LARAMIE, Wyo. (September 23, 2024) – The Wyoming Cowboys return to War Memorial Stadium to host Air Force at Homecoming in Laramie this Saturday at 6 p.m. It’s the Mountain West opener for the Brown and Gold, as Wyoming is 13-12 in MW openers.

The contest will be televised on CBS Sports Network with Rich Waltz on the phone, Robert Turbin analyzing the action and Amanda Guerra sitting courtside.

Ticket information
Fans can order tickets online, by email or by phone at:
•Go to GoWyo.com/tickets
•Email [email protected]
•Call (307) 766-7220
•Stop by the UW Athletics Ticket Office on the west side of the Arena-Auditorium at the corner of Willett Drive and 19th Street.

Mountain West Openings: The 2024 season marks the 26th season of the Mountain West Conference and this year’s Wyoming-Air Force contest is the conference opener for the Cowboys. Wyoming is 13-12 (.500) in its Mountain West openers. UW is 9-6 (.600) in the opener, MW game at home and 4-6 (.400) in the opener on the road. The Cowboys have won 7 of their last 11 MW openers. The Cowboys and Falcons opened the 2022 conference season in Laramie with the Cowboys winning 17-14.

Wyoming hosts its 99th Homecoming Game this week: This week’s game against Air Force will be the 99th homecoming game in University of Wyoming history and the 74th homecoming game played at War Memorial Stadium. Last season, Wyoming defeated New Mexico 35-26 at Homecoming.

UW’s overall record in homecoming games: 49-46-3
UW’s homecoming record at the War Memorial: 44-27-2

Cowboys are missing with injuries: The Cowboys had numerous injuries early in the season on both sides of the ball. Wyoming has 12 players on its roster who have suffered injuries this season that have resulted in one game start in their careers. These 12 players have missed a combined 26 games this season. That includes two running backs in Daiwaiian McNeely and Harrison Waylee, as well as safeties Wyett Ekeler and Isaac White among other players.

King to the house: Wide receiver Tyler King has been an excellent kick returner this season. In fact, King’s average of 36.7 yards per kick return ranks third in the country and first in the Mountain West. He recorded a 100-yard return for the Brown and Gold at North Texas, tying Sonny Jones’ school record when he recorded a 100-yard return against Colorado State College in 1948.

Scott does it all: Running back Sam Scott led the Cowboys offense against North Texas. He rushed for 39 yards to lead the team and had a career-high three catches and a career-high 52 yards reception. For the first time in his career, he made a 41-yard reception in the second quarter for a score. He leads the team with six receptions on the season while averaging 12.5 yards per catch.

Gyllenborg back in form: Tight end John Michael Gyllenborg is working his way back into the offense after an injury. He grabbed five catches and rushed for a team-high 56 yards against North Texas. The five catches marked a career high for the tight end, as he had five catches in the season opener against Texas Tech last season.

Suiaunoa makes 200 tackles: Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa recorded nine tackles to lead the Cowboys in North Texas. He has now recorded 206 career tackles in 51 games for the Brown and Gold. He also recorded 12 career tackles for a loss and 119 solo stops for UW.

Shay takes on the role of starter: Linebacker Connor Shay has settled into his role at linebacker for the Pokes. Against North Texas, he recorded a career-high eight tackles. This season, Shay has recorded 25 tackles, ranking third on the Cowboys. He and Suiaunoa have made 52 appearances between them this season.

Singleton makes the first start: Nickelback Malique Singleton made his first career start in North Texas for Wrook Brown when he was suspended for shooting on goal in the first half of the game against the Mean Green. Singleton, an Alaska native, along with Read Sunn, a linebacker, recorded four tackles in the contest, a career-best.

Running backs in the passing game: The Cowboys running back duo Sam Scott and DJ Jones combined for five catches for 72 yards against the Mean Green. Both posted career highs in the game: Scott had 52 yards receiving and Jones added 20 yards on two catches, including one for 11 yards on a third-down conversion.

Hoyland adds school record: Kicker John Hoyland hit a 30-yard kick in the first quarter for the 61st of his career, extending his school record. He also added a few extra points. For his career, Hoyland has scored 311 points and currently ranks third at UW in career scoring.

RK. Players, Position Years TDs Points Goals Points
1. Cooper Rothe, pk 2016-19 0 165 59 342
2. Sean Fleming, pk 1988-91 0 153 57 324
3. John Hoyland, PK 2020 – Pres. 0 128 61 311

Home stretch: The Cowboys return home for a home game against Air Force on Saturday. The Pokes will now be in Laramie for a while longer, with their next road game on October 19th at San Jose State. UW will enjoy a bye week after the Falcons before returning to action on Oct. 12 in Laramie against San Diego State.

Bertagnole and Tackles for Loss: Defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole moves up the tackles for loss list at UW. He has 24 in his career with the Brown and Gold.

1. 39.0 Eddie Yarbrough 2012-15
2. 36.0 John Fletcher 2005-09
3. 35.5 Carl Granderson, 2015-2018
4. 35.0 Logan Wilson, 2016-19
5. 31.0 Josh Biezuns 2008-11
6. 26.5 Zach Morris 2001-04
7. 25.5 Cole Godbout 2019-23
8. 25.0 Andrew Wingard, 2015-2018
9. 24.0 Ward Dobbs 2005-08
24.0 Jordan Bertagnole, 2020-Pres.

About the Air Force: The Falcons (1-2 overall, 0-1 Mountain West) have an open date after losing two straight games to San Jose State (17-7) and Baylor (31-3). Air Force opened the season with a 17-7 victory over FCS Merrimack.

Defensively, the Falcons rank 40th in the FBS in points allowed (18.0 ppg) and 61st in yards allowed (335.7 ypg). Air Force is averaging 167.3 yards rushing (64th), 50 yards passing (134th) and 10.3 points (132nd) through three games.

Cade Harris, a senior wide receiver, leads the team in rushing with 132 yards and three touchdowns. Junior quarterback John Busha, a 6-2 junior, has a passing percentage of 13-for-39 (33.3%) for 125 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Air Force leads the all-time series with Wyoming 31-27-3, including a 34-27 win in last year’s MW opener at the Academy. The Falcons have lost their last four games at War Memorial Stadium and are looking for their first win in Laramie since a 28-27 victory in 2012.