 19-5-3 record against UNC, but only two of the meetings – a 35-7 Cowboys win in 2013 and a 33-10 Cowboys win in 2022 – have been played since 1949.
 
The Bears (0-2) lost to Weber State, 30-29, and South Dakota, 38-23, in Greeley to open the season.
 
Sawvel's team understands the importance of putting the Border War behind them and avoiding the mistakes that contributed to the excruciating loss.
 
"We need to be more disciplined as a whole team," Coenen said. "Every detail matters, so (we're) focusing on that."
 
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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