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NOVEMBER 14, 2024|
Photo – UW Athletics logo – Bigfoot99 file image
The bitter rivalry between Wyoming and Colorado State is bone-deep, true and time-tested.
In 2010, Colorado State stopped counting the first Border War in its official history of games between the schools.
CSU professors may have been scrubbed from the game, from their official history book, like some Orwellian mind trick. In Wyoming history, though, the first Border remains a bitterly contested defeat.
It occurred on Thanksgiving Day 1899. November 30th was the date.
College football was new and not as well-organized as we know it today. Wyoming and Colorado each offered its own official to serve as a referee.
The Aggies proffered Professor E.B. House as its official. The kindly professor endured the insults and curses of Wyoming players to every unfriendly call he flagged.
The Fort Collins Express reported that Wyoming fans surrounded the professor waving canes and yelling, “Kill! Kill!, Kill!”
Yes, that’s right. It resembled the jailhouse scene from Arlo Guthrie’s Thanksgiving song, “Alice’s Restaurant.”
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/14093017/1114_Arlo-Guthrie.mp3Currently, CSU recognizes there was an attempt to play a football game with Wyoming in 1899, but it was a forfeit and does not count in the record.
Wyoming, on the other hand, still counts the game and holds it with a deep, hostile memory that serves as bitter fodder every year. Mascots have been stolen, fields have been scarred with school letters burned into the grass, and one of the greatest rivalries lives on into its third century.
Saturday’s matchup will be played out in Fort Collins.
The annual Bronze Boot Run takes place this morning with University of Wyoming ROTC detachment running the game ball to the state border on U.S. Highway 287 where ROTC members from CSU will complete run to CSU following a short ceremony at the summit on the state line.
The 116th Edition of the Border War game between the two rivals will be played Friday, November 15th at 6 p.m. Mountain Time at Colorado State’s Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins. Bigfoot 99 will have the radio broadcast beginning with the pregame show starting at 4:30.
The post 116th Boarder War Festivities Begin Today first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 14, 2024|
Photo – UW Athletics logo – Bigfoot99 file image
Wyoming basketball: The Cowboys met their match at Texas Tech Wednesday night, falling 96-49.
The Red Raiders dominated both halves. They held the Pokes to 26 percent from the field in the first half.
UW head coach Sundance Wicks pointed to the Wyoming turnover, saying the defeat was a team loss. The Red Raiders gained 40 points off Cowboy turnovers.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/14093019/1114_Sundance-Wicks-1.mp3Texas Tech shot 64 percent from the field and 56 percent from behind the arc.
Wyoming was led in scoring by guard Obi Agbim with 15 points marking his third-straight game in double-figures.
The Cowboys return to the Arena-Auditorium on Saturday hosting Utah Tech in a 7 p.m. start.
The post Pokes Fall While At Texas Tech first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 13, 2024|
Photo – UW Athletics logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
For the Wyoming Cowboy basketball team, the new boss squares off against the old boss tonight in Lubbock, Texas.
Wyoming head basketball coach Sundance Wicks leads the 2-0 Cowboys against Texas Tech University, where former Cowboy head coach Jeff Linder is an assistant.
Linder fled Laramie at the end of last season after the Cowboys finished in eighth place with an 8-10 conference record and 15-17 overall record. In 2022, the Cowboys went 9 of 22 and held down the bottom of the standings in the Mountain West.
Outgoing transfers from the Cowboys last spring were more numerous than the number of flights out of Laramie. In March of last year, the writing was clear. Alex Taylor at Wyo Sports wrote in mid-March, “With six players making the decision to transfer out of the program, fans have started to question Linder’s future in Laramie. Is Linder’s job at UW safe, and should it be?”
The mass exodus of six players from Laramie, including three from California, was a clear sign that trouble was brewing.
Linder’s style of “tough love” coaching worked with a few, but not with most.
Linder had come to Laramie after three consecutive 20-win seasons in his first four years at the University of Northern Colorado. He took over the Cowboys and went 39-20 in his first two seasons. Then the magic carpet ran out of magic. After going to the NCAA tournament in his first year, the magic dried up. Blame it on the coronavirus.
Now the Cowboys head coach, Wicks, joined the staff when Linder was hired in 2020. When the wheels came off in Laramie, Wicks spent a year as head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Upon his arrival back in Laramie this spring, Wicks went into overdrive to recruit players to fix the mess left by Linder when he left for Lubbock.
They will meet again tonight at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock. Wicks said this week of Linder, “I just love him. He’s the reason why I’m here.”
UW is 2-0 after beating Concordia-St. Paul (108-85) and Tennessee State (81-66) at home. The Red Raiders are also 2-and-0. Linder’s job is now drawing up the X’s and O’s for the Texas Tech offense.
It should be a good matchup tonight. Five different Texas Tech players are averaging double figures in scoring, led by forward JT Toppin (22.0 ppg), who transferred from New Mexico after earning co-MW freshman of the year honors last season.
UW’s defensive game plan will have to be air-tight to beat Linder and the Red Raiders, who are receiving votes in the Associated Press poll, after two lopsided wins over smaller schools.
Tipoff is set for six p.m. tonight. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air at 5:30 with the pregame show.
The post New Basketball Coach Takes On Old Coach In Tonight’s Game first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 12, 2024|
Photo – The Bronze Boot – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Wyoming Cowboys went into the bye week with a win. Going into the off week after the 49-45 win over New Mexico ten days ago, head coach Jay Sawvel talked about what his team needed to accomplish with the down time.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12095302/1112_Jay-Sawvel-1.mp3The coach had a to-do list going into the off week. We’ll see if the Cowboys checked things off last week as they return to action in the Border War matchup this Friday night with CSU in Fort Collins.
Yesterday, Coach Sawvel ran through the lengthy list of weapons the Rams will present this week, especially when it comes to forcing turnovers and capitalizing with points. Eliminating mistakes will be key for Wyoming, Sawvel said during this week’s news conference.
The Cowboys have won the coveted Bronze Boot in seven of the past eight matchups.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12095258/1112_Wyo-Wins-in-2023.mp3Last year, the Cowboys captured the 115th edition of the Border War with a 24-15 win over CSU inside War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. It was the third consecutive win in the series for Wyoming and the seventh UW win in the last eight Border War showdowns.
This year’s contest is in Fort Collins. The Rams are riding a four-game winning streak. They got blown out at Texas in week 1, 52-0. The Rams then lost at Colorado 9-28.
They have been on a roll since mid-October, though, winning four straight Mountain West matchups. CSU sits in second place in the Mountain West standings, behind only the one-loss to Boise State Broncos.
Coach Sawvel opened yesterday’s news conference by laying out the weapons the Rams will deploy Friday night.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/12095300/1112_Jay-Sawvel-2.mp3The “Border War” series has been played in three different centuries, dating back to Nov. 30, 1899. Friday night’s matchup will be 125th anniversary of that first meeting in Fort Collins.
Wyoming redshirt freshman quarterback Kaden Anderson was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Week following the win over New Mexico. It marked the first time this season a Cowboy has earned a weekly Player of the Week honor from the conference.
Anderson will be under center Friday night in the Border War matchup.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on Friday. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air at 4:30 with the pregame show.
The post Cowboys Head To Fort Collins After Bye Week first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 11, 2024|
Photo – UW Cowboys logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
Mountain West Football this weekend:
21 Washington State upended Utah State 49-28. Cougars quarterback John Mateer threw four touchdown passes and ran in another.
Air Force won at home, defeating Fresno State 36-26 for the Falcons first conference win of the season.
UNLV fell to Hawaii on the islands 29-27.
Boise State improved to 5-0 in conference play with a 28-21 home win over Nevada.
San Jose State defeated Oregon State 24-13.
New Mexico, coming off the 49-45 loss to Wyoming, bounced back and defeated Mountain West defector San Diego State 21-16 on the west coast Friday night.
The stage is now set for this Friday night. Another Mountain West defector—Colorado State will host Wyoming in the 2024 edition of the Border War. The Rams have won four games in a row and five of their last six.
The Cowboys are coming off a bye week after defeating New Mexico 49-45 with Kaden Anderson at quarterback.
The post A Look At This Last Weekend’s Mountain West Games first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 7, 2024|
Photo – UW Cowboys logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
A pair of Wyoming Cowboy football players received recognition this week for their work on the field.
Wyoming place-kicker John Hoyland landed on the list of nominees for the Burlsworth Trophy. This marks the third year in a row that Hoyland, a native of Broomfield, Colorado, made the list. Hoyland is 9-of-12 on field goals this season for 75 percent with a long of 48 yards. Hoyland is 6-for-6 this season inside the 40-yard line. He is also perfect this season in extra points.
Meanwhile, football fans chose Wyoming quarterback Kaden Anderson as the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week. Anderson earned the honor over seven other Manning Award Stars of the Week in the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s online fan voting contest. The freshman gunslinger threw for a career-high 342 yards in the contest. The output was the most passing yards by a Cowboy since Cam Coffman had 366 yards against New Mexico in 2015. It is also the most by a true freshman or redshirt freshman in the MW era of Cowboy Football. Brett Smith threw for 341 yards in 2011 against San Diego State.
The Cowboys have the weekend off with a bye. Wyoming returns to action one week from tomorrow with a Friday night contest with CSU in a Border War game in Fort Collins.
The post Two Cowboy Football Players Recognized This Week first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 5, 2024|
Photo – UW Cowboys logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Cowboys opened the Sundance Wicks era with a dominating 108-85 win over Concordia Saint Paul inside the Arena Auditorium on Monday night.
The Cowboys whipped up on the Golden Bears with a high-momentum pace all night long. Wyoming delivered one slam dunk after another—78 points in the paint compared to 28 by Concordia Saint Paul.
The Cowboy bench added 68 points. The Golden Bears had 28. Big numbers to start the new era under Wicks at 1-0.
Obi Agbim led all scorers with 25 points for Wyoming. Center Scottie Ebube added 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05095120/1105_Wyo-BB-1.mp3Keith Kelly had the call as the Cowboys ran wild in the season opener.
Wyoming took an early 6-0 lead after the Golden Bears went scoreless for most of the first four minutes. The Cowboys went onto dominate the glass, building on their early lead.
First year head coach Wicks said his team had fun in the romp and the fans were caught up in the joy his players had on the court.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/05095119/1105_Wyo-BB-2.mp3Wyoming will host Tennessee State on Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m. inside the Arena-Auditorium.
The Cowgirls lost their season opener to Colorado 56-50 in the first game of the basketball doubleheader inside the Arena Auditorium.
The post Cowboys Dominate Season’s First Basketball Game At Arena Auditorium first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 4, 2024|
Photo – UW Cowboy logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
Tied with New Mexico at 35 apiece at the half, Wyoming scored 14 points in the fourth quarter for the Cowboys second win of the season. Wyoming 49 – the Lobos 45 was the final score.
The Cowboys, with redshirt Freshman quarterback Kaden Anderson at the helm, churned out a season-high 604 yards—262 rushing and 342 passing. Despite the offensive output, a defensive play sealed the win in the end. With 2:54 remaining in the game and New Mexico driving at their 49 yard line, Lobos quarterback Damien Dampier was sacked and fumbled the ball into the hands of Wyoming’s Defensive End Tyce Westland.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095949/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-1.mp3Keith Kelly and Kevin McKinney had the call as the Cowboys recovered the fumble and held on for the remaining five plays for the win, their second of the season.
Wyoming is now 2-7 on the season, 2-and-3 in Mountain West play as they head into a bye week and get ready for the Border War on Friday, Nov. 15th. With the loss at home, the Lobos are now 3-6 overall, 2-3 in the league.
Saturday’s game also featured the return of Harrison Waylee, who was sidelined in August with an injury. The 5-10, 212 pound senior running back rolled for 170 yards, his fifth 100-yard game as a Cowboy.
The game started with back-to-back touchdowns. The Lobos scored first but failed to convert a two-point conversion. Wyoming drove back down the field and scored on a Jamari Ferrel touchdown run.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095947/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-2.mp3Ferrel rushed for 89 yards on the day. The scoring continued. The Lobos scored on a 34-yard rushing touchdown. Wyoming responded, scoring late in the first quarter.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095944/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-3.mp3Gyllenborg finished the game with the one touchdown and 38 yards. Gyllenborg also laid a big block at the start of the second quarter which cleared the way for a seven-yard touchdown run by quarterback Anderson.
The scoreboard stood at Wyoming 21, New Mexico 13, but the scoring was only beginning.
Three minutes later, the Lobos tied up the game 21 apiece with a Dampier touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion.
The Cowboys struck back quickly. In a little more than a minute, Anderson connected with a deep 68-yard pass to Jaylon Sargeant.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095942/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-4.mp3The tug-of-football-war continued. New Mexico charged back. Dampier tied the game at 28-apiece with a 40-yard touchdown run.
But here comes Wyoming. Waylee got into the scoring column with a touchdown that he ran late in the second quarter.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095940/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-5.mp3The extra point was good, but with 1:51 remaining in the first half, the Lobos scored on two quick plays, including a 75-yard rush up the middle for a touchdown and an extra point conversion to tie the game at 35 apiece.
The Lobos would take a 38-35 lead at the 9:29 mark of the third quarter with a field goal. As the third frame came to a close, Dampier struck with an 85-yard run for a touchdown as New Mexico took a ten-point lead, 45-35.
The mood was turning grim for Wyoming fans. John Hoyland missed a field goal. Then with 12:55 remaining in the final quarter, junior Rook Brown intercepted Dampier for a clutch pick-six.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095938/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-6.mp3The Cowboys weren’t finished yet, though. The score was 45-42. On the clock, 12:55 remained.
The Wyoming defense shut down the explosive Lobos offense, allowing just five plays. The Cowboys got the ball back at their own 12-yard line with 10:35 on the clock. Wyoming drove downfield to the New Mexico 8-yard line. Penalties, including a 15-yard interference penalty, pushed the Cowboys back to the 27-yard line. On second-and-goal clutch throw, freshman quarterback Anderson stayed cool and hit Justin Stevenson for the deep touchdown throw.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095936/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-7.mp3The score was 49-45 with 5:51 remaining and the Cowboys held on for their second win of the season.
In the locker room after the big win, the Cowboys were singing “Ragtime Cowboy Joe.” After weeks of frustration and close losses, Head Coach Jay Sawvel was relieved with the big conference win ahead of the Border War in two weeks.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/04095934/1104_Wyo_Nex-Mex-8.mp3Wyoming is coming into a bye week. No game on Saturday. The Cowboys return to action, their spirits and their energy rejuvenized, with a trip to Fort Collins to take on Colorado State at 6 p.m. in a Friday night under the lights game on November 15th.
The post Wyoming Cowboys Take Win Home From New Mexico first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
NOVEMBER 1, 2024|
Photo – UW Cowboy logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
New Mexico lost to Colorado State 17-6 in a Mountain West matchup last Saturday. The Lobos had trouble getting into the endzone against the Rams—the same problem that has been haunting the Wyoming Cowboys.
Wyoming scored two field goals in the third quarter last week against Utah State when the Pokes needed touchdowns. The Cowboys lost by two points 27-25.
For the Lobos, the loss in Fort Collins, dropped New Mexico to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the Mountain West.
New Mexico Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall sized up Wyoming during this week’s news conference.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/01102848/1031_New-Mexico-1.mp3New Mexico’s 7-point output last week was a shocker after the Lobos put up 50 or more points in each of the previous three games, two of which were Mountain West matchups against Utah State and Air Force.
Wyoming has lost three straight games, by three, 10 and two points. The Cowboys have won the last two meetings with New Mexico. Wyoming leads the series all time 40-36, including a 20-15 record in Albuquerque.
Coach Mendenhall said Saturday’s matchup between the Lobos and the Cowboys will come down to a play or two.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/01102846/1031_New-Mexico-2.mp3Kickoff between Wyoming and New Mexico is set for 2:05 Saturday afternoon.
The post Pokes Headed To Warmer Climate To Face New Mexico first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
OCTOBER 30, 2024|
Photo – UW Cowboy logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
After a rough 1-and-7 start to the season, Wyoming quarterback Kaden Anderson will be under center Saturday afternoon when the Cowboys take on New Mexico.
Head Coach Jay Sawvel confirmed the move at quarterback during his weekly news conference on Monday.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/30100049/1030_Wyo-FB-1.mp3Sawvel said the two-point loss to Utah State came down to a lack of Wyoming scoring touchdowns and settling for field goals.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/30100047/1030_Wyo-FB-2.mp3Sawvel admitted that his offense had plenty of opportunities to make plays and score points but squandered their chances to make the most of the situation.
Anderson, a redshirt freshman signal caller from Southlake, Texas, has appeared in six games this fall. He’s mainly entered late in the fourth quarter when the Cowboys were facing certain defeat.
His chance to see more action came this week against the Aggies after Sawvel, looking to shake things up, went to a two-quarterback system.
Junior Evan Svoboda made his seventh-straight start against Utah State and was under center for the first two drives of the night. The second — an 8-play, 55-yard possession that took 5:19 off the clock — led to a 43-yard John Hoyland field goal—but not a touchdown.
Svoboda saw another opportunity under center in the first half, but he was picked off with 1:13 remaining, and the Aggies took a 17-10 lead at halftime.
Head coach Sawvel talked about the decision to pull Svoboda and put in Anderson as the quarterback for the second half.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/30100046/1030_Wyo-FB-3.mp3Sawvel’s rambling answer offered a hint at the frustrations haunting the Cowboy program as Halloween approaches. The headline in the Casper Star Tribune suggested that Sawvel’s number could soon be up, as well. “Will Jay Sawvel survive his first season at Wyoming?”, blared the question on Tuesday.
In the Cowboys’ locker room, the Wyoming players themselves still believe in their head coach, even if some sports writers around the state don’t.
Bruised, banged up, and hobbled together as they are, Wyoming enters Saturday’s matchup against a retooled New Mexico team as a 7.5 point underdog.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
The post Redshirt Freshman Is Starting Quarterback Against New Mexico first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
OCTOBER 29, 2024 |
Photo – UW Cowboy logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
First-year University of Wyoming head football coach Jay Sawvel was reprimanded Sunday by the Mountain West Conference following an angry outburst directed at the officiating crew during Saturday’s home loss to Utah State.
Sawvel was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for arguing with a referee following a defensive pass interference call on safety Wyett Ekeler in the fourth quarter of the Cowboys’ 27-25 loss.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/29102438/1029_Sawvell-Penalty.mp3Sawvel was then penalized for the call.
Sawvel told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle that he regretted his hair trigger response but added that “we’ve had some horse#&%$ officiating.”
The Cowboys are 1-and-7 in Sawvel’s first season as head coach.
The combined 30 yards in penalties on Saturday night at the War moved Utah State into position to score a touchdown.
No rest for the Cowboys. Wyoming is back in action this week with an afternoon showdown against an improved New Mexico team.
Head coach Jay Sawvel summed up the new look of the Lobos this way:
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/29102436/1029_Wyo-New-Mexico.mp3Devon Dampier is the Lobos quarterback. The 5′-10″, 180 pound signal caller not only throws the ball, he’s also the Lobos leading rusher. Dampier threw two touchdown passes against Wyoming last year when the Pokes won 35-26.
For Wyoming, redshirt freshman Kaden Anderson will get his first career start at quarterback for the University of Wyoming against New Mexico this weekend. Anderson finished 15-of-24 for 182 yards, while Svoboda was 2-of-7 for 12 yards and an interception against Utah State.
Maybe the change will light a fire under the offense. Wyoming is 123rd in the country in total yardage at 303.4 per game, and 124th in scoring at 18.1 points.
Running back Harrison Waylee will also return to the line up on Saturday in his season debut.
The new-look Cowboys will try to improve on its 1-and-3 conference record down near the bottom of the Mountain West standings. Neither Nevada nor Air Force have won a conference game this year. The Lobos are 3-5 overall, and 2-2 in Mountain West play.
The post Mountain West Reprimands Coach For Penalty first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
OCTOBER 28, 2024 |
Photo – #11 Dontaie Allen shoots the ball – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Wyoming Cowboy basketball team won its exhibition opener in the Double A on Friday night. The Pokes beat College of Idaho 80-63.
Cowboys were on point defensively, holding the Coyotes to 35 percent shooting from the field. College of Idaho jumped into the game quickly, going on an 8-0 run. The Wyoming defense held the Coyotes scoreless for four minutes while the offense clicked off eight straight points.
Wyoming shot 58%, hitting 12 three-pointers, on 30-of-52 shots.
For first year head coach Sundance Wicks, Wyoming’s 20 turnovers will be a focus in practice this week.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/28115417/1028_Sundance.mp3Wyoming officially opens the season one week from today, on Monday, November 4 against Concordia, St. Paul.
The post Cowboys Win Exhibition Opener Against College Of Idaho first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
October 2, 2024 |
Photo – Cowgirls go for the block – Courtesy gowyo.com
The University of Wyoming volleyball team will forfeit a game against San Jose State rather than play the Spartans, who have a male player who claims to be a female. Declining the contest comes with a cost.
According to Mountain West Conference, the Cowgirls will record the match as a forfeit and a loss for Wyoming.
A brief statement from UW yesterday, reads, “After a lengthy discussion, the University of Wyoming will not play its scheduled conference match against San Jose State University in the UniWyo Sports Complex on Saturday, Oct. 5.”
Wyoming is the second team in a week to forfeit rather than play the Spartans, who feature a reported transgender athlete on their roster an outside hitter Blaire Fleming. Southern Utah and Boise State also said no to playing the Spartans.
One of Fleming’s own teammates, Brooke Slusser, joined lawsuit against the NCAA for violating Title IX.
The player in the center of the controversy was born male, with the name Brayden Fleming. He has had his birth name and identity hidden by SJSU for nearly two years. Fleming is second on the team with 119 kills and 3.92 kills per set. Fleming’s spikes have been clocked at more than 80 mph.
San Jose State is 10-0 overall, 2-0 in MW conference play. One of the conference wins was the result of the Boise State boycott. Wyoming (9-4, 1-1) is scheduled to return to the floor against Fresno State on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
The post UW Volleyball Forfeits Against San Jose State first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
October 1, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming Cowboys logo – Courtesy Wikipedia
The list of injuries for the Wyoming Cowboy begins with quarterback Evan Svoboda’s broken nose. He’s smiling despite the pain.
There are other Wyoming players wearing casts and walking boots yesterday, as the off week begins. The time couldn’t have come at a better time. September, the opening month of play, was brutal on the Cowboys. The soothing balm of the season’s first win finally came Saturday night with the 31-19 home win over Air Force.
Head coach Jay Sawvel thanked his injury-riddled squad for their gutsy second half performance against Air Force. The Cowboys fought back from six-point deficit at the half, outscoring the Falcons 24-6 down the stretch.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/01110916/1001_Jay-Sawvel-1.mp3The injury list is extensive.
On the offensive line, starting right guard Jack Walsh and starting left guard Wes King remain out. Both are expected to miss UW’s next game against San Diego State on Oct. 12.
Starting center Nofoafia Tulafono, who was shaken up in the fourth quarter, will practice this week.
The offensive unit previously lost starting left tackle Nate Geiger to a season-ending knee injury at Arizona State. Jake Davies, also a redshirt freshman, has started the last five games. Rex Johnsen started against the Falcons for Walsh and Alex Conn filled in for King, who was carted off with a knee injury that is not season ending.
UW’s secondary is also adjusting after a cluster of injuries to safeties Wyett Ekeler (two broken thumbs), Isaac White (foot) and Andrew Johnson (broken thumb). Ekeler is questionable, White is doubtful and Johnson probable for the Aztecs.
Starting nickel back Wrook Brown will get more work at safety and cornerback Caleb Merritt will practice at nickel this week. Sawvel also noted it will be important for young cornerbacks Ian Bell and Keany Parks to continue improving before facing SDSU’s spread offense.
Punt returner/wide receiver Caleb Cooley is nursing a bad ankle, fullback Caleb Driskill (thumb) and defensive end DeVonne Harris (arm) are on the mend but questionable for SDSU.
The target date for Harrison Waylee’s return from a knee injury is the Oct. 26 home game against Utah State. The starting running back plans to play in four games, maintain his redshirt and return to UW in 2025. Dawaiian McNeely is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury but also plans to return healthy next fall.
Svoboda, despite having his nose broken during the game, completed 71.4% of his passes for 165 yards and rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns against Air Force.
The Wyoming players are on the mend, but Saturday night’s big win in the conference opener is the perfect balm for all that ailed the Cowboys through the month of September.
The post Several Cowboys Enter Bye Week Injured first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 30, 2024 |
Photo – One Falcon in a group of Cowboys – Courtesy gowyo.com
Wyoming fans were treated to a show on Saturday night inside a packed War Memorial Stadium as the Cowboys roared back in the second half to beat Air Force 31-19 in their Mountain West opener.
The win was a glorious balm after a 0-and-4 start to the season. Down 13-7 at the half, the Cowboys roared back after the break.
Quarterback Evan Svoboda enjoyed a breakout game, throwing for 165 yards and rushing for 70 with two touchdowns, delivering a career first win for head coach Jay Sawvel.
All four Wyoming touchdowns came on the ground. The Cowboys started the third quarter with a pounding 7-play 76-yard scoring drive.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/30113056/0930_Air-Force-Wyo-1.mp3Keith Kelly had the call, and the Cowboys retook the lead, pulling ahead 14-13. Wyoming would never surrender the lead. The Cowboys scored again at the 5:56 mark of the third. Tyler King capped off an 11-play, 94-yard drive, with a sweeping three-yard run to the corner of the end zone.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/30113103/0930_Air-Force-Wyo-2.mp3John Hoyland added a 23-yard field goal—his 62nd career three point shot–early in the fourth quarter to take a 24-13 lead over the Falcons.
The Falcons struck quickly, scoring again on a seven play 75-yard drive, but a two-point conversion attempt failed. With 2:13 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Cowboys, leading 24-19, Svoboda put an exclamation point on the win with a leap and a brief dance at the end of the 17-yard touchdown run to celebrate the first Wyoming win of the season.
(Air Force-Wyo 3, “touchdown cowboys!”)
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/30113107/0930_Air-Force-Wyo-3.mp3Three consecutive scoring drives was just what the cowboys needed to wash away a month of losses in non-conference play. Head Coach Sawvel was happy for his quarterback, who has been feeling the pressure after struggling through the first month of the season.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/30113112/0930_Air-Force-Wyo-4.mp3Sawvel admitted that his injury-riddled squad went flat in the second quarter, but he liked how they dominated in the third quarter.
Running back Sam Scott rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown. John Michael Gyllenborg was back to full strength with 70 receiving yards. His longest was for 33 yards.
Cowboy left guard Wes King was carted off the field in the third quarter with an unspecified lower-body injury and did not return.
The Cowboys will enjoy a well-deserved bye week before continuing conference play at home against San Diego State on Saturday, October 12 in an afternoon game at War Memorial Stadium.
The post Wyoming Fans Packed The War For Homecoming first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 27, 2024 |
Photo – Air Force Football team – Courtesy usafa.edu
The Wyoming – Air Force game has become something of a grudge match. Falcon fans have not seen their team win in Laramie in a dozen years.
The two schools have seen better years in their rivalries. This year, the two teams are struggling. Air Force is one-and-two, with one of those losses coming to Mountain West rival, San Jose State, 17-7, on September 7. Meanwhile, the Cowboys head into their conference opening still in search of for their first win of the year.
Last season, Air Force beat Wyoming 34-27 as a 12.5-point home favorite. The Falcons are listed as 4-point road favorites this time around, while the total sits at 34.5 points.
The mood in Laramie will be upbeat tomorrow despite the Cowboys record. Tomorrow is Homecoming. The parade will start at 11 a.m. A new event, this year, will be the Homecoming Alumni Tailgate event at the Gateway Center. The festivities start at 2 p.m. and will run until kickoff at 6.
Then, the rivalry game with much at stake for both teams.
Air has had an extra week to prepare as they come to Laramie after a bye. They’ve dropped consecutive games following a 21-6 home win against Merrimack in their season opener. The Falcons then fell to the Spartans in Week 2, before suffering a heavy 31-3 loss at Baylor in Week 3.
You can bet the Wyoming defense watched the tape of the Baylor game this week. The Bears stuffed the famed Air Force option last week, allowing just 3.4 yards per carry. Air Force quarterback John Busha went 0-for-5 through the air and ran the ball 21 times for 45 yards. He fumbled twice.
With just one returning starter on offense and three on defense, the Falcons have struggled through their first three games.
The winless Cowboys have also struggled under a new coaching staff and first year starting quarterback Evan Svoboda.
Head coach Jay Sawvel was honest about his team as they look for their first win. Sawvel remembers last year’s game when John Lee Eldridge III raced 58 yards for the go-ahead score with 2:17 on the clock as Air Force rallied from a halftime deficit to beat Wyoming 34-27.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0925_0927-Coach-Sawvel-1.mp3Air Force is well-coached and highly disciplined. This creates a special kind of a challenge in a rivalry game. The Cowboys will have no room for mistakes. Coach Sawvel talked this week about the task his team has, taking on the unique system of play the Falcons use—and their competitiveness.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0925_0927-Coach-Sawvel-2.mp3Kickoff is set for six o’clock after a day of homecoming activities in Laramie. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air at 4:30 with the pregame show. Go Pokes!
The post Grudge Match Set For Tomorrow’s Homecoming first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 27, 2024 |
Photo – Mountain West Conference logo – Courtesy Google Play
Yesterday the college of the Mountain West, under attack from the PAC 12 in this unsettled era of conference shakeups, announced a commitment from six teams that signed a Memorandum of Understanding to remain in the league.
The Air Force Academy, University of Hawaiʻi, University of Nevada-Reno, University of New Mexico, San José State University, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and the University of Wyoming signed the new agreement with the Mountain West.
University of Wyoming Athletic Director Tom Burman said in a statement, “I feel very good about where we landed in these fluid times related to conference realignment,” Burman said. “The Mountain West Conference will move forward to be at the NCAA requirement of eight full members. We will work with Mountain West leadership to actively add new members, but at this time we cannot comment on the matter of specific institutions for expansion.”
The agreement comes after Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State broke ranks and agreed to join the PAC-12.
As the Mountain West attorneys study up to defend the conference in a lawsuit with the PAC 12, yesterday’s agreement provides the Mountain West with a solid contractual platform that extends through June 30, 2032.
The post Six Teams Commit To Mountain West first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 26, 2024 |
Photo – Mountain West vs PAC 12 – Courtesy SuperWest Sports web page
In sports, the Pac-12 filed a federal lawsuit against the Mountain West on Wednesday claiming it should not be on the hook for over $50 million in penalties, marking another turn in this latest wave of conference realignment.
The “poaching penalties” were embedded in the scheduling agreement between the Mountain West and the two current members of the Pac-12 — Oregon State and Washington State. The agreement allowed the two teams to play a Mountain West schedule this year but offered protection to the Mountain West should the Pac-12 turn around and try to take members of the conference.
That is exactly what has played out. The Pac-12 now has agreements from Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State to join in the upcoming years.
The Mountain West, head-quarterd in Colorado Springs, CO, is standing by the agreement and expects more than $10 million per school in fees (in addition to the $17 million per institution exit fees).
In its lawsuit, The Pac-12 says the poaching penalty was “forced” upon it. It claims the fees are unlawful and unenforceable.”
“To say that the Mountain West was taking advantage of the Pac-12 could not be farther from the truth,” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement. “The Mountain West Conference wanted to help the Pac-12 schools and student-athletes, but not at the expense of the Mountain West. The Pac-12 has taken advantage of our willingness to help them and enter into a scheduling agreement with full acknowledgment and legal understanding of their obligations. Now that they have carried out their plan to recruit certain Mountain West schools, they want to walk back what they legally agreed to. There has to be a consequence to these types of actions.”
Should the lawsuit be found to have merit, it would obviously alter the financial variables in play as the conference shifting continues to play out. Currently the Mountain West and Pac-12 have seven schools apiece, falling one short of meeting the threshold to be a recognized conference.
The Mountain West nearly had agreement from eight schools to hold firm Monday, but Utah State then left when issued an invitation from the Pac-12.
Now, UNLV is said to be rethinking its position of staying in the Mountain West. Air Force could potentially rethink its position if UNLV leaves.
The leverage the Mountain West has comes from the money — in the vicinity of $130 million — it would collect from the Pac-12 defections. If that figure drops to only the exit fees — $85 million — the situation could drastically change.
The post PAC 12 Files Federal Lawsuit Against Mountain West first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 26, 2024 |
Photo – UW Cowboys flag taken onto the field – Courtesy gowyo.com
In sports, a big Mountain West football game is scheduled for Saturday in Laramie. Wyoming will host Air Force in the UW’s homecoming game.
Saturday’s matchup will be the Mountain West opener for the Cowboys. Air Force dropped their conference opener to San Jose State on September 7, 7-17 in Colorado Springs. The Falcons went onto lose at Baylor by a score of 3-31 the following week.
The Cowboys will be trying to earn their first win of the season.
Kickoff is set for 6. We’ll be on the air at 4:30 with the pregame show.
The post Cowboys Looking For First Season Win At Homecoming first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 25, 2024 |
Photo – Mountain West Bracket – Courtesy Mountain West Wire web page
Wyoming opens conference play on Saturday against Air Force.
With other teams, including Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State, departing the Mountain West for what they believe will be greener pastures in the PAC-12, the Cowboys and the Falcons will remain in the Mountain West.
The cost to leave the league won’t be cheap. Each school will be hit with an $18 million dollar exit fee. The PAC-12 will help pay a portion of the fee, but a number has not been announced. The so-called Pacific Conference will also pay $43 million in poaching fees to the Mountain West for taking schools like CSU and Boise State which are more than a stone’s throw away from the ocean.
The transition is expected to take place over the next two years, with the 2026-2027 academic year marking the official start of CSU’s PAC-12 membership. CSU has promised to maintain its traditional rivalries, including the Border War matchup with Wyoming.
Still each of the departing schools will see a tab from the Mountain West for about $110 million in exit fees and penalties.
Despite poaching the Mountain West, the PAC 12 will still be two schools short of the eight they need to have locked down in two years by NCAA rule.
Anything can happen, and has in college football where brand loyalty is meaningless. Just a year ago, ten PAC 12 schools left the conference for greener pastures after league officials were unable to secure lucrative media deals.
So, coming this Saturday, two teams that will remain in the Mountain West will meet again in War Memorial Stadium.
The Cowboys, who have scored only 51 points this season while giving up 143, come into the matchup 0-and-4, tied with winless New Mexico at the bottom of the conference standings.
Air Force is 1-and-2 overall, with one of those losses coming in Conference play on September 7 in a 17-7 defeat to San Jose State on September 7. The Falcons had a bye last week.
Saturday’s kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Mountain Time on Saturday night.
Air Force plays Navy the following week with Wyoming taking a bye on October 5.
The post Four Schools Consider Leaving Mountain West first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 24, 2024 |
Photo – Cowboy player runs with ball – Courtesy gowyo.com
What a difference a year makes in college football. When Wyoming played Air Force last year, the Cowboys were flying high.
In 2023, the Cowboy were 5-and-1 on the season in mid-October when they played the Falcons at the Academy in Colorado Springs. The Falcons were undefeated and finished the season with 10 wins and no losses. In their matchup on October 14, the Cowboys were up 21-17 at the half but went on to lose 34-27.
This year, the Cowboys are still searching for their first win. The Falcons are coming off a bye-week and come into Laramie with a 1-and-2 record. Both teams are struggling.
In Laramie on Monday, Cowboys head coach Jay Sawvel talked about the beginning of conference play.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0924_Coach-Sawvel-1.mp3The Cowboys showed improvement at North Texas. Quarterback Evan Svoboda threw the ball well in the first half. Wyoming also converted on third downs but weren’t able to sustain the momentum after Big Green’s late field goal to end the first half.
During Monday’s news conference, Coach Sawvel used basketball as an example to show how his team’s energy level was deflated by their own mistakes. Sawvel compared the deflated Wyoming psychology in Denton, Texas Saturday night to blowing a layup and the opponent comes down court and makes a three at the other end.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0924_Coach-Sawvel-2.mp3The Cowboys are regrouping this week, and dealing with injuries as they get ready for the conference opener.
Fullback Caleb Driscoll, the senior from Gillette, is out with a thumb injury—no timetable on Driscoll’s return. Free Safety, Wyatt Eckler, is out until at least the San Diego State game on October 12, after the bye. Defensive End, Dvonne Harris, is out for the Air Force matchup, as is Sophomore Center Luke Sandy from Elizabeth, Colorado. Junior Strong Safety Andrew Johnson of Cheyenne will play with a broken thumb. Another strong safety, senior Isaac White, is crossed off the list for Air Force—at least as of Monday. Senior running back Dawaiian McNeely is out for the rest of the season, Coach Sawvel said Monday.
McNeely going back under the knife.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0924_Coach-Sawvel-3.mp3Continuing to run down the Wyoming injury list, Sawvel said the other senior runback, Harrison Waylee, will also be out for Saturday night’s game against Air Force. Waylee will play four games this year as a red shirt once he’s ready to return to the lineup. The four-game cap is designed so #4 can return next year as a fifth year senior.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/0924_Coach-Sawvel-4.mp3The Cowboys are a four point underdog Saturday night at the War against Air Force. Kickoff is set for six p.m. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air with the pregame show at 4:30.
The post Wyoming Cowboys Welcome Air Force For Homecoming first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 20, 2024 |
Photo – Quarterback Svoboda throws a pass – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Wyoming Cowboys Football team will be in Texas tomorrow still looking for their first win of the season and their first-ever meeting with North Texas, a.k.a Mean Green.
Their uniforms are green in color. Mystery surrounds the team nick name, though.
Some point to famed Pittsburgh Steeler defensive tackle, #75, Mean Joe Green—a key part of the famed “Steel Curtain.” Green earned All-America honors as a senior for North Texas in 1968. The team was called the Eagles at the time.
The new name was adopted in 1996 when North Texas switched to the Big West Conference.
Some deny the connection to the famous Steeler. It’s still better than Meat Loaf. The famous rock singer also attended the school.
Whatever you call them, a win over North Texas likely won’t be easy in tomorrow’s hot and humid, 90-plus degree temperatures.
The Mean Green are 2-1 on the season. The four opponents on the Cowboy schedule, so far this season, weigh in at a combined 10-2 on the season. Wyoming head Coach Jay Sawvel said, this week, that Mean Green plays an up-tempo style of game that will challenge Cowboy defense.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20102952/0920_Jay-Sawvel-1.mp3Look for defensive end Sebastian Harsh to put in another big day tomorrow. Harsh comes into the game with 18 tackles for the season. He leads all defensive linemen in the Mountain West Conference in tackles.
The big challenge for Wyoming defenders tomorrow will be North Texas quarterback Chandler Morris. Sawvel said Morris is a smart signal caller.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20102950/0920_Jay-Sawvel-2.mp3The Mean Green are 2-1 on the season.
On the plus side for Wyoming, the Pokes had 11 different players record a reception against BYU. The most the Cowboys had last season was nine in a contest. It was the most in a game since Wyoming had 11 different players catch a pass against Texas in 2009.
Coach Sawvel is confident that the Cowboys can turn their season around and get on a winning track tomorrow in the heat of Denton, Texas.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air with the pregame show at 3:30.
The post Cowboys Face Off Against North Texas Tomorrow first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 19, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming Football Coach Jay Sawvel on the sidelines – Courtesy gowyo.com
Wyoming is likely studying the game film this week of the big 66-21 loss North Texas suffered at the hands of Texas Tech last Saturday.
The Cowboys face North Texas on Saturday. After a competitive first quarter, The Mean Green turned the ball over three times, helping the Red Raiders score 35 points in the second quarter. Mean Green was already down by 10 at the end of the first frame.
North Texas, now 2-1 on the season pulled within three points in the first quarter, when Wyatt Young took a screen pass 75 yards for a score.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/19104442/0919_Mean-Green-1.mp3UNT coach Eric Morris said that his team needed to do some soul searching this week. The second quarter of the game was the worst 15 minutes he’s ever participated in, Morris said.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/19104439/0919_Mean-Green-2.mp3Coach Morris said the big challenge getting his team ready for Wyoming is ignoring the 0-3 record the Cowboys are bringing to Lubbock this week.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/19104438/0919_Mean-Green-3.mp3Morris said Wyoming is a better team than their 0-3 record indicates going into the matchup.
Saturday’s game will be the final non-conference contest for both the Cowboys and Mean Green before conference play begins.
Saturday’s matchup will be the first-ever meeting between UW and North Texas, which was a member of the Sun Belt Conference (2000-13) and Conference USA (2013-23) before joining the American Athletic Conference last season.
Kickoff is set for 5:00 p.m. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air with the pregame show at 3:30.
The post North Texas Faces Challenge Of Underestimating Cowboys first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 18, 2024 |
Photo – Cowboys on the field – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Wyoming Cowboys football team has added a soul searching to their physical reps this week as they get ready to play North Texas on Saturday.
After three losses to start the season, the Pokes are searching for their first win. The stage is Denton, Texas where the temperature will be in the low 90s.
On Monday, Cowboy Head Coach Jay Sawvel broke down the scouting report on North Texas this way.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/18095351/0918_Jay-Sawvell-1.mp3The Cowboys have not played all that well this season. Despite computer projections showing them winning their first three games, the Cowboys are still in search of their first “W.”
Wyoming is a nine-point underdog headed into the matchup.
Sawvel said North Texas has a collection of skilled players who will challenge the Cowboys defensively. The Wyoming defense will need to up its game.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/18095354/0918_Jay-Sawvell-2.mp3Evan Svoboda is the starting quarterback for Wyoming. He may be running out of time, though. Another poor performance this Saturday by Svoboda, may force Sawvel to make a change at the quarterback position.
Svoboda is 30-of-72 passing for 308 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
The head coach talked about the underperforming Wyoming offense.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/18095356/0918_Jay-Sawvell-3.mp3Can Coach Sawvel convert team’s demeanor in the sport facilities in Laramie into better execution on the field and a win Saturday in Texas? That’s the big question as the Cowboys head out on the road for the second time this season.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday in a game broadcast on ESPN+ and right here on Bigfoot 99 with the pregame show at 3:30.
The post Cowboys Add Mental Workout With Physical Before Game In Texas first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 17, 2024 |
Photo – Pokes huddle – Courtesy gowyo.com
In Laramie, Wyoming Head Football Coach Jay Sawvel said Monday that his 0-and-3 Cowboys need to turn things around after Saturday night’s 34-14 loss to BYU.
Wyoming was never in the game. Down 17-7 at the half, the chances for a Cowboy comeback went up in smoke after BYU returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown to start the third quarter.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/17095823/0917_Jay-Sawvell-1.mp3BYU rushed for 140 yards Saturday night compared to Wyoming’s 77. In the passing game, BYU racked up 318 yards to 140 for the Cowboys. The Cougars doubled up Wyoming on first downs 23 to 12, and on total yards on offense 458 to 217.
Quarterback Evan Svoboda rushed for two touchdowns against BYU but struggled in the passing game, finishing 14-for-32 passing for 140 yards and an interception.
Wide receivers Tyler King and Jaylen Sargent and tight end Clay Nanke combined for 10 catches for 94 yards. All three are new names this year.
Sawvel said the Cowboys want to turn the season around as much as Wyoming fans do, maybe more. The Cowboys will be gunning for their first win of the season this Saturday at North Texas.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/17095825/0917_Jay-Sawvell-2.mp3North Texas dropped their first game of the year on Saturday in a blowout loss to cross-state rival Texas Tech. UNT allowed 42 consecutive points in the first half on the way to a 66-21 loss.
Tech scored 21 points off three Mean Green turnovers.
Wyoming running back Harrison Waylee remains sidelined with a knee injury. Another running back, Dawaiin McNeeley is also out with a knee injury. Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, who played eight snaps against BYU after returning to the lineup, may see more action this week.
Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air with the pregame show at 3:30.
The post Coach Sawvel Says Team Needs To Turn Things Around first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 16, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming and BYU game – Courtesy gowyo.com
The winless Wyoming Cowboys fell to 0-and-3 on the season Saturday night after a 34-14 loss to BYU inside War Memorial Stadium.
The Cougars dominated Wyoming from the start. Their first touchdown came early, 5:58 in the first quarter. Three minutes later at 9:16, BYU went up 14-0.
BYU came to play and racked up 458 yards of total offense compared to Wyoming’s 217. On the night, Cougar quarterback Jake Retzlaff threw for 291 yards, completing 22 of 36 passes.
BYU put up 140 net yards rushing on 28 carries. Wyoming rushed for 77 net yards with quarterback Evan Svoboda gaining more than 30 of them.
Wyoming’s first touchdown came at the 5:11 mark of the second quarter. At the end of an 11-play drive, Svoboda scored his first rushing touchdown of the year to get the Cowboys on the board.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16132451/0916_Wyo-BYU-1.mp3The crowd and the Wyoming sideline were fired up.
As the teams took the field for the second half, Wyoming color announcer Kevin McKinney remarked that “feels good to be home.” No sooner were the words spoken when the BYU’s Keelan Marion took the opening kickoff and ran it 100 yards for a touchdown to open the second half.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16132453/0916_Wyo-BYU-2.mp3The Cougars kickoff return and touchdown popped any hope Wyoming might have had for a second-half comeback. The Cougars went up by 17-points and the Wyoming offense would not score again until late in the fourth quarter. After the game, Cowboy Head Coach Jay Sawvel put it this way.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/16132456/0916_Wyo-BYU-3.mp3At around the 7-minute mark in the fourth quarter, Svoboda rushed for a one-yard touchdown on shotgun play to make the final score 34-14. The Cowboys are now 30-47-3 all-time against the Cougars.
Wyoming is off to UW’s worst season start since 2015 when they went 0-and-6.
After two losses at home, the Cowboys will now get ready for a road game in the Lone Star State this week. Wyoming will be in Lubbock to face North Texas on Saturday. Mean Green is off to a 2-1 start to the season after losing to Texas Tech 66-21 on Saturday.
The post Cowboys Fall to 3 and 0 After Saturday Night’s Game With BYU first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 13, 2024 |
Photo – Full stadium at the War – Courtesy gowyo.com
In an historic matchup, BYU travels to Laramie to face Wyoming tomorrow night in War Memorial Stadium.
The Cougars have not played in the War since 2009. Tomorrow’s matchup will be the 80th meeting between the two schools.
BYU is off to a 2-and-0 start. The Cowboys, at 0-and-2, are hungry for a win under a new head coach Jay Sawvel and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson. The Cowboys have not shown much offensive power this season under new quarterback Evan Svoboda, who came in late and powered Wyoming to a win at the Arizona Bowl last December.
While the Cougars and Cowboys have mirror-opposite records this year, ESPN’s Football Power Index, at the beginning of the season, gave the Cougars just a 31% chance of getting to bowl eligibility this year.
Last week, the Cougars traveled to SMU and upset the Mustangs as a double-digit underdog. A week earlier, BYU upset Southern Illinois. The same computer that gives BYU an 86.4% chance of beating the Cowboys tomorrow night. That’s up from a 60.9% chance when the computer cranked the numbers in the preseason.
The big question is what kind of game will Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff have tomorrow night. #12 has been less than steady, turning the ball over twice last week. Through two games, despite the turnover, Retzlaff averaged 275 yards and two touchdowns per game.
Here’s how Wyoming head coach Sawvel sizes up the competition.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/13102017/0913_Jay-Sawvell-1.mp3At 0-and-2 and only 20 points scored on offense, the Cowboys are underperforming. Sawvel knows that. The head coach said Wyoming will have to play its best stretch of football of the year to come away with a win tomorrow night.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/13102021/0913_Jay-Sawvell-2.mp3The Cowboys appear physically healthy headed into the matchup. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air at 5:30 with the pregame show on Saturday night.
The post Cowboys Face Historic Match-Up Tomorrow Night first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 3, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming and Arizona State game, last Saturday – Courtesy gowyo.com
At least one fan was so upset with Wyoming’s performance Saturday night that they mailed a death threat to Head Coach Jay Sawvel.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03164639/0903_Jaw-Sawvell-1.mp3Quarterback Evan Svoboda was gone by the end of the fourth quarter early Sunday morning after failing to produce much offense. Two seconds remained on the clock when Wyoming finally got on the scoreboard, avoiding a shutout loss in Tucson against a dominating Arizona State team.
Keith Kelly and Kevin McKinney had the call as Wyoming avoided leaving without a single score in a brutal 48 to 7 loss.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03164642/0903_Wyo_Az-1.mp3The numbers say Wyoming didn’t come ready.
The Cowboys got the ball first. They started off-kilter against the Big 12 opponent in the opening drive. On the second play, with less than 30-seconds off the clock, Evan Svoboda threw a pick six.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03164644/0903_Wyo_Az-2.mp3Before the first quarter was done, ASU would add a field goal and another touchdown for a 17-0 lead over Wyoming.
The game went downhill from there.
The Sun Devils put up 499 of total offense and held the Cowboys to just 118. ASU passed for 258 yards and put up 27 first downs without a single turnover.
The Wyoming offense, with new coordinator Jay Johnson, a new system, new language and a new quarterback, bumbled their way through the first quarter, picking up flags for an illegal formation and two false starts.
At the 10:01 mark of the first quarter, Svoboda threw a second pick. Arizona State turned it into a field goal.
Wyoming left tackle Nathan Geiger, a new piece on the offensive line, left the game in the first quarter. Defensive end Dvonne Harris came out a few minutes later.
The Sun Devils scored again on a 13-yard DeCarlos Brooks run to the end zone as time ran out in the first quarter. Wyoming was down 11-nothing.
Penalties and miscues continued to dog the Pokes. Arizona running back Cameraon Skateboo ran for a touchdown at the 9:47 mark as Wyoming kept digging a deeper hole. Arizona State added another field goal at the 4:28 mark to make it a 27-0 game.
In the first half, Arizona State converted 14 first downs. The Cowboys had three as Svoboda struggled throughout the night.
The Sun Devils continued to move the ball in the third quarter, scoring three more times to run up the score to 48-0. For their part, Cowboys picked up just one first down in the third quarter.
Finally in fourth quarter, The Cowboys put up a score and got out of Tempe with a 48-7 loss. Freshman quarterback Kaden Anderson came in with less than six minutes in a last gasp effort to make something happen.
Coach Jay Sawvel walked the sideline all night wearing a tense, unhappy look. After the game, he made no excuses for the blowout loss.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03164646/0903_Wyo_Az-3.mp3Sawvell acknowledged that his players and coaches have a lot of improving to do as they get ready for week two. Wyoming’s home opener is this Saturday in Laramie. The Cowboys will host Idaho in a kickoff set for 1:30 in the afternoon.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/03164648/0903_Wyo_Az-4.mp3The Wyoming defense was on the field most of the night. The Wyoming offense gained 124 yards and lost 49.
Tyler King picked up the biggest Cowboy reception against Arizona State with a 23 yard catch.
Jake Culbreath punted the ball eight times for 376. His longest was 59.
On the night, Wyoming coughed up three turnovers and had no takeaways.
The Cowboys may catch a break this week in Saturday’s home opener. Idaho’s starting quarterback suffered broken collarbone in the opener against Oregon. Redshirt freshman Jack Wagner will make his first-career start against the Cowboys in Laramie on Saturday.
The post Wyoming Falls To Arizona State In Tempe first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 30, 2024 |
Photo – Pokes in practice – Courtesy gowyo.com
Cowboy football: Wyoming will face a rebuilt Arizona State football team tomorrow in Tempe.
The new look Sun Devils offense begins with signal caller. Earlier this month, redshirt freshman transfer Sam Leavitt was named the starting quarterback for the opener against Wyoming. Leavitt beat out transfer Jeff Sims (Georgia Tech/Nebraska).
In four games at Michigan State last season as a true freshman, Leavitt completed 15-of-23 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Sun Devils Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, who juggled eight different quarterbacks last year’s losing season, said Leavitt played with consistency and versatility through summer camp to earn the starting job for tomorrow’s opener.
First year Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel has Leavitt circled on his chart.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/30110756/0830_UW-footbll-1.mp3Leavitt is an Oregon native who won Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior at West Linn High School.
Sawvel also has running back Cam Skattebo circled on his chart. The 5-11 senior from California was a finalist last season of the Paul Hornung Award for the nation’s most versatile player. An all-round player, #4 Skatebo recorded 50 snaps at quarterback.. He also punted the ball eight times, and is ranked 10th among all FBS and FCS running backs with 2,681 career rushing yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Sawvel admits Skattebo is a powerhouse.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/30110757/0830_UW-footbll-2.mp3Another piece to the puzzle for Arizona State is wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who transferred to the Sun Devils this year. In his freshman year at Colorado, Tyson led all receivers in Boulder with 470 yards and five touchdowns. His 21.36 yards per catch last season was fourth best in the nation.
The Sun Devils have a lot of tools at the ready. The Cowboys defense will be looking to stop them. Tomorrow’s matchup will the first time in 47 years that UW will play former WAC rival Arizona State. The Sun Devils did not want to play in Laramie, so tomorrow’s matchup is one-and-done.
The matchup kicks off at 8:30 here on Bigfoot 99 and on Fox Sports 1. We’ll be on the air with the pregame show at 7:00. Keith Kelley will have the radio call, veteran color-man Kevin McKinney will also be in the booth. Erick Pauley will have the sideline reports here on Bigfoot..
The post ASU Rebuilt Its Team Wyoming Has A Powerhouse Player first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 29, 2024 |
Photo – Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, AZ – Courtesy thesundevils.com
In Tempe this week, lots of questions have been swirling around the Sun Devils football team at Arizona State.
ASU is trying to recover from last year’s three-win season where the quarterback position was a revolving door under first-year head coach Kenny Dillingham. Six different players rotated through the QB position last year as Dillingham was reduced to mix-and-match as he dealt with with an injury-riddled team.
A new offensive coordinator arrived at ASU this year.
Heading into his second season, Dillingham is dealing with a new set of problems. Defensive back Macen Williams retired from football and potential starting offensive lineman Jalen Klemm is reportedly out indefinitely with a health issue.
On Monday, Dillingham said linebacker Tate Romney would miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand while offensive lineman Sean Na’a and defensive end Prince Dorbah deal with leg issues that would sideline them 2-4 games.
Then there’s that other problem. The Wyoming Cowboys arrive in Tucson Saturday night looking to pick up where they left off last season—with a win.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/29111251/0829_Kenny-Dillingham-1.mp3Dillingham sounds a bit like the way a dog looks when its chasing its tail. He admits it. He’s trying to figure out what wrinkles the Cowboys have added to their offense and defense in the offseason.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/29111253/0829_Kenny-Dillingham-2.mp3For ASU, only a handful of starters returned this year. They include running back Cam Skattebo and 2023 All-Pac-12 honorable mention center Leif Fautanu.
New coordinator Marcus Arroyo, who put some time in Laramie a few years ago, will call plays for the offense. ASU is hoping for more predictability on offense this year after stabilizing the quarterback position. The Sun Devils offense promises to be more stabilized this year.
The big question in Tempe this week is, “Can the offensive line keep quarterback Sam Leavitt upright against the Wyoming defense on Saturday night?”.
Stay tuned. We’ll find out Saturday night. The season kicks off at 8:30 here on Bigfoot 99. The pregame show starts at 7 p.m.
The post ASU Sun Devils Prepare For Arrival of UW Cowboys first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 28, 2024 |
Photo – Cowboy fans – Courtesy gowyo.com
Head Coach Jay Sawvel is ready for the Cowboys to get off the practice field and play a game.
Sawvel held his first news conference as head coach this week as the Cowboys get ready to take on Arizona State in a Saturday night prime time matchup.
Evan Svoboda, the 6-5, 245 pound quarterback, who stepped in at the end of last year’s Arizona Bowl after Andrew Peasley went out with an injury. Svoboda scored on a one-yard sneak that pulled the Cowboys within two points.
Svoboda then moved the Cowboys quickly down the field — with the help of an unnecessary roughness penalty— and punter John Hoyland split the uprights to finish off Wyoming’s best season since going 10-2 in 1996.
The Cowboys will begin where they left off—playing against a quality opponent in a televised game on Saturday night in prime time. Coach Sawvel said yesterday he wouldn’t want to start any other way.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28091940/0828_Coach-Sawvell-1.mp3Wyoming’s opening week opponent feels the same way. Arizona State’s head coach, Kenny Dillingham, is actually in favor of preseason football games to tune up his squad.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28092018/0828_Kenny-Dillingham-1.mp3The monotony comes to an end Saturday night for the Cowboys and the Sun Devils. Arizona State did a lot of rebuilding over the offseason after last year’s 3-and-9 season. Dillingham brought in a lot of position players during the offseason. In Laramie this week, Coach Sawvel said the Sun Devil’s new roster presents its own set of challenges.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28091958/0828_Coach-Sawvell-2.mp3Wyoming will have a new quarterback, but Svoboda came of age in the program. Wyoming is returning a number of veterans this year, including a seasoned veteran at Defensive Tackle, #96, Jordan Bertagnole, who returns as a graduate student this year.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28092001/0828_Coach-Sawvell-3.mp3Bertagnole started all 13 games in route to being named second-team All-Mountain West Conference.
Notes from Tempe on Tuesday indicate that starting defensive end Prince Dorbah will miss at least the first two games of the season for the Sun Devils due to leg injury suffered in camp. A few other players will miss the opener against Wyoming, as well, according to reports.
ASU’s offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo, who spent two seasons at Wyoming early in his career summed up the Cowboys this way for reporters. “I don’t see much of a change in regards to the DNA of that football program,” Arroyo said.
Coach Sawvel’s philosophy was clean and simple this week, headed into the season opener.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28092003/0828_Coach-Sawvell-4.mp3The season kicks off Saturday night in Tempe. We’ll be on the air with the pregame show at 7 p.m. here on Bigfoot 99.
The post Cowboy Head Coach Ready To Play A Game first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 27, 2024 |
Photo – Cowboy logo and Sun Devil logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
Wyoming and Arizona State have not squared off on the football field since they were conference rivals in 1977.
The game was played on Saturday, November 5th.
From the Cowboys’ standpoint, it was a game to forget. The Sun Devils shut out Wyoming 45-nothing. Bill Lewis was the head coach that year, coming to Laramie after Fred Akers left for the University of Texas at Austin. Lewis led the Cowboys to a 4-6 and 1 year. After compiling a 13-21-1 record through 1979, Lewis was fired. It’s an era die-hard Wyoming fans would like to forget.
Saturday night’s matchup with be the curtain opener for a new era of Cowboy football. Jay Sawvel will be on the sidelines in his first game as 33rd Head Coach in Wyoming history. Sawvel served the previous two years as UW’s defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
Over his career, he has been part of 21 teams which advanced to post season play, including 14 bowl appearances and seven NCAA Playoff appearances.
Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham revived an old tradition this summer, taking the team to iconic Camp Tontozona for three days early in August. The trip to “Camp T” was an attempt to reinstate a tradition started by legendary Sun Devil head coach Frank Kush back in 1959. The legendary trip to the mountain hideaway was discarded during recent Corona virus years, but Coach Dillingham is seeking to re-establish the tradition. The cooler mountain temperatures are a welcome relief for the players.
The Cowboys are riding into the matchup after a 9-4 season that they topped off with a one-point 16-15 win bowl as time ran out last December.
Arizona State will be looking to elevate their game after taking lumps in a 3-9 season last year when multiple players rotated through the quarterback position. They’ll be fielding a relatively inexperienced roster on Saturday night, especially on defense, when Wyoming under a new head coach and new quarterback come riding into Mountain America Stadium.
The post Wyoming Cowboys Face Arizona Sun Devils On Saturday first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 26, 2024 |
Photo – Line of helmets – Bigfoot99 file photo
Cowboy football kicks off the 2024 season this Saturday on the road in Tempe at Arizona State University.
Fall camp in Laramie shifted last Wednesday from fall camp drills to game day. Following 17 fall camp practices, which were largely off-limits to reporters, first-year Head Coach Jay Sawvel summed up the results, saying, “We have the makings of a good football team.”
Wyoming will open the season on Saturday against the Sun Devils of the Big 12 at Mountain American Stadium.
For Wyoming, sixteen starters – seven on offense, seven on defense and two on special teams – return from the 9-4 finish to cap Craig Bohl’s 10th and final season leading the Cowboys.
The Sun Devils are trying to snap their worst three-year stretch in Arizona State history. Last year, the Sun Devils used four scholarship quarterbacks and had five players take the first snap at quarterback, including a running back.
Arizona’s punting game will also be another area to watch in the opener. ASU replaced its kicker, long snapper and punter from last year. They’ve been rotating freshman and senior kickers in fall camp as they try to settle on the position headed into this week’s opener.
32-year old head coach Kenny Dillingham spent much of his debut season in Tempe last year plugging holes. Injuries plagued the Sun Devils during Dillingham’s return to his alma mater, forcing him to use non-quarterbacks under center and even bust out the swinging gate on offense in an attempt to be competitive. Arizona State labored to a 3-9 season, winning two Pac-12 games. ASU moved to the Big 12 this season as College Football continues to morph under financial pressures.
It’s the Brown and Gold versus the Maroon and Gold, Saturday night in the season opener for both Wyoming and Arizona State. The oddsmakers in Las Vegas have Wyoming pegged as a six-point underdog headed into the prime-time matchup Saturday night.
Bigfoot 99 will be on the air Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. with the Cowboy pre-game.
The post Cowboys Kick Off 2024 Season Against ASU first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 20, 2024 |
Photo – Jack Culbreath and team mates – Courtesy gowyo.com
In sports, Wyoming has a new punter who may be the missing piece the Cowboys have lacked.
First-year head coach Jay Sawvel wasted no time going after Jack Culbreath, as 6-foot-4, 235-pound FCS all-American. Sawvel started in December, chasing what he describes as a “solid punter.”
Culbreath came to Laramie this summer for workouts.
The Virginia-native averaged 43.6 yards per punt with 17 attempts placed inside the opponents’ 20-yard last season for VMI. His longest boot was 76 yards.
The thin mountain air in Laramie is different than in swampy Virginia.
The fifth-year senior is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA during the Corona freak-out. “I never really expected to come out here, but I love it so far, it’s awesome.”
UW will wrap up fall camp today before shifting the focus to the opener against Arizona State on Aug. 31 in Tempe.
The post Wyoming Cowboys Find Experienced Punter first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 16, 2024 |
Photo – Shae Suiaunoa – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has announced its 2024 Watch List for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award and two Wyoming Cowboys have been named to the list. Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa and center Nofoafia Tulafono are both among this year’s candidates for the second-straight season.
Suiaunoa appeared in and started all 13 games for the Cowboys last season. He was named third team All-MW by Phil Steele. He ranked second on the team with 93 total tackles. He also added 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception. He ranked tenth in the MW with 7.2 tackles per game. he had 10 or more tackles in three games last season. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles for the Cowboys in the win over Texas Tech.
Tulafono started all 13 games. He helped pave the way for Harrison Waylee to rush for north of 100 yards on four different occasions with the high-water mark being 191 yards against New Mexico. Tulafono also helped protect Andrew Peasley who threw for at least 140 yards nine different times with a season-high 319 coming against Hawaii.
Wyoming opens the season one week from tomorrow in a Saturday night game against Arizona State University.
The post Polynesian Hall Of Fame Selects Cowboy For Watch List first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 15, 2024 |
Photo – Coach Jay Sawvel at press meeting – Courtesy gowyo.com
You can feel it in Laramie. Wyoming football is back. The first game is just over two weeks away with a Saturday night game in Arizona.
First year Wyoming head football coach Jay Sawvel addressed reporters yesterday during media day.
Sawvel ran through the numbers, four starters return on the offensive line. The running back core is deep and talented. “This year’s receiving corps are unproven, but they have shown growth in the last two weeks.”, Sawvel said.
Eight veteran starters are back on Defense.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/15112917/0815_Jay-Sawvel-1.mp3And then there’s the starting quarterback, Evan Svoboda, coming off his contributions at last year’s Arizona Bowl.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/15112920/0815_Jay-Sawvel-2.mp3Forcing turnovers was a big part of Wyoming’s MO last year. The 2023 Pokes forced 22 turnovers to rank No. 26 in the nation. Wyoming recovered 11 fumbles on the season, a number that tied for first in the MW and seventh in the nation.
Wyoming begins the season two weeks from tomorrow on August 31 in a night game at Arizona State University at Tempe. Kickoff is set for 8:30.
The post First Cowboy Football Game Is Two Weeks Out first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 14, 2024 |
Photo – Shae Suiaunoa – Courtesy gowyo.com
Another Cowboy is on a watch list headed into the season, which is a little over two weeks away. Wyoming linebacker Shae Suiaunoa was named to the Butkus Award selection list. He joins 50 other players from across the nation to make the list, which includes two returning semi-finalists from 2023, Deontae Lawson of Alabama and Jay Higgins of Iowa.
Suiaunoa started all 13 games for the Cowboys last season. He was named third team All-MW by Phil Steele. He ranked second on the team with 93 total tackles. He also added 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception, which came against Colorado State in Laramie.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/14110839/0814_Shae-Suiaunoa.mp3Wyoming went on to beat the Rams 24-15 in Laramie last season in a Friday night matchup. Andrew Peasley threw two touchdown passes, Harrison Waylee topped 100 yards on the ground and Wyoming became bowl-eligible with the win over its arch-enemy.
The 2014 season starts two weeks from Saturday. Get ready for football.
The post Preseason Watch Lists Add One More Cowboy first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 12, 2024 |
Photo – John Gyllenborg – Courtesy gowyo.com
Another Wyoming Cowboy has been added to a preseason College football watch list.
Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg was named Friday to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch list. Gyllenborg is the only Mountain West player named to the list this year.
Gyllenborg was named to the Preseason All-MW squad in July. He participated in all 13 games with four starts, three of which were the final three contests of the season. He pulled in 23 passes for 360 yards with three touchdowns. Gyllenborg reeled in a career-long 89-yard touchdown pass against Hawaii, which also happened to be the longest passing touchdown of Wyoming’s season.
He ended the game against the Rainbow Warriors with a career-high 128 yards receiving. Gyllenborg logged a career-high of five receptions against Texas Tech, including the game-leveling touchdown pass on fourth down in overtime.
The post Another Cowboy Added To A Preseason Watch List first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 8, 2024 |
Photo – Cowboys on the field – Courtesy gowyo.com
In Laramie, the Wyoming Cowboys are deep into the second week of fall camp.
Tuesday was the first day of full pads.
A big spotlight is on the dynamic duo of Wyett Ekeler and Isaac White . Ekler and White ranked third and fourth on the team in tackles last season. Together they recorded 14 pass breakups, seven each, tying for second on the roster. For their career, the duo has recorded a combined 312 total tackles with 162 for White and 151 for Ekeler.
The Pokes return four defensive ends from last season. Sabastian Harsh, DeVonne Harris, Braden Siders and Tyce Westland combined for 129 tackles with 22.5 of those tackles for losses. They racked up 11.5 sacks. Harsh had 50 stops last season and led the team with nine tackles for loss. Harris and Siders tied for the team lead last season with Harsh and Siders adding a team-high four sacks apiece.
Four Cowboys have landed on preseason watchlists. Harrison Waylee is tagged as one of college football’s top running backs. John Hoyland is vying for the nation’s top place kicker. Jordan Bertagnole is on the Outland Trophy list for best interior lineman. Wide receiver Will Pelissier, the graduate student of Big Horn, who hauled in a touchdown pass at Nevada, is on a Community Service watchlist for his work off the field.
Meanwhile, running back Dawaiian McNeeley was named yesterday to the Comeback Player of the Year Watch list. The running back was named to the list after missing all of last year with an injury.
In 2022, McNealey chalked up 356 rushing yards on 63 carries. That computes to 5.7 yards per carry. He also added one touchdown on the season. In the conference matchup with Hawaii, McNealey rushed for a season-high of 81 yards on four carries with a career-long rush of 61 yards. His one touchdown on the season came against the Rainbow Warriors.
The Cowboys open the season in three weeks and two days at Arizona State.
The post Cowboy Football In Second Week Of Fall Camp first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 5, 2024 |
Photo – John Hoyland poster – Courtesy gowyo.com
In sports, Wyoming’s John Hoyland will start the football season once again on the list of elite place kickers.
Hoyland was named to the 2024 Lou Groza Award Preseason Watchlist. This is the third season that Hoyland has made the list.
The Cowboys went out a winner last season on Hoyland’s pin-point accurate kicking. Things weren’t looking good for Wyoming in the final minutes of last year’s Arizona Bowl in Tucson.
Hoyland made 21 field goals last season. None was bigger than the final one, to put an exclamation mark on the Arizona bowl win over Toledo. Starting quarterback Andrew Peasley was sidelined for an injury during the Cowboys’ final drive. With UW trailing 15-13 with four minutes left in the fourth quarter, backup Evan Svoboda drove the Cowboys down the field, piecing together a 61-yard drive to set up Hoyland for the game winner. Do or die.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/05112025/0805_Cowboys-win-AZ-Bowl.mp3The 33rd Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 9th in Florida.
The Award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
The post Wyoming’s Kicker Named To Award Watchlist in 2024 first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 2, 2024 |
Photo – Nomination poster – Courtesy gowyo.com
In sports, Wyoming wide receiver Will Pelissier picked up two nominations this week headed into the fall season.
Pelissier has been named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, joining a record 111 other nominees from College Football’s Bowl Subdivision. Pelissier is a native of Big Horn, Wyoming. The Big Horn native battled an injury early last season but came on strong at the end. He caught seven passes for 79 yards and one touchdown.
Pelissier boasted his one touchdown of the season against Nevada, hauling in a 34-yard score from quarterback Andrew Peasley in a 42-6 win.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/02114632/0801_Will-Pelissier.mp3Pelissier has also been nominated for the Allstate Good Hands Team.
The Cowboys open the season on Saturday, August 31 with a 8:30 p.m. at Arizona State in Tempe.
The post Cowboy’s Wide Receiver Picks Up Two Nominations This Week first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
August 1, 2024 |
Photo – First practice for Cowboys this season – Courtesy gowyo.com
In Sports, the Wyoming football team opened practice in Laramie on Wednesday.
This is a new era in Wyoming football. Craig Bohl is gone. The former head coach stepped down following the nail-biter win over Toledo, 16-15, on December 30th last year. The Cowboys came from behind with 10 points in the fourth quarter to claim the dramatic, send-off win for Bohl.
First year head-coach Jay Sawvel is now at the helm. Sawvel previously served as the defensive coordinator and safety coach.
Sawvel began his coaching career at Eastern Kentucky in the late 1990s at Eastern Kentucky. He went onto coach defensive backs at Southern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Minnesota and as defensive coordinator at Wake Forest.
Sawvel landed in Laramie in 2020 as defensive coordinator.
Sawvel said he liked what the Cowboys put on the field yesterday.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/01132439/0801_Coach-Sawvel.mp3The Cowboys came out of the chute yesterday looking stronger and faster than last year’s team. According to the team stat sheet, offensive players added a combined 437 pounds and defensive players added a combined 346 pounds since the veterans returned in January. The freshmen class is bigger, too. After arriving on campus in June the incoming freshmen added a combined 105 pounds.
The post Wyoming Football Has First Practice In New Era first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
July 31, 2024 |
Photo – Coach Jay Sawvel – Courtesy gowyo.com
Are you ready for Wyoming football? The Cowboys will open the Jay Sawvel head-coaching era today with the first official practice of the 2024 season. Wednesday’s practice will begin a one-month countdown to the season opener at Arizona State on Saturday, Aug. 31.
Wyoming will conduct 20 fall camp practices prior to game week against the Sun Devils. UW will rotate their practices between War Memorial Stadium and the North 40 practice fields. Practices are closed to the public.
The Cowboys will open the season on Saturday, August 31st, with a prime-time game. Kick off is set for 8:30 p.m.
The post Wyoming Football Begins Closed Practices Today first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
July 11, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming Cowboys logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The big Mountain West pow-wow is happening in Las Vegas this week as teams and media members are gathered.
First order of business, Wyoming continued to garner little respect as the Cowboys were picked to finish sixth, smack dab in the middle of the 12-team conference.
Three Cowboy players were named to the Pre-season conference team.
On offense, tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and offensive guard Jack Walsh . Defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole was named to the defensive team for the second straight season. Bertagnole, wearing Number 96 last year, started all 13 games for the Cowboys last year, finishing fifth on the team with 60 tackles.
In Las Vegas this week, Wyoming is being represented by head coach Jay Sawvel, Bertagnole and running back Harrison Waylee.
UNLV, which lost to Boise State in the MW Championship Game last season, was picked No. 2 in the preseason poll. The Broncos of Boise State, this year’s defending conference champion and preseason favorite, had seven players named to the first team.
The post Preseason Picks Put Wyoming Cowboys In Middle Of Team Conference first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
June 24, 2024 |
Photo – Ryne Sandberg – Courtesy Baseball Hall of Fame
In sports, yesterday was the anniversary of a historic baseball game. The slugfest played out in Wrigley Field 40 years ago, on June 23, 1984 on the west side of the Windy City.
It’s still called the Ryne Sandberg Game in the Lakeview neighborhood at Halstead and Addison Streets. Until I moved to Wyoming, I lived two blocks away from the scene.
Sandberg hit a pair of late-inning, game-tying home runs off St. Louis Cardinals closer Bruce Sutter in the Cubs’ 12-11, 11-inning win before a crowd of 38,079 at Wrigley.
It signaled his rise to stardom. The Cubbies run for the National League pennant would run out of steam later in the season, but the second baseman earned the National League Most Valuable Player Award that year.
Sandberg tied the game in the 9th and 10th innings.
Here the two home runs…first with Bob Costas with the call on NBC and then the voice of the Cubs—Harry Carey with the Sandberg blast in the 10th.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/24102858/0624_Sandberg-home-runs.mp3Both of Sandberg’s home runs came off Cardinals’ closer Bruce Sutter. The Cubs would go onto win 12-11, launching a pennant run—the Cubbies first since 1908—that would finally fizzle out in a season-ending collapse on the West Coast.
Still, it gave a new generation of Cub fans a hope they had never known.
Yesterday, 40 years after the monumental game, the Cubs honored Sandberg with a statute on Gallagher Way, just outside the historic confines of Wrigley Field.
Costas was on hand to introduce Sandberg at the ceremony.
Sandberg was just 24-years old that incredible year. He’s 64 years old now. He received a cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
But 40 years ago, yesterday, in a game that lasted 3 hours and 53 minutes, NBC had written the Cubs off before the end of the game. Costas had already read the closing credits before Sandberg’s second home run. And a Cardinal was named the player of the game as the television crew had already checked out mentally in the hot Chicago sun.
Sandberg, in just his third full big-league season, drove in seven runs to rally the Cubs from an early 7-1 deficit on yesterday’s date 40 years earlier. In 16 big league seasons, including 15 with the Cubs, Sandberg was named to 10 All-Star Games and won nine Gold Glove Awards.
The post 40th Anniversary Of Historic Cubs Baseball Game Honored With Statue first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
May 24, 2024 |
Photo – Cowgirls Basketball Head Coach Heather Ezell – Courtesy gowyo.com
University of Wyoming Athletics announced a multi-year extension with Women’s Basketball Head Coach Heather Ezell on Thursday. The extension runs through the 2028-29 season.
Ezell expressed her appreciation for the contract extension to lead the team. “It’s an opportunity to take this program to uncharted territory,” Ezell said. “Our goal, as always, is to win championships and compete at the highest level.”
In her first two seasons leading the Cowgirls, Ezell compiled 41 victories and led Wyoming to back-to-back trips to the WNIT. UW has been 24-12 in Mountain West play under Ezell, finishing in second and third place, respectively in the league. The 23 wins by UW in 2022-23, are a program record for the most wins by a first-year head coach.
The post UW Athletics Offers Multi-Year Extension To Women’s Basketball Coach first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
May 23, 2024 |
Photo – Sundance Wicks – Courtesy Green Bay Athletics
Sundance Wicks was introduced as the 23rd men’s basketball coach in UW history on May 12. Wicks replaces his old boss, Jeff Linder, who left Laramie to become an associate head coach at Texas Tech after four, mostly rough, seasons as the head coach in Laramie.
The hiring of Wicks marks his second stint in Laramie after he served as an assistant on Linder’s staff from 2020-23.
Wicks spent last season as head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, leading the Phoenix to a 15-win turnaround after finishing the previous season 3-29.
One of the first people to congratulate Wicks on the new job in Laramie was his old coach at Wyoming, Larry Shyatt. The legendary Shyatt was the first college coach to offer Wicks a basketball scholarship when he was a junior at Campbell County High in 1998.
Wicks won Horizon League coach of the year and was also named the Joe B. Hall national coach of the year, which honors the best first-year head coach in Division I basketball.
Wicks had previous head coaching experience at NCAA Division II Missouri Western from 2018-20. He left the head job to join Linder’s staff when he was hired at UW in 2020.
Wicks was on UW’s staff during the Cowboys’ run to the NCAA Tournament in 2022. His biggest focus since taking over at UW two weeks ago has been putting a roster together this late in the recruiting cycle.
Wicks is known for his mantra, “Bring your own juice.”
He’ll have to do exactly that as the Cowboys new head coach. Wyoming is coming off two disappointing seasons. Ticket sales and attendance took a hit the last couple of years.
Wicks is looking to connect with his roster and with Wyoming fans as he rebuilds the Cowboy basketball program.
The new Wyoming head basketball coach will bring two assistants, Nic Reynolds and Pat Monaghan, from Green Bay. Three others coaches, Nick Whitmore, Shaun Vandiver and Tim O’Flannigan, were part of the staff during last year’s 15-17 season.
The post 23rd Men’s Basketball Coach For Wyoming Looks Forward To Rebuilding Program first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
May 13, 2024 |
Photo – Coach Jeff Linder – Bigfoot99 file photo
Say goodbye to Jeff Linder. The Wyoming head basketball coach won’t be around much longer. After an up-and-down run in Laramie for the last several years, Linder appears to have accepted an assistant coaching position at Texas Tech.
ESPN broke the story Thursday night, reporting that Tech is targeting Linder as Grant McCasland’s top assistant.
Linder’s arrival in Lubbock would mark a reunion for the two coaches. He spent two seasons as McCasland’s assistant at Midland Junior College, from 2004-06, when Midland won a combined 53 games.
Linder’s up-and-down ride in Laramie began in 2020. His overall record is 63-59 after a promising first year after leading Wyoming to a first-round appearance in the 2022 NCAA tournament with standout Cowboys Hunter Maldonado and Graham Ike.
Wyoming lost in opening round of First Four play to Indiana. Maldonado returned the following year to finish his senior season. Ike missed the entire season with a foot injury before transferring to Gonzaga the following year.
Before taking over at Wyoming, Linder was the head coach at Northern Colorado for four seasons. He went 80-50 overall, including three straight 20-win campaigns to end his time with the Bears.
McCasland just finished his first season as head coach at Texas Tech, where he led the Red Raiders to 23 wins and an NCAA tournament appearance. Tech is expected to return three double-figure scorers.
Back in Laramie, Former UW assistant Sundance Wicks and current UW associate head coach Ken DeWeese are expected to be on the short list of head coaching possibilities.
The post UW Basketball Coach Moving To Warmer Climate first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
May 9, 2024 |
Photo – Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams – Courtesy ESPN
Wyoming Cowboy head men’s basketball coach Jeff Linder announced the addition of forward Yuto Yamanouchi-Williams (YOO-toh YAH-muh-NOO-chee) to the roster for the upcoming season. . Yamanouchi will have two-years of eligibility at Wyoming after spending last season at Portland.
The native of Japan is a 6-10, 230-pound forward. Last season, Yamanouchi-Williams appeared in 12 games with 11 starts all coming in West Coast Conference play. He averaged 8.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. He averaged nearly one block per game and shot 36 percent from behind the arc. He scored a season-high 17 points against Santa Clara and had a season-high 10 rebounds against Pacific.
Yamanouchi-Williams spent his freshman season at Lamar where he averaged 6.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He added five double-doubles and nearly averaged one blocked shot per game. He started 24 games as a true freshman.
Linder said that Yamanouchi’s size and skill set will give the Cowboys options up front. He’s also a good rebounder.
The post Wyoming Cowboy Basketball Welcomes Transfer From Portland first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
May 2, 2024 |
Photo – Top left Ayir Asante, top right Easton Gibbs, bottom left Treyton Welch, bottom right Frank Crum – Courtesy gowyo.com
Four former Wyoming Cowboy football players signed as Undrafted Free Agents immediately following the NFL Draft on Saturday evening. Wide receiver Ayir Asante signed with the New York Giants, offensive tackle Frank Crum with the Denver Broncos, linebacker Easton Gibbs with the Seattle Seahawks and tight end Treyton Welch with the Cleveland Browns.
Over the next few days NFL teams will add undrafted signees along with extending invitations to rookie mini-camps, as other Cowboys will look to crack NFL rosters for next season.
The post Four Cowboys Sign As Undrafted Free Agents first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
May 1, 2024 |
Photo – Payton Muma in her Gonzaga uniform – Courtesy x.com
You remember Chad Muma. As a junior at the University of Wyoming, Muma led the Cowboys with 17 tackles, eight for losses and three sacks. He’s the linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but this story is not about him.
His sister, Payton Muma is transferring to UW to play basketball after three years with Gonzaga. Wyoming Cowgirl Women’s Basketball Head Coach Heather Ezell made the announcement on Tuesday.
After three seasons at Gonzaga, Muma is transferring to Laramie. The Colorado native played in 33 games the last two seasons after redshirting in 2021-22. In 2022-23, Muma appeared in 30 contests and averaged 1.4 points per game while averaging just under one assist per contest. Muma appeared in three games this season.
A two-time Colorado 5A All-State selection, Muma helped lead Highlands Ranch High School to three consecutive Final Four trips at the state tournament. In her final season at HRHS, Muma averaged 19.2 points, 5.8 assists and 3.6 steals per game. According to Prep Girl Hoops, Muma was the No. 2 ranked player in the state of Colorado in the 2021 recruiting class.
Muma’s parents, Ty and Kara both attended UW, as did her grandfather, Rick Desmarais and her brother, Chad. Ty and Rick both played football for the Cowboys, while Chad was an All-Mountain West linebacker for the Pokes, as well.
The post Transfer From Gonzaga To Play For Cowgirls first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
April 30, 2024 |
Photo – Frank Crum – Courtesy gowyo.com
Former Wyoming offensive tackle Frank Crum signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent on Saturday.
The NFL projected Crum to be a sixth-round pick going into the weekend.
The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Laramie native proved his speediness at the combine. Crum tied for the second-fastest 40-yard dash time among offensive linemen at 4.94 seconds. A third-generation Cowboy, Crum played right tackle most of his college career before moving to left tackle for his final season.
Crum was a first team All-Mountain West selection last fall and was named third team All-MW in 2022 by Pro Football Focus. He started 49 games at tackle throughout his six-year college career. He graduated from Laramie High in 2018.
Football is in chromosomes. Crum’s dad, Gary, was a team captain on UW’s offensive line in 1981 and earned All-Western Athletic Conference honors as a senior. His grandfather, Earl, lettered for the Cowboys in 1940.
A lifetime of dedication to the sport paid off this weekend.
The post Third Generation Cowboy Signs With Denver Broncos first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
April 29, 2024 |
Photo – Bo Nix – Courtesy Mile High Sports
Football coaches call the newest Denver Broncos quarterback, Bo Nix, “the super computer.”
Nix held up the familiar orange jersey Friday in the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse after being chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The Broncos drafted Nix as the 12th overall pick Thursday night. On Friday, the cerebral and athletic signal caller said he’s ready to compete.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/29112320/0429_Bo-Nix-1.wavDuring a stint at Auburn, he was viewed as the Tigers’ version of Tim Tebow. In his first game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Nix rallied Auburn to a victory over Oregon in his first game. The young QB turned inconsistent after his debut, posting 39 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
After graduating, he drove to Oregon for a fresh start to the game. “I just wanted a chance to play for a championship and compete, and that’s what Oregon presented me with,” Nix said. After winning the starting job, he went on to complete 23 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns. His passing completion record of 77% moved him to the top of Denver’s wish list.
Arm strength and intelligence set Nix apart from his counterparts in the draft, according to coaches. Dedicated, disciplined and competitive are the adjectives used to describe him by coaches and sports writers.
Nix said he didn’t “have a clue” as to when his name would be called in the draft. He just said he’s happy to be landing in the “Mile High City.”
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/29112322/0429_Bo-Nix-2.mp3Nix, a John Elway fan growing up, is following his hero’s big footsteps in Denver.
The post Bo Nix Chosen By Denver In First Round Of NFL Draft first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
April 16, 2024 |
Photo – Niko Medved – Courtesy Colorado State Athletics
In sports, Niko Medved is staying at Colorado State University with a new contract and a big raise.
CSU announced an extension for the men’s basketball coach Monday afternoon.
The deal runs through 2028-29 with options for additional years in 2029-30 and 2030-31. The contract calls for a salary of $1.7 million in 2024-25, rising to $2 million for the 2030-31 option. Medved made $1.1 million this past season.
It brings him close to even with CSU football coach Jay Norvell as one of the highest paid employees at CSU. Norvell is set to make $1.8 million for the 2024 season.
Wyoming split with CSU this past season, winning 79-76 in overtime on January 27.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/16101332/0416_Cowboys-Win.mp3The Cowboys lost in Fort Collins 70-62 on March 2nd.
The post Colorado State Gives New Contract And Raise To Basketball Coach first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
April 9, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming Cowboy Football practice – Courtesy gowyo.com
In Laramie, Wyoming football fans will see a big change this coming season.
The Cowboy football jerseys will bear the last name of the players. New Head Coach Jay Sawvel announced the change in Cowboy football last week to the team. He held up Nofoafia Tulafono’s bearing the #77.
The coach tricked the team by showing a dummy jersey first Then someone tossed this year’s version which had the last name printed on the back.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/09092823/0409_Cowboys.mp3You can hear it in the voices of the players. The philosophical change, to print the player’s last name on the backside of the jersey, was motivating.
Former Head Coach Craigh Bohl stopped the practice during his tenure in Laramie as a way of developing teams spirit.
From the unmistakable sound of enthusiasm from the players, the change was much welcome. We’ll see if it translates with better play on the field.
The post Wyoming Football Fans Will Notice Some Changes This Season first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
April 5, 2024 |
Photo – Indoor practice for Cowboy football – Courtesy gowyo.com
Evan Svoboda walked into Spring Camp in Laramie as Wyoming’s #1 quarterback.
Svoboda showed his toughness and cool-headedness when he substituted for former QB Andrew Peasley during the Arizona Bowl on December 30th. Peasley has since graduated. The job is Svoboda’s, he completed 1 of 2 passes for 16 yards and carried the ball five times for 26 yards, including Wyoming’s lone touchdown of the game midway through the fourth quarter.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/05103530/0405_Svoboda-TD.mp3A worried Keith Kelly and Kevin McKinney had the call as the Cowboys clawed their way back into the game on New Years weekend.
With the injured Peasley watching from the sidelines, Svoboda drove Wyoming into position for John Hoyland to kick the winning 24-yard field goal as time ran out. True grit.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Svoboda reportedly started camp last week in good command, making accurate, powerful throws through the first several practices in Laramie.
Now the question is, “Who’s Svoboda’s backup?” Head coach Jay Sawvel talked about his choices this week.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/05103458/0405_Jay-Sawvel.mp3Jaden Clemmons, #7, is a 6-1, 212 pound senior who rushed for 10 yards on two rushes in the Arizona Bowl. He joined the team after exiting Utah in 2021 but did appear in any games until last season.
Kaden Andersen is a redshirt freshman from Southlake, Texas. The 6-4, 223-pound Anderson was ranked No. 71 on Dallas Morning News top 100 quarterbacks list in the Lone Star State for 2023.
The Cowboys will hold an open practice in the Indoor Practice Facility tomorrow starting at 11 a.m.
The post Cowboy’s Coach Talks Quarterbacks first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
April 3, 2024 |
Photo – Rockies logo – Courtesy Wikipedia
The Rockies opened the 2024 regular season over the weekend. Colorado dropped the first two games to Arizona on Thursday and Friday. The Rockies won on Saturday, but lost the closer on Sunday 1-5.
On to Chicago, where the Cubs won their home opener on Monday, shutting out Colorado 0-5.
Last night in the Windy City, Kyle Freeland was back on the mound for Colorado in a rough outing he’d probably like to forget. Chicago – in three and one-third innings, gave up nine hits and seven earned runs as the Rockies dropped game two 12-2.
Speaking to reporters after the game, skipper Bud Black said you never know what’s going to happen coming out of spring training.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/03095257/0403_Bud-Black.mp3The 1-and-5 start is the worst start in Rockies history. Colorado has been outscored 49-16 in the first six games. Colorado wraps up the set with Chicago today and then returns to Denver for the home opener.
The post Colorado Rockies Opened Their Regular Season Over Weekend first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
April 2, 2024 |
Photo – Cowgirls vs Gophers – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Wyoming Cowgirls season ended Monday night with a 65-54 loss to Minnesota in the Great 8 round of the WNIT.
The Gophers out rebounded the Cowgirls by eight which led to eight, second-chance, points for Minnesota. Wyoming also committed 12 turnovers which led to a dozen points for the Gophers.
Wyoming took the lead early in the fourth, 44-43, but Minnesota pulled away, stretching the lead by nine with a minute on the clock. The Gophers used the free-throw line at the end to seal the win, out scoring Wyoming 25-to-14 in the fourth quarter.
Wyoming Head Coach Heather Ezell said the Gophers took away Wyoming’s advantage at elevation by slowing down the game and preventing the Cowgirls from running.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/02101024/0402_Coach-Ezel-1.wavMinnesota will play Troy on Wednesday night. On the other side of the bracket, St. Louis will face off against Vermont.
The Cowgirls end their season 18-15 overall.
The post Cowgirl Basketball Season Comes To A Close first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
March 29, 2024 |
Photo – Cowgirls – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Wyoming Cowgirls look to keep their post-season run moving forward tonight when they host South Dakota in the third round of the WNIT.
Tip-off is set for 6:30 inside the Arena Auditorium in Laramie. Bigfoot 99 will have the radio broadcast beginning with the pregame show at 6.
Wyoming is looking to keep their run going after defeating UTSA 80-64 on Sunday. South Dakota rallied at home in the fourth quarter Tuesday night to defeat Northern Arizona 79-65.
The Cowgirls are 2-3 all-time against the Coyotes and won the last meeting with USD, 69-62 in overtime in December of 2016.
Wyoming hold 2-0 mark in Laramie against South Dakota.
Bigfoot 99 will be on the air tonight with the broadcast beginning at 6.
The post Cowgirls Host South Dakota Tonight In Laramie first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
March 28, 2024
Photo – Football helmet – Courtesy gowyo.com
In Laramie, Jay Sawvell threw open the doors to his first season as head Wyoming football coach with a more welcoming presence than his predecessor. Reporters were actually allowed in to watch.
The Cowboys practiced inside the Indoor Practice facility on the opening day of spring practice. Music was thumping beats and the Cowboys were beefed up, having gained a collective 641 pounds in the offseason.
The work Tuesday and Wednesday focused on the fundamentals—footwork, hand placement, vision and signals
Coach Sawvell liked what he saw.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/28115033/0328_Cowboys-1.mp3The Cowboys return 16 starters from last year’s nine-win team, including eight on the defensive side of the ball.
Not all of the practice sessions will be open to the media and the public, but reporters were allowed in for Tuesday’s opener.
Practice will also be open on Saturday, April 6 and 13.
You can take a peek to see if new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson is really going to use some wrinkle of a “spread offense,” a hated word in the Gem City.
A lot of familiar names are back, including RB’s Harrison Waylee and Dawaiian McNeeley.
Wyoming ranked 103rd in the nation in total offense in 2023, averaging just 327 yards per game. The big question, can the new head coach squeeze out more points from the Cowboys with 6-5 junior quarterback Evan Svboda at the helm.
The Cowboys also feature a lot of new faces this year. It’s up to their new head coach to transform them into a team.
The post First Cowboy Football Practice Has More Welcoming Presence first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
March 26, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming Cowboy Football team – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Wyoming Cowboy football team will begin its first spring practice under new Wyoming Head Coach Jay Sawvel today.
Wyoming capped off a 9-4 season win last season with storybook 16-15 win over the Toledo Rockets. Who can forget kicker John Hoyland and the struggles he had down the stretch last season? Cinching the win in Tucson with the game winning field goal as time ran out and every hope in Wyoming carrying the ball through the uprights. Keith Kelly and Kevin McKinney had the call here on Bigfoot 99.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/26105723/0326_Arizona-Bowl-Win.mp3The field goal secured the victory and delivered Wyoming’s nine-win season since 1996 when UW posted 10 wins. It was also the fourth season of eight or more wins during the Craig Bohl era and the sixth winning season during Bohl’s 10-year tenure as Cowboy head coach.
Coach Bohl had announced his retirement earlier that month, Dec. 6.
Now it’s a new year, a new season, and a new head coach.
The Cowboys will practice 15 times in the spring including the annual spring game on Saturday, April 27 at 1 p.m. at Cheyenne East High School, as the game will be free and open to the public with gates opening at noon.
Sawvel returns a core of veteran players to his roster including three players who earned All-Mountain West honors a season ago along with the MVP of the Arizona Bowl.
Jordan Bertagnole earned Second-Team All-MW honors and is joined by Wyett Ekeler (Honorable Mention) to anchor a veteran group that also features the return of linebacker Shae Suiaunoa and a host of other returners, as Wyoming brings back six of their top seven tacklers from last season.
The Wyoming offense welcomes back honorable mention All-MW running back Harrison Waylee along with tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and quarterback Evan Svoboda, who stepped in and helped lead the Pokes to a comeback win over Toledo in the Arizona Bowl.
Also returning is the hero of the Arizona Bowl, Hoyland, who was named the MVP with his game winning kick.
The Cowboys will be back at Arizona State to open the season against the Sun Devils on Saturday, August 31.
The Pokes return home for two straight Saturday games inside War Memorial Stadium. First up is the University of Idaho September 7 and BYU one week later.
The Pokes then head to Denton, Texas to take on the University of North Texas. One week later, on September 28th, Wyoming opens the conference schedule at Air Force inside the War.
The post Wyoming Cowboy Football Start Practice Today first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
March 25, 2024 |
Photo – Cowgirls on the court in Laramie against UTSA – Courtesy gowyo.com
The Wyoming Cowgirls must wait to find out who they play but they are onto the Super 16 of the WNIT after downing UTSA 80 to 64 Sunday afternoon in the Arena Auditorium.
The Cowgirls are now 3-and-0 all-time against the Roadrunners. Yesterday’s game was the first time the two squads had met since the 1988-89 regular season. The two squads also played in San Diego in the 1989-1990 regular season.
The Cowgirls came out on fire from deep, hitting eight of their first 13 shot shots from three-point range.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/25115008/0325_Cowgirls-1.mp3The Cowgirls got off to a fantastic start, hitting back-to-back three pointers to start the game. They led 45-to-20 at the half. UTSA fought back in the second half, but the Cowgirls had built too much a lead for the Roadrunners to overcome.
Wyoming ended the game shooting 28-of-61 (46-percent) and hit 9-of-26 from beyond-the-arc.
Who, when or where Wyoming plays next is unknown. The Cowgirls won’t know who their opponent is until after Tuesday night when South Dakota and Northern Arizona. The date and venue will be decided after that.
The post Cowgirls Waiting To See Who They Play In Next Game first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
March 25, 2024 |
Photo – Utah State vs TCU – Courtesy Salt Lake Tribune
NCAA Tournament: Utah State beat No. 9 seed TCU 88-72 on Friday night, ending a 10-game tournament losing streak stretching back to 2001.
Ian Martinez scored 21 points to lead the Aggies, who will face top-seeded Purdue on Sunday in the second round of the Midwest Region.
Also on Friday, San Diego State advanced, holding off 12th seeded UAB in a first round 69-65 win. Jaedon LeDee scored 32 points in the win including scoring at the rim, hitting a midrange jumper, throwing down a dunk and hitting a three-pointer — all in the first five minutes of the game.
In Sunday’s games, Utah State fell to No. 1 seed Purdue 106-67 in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/25115034/0325_Utah-State-loses.mp3San Diego State defeated No. 13 seed Yale on Sunday 85-57.
The post Utah State Beats TCU Then Falls To Perdue In NCAA Tournament first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.
September 13, 2023 | Photo – Cowboys vs Longhorns – Courtesy gowyo.com The Wyoming Cowboys head to Austin, Texas this week to face perhaps their biggest test of the season. Waiting for the Pokes, is this year’s favorite to win the national championship, the Longhorns. After last weekend’s impressive defeat of Alabama, Texas is being […]
September 12, 2023 | Photo – Longhorns vs Cowboys poster – Courtesy Darrell K Royal Stadium In sports, Craig Bohl and his coaching staff walked through the tape of Saturday’s win over Portland State with the team yesterday. Despite the 31-17 win, Coach Bohl expressed concern about the lack of sharpness his team showed at […]
September 11, 2023 | Photo – Wyoming fans cheer on the Cowboys – Courtesy gowyo.com The Wyoming Cowboys improved to a perfect 2-0 start on the season despite a few hiccups on the way to Saturday’s 31-17 win over Portland State at War Memorial Stadium. Junior wide receiver Ayir Asante from New Jersey scored a […]
September 8, 2023 |
Photo – Wyoming logo and Portland State logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The danger for the Wyoming Cowboys is letting their guard down tomorrow against Portland State after last week’s come-from-behind win over 14-point favorite Texas Tech in double-overtime.
Out of the Big Sky Conference, the Vikings fell to another FBS-opponent last week, 15th ranked Oregon. The result was an ugly 81-7 loss.
Even more gruesome than the final score, one Portland State player had part of an ear torn off in the game. Vikings head coach Bruce Barnum talked this week about the injury to the unnamed player on a Portland podcast, “The Bald-Faced Truth.”
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08113459/0908_Coach-Barnum-1.mp3The Portland State team that will take to the field in Laramie tomorrow will be a very different one than was tested by fire at Oregon. To avoid injuries to his starters last week, PSU head coach Barnum threw a lot of young players onto the field against the Ducks. The subs came early and often with 22 freshmen, including seven true freshmen seeing significant playing time.
With a more seasoned Vikings team on Jonah Field tomorrow in Laramie, Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl was cautioning fans this week to keep their enthusiasm in check. The Cowboys will face a different Vikings team than the one that lost last week to Oregon.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08113503/0908_Coach-Craig-Bohl-1.mp3Tomorrow’s game between Wyoming and Portland State will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. PSU has been looking at tape of the Cowboys against Texas Tech all week. The Pokes have not had much to review. PSU quarterback Dante Chachere is an athletic, dual-threat signal caller. He went 5-for-14 passing for 35 yards, including a touchdown pass to freshman Chance Miller, before being pulled early last week. He led the Vikings with 53 yards despite his limited field time.
Veteran Wide receiver Nate Bennett comes in tomorrow with with four career touchdowns and 1,133 yards.
Veteran offensive tackle Frank Crum with the Cowboys—all 6-7, 315 pounds of him—says the Cowboys know they’re not playing a pushover team tomorrow.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/08115500/0907_Frank-Crum.mp3The Cowboy defense held one of the nation’s top offenses in check in the final three quarters last week. They’ll look to hold the line tomorrow, as well.
Wyoming and Portland state kick off for the first time ever at War Memorial Stadium at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Bigfoot 99 has the game starting with the pregame show starting at noon-30.
September 7, 2023 |
Photo – Portland State logo – Courtesy Wikipedia
In sports, Wyoming’s opponent this week, Portland State, will try to regroup and recover from its rough opening game last Saturday. The Vikings endured an 81-7 loss to Oregon.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/07100504/0907_Oregon-Ducks.mp3As tough was the game was on Portland State, true to tradition, the Ducks mascot endured 546 pushups. After every Ducks’ score, the Mascot does one push-up for every point on the board. 8 + 15 + 22 + 29 + 36 + 43 + 50 + 57 + 64 + 67 + 74 + 81 = 546. A post-game meme showed the Oregon mascot flat on his back in the end zone not moving. “RIP Duck,” the caption read. “Cause of death, 81 points worth of pushups.”
One Portland player fared even worse than the opposing mascot. Vikings head coach Bruce Barnum said the team did not have any serious injuries, except for one player who had his “ear ripped off.”
“Not the whole ear. Partial ear detachment,” Barnum clarified. “I think it was from when he got his helmet knocked off, and I think his ear didn’t come out of his helmet.” Barnum said the unnamed player will not play in Week 2.
Portland State was tasked with facing one of its most challenging opponents in school history. The Vikings got off to a good start with 126 yards of offense and a touchdown in the first quarter. Their offense stalled out from there, putting up only 21 yards in the second. They were out of the game from there.
With the game out of hand, PSU had a host of young players on the field in the second half, both redshirt freshmen and true freshmen. Coach Barnum said the freshman who saw time against the Ducks “earned their stripes.”
Barnum said despite the beatdown, he did not hear one negative comment on the sideline. “That was pretty cool, and it tells me we have a shot,” the Vikings coach said.
The Vikings will regroup for another non-conference game against another FBS level opponent this week—Wyoming.
The Vikings are 4-45 all-time against FBS-level competition. Wins have come over Hawai’i, New Mexico, Washington State and North Texas.
The Wyoming Cowboys are coming off a thrilling double-overtime victory over Texas Tech Saturday, stunning the Red Raiders inside the War. Head Coach Craig Bohl said he and his staff are cautioning their team not to go into Saturday’s game against the Vikings with the attitude that it will be an easy contest.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/07100443/0907_Coach-Bohl.mp3The Wyoming-Portland State game kicks off Saturday afternoon at two. Bigfoot 99 will be on the air at 12:30 with the pregame show.
September 6, 2023 | Photo – In Memorandum Paul Roach – Courtesy gowyo.com In sports, legendary Wyoming football coach Paul Roach passed away over the weekend. Roach led the Athletic Department from 1987-1996, an era of growth and success for UW sports. He was the only man in UW history to serve double duty. Roach […]
September 6, 2023 | Photo – Coach Bohl – Bigfoot99 file photo The Wyoming Cowboy football team, coming off Saturday night’s upset win over nationally ranked Texas Tech, began work for week 2 yesterday. Next up, at the War this Saturday, is Portland State. The Vikings fell to the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, 81-to-7. Wyoming […]
September 5, 2023 |
Photo – Fans storm the field – Courtesy gowyo.com
Wyoming fans stormed Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium late Saturday night as the Cowboys overcame a rain delay, a horrible 14-0 start and a big Texas Tech defensive line to win the season opener 35-33 in a double-overtime thriller.
After an off-kilter start where the Wyoming offense committed back-to-back procedure penalties and fumbled the ball three times on the way to a 17-o start at the end of the first quarter, the Cowboys roared back and defeated the number-24 ranked Red Raiders before a wild crowd of 26,450 fans who packed the War for the opener.
Texas Tech missed connecting with the two-point conversion in the second overtime.
The Cowboys then took the field down 33-27 knowing they needed a touchdown and a two-point conversion to win.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/05115807/0905_Wins-in-OT-1.mp3The Pokes delivered. Keith Kelly and Kevin McKinney had the call late Saturday night as the Cowboys pulled-off the dramatic win in double overtime, defeating Texas Tech in the season opener.
Quarterback Andrew Peasley took a physical beating all night long. In the third play of the game, Peasley took a hard shot to the knee. In the second quarter, #6 took a shot to the head in what could have been – and perhaps should have been — called a targeting penalty. Peasley also suffered a severe abrasion to his throwing arm but stood and delivered.
Left for dead early on, Wyoming never surrendered. The Pokes put together a scoring drive in the third quarter. Fifth on the depth chart, sophomore running back Sam Scott, freed up by huge block thrown by tight end Treyton Welch, took a handoff from Peasley to the endzone to get within one point.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/05115752/0905_Scott-TD.mp3Scott took another clutch handoff during the second-overtime an ran it in for the game winning score.
Wyoming Head Coach Craig Bohl described the win as Cowboy tough.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/05115809/0905_Wins-in-OT-2.mp3Coach Bohl credited Wyoming’s team chemistry for ability to dig in and overcome all the early adversity and then hanging-in through double overtime for the come-from-behind win.
Peasley completed 18 of 34 passes for 149 yards and threw two touchdown passes. He also rushed for 68 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown to account for 217 yards of total offense.
Running back Sam Scott, fullback Caleb Driskill and tight end John Michael Gyllenborg each scored the first touchdowns of their careers.
Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa led Wyoming with 12 tackles.
- Nickel back Wrook Brownpicked off his first career interception.
Cowboy place-kicker Hoyland kicked a career long 56-yard field goal, breaking his previous record of 55 yards against Tulsa in 2022.
Wyoming starts the season 1-and-0 and will be back in action this week against Portland State on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. in War Memorial Stadium.
Meanwhile, in Fort Collins, CSU’s offense struggled in a 50-24 home opener loss to Washington State in front of 31,000 fans at Canvas Stadium. As sportswriter Kevin Lytle wrote in the Coloradoan, the CSU “offense went down like a flat beer left in the hot sun.”
Boise State lost to Washington 19 to 56.
Fresno State beat Purdue 39-35
Air Force beat Pittsburgh business school Robert Morris 42-7. Robert Morris didn’t have their jerseys until just before kickoff Saturday. They were left at a tailor. After being overnighted to Denver, instead of Colorado Springs, the jersey’s didn’t arrive until after pre-game warm-ups, leading RMU players to borrow some Air Force practice jerseys. That’s the first lesson in business college—dress for success.
August 31, 2023 |
Photo – Steamboat – Bigfoot99 file photo
The Gem City is set for the opening day of Wyoming football. The Red Raiders of Texas Tech fly into Laramie later today. Head coach Joey McGuire is worried about Laramie’s elevation of 7,165 feet.
Cowboy head coach Craig Bohl appeared relaxed and confident at this week’s news conference. Bohl clicked through the standout names on his roster and seemed more concerned about the size of the Red Raiders when they come out for Saturday evening’s matchup at the War.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/31112555/0831_Coach-Bohl-1.mp3The head coach expressed confidence in the team he and his coaching staff are putting on the field this year. The Cowboy roster contains a lot of familiar names and battle-tested players.
https://bigfoot99radiowebsitedatastorage.storage.googleapis.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/31112559/0831_Coach-Bohl-2.mp3Bohl said he has enjoyed working with this year’s Cowboy team, but started off the news conference saying that you really don’t know what kind of squad you have until about the second quarter of the opening game of the season.
August 30, 2023 | Photo – Wyoming Cowboy Football Team – Courtesy gowyo.com Anticipation is running high for the start of the Wyoming Cowboys 2023 football season. Kickoff against Texas Tech is set for 5:30 Saturday in a game to be televised nationally on CBS. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl is approaching the start to […]
August 29, 2023 | Photo – Texas Tech Football Logo – Courtesy Wikipedia Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire will leave his Corvette parked in the garage in Lubbock when comes to Laramie this week. The Red Raiders will touch down in Wyoming on Thursday, leaving themselves 48-plus hours to acclimate to the elevation before […]
August 28, 2023 | Photo – WY vs TX Tech – Bigfoot99 file photo Game week in Laramie is finally here. The Wyoming Cowboys open the season Saturday evening in Laramie against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are riding big waves of hype and bold predictions coming into the season under second-year head coach Joey […]
August 23, 2023 | Photo – War Memorial Stadium Jonah Field – Courtesy gowyo.com The Cowboy Football season is a little over one week away. In a sign of how confident head coach Craig Bohl is about his team, he surprised many by releasing the depth chart this week. Coach Bohl has always held the […]
August 21, 2023 | Photo – UW Cowboy Football – Courtesy gowyo.com The first game of the Wyoming Cowboy football season is less than two weeks away. As opening-day kickoff moves closer, practices are shifting to game-like situations. On Friday, Coach Bohl deployed a Mountain West Conference officiating crew to tighten up discipline on the […]
August 17, 2023 | Photo – Andrew Peasley – Courtesy gowyo.com With the first game of the Wyoming Cowboy football season just over two weeks away, fall camp in Laramie is heating up. Quarterback Andrew Peasley is returning for his second year under center. Last year, Peasley came to Laramie from Utah State as a […]
August 16, 2023 | Photo – Coach Craig Bohl – Courtesy gowyo.com The Wyoming Cowboy football season kicks off in 10 days. The intensity level clicked upward this week. The first scrimmage was on Saturday. The second half of fall camp started yesterday. Head Coach Craig Bohl seemed impressed with starting quarterback Andrew Peasley after […]
August 16, 2023 | Photo – Coach Craig Bohl – Courtesy gowyo.com The Wyoming Cowboy football season kicks off in 10 days. The intensity level clicked upward this week. The first scrimmage was on Saturday. The second half of fall camp started yesterday. Head Coach Craig Bohl seemed impressed with starting quarterback Andrew Peasley after […]
August 14, 2023 | Photo – UW Football – Courtesy gowyo.com Three weeks before the start of the new college football season, the Wyoming Cowboy running game has already taken a hit. Dawaiian McNeeley is out for the season. McNeely tore an ACL during Wednesday’s practice, the first in full pads. UW head coach Craig […]
August 9, 2023 | Photo – UW Football – Courtesy gowyo.com The intensity level of UW Cowboy football camp in Laramie clicked up this week with the first game of the season set for three weeks from this Saturday. Competition is fierce. Head Coach Craig Bohl seemed pleased with the level of competition he is […]
August 8, 2023 | Photo – UW Basketball Head Coach Jeff Linder – Courtesy gowyo.com University of Wyoming head men’s basketball coach Jeff Linder announced the addition of Jonas Sirtautas (Yo-Nus) to the 2023-24 roster on Monday. He will join fellow Lithuanian Oleg Kojenets in the Brown and Gold. The 6-10, 185-pound forward is a native of Lithuania. He […]
August 7, 2023 | Photo – UW Football – Courtesy gowyo.com The Wyoming Cowboys will be in full pads tomorrow for the first time this season as fall camp continues in Laramie. The Pokes were in half-pads on Friday and Saturday. They’ll be in half-pads again today, as well, as the intensity level begins to […]
August 4, 2023 | Photo – UW Football Head Coach Craig Bohl – Courtesy gowyo.com This year’s Wyoming Cowboy football team is older and more seasoned than the young, untested squad that performed at a higher level than anyone expected last year. Now ten years into the head coaching job at Laramie, head coach Craig […]
August 3, 2023 | Photo – UW Football Coach Bohl – Courtesy UW Athletics The countdown clock to the first game of the Wyoming Cowboy Football season started clicking yesterday. Fall training camp kicked off Wednesday in Laramie. On the calendar, Saturday, September 2nd is the date that is circled. The Red Raiders of Texas […]
July 28, 2023 | MISSING: ADULT FEMALE FROM HANNA/ELMO WYOMING AREA 79 year old Lacene Ostling, last see on the evening of July 27th, 2023 in the town of Elmo, Wyoming. Subject is walking, no vehicle involved. Hair is currently a lighter brown than in the photo. Please call your local law enforcement agency, […]
July 27th, 2023 | Photo – Rawlins Renegades Logo – Courtesy Rawlins Senior League Facebook Rawlins will soon be home to a new youth baseball team, the Renegades. Children age out of the Little League senior division when they reach 16 years old. If kids wanted to continue playing baseball in Rawlins, they would need […]
July 26, 2023 | Photo – Nathan Reid of Kingston, Jamaica – Courtesy gowyo.com Tragedy has struck the University of Wyoming track team. Discus and shot put thrower Nathan Reid, who would have been junior this year, died in a car accident on U.S. Highway 18/20 near Orin Junction just south of Douglas. Reid, who […]
July 25, 2023 | Photo – Tuker Carricato – Courtesy Tuker Carricato Facebook page Saratoga’s Tuker Carricato took home the World Title in bareback riding at the National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette over the weekend. Carricato finished with 240 on 3 rides. In the first go-round, the Saratoga High School student scored 80, […]
July 21, 2023 | Photo – Wyoming Cowboy Quarterback Andrew Peasley – Courtesy gowyo.com Wyoming quarterback Andrew Peasley doesn’t have to worry about losing any sleep with a newborn in his family. Peasley joked with reporters this week in Las Vegas that his wife Maia lets him sleep while she feeds Andrew Peasley Junior. The […]
July 20, 2023 | Photo – UW Linebacker Easton Gibbs – Courtesy gowyo.com In sports, as the Cowboy football season draws closer, middle linebacker Easton Gibbs was voted the preseason Mountain West defensive player of the year by the media. Gibbs earned all-conference, first team honors by racking up 121 tackles. Gibbs shrugged off the […]
July 11, 2023 | Photo – University of Wyoming Rodeo Team – Courtesy UW Rodeo website University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman announced Monday the hiring of Seth Glause as Wyoming’s new head rodeo coach. Glause comes to UW from Laramie County Community College (LCCC) in Cheyenne where he has been the head rodeo […]
June 20, 2023 | Photo – Coach Jim Brandenburg – Courtesy UW Athletics Department One of Wyoming’s all-time great basketball coaches passed away this weekend. Jim Brandenburg was 87. Brandenburg led Wyoming to four conference titles and three NCAA tournaments, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 1987. Wyoming was a national brand during his tenure […]
March 2, 2023 |
Photo – Bigfoot99 File Photo
The Rawlins Outlaws lost by one point to Torrington in overtime Wednesday. The final score was 58-57 in the home loss for the Outlaws.
Head Coach Denver Allard said his boys came out with an early lead, but were stopped by the Blazer’s star player. Still, the game went down to the wire.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0302_Outlaws-BB-1.mp3Coach Allard said the boys could have done a better job with shooting the ball and avoiding fouls.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0302_Outlaws-BB-2.mp3The loss to Torrington dropped the Outlaws regional tournament seed to 4th. Today’s game will see Torrington play Moorecroft and the Outlaws go against Buffalo. Despite not winning, Coach Allard said he was proud of how hard the team played. He said Buffalo should be an easy opponent.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0302_Outlaws-BB-3.mp3Coach Allard said his team had a poor start to their season, but fought back hard. With the win-loss counter reset for the tournament, Coach Allard said he thinks his team will be able to apply what they learned from yesterday’s defeat to future games.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/0302_Outlaws-BB-4.mp3Only seven other teams stand between the Rawlins Outlaws and their ticket to the state tournament in Casper.
February 28, 2023 |
The Saratoga and Rawlins wrestling teams finish the season ranked in the top 10 statewide.
The Saratoga boys wrestling team placed 10th out of 22 schools in 2A at the state tournament last weekend. The weekend before, at the regional finals, Coach Jared Mason said two of his boys earned all-conference honors. Coach Mason said four boys placed in the top 6th at the state finals.
Photo – Bigfoot99 File Photo
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0228_HS-Wrestling-1.mp3Coach Mason said he wanted to single out another boy who wrestled well at the state tournament, Allyster Ingraham. Coach Mason said the sophomore had a great season.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0228_HS-Wrestling-2.mp3Even though the Saratoga high school boys wrestling team didn’t place as high as he would like, Coach Mason said he was still proud of the effort they put in. Saratoga’s wrestling coach said every member of the team is important.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0228_HS-Wrestling-3.mp3Every year, Coach Mason has a new batch of freshmen to train. The coach said he is looking forward to some of the talented athletes moving up from middle school. Unfortunately, Coach Mason said some of his best wrestlers are aging out.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0228_HS-Wrestling-4.mp3In Rawlins Outlaw sports, Dylan Sandstedt finished his first year as head coach with a 5th place finish in the state’s 3A division. Taking over from Nate Lee, Coach Sandstedt said he was proud of his team, especially when they won against his former hometown.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0228_HS-Wrestling-5.mp3The Rawlins girls’ wrestling team was larger than in previous years. Coach Sandstedt said practicing against boys made Brinley Green unstoppable in the girls’ division.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0228_HS-Wrestling-6.mp3Coach Sandstedt said six of his boys placed in the state tournament. By the end of the match two Rawlins boys, Zach Covolo and Sage Lonn, were first in their weight class.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0228_HS-Wrestling-7.mp3Both coaches said they were eager to see what next season has in store.
February 14, 2023 |
Wyoming football and NFL legend Conrad Dobler died Monday at the age of 72, but not before seeing his beloved Kansas City Chiefs win the Superbowl on Sunday.
The former Cowboy played 10 NFL seasons. During that time, he used his wild, unconventional dominating style to develop into one of the best pass protecting guards of his time. Opponents who were done in by his kicks and leg whips called him “the game’s dirtiest player.” The label stuck with him throughout his career and beyond. Dobler, who off the field could be a gentle giant, saw his ability to dominate opponents differently than his critics.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0214_Conrad-Dobler-1.mp3Dobler was born in Chicago in 1950. He joined the UW Cowboys in 1968 after Wyoming’s recent appearance in the Sugar Bowl. The St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the 5th round of the NFL draft. A documentary about Dobler reports that he did not impress.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0214_Conrad-Dobler-2.mp3Dobler was cut from the roster before his rookie season began. He was brought back in several weeks later, though, but losing his first job in the NFL was an experience that drove him to excel.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0214_Conrad-Dobler-3.mp3Dobler never objected to being called a dirty player. He embraced the notoriety and appeared to enjoy being the bad guy. The reputation earned by antics such as punching Mean Joe Green or kicking quarterback Merlin Olsen landed him a cover on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Dobler’s dark side overshadowed the three-time All Pro’s accomplishments.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/0214_Conrad-Dobler-4.mp3He finished his career in 1981 after two seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Dobler’s physical style of play took a heavy toll on his body. The legend passed away in Colorado Springs surrounded by family.
January 19, 2023 |
The Saratoga Middle/High School boys wrestling team had a great weekend in Wind River country.
Jared Mason, the SMHS wrestling coach, said he had a nearly full roster at last weekend’s Don Runner Invitational in Pavillion. As well as a second and fourth-place finish, Coach Mason said his team brought home two first-place victories.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0119_HS-Wrestling-1.mp3On January 7th, the Saratoga wrestling team attended the Wrangler Duals held at the Shoshoni High School. Coach Mason said his team faced some stiff competition.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0119_HS-Wrestling-2.mp3Coach Mason said his team will attend a match in Lander this weekend. He said his squad will watch students from higher division schools compete. Coach Mason said it will give his team a chance to compare themselves to the competition before the January 27th Ron Thon in Riverton.
Coach Mason said the two-day event is one of the most demanding tournaments on the schedule.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0119_HS-Wrestling-3.mp3With last weekend’s showing, the Panther boys wrestling team is doing well. Coach Mason said the boys are primed for a good season.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0119_HS-Wrestling-4.mp3Starting on January 27th, the Ron Thon high school wrestling tournament will see the Saratoga Panthers wrestling team face off against competitors from across the state.
January 12, 2023 |
Two Rawlins middle school wrestlers won the USA Wrestling state tournament.
Hudson Baker and Caleb Lawrence, of Rawlins, are state middle school wrestling champions. Both Baker, who is in 8th grade, and Lawrence, a 6th grader, also won the Wyoming Amateur Wrestling Association’s Governor’s Award. According to the W.A.W.A. nominee application form, the governor’s award is “given to the outstanding wrestler for each age division and style from the past season.”
Noah Baker is the head coach of Rawtown Elite Wrestling, the training club in Rawlins which both Baker and Lawrence belong to. He is also Hudson’s father. He said both boys won in their respective weight classes during the December 17th W.A.W.A. state middle school tournament. Baker won the boys’ 95-pound class with a record of 22-0. With one extra bout, Lawrence ended the competition with a record of 22-1 in the 85-pound category. The Rawtown Elite head coach said he was excited and proud of the boy’s accomplishments.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0112_RawTown-Wrestling-01.mp3This is Baker’s 3rd consecutive middle school state championship victory. Baker and Lawrence weren’t Carbon County’s only champions on the weekend of December 17th. Saratoga’s Ace Arnold earned 1st place in the boys 105-pound weight division.
Noah Baker, whose brother owns and operates a mixed martial arts training club in Rawlins, has been coaching wrestling for over 20 years. Rawtown Elite Wrestling is an off shoot of that MMA school. Baker said his focus is on teaching a small group of kids that are serious about the sport. Thanks to the dedication of both the children and their parents, Baker said his year-round training regimen has been successful.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0112_RawTown-Wrestling-02.mp3State championships aren’t the only titles Baker and his wrestlers have their sights set on. With Rawlins being a relatively small town, the head coach said he trains his students to excel on a national stage.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0112_RawTown-Wrestling-03.mp3By winning the state championship, Baker and Lawrence have qualified to represent Wyoming in the Amateur Athletic Unions’ National Middle School Duals in Des Moines, Iowa. Held each April, wrestling teams from across the country compete against one another in a pool-style tournament. In a pool competition, each team of wrestlers draws random opponents in their weight class. They must compete against every other wrestler in their respective pool. Baker has won All-American in both of his national appearances.
Rawtown Elite’s head coach said both boys have what it takes to prevail at the highest levels of the sport. He explained what he believes the key to success is.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/0112_RawTown-Wrestling-04.mp3A new season begins later this month. Hudson Baker will end his middle school career with a record of 77-1. He will compete for the Rawlins high school wrestling team next year. Caleb Lawrence has two more years of middle school bouts ahead of him. With his skills and drive, the Rawtown Elite head coach said Lawrence has the potential to beat Baker’s record.
October 27, 2022 | Saratoga’s high school cross-country team dominated the state championships. Bigfoot 99 sat down with coach Rex Hohnholt to talk about the historic weekend. The Varsity Girls 5,000-meter cross-country team came in first place for the second year in a row. Beating Tongue River by 40 points, Saratoga girls occupied over half […]
October 27, 2022 | Wyoming place-kicker is on pro-football’s radar. Pro Football Focus (PFF) has named its Midseason College Football All-America Teams. Hoyland was named to the second team even though he has a better record than North Carolina’s Christopher Dunn who was PFF’s First Team selection. Hoyland is currently No. 1 in the nation […]
July 25, 2022 | Saratoga’s Tuker Carricato hung on and rode his way to High School Champion in bareback riding at the National High School Finals Rodeo. Pictured above: Tuker Carricato in the bareback riding event. Photo by Trisha Carricato. Carricato was in Gillette competing against other young riders from all 50 states, Canada, Mexico […]
March 29, 2022 | Two Rawlins girls earned “All American” titles and finished fifth in their divisions at the USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals held in Colorado. Cali O’Hare reports. Pictured above: Brinley Green. Photo by Chris Mora. For more information about USA Wrestling, click here: https://usawrestlingevents.com
February 11, 2022 | It’s big weekend for wrestlers: The Carbon County Invite is set for Saratoga High School. Grapplers from around the state will be here: Big Piney, Cokeville, Dubois, Glenrock, H.E.M., Kemmerer, Lusk, Rawlins, Saratoga, Wyoming Indian all accepted a bid.
February 11, 2022 | #3 Rawlins won a thriller on the road at Lyman last night. In a see-saw battle with the Eagles, unforced turnovers and free throws proved to be the deciding factors. Down by three with 1:01 left, the Outlaws hung in for the win. Lorenzo Johannson hit nothing but net on four […]
February 11, 2022 | The 20-win Wyoming Cowboys take their magical season on the road at San Jose State tomorrow. The Pokes won five in a row since losing to Boise State on January 25. Four of the wins were against the top six teams in the Mountain West, including the rematch with the Broncos. […]
January 17, 2022 | Wyoming basketball returned with the Cowboys winning their conference opener 71-69 over Utah State. Waylaid by COVID protocols for the last two weeks, the Cowboys picked up where they left on Christmas Day. It was worth the wait. Saturday night’s matchup at Logan turned into a nail-biter. The lead changed 10 […]
January 17, 2022 | The Wyoming Cowgirls won in dramatic fashion Saturday. At home, the Cowgirls stole one from Air Force with a curtain-closing shot by Grace Ellis. Brian Kelly with the call on the wild finish. Ellis was fouled on the layup, and added another to make the final score 57-54. Ellis Wyoming was […]
January 17, 2022 | Former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen led the Buffalo Bills to a crushing 47-17 rout over the New England Patriots. #17 Allen had a highlight reel night in Saturday night’s Wild Card game, setting a team playoff record with five touchdown passes. Offense or defense, the Bills have it. They scored seven […]
January 12, 2022 | Most if not all of the players on the Cowboy basketball team tested positive or entered COVID protocols over the last several weeks, sources close to the Wyoming team tell Bigfoot 99. The Cowboys have not played a single game since wrapping up the Diamond Head tournament in Hawaii on Christmas […]
January 11, 2022 | The Cowboy basketball team continues to take a beating, and it hasn’t played a game since Christmas Day. Now a fourth game has been cancelled. “COVID-19 related concerns” are again to blame. Tomorrow night’s matchup between Wyoming and SDSU was postponed. The word came yesterday just before noon. After a hot […]
January 4, 2022 | Trusting Big Pharma’s so-called science isn’t working out for college basketball. Despite universal vaccinations among players and staff across the NCAA, the Omicron variant forced the cancellation of big non-conference games Christmas week. Those games won’t be rescheduled. The same could happen with a slew of Mountain West games that were […]
January 3, 2022 |
In sports, Covid has disrupted the start of the Mountain West basketball season. More than six dozen conference matchups have been postponed over the last week because of virus-related protocols. The latest cancellation is tomorrow night’s game that had Wyoming at Nevada.
On Saturday, the Cowboys’ conference opener in Laramie with Boise State was postponed. The decision to scrub the game was announced about a half-hour before the scheduled 2-o’clock tip, disappointing fans who had driven to Laramie on icy roads. Radio stations which carry Cowboy games were notified by email at 1:33 p.m. — three minutes after the scheduled start of the pregame show that the game and the broadcast had been scrubbed.
The last minute decision resulted in dead-air on some stations, including KTGA. The official announcement from the University of Wyoming wasn’t released until 1:51 p.m. — nine minutes before the scheduled tip. The statement said the issue was “due to Covid-related concerns within the Boise State” team. If the game cannot be rescheduled, it will be declared a no contest.
On Saturday night, the Cowgirls announced that their home conference opener with Boise State scheduled for tonight was postponed. No reason was given for the cancelled game in the statement.
The Cowgirls opened league play on Friday in Las Vegas without four of their starters due to Covid issues. Head Coach Gerald Mattinson described the hellish road trip from Laramie to Las Vegas.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/0103_Coach-Mattinson-on-COVID.mp3 The Cowgirls lost the conference opener to UNLV 66-60,but not without a fight. With two of their best players sidelined Friday, the Cowgirls got off to a slow start. At the half, Wyoming was down ten against a hot-shooting Rebels team—the top scoring team in the league. The deficit grew to 17 by the end of the third quarter.
Wyoming entered the game with out McKinley Bradshaw, the Cowgirls leading scorer, and Alba Sanchez-Ramos, the top rebounder. Covid protocols meant neither could play.
Quinn Weidemann, Tommi Olson and Allyson Fertig picked up the slack. All scored in double digits. With help from a strong defensive effort, Wyoming fought back and had a chance to take the lead with less than a minute to go.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/0103_Cowgirls-BB-1.mp3 UNLV hit their free throws in the waning seconds and held on for the win. Head Coach Gerald Mattinson said he was happy with the effort.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/0103_Cowgirls-BB-2.mp3 Mattinson said after the game that he was uncertain about the status of tonight’s game with Boise State. The university released a statement Saturday night saying it had been postponed with no scheduled make-good date. Wyoming is not alone. Due to COVID-19-related concerns within the Fresno State women’s basketball program, the Bulldogs’ contests at San José State on Jan. 3 and at home against Colorado State on Jan. 6 have been postponed.
Last week, two Mountain West men’s basketball games were postponed—Tuesday’s matchup between CSU and New Mexico, as well as Wednesday’s scheduled game between Nevada and San Jose State. On Saturday, in addition to the Wyoming – Boise State game, two other matchups were crossed off the board: Air Force at Fresno State and San Jose State at Utah State.
December 23, 2021 |
A rusty Wyoming team struggled off the bench, from the free throw line and from beyond the arc in Wednesday’s 66-63 loss to Stanford in the opening round of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu.
The Cowboys fought hard in the second half after behind by double digits, but the 11-day layoff worked against them as they faced a tuned-up, physical Cardinal team.
The Cowboys went 7 of 13 from the free throw line while hitting only four of 23 three point shots – standout stats in a three point loss. Despite their cold shooting, the Cowboys overcame a double-digit deficit in the second to take a short-lived lead against the battle-hardened Stanford team.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1223_Wyo-BB-1.mp3 The Cowboys hung in and put themselves in a position to win in the final minutes. Wyoming’s missed free throws, a bench that scored just five points and Stanford’s 16 second chance points, left the Cowboys needing a three-point miracle with eight seconds remaining to trigger overtime. The Christmas miracle didn’t happen.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1223_Wyo-BB-2.mp3 After the game, Wyoming Head Coach Jeff Linder said the deciding factor in the game was the offensive rebounds — Stanford’s ability to cash in on their missed first chances.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1223_Wyo-BB-3.mp3 The Cowboys were led by Graham Ike with 25 points. He was 11-18 from the field. Hunter Maldonado added 18 points along with eight rebounds. He also added eight assists in the game. Xavier DuSell added 13 points hitting three of the Pokes’ four triples on the night.
With the loss, the Cowboys will take on Northern Iowa in the consolation bracket this afternoon. The Panthers lost a two-point game to Liberty in the early game yesterday, 76-74. Coach Linder said he knows UNI well.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1223_Wyo-BB-4.mp3 Wyoming and Northern Iowa tip at 4:30 today on Bigfoot 99. Pregame at 4:00 p.m.
December 23, 2021 |
Cowgirls basketball: Undefeated powerhouse Nebraska lived up to their billing Wednesday, defeating Wyoming in Lincoln 72-61.
The Cornhuskers are 12-0 on the season. The 4-4 Cowgirls now turn their attention to conference play. UW begins with 3-of-4 on the road to open league play. Wyoming travels to San Diego State on Tuesday, December 28th.
December 22, 2021 |
The Cowboys showed up in Boise and won Wyoming’s third consecutive bowl game, skinning Kent State 52-38. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl turned into an offensive highlight reel featuring one explosive play after another. When the spuds settled, the Cowboys had put up 531 yards of offense, over 400 on the ground and 127 yards in the air. Kent State racked up even more yardage – 656.
The Cowboys got on the board first with a five yard touchdown run by Levi Williams at the 7:06 mark of the first quarter. Wyoming’s opening drive took 4:19. Then the Golden Flashes lived up to their name. Five seconds after Wyoming scored, on their first play after getting the ball back, Kent State tied up the game with an 80 yard bomb.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1222_Potato-Bowl-1.mp3 Wow is right. Kevin McKinney and Dave Walsh were in the booth for they later admitted was the wildest game they had ever called. The race was on from there. The momentum see-sawed back and forth. At the half it was neck with Kent State up 24-21.
Wyoming owned the third quarter. Williams rushed 27 yards for a touchdown. Xavian Valladay added another. The Wyoming defense held Kent State in Check, and the Cowboys entered the fourth quarter up 35-24.
At the 12:49 mark, quarterback Levi Williams blew the game wide open with an epic 80-yard touchdown run.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1222_Potato-Bowl-2.mp3 Faster than a flash: Williams finished the day with 200 yards rushing and four touchdowns — the first college quarterback to ever put up those numbers. All the hate mail Williams received last year from disgruntled fans was erased in – you got it, a flash. Valladay rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown. Even senior Trey Smith got in the act with 73 yards and a score.
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1222_Potato-Bowl-3.mp3 Smith’s 49-yard touchdown run was icing on the cake — or sour cream on the potato — and the Pokes were up 52-31. Kent State would score again, but it was all over but the cheering at that point. Head coach Craig Bohl was breathless, near voiceless and happy with the great end to a season
https://bigfoot99.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1222_Potato-Bowl-4.mp3 Wyoming’s 52 points were the most scored this season and the most a Cowboy team has ever scored in a bowl game. Cowboys came out of the game unscathed. The injury report was clean. Next up for Wyoming: A big one—Wyoming takes on Big 10 opponent Illinois in Champaign Urbana on August 27th.