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Nov. 30, 2020 Wyoming Football Contacts Tim Harkins, Associate
Athletics Director for Media Relations Nick Seeman, Assistant
Athletics Director for Media Relations
2020 University of Wyoming FootballGame 5: Sat., Dec. 5, 2020,
8:30 p.m., M.T. (7:30 P.T.)
Sam Boyd Stadium (36,800), Las Vegas, Nev.The Wyoming
Cowboys
(2020 Record: 2-2, 2-2 in the Mountain West)Head Coach: Craig
Bohl (Nebraska ‘82)
Overall Record: 142-74 (.657), 18th seasonRecord at Wyoming:
38-42 (.475), 7th seasonConference Record: 74-51 (.592), 18th
season
vs.The New Mexico Lobos
(2020 Record: 0-5, 0-5 in the Mountain West)Head Coach: Danny
Gonzales (New Mexico ‘99)
Overall Record: 0-5 (.000) 1st seasonRecord at School: 0-5
(.000), 1st season
Conference Record: 0-5 (.000), 1st season
2020 Wyoming Football Schedule Score/Date Opponent Time (M.T.)
TVSat., Oct. 24 at Nevada* L 34-37 / 5 p.m. CBSSNFri., Oct. 30
HAWAI’I* W 31-7 / 7:45 p.m. FS1Thu., Nov. 5 at Colorado State* L
24-34 / 7 p.m. CBSSNSat., Nov. 14 AIR FORCE* Cancelled / 8 p.m.
CBSSNThu., Nov. 19 UTAH STATE* Cancelled / 7 p.m. CBSSNFri., Nov.
27 at UNLV* W 45-14 / 2 p.m. FS1Sat., Dec. 5 at New Mexico* 8:30
p.m. CBSSNSat., Dec. 12 BOISE STATE* 4 p.m. CBSSNSat., Dec. 19
Mountain West Championship Game+ TBA FOX or FS1
•Game dates are tentative and subject to change. •Game times
will be announced at future dates by the Mountain West
Conference•BOLD AND CAPS Indicate Home games *Indicates Mountain
West Conference games+The Mountain West Football Championship Game
will be played at the home stadium of a Mountain West Conference
school based on the current MW policy in place to determine the
host team.
Wyoming and New Mexico Preview
•Wyoming will play in the city of Las Vegas, Nev., for the
second consecutive week this Saturday as the New Mexico Lobos are
playing their home games at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas due to
COVID restrictions in the state of New Mexico. Last Friday, Wyoming
played UNLV in Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last Friday,
defeating the Rebels 45-14.
•The Cowboys and Lobos have been members of the same conference
since 1951 and will be playing each other for the 73rd time this
season. Wyoming leads the overall series 39-33. See more on Page 2
of this release.
•UW Football features one of the best rushing offenses and one
of the best rushing defenses in the nation. The Pokes are averaging
238.0 rushing yards per game on offense to rank No. 13 in the
nation and are holding opponents to only 104.5 rushing yards per
game to rank No. 14 among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams.
See more Wyoming NCAA rankings on Page 2 of this release.
TV-Radio Coverage
Television InformationTelevised By CBS Sports
NetworkPlay-by-Play Announcer John Sadak Color Analyst Randy
CrossSideline Analyst NA
Radio Broadcast InformationThe Cowboy Sports Network (CSN):
•Every Cowboy Football game is broadcast live on the 26 Affiliates
of the Cowboy Sports Network •Flagship Station, KFBC 1240 AM,
Cheyenne, Wyo.Announcers: •Dave Walsh, Play-by-Play (37th year)
•Kevin McKinney, Color Analyst (23rd year) •Reece Monaco, Sideline
Reporter (10th year)Pregame Show: •Begins 90 minutes prior to
kickoff.Postgame Show: •Begins immediately after the game
University of WyomingFast Facts
General InformationLocation: Laramie, Wyo.Founded:
1886Enrollment: 12,450President: Edward Seidel Athletics Director:
Tom BurmanColors: Brown & GoldNickname: Cowboys,
PokesConference: Mountain WestStadium: Jonah Field at War Memorial
StadiumCapacity: 29,181Surface: FieldTurf Revolution
2020 Team InformationOffensive Scheme: Pro-Style, West
CoastDefensive Scheme: Tampa 2 (4-3)Starters Returning: 11 Total (7
Offense, 4 Defense, 0 Special Teams)Starters Lost: 13 Total (4
Offense, 7 Defense, 2 Special TeamsLettermen Returning: 40 Total
(23 Offense, 17 Defense, 0 Special Teams)Lettermen Lost: 28 Total
(8 Offense, 15 Defense, 5 Special Teams)Other Returners: 34 Total
(17 Offense, 16 Defense, 1 Special Teams)2020 Signings: 25 Total
(12 Offense, 12 Defense, 1 Special Teams)
(2
WYOMINGWYOMINGF O O T B A L L 2 0 2 0F O O T B A L L 2 0 2 0
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WYOMING NOTESWYOMING NOTES
2020 Coaching StaffHead Coach: Craig Bohl (Nebraska ‘82)Overall
Record: 141-74 (.656), 18th season Record at Wyoming: 37-42 (.468),
7th season
Offensive Coaching StaffAssociate Head Coach/Offensive
Coordinator/QBs Brent Vigen (North Dakota State ‘98)Wide Receivers
Mike Grant (Nebraska ‘93)Running Backs/Director of Player Personnel
Gordie Haug (Bemidji State ‘09)Offensive Run-Game Coordinator/
Offensive Line Bart Miller (New Mexico ‘07)Special Teams
Coordinator/Tight Ends/Fullbacks Shannon Moore (Black Hills State
‘00)
Defensive Coaching StaffDefensive Coordinator/Safeties Jay
Sawvel (Mount Union ‘93)Linebackers Aaron Bohl (MSU Moorhead
‘16)Cornerbacks
Benny Boyd (Aurora ‘00) Defensive Ends Marty English (Northern
Colorado ‘86)Defensive Run-Game Coordinator/DTs/NTs Pete Kaligis
(Washington ‘94)
Administrative StaffAssociate A.D. for Football Operations Brent
Vernon (Missouri ‘08)Director of Recruiting
Ian McGrew (Tennessee-Martin ‘15)Director of On-Campus
Recruiting
Thomas Jenkins (Wyoming ‘18)
2020 Team Captains: The Wyoming Cowboys voted for team captains
the final week of fall camp and on Saturday, Oct. 17 head coach
Craig Bohl announced the Cowboys that were selected as 2020 team
captains. Sophomore quarterback Sean Chamberswas voted a team
captain for the second consecutive season. The other three Cowboy
captains earned the honor for the first time in their careers.
2020 Wyoming Team Captains#12 Sean Chambers, So., Quarterback#88
Garrett Crall, Sr., Defensive End#73 Keegan Cryder, Jr., Center#48
Chad Muma, Jr., Linebacker
Valladay, Cryder and Harris Return After Earning All-Conference
Honors in 2019: Three Wyoming Cowboys return in 2020 after earning
All-Mountain West
Conference honors in 2019. Junior running back Xazavian
Valladayearned First Team All-Mountain West honors as a sophomore
in 2019. He will be joined by returning All-Conference honorees
Keegan Cryder at center, who earned Second Team All-Conference as a
sophomore, and Logan Harris at right guard, who earned Honorable
Mention All-Mountain West honors as a junior.
UW and UNM Have Been Members of the Same Conference Since 1951:
Wyoming and New Mexico are meeting for the 22nd consecutive season
since both became founding members of the Mountain West Conference
in 1999. Prior to that, they were founding members of the Western
Athletic Conference in 1962. Wyoming and New Mexico have been
members of the same conference since 1951, when UNM joined Wyoming
in the Skyline Conference.
Valladay Becomes Only the 12th Cowboy to Rush for 2,000 Career
Yards, Ranks Ninth in the NCAA This Season in Rushing: Wyoming
junior running back Xazavian Valladay rushed for 147 yards against
Colorado State on Nov. 5, 2020, to become only the 12th Wyoming
Cowboy in school history to rush for over 2,000 career yards.
Valladay enters this week with 2,165 career rushing yards. Valladay
rushed for 409 yards as a redshirt freshman, recorded 1,265 rushing
yards as a sophomore and has 491 rushing yards thus far in
2020.
Wyoming’s Career Rushing Leaders and 2,000-Yard RushersRk.
Player Years Yards Att. Avg./Att. TDs1. Brian Hill 2014-16 4,287
(+2,310) 775 5.5 352. Devin Moore 2005-08 2,963 (+798) 553 5.4 153.
Ryan Christopherson 1991-94 2,906 (+741) 585 5.0 194. Wynel Seldon
2005-08 2,672 (+507) 636 4.2 225. Marques Brigham 1995-98 2,605
(+440) 595 4.4 256. Shaun Wick 2012-16 2,533 (+368) 516 4.9 217.
Gerald Abraham 1984-87 2,278 (+113) 456 5.0 178. Derek Armah
2000-03 2,190 (+25) 572 3.8 159. Kevin Lowe 1981-84 2,188 (+23) 327
6.7 2610. Walt Goffigan 1980-83 2,167 (+2) 448 4.8 2611. Xazavian
Valladay 2018-Present 2,165 406 5.3 1312. Alvester Alexander
2009-11 2,127 477 4.5 27 MW NCAAXazavian Valladay’s NCAA Rankings
Statistic Rank RankRushing Yards per Game 122.8 rushing yards per
game No. 1 No. 9All-Purpose Yards 141.75 all-purpose yards per game
No. 3 No. 24Rushing TDs 4 total rushing TDs No. 5 No. 96
Xazavian Valladay’s 2020 Season Game-by-Game All- Rush Rush Rush
Avg. Rec. Rec. Total PurposeOpponent Att. Yards TDs Long Rush Rec.
Yards TDs Plays Yardsat Nevada 22 87 0 14 4.0 7 44 0 29 131Hawai’i
32 163 2 21 5.1 2 32 0 34 195at CSU 28 147 1 38 5.2 2 0 0 30 147at
UNLV 6 94 1 78 15.7 1 0 0 7 94Totals 88 491 4 78 5.6 12 76 0 100
567
Running the Ball and Stopping the Run -- Wyoming Ranked Among
Nation’s Leaders in Rushing Offense and Rushing Defense for Second
Straight Season: The Cowboy rushing attack is averaging 238.0 yards
per game in 2020 to rank No. 13 in the nation in rushing offense.
Wyoming’s rushing attack was also among the best in the nation in
2019. As a team, Wyoming averaged 214.8 rushing yards per game in
2019 to rank No. 2 in the Mountain West and No. 23 in the nation.
Xazavian Valladay is averaging 122.8 rushing yards per game in 2020
to lead the MW and rank No. 9 in the FBS. He averaged 105.4 yards
rushing per game in 2019, which was also No. 1 in the MW and No. 18
in the nation. Defensively, Wyoming is allowing opponents only
104.5 rushing yards per game in 2020 to rank No. 2 in the MW and
No. 14 in the country. In 2019, the Cowboy defense ranked No. 11 in
the FBS in rushing defense, allowing opponents only 107.1 rushing
yards per outing.
Recent Wyoming-New Mexico Series Marked by Three-Game Winning
Streaks: As the Wyoming Cowboys and New Mexico Lobos prepare to
play each other for the 73rd time, this year’s meeting will be a
first as the two teams will play in Las Vegas, Nev., due to
COVID-19 conditions in the state of New Mexico forcing UNM Footbal
to play its home games in the state of Nevada. The recent series
between the two schools have been marked by three-game winning
streaks. Wyoming is currently on a three-game win streak (2017-19)
over the Lobos. Prior to that, UNM won three in a row from 2014-16,
and before that the Cowboys won three in a row from 2011-13.
•Wyoming leads the overall series 39-33 •Wyoming trails the
Mountain West series 9-12 •UW’s Record vs. New Mexico in Laramie
20-15 •UW’s Record vs. New Mexico in Albuquerque 19-18 •UW’s Record
vs. New Mexico at Neutral Sites 0-0
Va12CainRubaya20Co2,0weVaredrusXazavian Valladay, Jr., Running
Back
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WYOMING NOTESWYOMING NOTES
Pokes Have Posted One of the Nation’s Longest Current FBS Home
Winning Streaks: The Wyoming Cowboys currently hold a nine-game
home winning streak. That ranks the Cowboys among the Top 10
longest current streaks among all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision
(FBS) teams according to the official NCAA statistical website at
NCAA.org. UW is tied for No. 9 on the list of longest current home
winning streaks. Current Team and Rank Consecutive Home Wins1.
Clemson 272. Notre Dame 23 Ohio State 234. Cincinnati 195. Memphis
146. Oregon 12 7. Florida 118. Liberty 109. Wyoming 9 BYU 9 Georgia
Southern 9 Marshall 9 Miami (Ohio) 9
Wyoming Continues Home Success, 21-6 Home Record Since 2016,
Winner of Its Last Nine Consecutive Home Games: The Wyoming Cowboys
have been very successful at home over the last five seasons since
2016, most recently defeating the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors for
their 21st home win in their last 27 home games for a winning
percentage of 77.8 percent. The Pokes have also won their last nine
(9) consecutive home games, dating back to the last two home games
of the 2018 season. Wyoming’s 21 home wins during this stretch
began with the first game of the 2016 season when they won a triple
overtime thriller over Northern Illinois by a score of 40-34. The
Cowboys went on to post a perfect 6-0 regular season in 2016 before
hosting the Mountain West Conference Championship Game, which they
lost 24-27 to San Diego State to finish 6-1 at home. UW also posted
a perfect 6-0 regular season home record in 2019. Here is Wyoming’s
home record since the beginning of the 2016 season. Regular- Season
Home Record Home IncludingSeason Record 2016 MW Championship2016
6-0 6-12017 5-22018 3-32019 6-0 2020 1-0 Totals 21-5 (.808) 21-6
(.778)
Junior Captain Chad Muma Among the Nation’s Leading Tacklers,
Ranking Seventh: Cowboy junior middle linebacker and team captain
Chad Muma has been a key contributor on the Wyoming defense for the
last three seasons, but now in his junior season he is making his
mark as one of the nation’s top defenders. Muma is currently ranked
No. 7 in the nation in tackles, averaging 12.0 tackles per game. He
is also No. 2 in the Mountain West in tackles in 2020. The past two
seasons, Muma played alongside middle linebacker Logan Wilson and
weak-side linebacker Cassh Maluia. Both Wilson and Maluia went on
to be
selected in the 2020 NFL Draft -- Wilson by the Cincinnati
Bengals and Maluia by the New England Patriots. Muma’s intelligence
and athleticism enabled him to spell both Wilson in the middle and
Maluia on the weak side. While Muma came into the 2020 season
having started only two games, it is unfair to describe him as a
back-up. He ranked sixth on the Cowboy team in tackles in 2019 with
51 total tackles. Muma has shifted to middle linebacker full-time
in 2020, and he has already enjoyed an outstanding season. He had a
career high 14 total tackles and a career best 10 solo tackles
against the Nevada in the season opener. He added seven tackles in
Week 2 vs. Hawai’i, and set a new career tackle best with 17
tackles at Colorado State in Week 3. He had his third double-figure
tackle game in four games this season at UNLV in Week 4, with 10
total tackles. Muma has been involved in creating two turnovers for
the Cowboy defense during the 2020 season. He forced a fumble
versus Nevada and recovered a fumble vs. Hawai’i. MW NCAAChad
Muma’s 2020 NCAA Rankings Statistic Rank RankTotal Tackles 12.0
total tackles per game No. 2 No. 7Solo Tackles 5.8 solo tackles per
game No. 5 No. 21Fumbles Recovered 1 total fumble recovered No. 4
No. 62Chad Muma’s 2020 Season Game-by-GameOpponent Solo Assists
Tackles Sacks-Yds TFLs-Yds FF FR-Yds Int-Yds PBUsat Nevada 10 4 14
1.0-4 1Hawai’i 4 3 7 1-0 1at CSU 3 14 17 1.5-2 at UNLV 6 4 10
3.0-25 3.5-26 Totals 23 25 48 3,0-25 6.0-32 1 1-0 1
Muma Named College Sports Madness Mountain West Defensive Player
of the Week: College Sports Madness named its Mountain West Players
of the Week on Sunday, Nov. 29 and Wyoming junior linebacker Chad
Muma was selected as the MW Defensive Player of the Week for his
performance in Wyoming’s 45-14 win over UNLV last Friday. Muma led
all tacklers in the Wyoming-UNLV game with 10 total tackles. He
made a career high 3.5 tackles for loss for 26 yards and added a
career high 3.0 sacks for 25 yards. Muma was credited with six solo
tackles and four assists on the day. He was the leader of a Wyoming
defense that held UNLV to only 14 points and limited UNLV to 290
yards of total offense (132 rushing yards and 158 passing yards)
and only 19 first downs. On the season, the junior from Lone Tree,
Colo., leads Wyoming in total tackles (49), solo tackles (23),
assisted tackles (26), sacks (3.0 for 25 yards) and tackles for
loss (6.0 for 32 yards). Muma is also tied for the team lead in
fumbles recovered (1) and forced fumbles (1). Muma is tied for No.
6 in the nation in tackles this season, averaging 12.3 tackles per
game, and is tied for No. 21 in the country in solo tackles,
averaging 5.8 solo tackles per game. He is also averaging 1.5
tackles for loss per game to tie for No. 24 in the NCAA.
Wyoming’s Muma Also Named to Pro Football Focus Team of the
Week: Junior linebacker Chad Muma was also named to this week’s Pro
Football Focus (PFF) Team of the Week. Muma was one of only two
linebackers named to this week’s team by PFF. He joined linebacker
Micah McFadden of Indiana in receiving this week’s honor.
Wyoming-New Mexico Series Among the Longest for the Cowboys:
Wyoming’s series with New Mexico ranks as the fourth longest series
vs. any opponent for the Cowboys. Wyoming’s Longest Series No. of
Previous Meetings 2020 Meeting Will be thevs. Colorado State 111
112thvs. Utah 83 NAvs. Brigham Young 78 NAvs. New Mexico 72 73rdvs.
Utah State 70 71st (Game cancelled)
JuATaCoteakefojunof
thtacMo
aloChad Muma, Jr., Linebacker
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Passing Game Improving for Pokes in 2020: The Wyoming Cowboys
entered this season hoping to improve their passing game to
complement a very potent rushing attack. Through the first four
games of the season, that hope is becoming a reality. Wyoming is
averaging 191.2 passing yards per game in 2020 to go with 238.0
rushing yards per game. That compares to 2019 when UW averaged
136.2 passing yardsand 215.7 rushing yards per game. The Cowboys’
total offense has also increased from a year ago. In 2020, UW is
averaging 429.2 yards per game, while in 2019 Wyoming averaged
351.8.
Two Cowboy Receivers Have Posted 100-Yard Receiving Games in
2020:Redshirt freshman wide receiver Isaiah Neyorshowed his talent
in Wyoming’s season opener at Nevada, catching three passes for 102
yards. His three catches went for 45 yards, 34 and 23, averaging
34.0 yards per reception. That was Neyor’s first 100-yard receiving
game. It was also the first time a Cowboy had recorded a 100-yard
receiving game since tight end Tyree Mayfield caught four passes
for 112 yards in a 35-28 home win over Air Force on Nov. 17, 2018.
In Week 3 of the season, senior wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt
recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his career with seven
catches for 132 yards. He had five receptions of 10 yards or more,
including catches of 12, 15, 17, 21 and 56.
Isaiah Neyor One Reception Shy of Ranking No. 3 in the Nation in
Yards per Reception: Redshirt freshman receiver Isaiah Neyor has
been one of the most explosive receivers in the nation this season.
Neyor enters this week with seven receptions for 194 yards for an
average of 27.7 yards per reception. He isn’t ranked nationally
this week because he falls under the NCAA minimum of 2.0 catches
per game -- he would need eight receptions through four games to
meet that minimum. But if he met the minimum, he wouldlead the MW
and rank No. 3 in the nation in receiving yards per catch (27.7
yards per reception).
Redshirt Freshman QB Levi Williams Records First 300-Yard
Passing Game of Career, Ranks No. 15 in Nation in Passing Yards per
Completion: Cowboy quarterback Levi Williams recorded the first
300-yard passing game of his career in Wyoming’s 24-34 loss to
Colorado State on Nov. 5. Williams completed 19 of 31 passes for
321 yards against the Rams. His previous high passing game was 234
passing yards in Wyoming’s victory over Georgia State in the 2019
NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. The Arizona Bowl was also Williams’
first career start. Williams currently ranks No. 1 in the Mountain
West and No. 15 in the nation in average passing yards per
completion, averaging 14.6 yards per pass completion.
WYOMING NOTESWYOMING NOTES
Explosive Plays -- 70 Percent of Cowboys’ Offense Has Come on
Explosive Plays of 10 Yards or More: The Wyoming offense has
created a number of explosive plays of 10 yards or more during the
2020 season. The Cowboys have had 32 running plays of 10 yards or
more for a total of 554 yards and 30 pass plays of 10 yards or more
for a total of 659 yards. Combined the UW offense has had 62
explosive plays for 1,213 yards. That 1,213 yards of explosive
plays accounts for 70.6 percent of Wyoming’s 1,717 total yards this
season. Total Offense Rushing Plays of Passing Plays of Total
Rush+Pass=TotalGame 10 or More Yards 10 or More Yards Explosive
Plays for Each Gameat Nevada 6 for 78 yards 9 for 201 yards 15 for
279 yards 67 plays, 128+233=361vs. Hawai 10 for 131 yards 4 for 81
yards 14 for 212 yards 77 plays, 281+112=393at CSU 5 for 109 yards
12 for 290 yards 17 for 399 yards 80 plays, 144+321=465at UNLV 11
for 236 yards 5 for 87 yards 16 for 323 yards 71 plays, 399+
99=498Totals 32 for 554 yards 30 for 659 yards 62 for 1,213 yards
295 plays for 1,717Individual Players Nevada Hawai’i CSU UNLV UNM
BSU TotalsB. Brenton NA NA NA R: 3 for 51 R: 3 / 51P. Christensen
NA NA NA P: 1 for 21 P: 1 / 21D. Crow NA P: 1 for 25 P: 1 for 17 P:
1 for 13 P: 3 / 55 A. Eberhardt P: 1 for 15 P: 1 for 16 P: 5 for
121 P: 2 for 38 P: 9 / 190G. Gentry, wr P: 1 for 22 NA NA NA P: 1 /
22 I. Neyor, wr P: 3 for 102 NA P: 2 for 70 P: 1 for 15 P: 6 /
187J. Marcotte, te NA NA P: 1 for 12 NA P: 1 / 12T. Smith, rb NA R:
3 for 36 R: 2 for 24 R: 5 for 80 R: 10 / 140X. Valladay, rb R :4
for 47 R: 6 for 85 R: 3 for 85 R: 1 for 78 R: 14 / 295 P: 2 for 26
P: 1 for 26 P: NA P: NA P: 3 / 52N. Weinman, te P: 1 for 12 P: 1
for 14 P: 1 for 15 NA P: 3 / 41T. Welch, te P: 1 for 24 NA P: 2 for
55 NA P: 3 / 79L. Williams, qb R: 2 for 31 R: 1 for 10 R: NA R: 2
for 27 R: 5 / 68 (P: 9 for 201) (P: 4 for 81) (P:12 for 290) (P: 5
for 87) (P: 30 / 659)P=Pass Plays, R=Rushing Plays, P in
Parenthesis=QB Passing Yards
Offensive Line Leads the Way for Wyoming’s Outstanding Rushing
Attack, Returns Seven Players with Starting Experience: Leading the
way for Wyoming’s successful rushing attack in 2019 was a dominant
group of offensive linemen. Entering the 2020 season, Wyoming had
seven O-Linemen returning with starting experience, however senior
offensive tackle Alonzo Velazquez injured his shoulder in preseason
practice and had to undergo surgery. He will be lost for several
weeks.Returning Offensive Linemen Career Games Played Career
StartsLogan Harris, OG 39 28Keegan Cryder, C/OG 29 29Alonzo
Velazquez, OT (Injured for 2020) 24 23Rudy Stofer, OT 26 21Eric
Abojei, OG 22 15Frank Crum, OT 16 9Zach Watts, OG 9 7Latrell Bible,
OT 5 3Career Totals 170 135
Wyoming Among the Youngest Teams in the Country: The Wyoming
Cowboys are one of the youngest teams in the nation this season
based on two separate categories: Teams with the Fewest Number of
Seniors and Graduate Transfers; and Teams with the Largest Number
of Underclassmen (Freshmen and Sophomores). Thanks to David Plati,
Associate Athletics Director at the University of Colorado, for
compiling the lists below. Graduate School Seniors Transfers
Total1. Colorado 9 2 112. Clemson 12 0 123. Maryland 11 1 124.
Wyoming 11 2 135. Oregon 13 2 156. Bowling Green 16 0 16 Colorado
State 14 2 16 East Carolina 12 4 16 Total FreshmenSchool Fr. &
So. (True & Redshirts) Sophomores Team Size Pct.1. Oregon 81 47
(28/19) 34 110 73.62. East Carolina 83 59 (38/21) 24 115 72.23.
Clemson 81 51 (29/22) 30 120 67.54. Utah 80 60 (40/20) 20 120
66.75. Colorado 69 40 (25/15) 29 105 65.76. Kansas State 84 55
(35/20) 29 128 65.67. South Carolina 74 54 (38/16) 20 113 65.58.
Utah State 68 45 (25/20) 23 104 65.49. Bowling Green 69 64 (43/31)
5 106 65.110. SMU 94 66 (30/36) 28 146 64.411. Wyoming 70 49
(25/24) 21 109 64.2
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WYOMING NOTESWYOMING NOTES
University of WyomingAthletics Online
GoWyo.com
Follow Us on Twitter and Instagramwyo_football and
wyoathletics
Follow Us on Facebookfacebook.com/wyofootball and
facebook.com/wyoathletics
University of WyomingTicket Information
Tickets to University of Wyoming Football games may be purchased
through the UW Athletics Ticket Office. Only 7,000 fans will be
allowed for the 2020 season opener at War Memorial Stadium. •Go to
GoWyo.com/tickets •Email [email protected] •Call (307) 766-7220.
University of WyomingMedia Relations Staff
Contacts for FootballTim HarkinsAssociate Athletics Director
Office: (307) 766-2256 Cell: (307) 760-7847 E-Mail:
[email protected] Seeman Assistant Athletics Director Office:
(307) 766-2256 Cell: (612) 741-0550 E-Mail: [email protected]
Media Relations StaffMedia Relations Office Manager: Diane
DodsonDirector of Social Media John DurgeeAssistant Director of
Media Relations: Amy DambroAssistant Director of Media Relations:
Sean O’SullivanAssistant Director of Media Relations: Kevin
DeVriesMedia Relations Phone: (307) 766-2256Media Relations FAX:
(307) 766-2346Press Box Phone: (307) 766-2222
Mailing Address: Athletics Media Relations Office University of
Wyoming Department 3414, 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY
82071Overnight Shipping Address: Athletics Media Relations Office
University of Wyoming 16th and Gibbon Streets Laramie, WY 82071
Attendance at 2020 Wyoming Games Limited to 5,000: University of
Wyoming Athletics worked with the Wyoming Department of Health to
allow fans at War Memorial Stadium for the re-scheduled 2020
season. The number of fans currently allowed at Wyoming home games
is 5,000. Due to limited attendance, tickets will only be available
on a single-game basis for the 2020 season. Tickets may be
purchased online at GoWyo.com/tickets or by calling (307)
766-7220.
War Memorial Stadium Has Become a Great Home-Field Advantage --
Wyoming Posts Second Perfect 6-0 Regular Season in Four Seasons:
Wyoming was a perfect 6-0 in home games for the 2019 season. It was
the second time in the Craig Bohl era that Wyoming won all six
regular-season home games in a single season. The Cowboys also
posted a perfect 6-0 regular-season record in 2016. Prior to that,
the Pokes had not won all six of its regular-season home games
since 1996.
The Pokes Will Seek Their Fourth Bowl Bid in Five Seasons in
2020 -- That Would be a First in Wyoming Football History: As the
2020 college football season approaches, the Wyoming Cowboys will
be seeking their fourth bowl bid in five seasons. That would be a
first in Wyoming Football history. Over the past four seasons,
Wyoming has appeared in three bowl games -- the 2016 San Diego
County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato
Bowl and the 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. That was only the
second time in Wyoming history that accomplishment had been
achieved. The only other time that UW appeared in three bowls over
a four-year period was in the 1987 and ‘88 Holiday Bowls and the
1990 Copper Bowl.
Wyoming Looking for Fifth Consecutive Bowl-Eligible Season in
2020 -- Cowboys Haven’t Accomplished That Since 1995-99: Wyoming
has posted four consecutive bowl-eligible records over the past
four seasons -- 8-6 in 2016, 8-5 in 2017, 6-6 in 2018 and 8-5 in
2019. UW will be seeking its fifth consecutive bowl-eligible season
in 2020. The last time Wyoming posted five consecutive
bowl-eligible seasons were 1995-99. Actually, UW posted seven
consecutive bowl-eligible seasons from 1993-99. During that
seven-season period, Wyoming’s records were: 8-4 (1993), 6-6
(1994), 6-5 (1995), 10-2 (1996), 8-5 (1997), 8-3 (1998) and 7-4
(1999).
Cowboys Record Third Eight-Win Season in Bohl Era, First Time
Since Paul Roach Era That a Wyoming Coaching Staff Has Accomplished
That: Wyoming’s 8-5 record in 2019 marked the third time in the
Craig Bohl coaching era at Wyoming that the Cowboys won eight games
in a single season. The 2016 Cowboys posted an 8-6 record, and the
2017 Pokes ended the season 8-5. The last time a UW football staff
posted three eight-win seasons during their coaching tenure was the
Paul Roach era. Roach’s Cowboys posted records of 10-3 in 1987,
11-2 in 1988 and 9-4 in 1990.
The 2020 Wyoming Cowboys in the National Rankings: Here is where
the Wyoming Cowboys rank this year among leaders in the Mountain
West and the FBS. MW NCAATeam Category Statistic Rank RankWyoming
Defensive Statistical RankingsSacks by Defense 4.00 sacks per game
No. 3 No. 5Tackles for Loss by Defense 8.5 TFLs per game No. 2 No.
6Rushing Defense 104.5 rush yards/game allowed No. 2 No. 14Fewest
First Downs Allowed 74 total first downs allowed No. 3 No. 17Third
Down Conversion % Defense 34.0 percent No. 4 No. 21Total Defense
340.2 yards allowed per game No. 4 No. 26Scoring Defense 23.0
points/game allowed No. 5 No. 26Wyoming Offensive Statistical
RankingsRushing Offense 238.0 rushing yards/game No. 2 No. 13Fewest
Passes Had Intercepted 2 total interceptions No. 3 No. 13Passing
Yards per Completion 14.43 yards per completion No. 1 No. 15Fewest
Turnovers Committed 5 total turnovers committed No. 4 No. 20Time of
Possession 33:04 minutes per game No. 2 No. 21Red-Zone Offense 89.5
percent No. 4 No. 30Scoring Offense 33.5 points scored per game No.
2 No. 32Total Offense 429.2 yards per game No. 3 No. 42
Individual Category (Players Listed Alphabetically) Statistic MW
Rank NCAA Rank (Top 5)Dontae Crow, Punt Returns 4.4 yards per punt
return No. 6 No. 38John Hoyland, Field Goals Made per Game 1.75
field goals per game No. 2 No. 10John Hoyland, Field-Goal
Percentage 87.5 percent No. 4 No. 18John Hoyland, Scoring 9.0
points per game No. 3 No. 31Chad Muma, Total Tackles 12.0 total
tackles per game No. 2 No. 7Chad Muma, Solo Tackles 5.8 solo
tackles per game No. 5 No. 21Chad Muma, Tackles for Loss 1.5 TFLs
per game No. 5 No. 24Chad Muma, Sacks 0.75 sacks per game No. 9 No.
38Trey Smith, Rushing Yards per Game 5.51 rushing yards per carry
No. 4 No. 50Xazavian Valladay, Rushing Yards per Game 122.8 rushing
yards per game No. 1 No. 9Xazavian Valladay, All-Purpose Yards
141.75 all-purpose yards per game No. 3 No. 24Xazavian Valladay,
Rushing Yards per Carry 5.58 rushing yards per carry No. 3 No.
45Levi Williams, Passing Yards per Completion 14.60 yards per pass
completion No. 1 No. 15Levi Williams, Scoring 9.0 points per game
No. 3 No. 31Levi Williams, Passing Yards per Attempt 8.07 yards per
pass attempt No. 5 No. 36
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Valladay’s 1,000-Yard Rushing Season in 2019 the Seventh Best in
School History and the Fourth by a Wyoming Running Back in the
First Six Years of the Craig Bohl Era: Wyoming running back
Xazavian Valladay rushed for 154 yards against Colorado State on
Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, to surpass the 1,000-yard mark on the
season. Valladay rushed for 100 or more yards in seven of the 12
games he played in during the 2019 season, including rushing for
100 or more yards in five of his last six games, including rushing
for 204 yards vs. Georgia State in the 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona
Bowl victory. Valladay’s 1,000-yard rushing season was the fourth
under head coach Craig Bohl in six seasons. He joins Brian Hill,
who rushed for 1,000 yards in 2016 (1,860 yards) and 2015 (1,631),
and Nico Evans, who rushed for 1,325 yards in 2018, as the three
running backs who have posted four 1,000-yard rushing seasons
during the Bohl era at Wyoming.
Wyoming Football Single-Season Rushing Leaders
Avg.Rank, Player Years Yards Att. Att. TDs1. Brian Hill 2016
1,860 349 5.3 222. Brian Hill 2015 1,631 281 5.8 63. Ryan
Christopherson 1994 1,455 300 4.9 104. Nico Evans 2018 1,325 203
6.5 85. Gerald Abraham 1987 1,305 238 5.5 136. Devin Moore 2008
1,301 249 5.2 77. Xazavian Valladay 2019 1,265 247 5.1 68. Myron
Hardeman 1977 1,165 186 6.3 99. Dabby Dawson 1988 1,119 151 7.4
910. Marques Brigham 1998 1,114 259 4.3 9
Deep Running Back Group Bodes Well for Wyoming’s Rushing Attack
This Season: Not only does Xazavian Valladay return at running back
after having an outstanding sophomore season, but the entire
running back group returns for 2020. Here are some details of those
returning players.
Returning Running Backs 2019 Statistics Listed HereXazavian
Valladay (Jr.) 1,265 Rushing Yards, 247 carries, 6 TDsSean Chambers
(So.) 567 Rushing Yards, 90 carries 10 TDsTrey Smith (Gr.) 227
Rushing Yards, 44 carries, 3 TDsLevi Williams (RFr.) 181 Rushing
Yards, 40 carries, 2 TDsBrent Brenton (So.) 172 Rushing Yards, 29
carries, 0 TDsJeff Burroughs (Sr.) 15 Rushing Yards, 8 carries, 0
TDsAlphonzo Andrews Jr. (RFr.) Redshirted in 2019Dawaiian McNeely
(RFr.) Redshirted in 2019
Offensive Line Earns Its Place on the Joe Moore Award Honor Roll
in 2019:The Wyoming offensive line was named to the 2019 Joe Moore
Award Midseason Honor Roll. UW’s offensive line group was one of
only two Mountain West schools on the list and was one of only 24
teams nationally named to the Honor Roll.
The Joe Moore Award is the only accolade in college football to
honor a position group. It is named after Joe Moore, widely
regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college
football history, most notably for his work at Notre Dame and the
University of Pittsburgh. Coach Moore sent 52 players on to the
NFL, including Bill Fralic, Mark May, Russ Grimm, Jimbo Covert,
Aaron Taylor and others.
Mr. All Purpose, “X” Among Mountain West Leaders in All-Purpose
Yardage for the Second Straight Season: Not only was Cowboy running
back Xazavian Valladay (X) the No. 1 rusher in the Mountain West
Conference in 2019, but he also led the Mountain West in
all-purpose yards and ranked No. 26 in the nation, averaging 124.08
yards per game. Thus far in the 2020 season, “X” is ranked No. 3 in
the MW and No. 24 nationally in all-purpose yardage, averaging
141.75 yards per game. He recorded 280 all-purpose yards in a 31-3
win over Nevada in 2019. It was the highest all-purpose yardage
total in the Mountain West during the 2019 regular season and it
was the most by a Cowboy since Brian Hill recorded 302 all-purpose
yards against Nevada in 2016. Valladay rushed for a career-high 206
yards and grabbed two catches for 74 yards. Valladay recorded a
53-yard touchdown grab on the first offensive play of the game for
the Pokes. In Wyoming’s NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl victory, he
ran for 204 yards and one touchdown. Valladay also led all Cowboy
receivers with three receptions for 91 yards, including a long
reception of 63 yards that set up his rushing TD. It was the
longest touchdown reception by a Wyoming running back in the
Mountain West era of Cowboy Football. He ended the day with 295
all-purpose yards for the game, eclipsing his 280-yard performance
vs. Nevada earlier in the season. MW NCAAXazavian Valladay’s NCAA
Rankings Statistic Rank Rank2019 All-Purpose Yards 124.08
all-purpose yards per game No. 1 No. 262020 All-Purpose Yards
141.75 all-purpose yards per game No. 3 No. 24
WYOMING NOTESWYOMING NOTES
Cowboys Have Four Current Players Who Have Rushed for 100 Yards
in at Least One Game During Their Wyoming Careers: The Wyoming
Cowboys recorded 11 100-yard rushing games in 2019 and have had
three in four games in 2020. Running back Xazavian Valladay has had
10, 100-yard career rushing games, quarterback Sean Chambers has
had six, running back Trey Smith has had two and running back Titus
Swen has had one.
Wyoming’s Top RushersCareer 100-Yard Games as Cowboys
Xazavian Valladay’s 100-Yard Rushing Games •192 yards at New
Mexico, Nov. 24, 2018 •118 yards vs. Missouri, Aug. 31, 2019 •127
yards vs. New Mexico, Oct. 19, 2019 •206 yards vs. Nevada, Oct. 26,
2019 •124 yards at Boise State, Nov. 9, 2019 •114 yards at Utah
State, Nov. 16, 2019 •154 yards vs. Colorado State, Nov. 22, 2019
•204 yards vs. Georgia State, Dec. 31, 2019 •163 yards vs. Hawai’i,
Oct. 30, 2020 •147 yards vs. Colorado State, Nov. 5, 2020
Sean Chambers’ 100-Yard Rushing Games •100 yards vs. Utah State,
Oct. 20, 2018 •101 yards at Colorado State, Oct. 26, 2018 •129
yards vs. San Jose State, Nov. 3, 2018 •120 yards vs. Missouri,
Aug. 31, 2019 •102 yards vs. UNLV, Sept. 28, 2019 •117 yards vs.
New Mexico, Oct. 19, 2019
Trey Smith’s 100-Yard Rushing Games •152 yards vs. Idaho, Sept.
14, 2019 •164 yards at UNLV, Nov. 27, 2020
Titus Swen’s 100-Yard Rushing Games •136 yards vs. UNLV, Sept.
28, 2019
Valladay Makes History, Tying School Record for Single-Game
Carries: Running back Xazavian Valladay rushed for 124 yards at
Boise State in 2019 for his third-straight 100 -ard game and was
the first 100-yard rusher against the Broncos last season. He did
so on 37 carries for the night which tied a school record. Running
back Ryan Christopherson was the last Cowboy with 37 carries
against NE Louisiana in 1994 and quarterback Steve Cockreham had 37
for the Pokes against Arizona State in 1974.
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WYOMING NOTESWYOMING NOTES
Coaching Promotions: Three Wyoming assistant coaches received
promotions during the offseason. Defensive tackles and nose tackles
coach Pete Kaligis was promoted to Defensive Run-Game Coordinator
for Cowboy Football. Kaligis is the longest serving member of the
Wyoming coaching staff, entering his 12th consecutive season on the
Cowboy coaching staff. Offensive line coach Bart Miller was
promoted to Offensive Run-Game Coordinator for UW after doing an
outstanding job with the Cowboy offensive line in 2019, which was
his first season on the Wyoming coaching staff. Interim linebackers
coach Aaron Bohl was promoted to be the Cowboys full-time
linebackers coach this offseason. Bohl came to Wyoming in 2017 and
served as a graduate assistant in 2017 and ‘18 before becoming the
interim linebackers coach in 2019.
Young Wyoming Defense Has Been Extremely Effective and Balanced
in 2020: A young Wyoming defense has been extremely effective and
balanced this season. •Defensive Line: 81 total tackles, Leads team
in Tackles for loss (17.5) and Sacks (9.0)•Linebackers: 95 total
tackles, Leads team in Turnovers Forced with 3 (1 Int. and 2
FR)•Secondary: 98 total tackles, Leads team in Tackles (98) and
Passes Defended (9)
Defensive Line Statistics Solo Assisted TotalPlayer and Position
Tackles Tackles Tackles TFLs Sacks Int. PBU FR FF96 BERTAGNOLE, J 6
15 21 4.5-22 2.5-16 1-0 94 GODBOUT, Cole 9 9 18 3.0-12 1.0-9 1 44
JONES, Victor 4 9 13 3.0-20 1.5-15 1 85 SMITH, Cameron 4 4 8 3.0-9
2.0-7 1-0 188 CRALL, Garrett 4 1 5 2.0-11 1.0-2 1 91 PATE, Jaylen 1
4 5 1.0-2 1.0-2 98 HOLT, Ravontae 1 3 4 0.5-3 90 MEYER, Gavin 1 1 2
93 HARRIS, D. 1 1 2 95 ROBINSON, Caleb 1 1 2 0.5-1 61 DAVIS, Jason
0 1 1 Defensive Line Totals 32 49 81 17.5 9.0 3 2-0 1
Linebacker Statistics Solo Assisted TotalPlayer and Position
Tackles Tackles Tackles TFLs Sacks Int. PBU FR FF48 MUMA, Chad 23
26 49 6.0-32 3.0-25 1 1-0 133 HICKS, Charles 7 17 24 3.0-11 2.0-9
1-47 1-0 28 GIBBS, Easton 8 11 19 0.5-1 43 SUIAUNOA, Shae 1 1 2 36
KUTTERER, B. 0 1 1 Linebacker Totals 39 56 95 9.5 5.0 1-47 1 2-0
1
Secondary Statistics Solo Assisted TotalPlayer and Position
Tackles Tackles Tackles TFLs Sacks Int. PBU FR FF 5 GANDY, Esaias
14 12 26 3.5-23 1.0-9 21 COLDON, C.J. 13 4 17 0.5-1 3 26 SMITH,
Braden 9 4 13 2.0-12 1.0-4 1-12 20 HEARN, Azizi 8 4 12 3 6 GLINTON,
K. 3 4 7 0.5-1 1 14 WILLIAMS, Miles 5 2 7 18 BLANKENBAKER, K. 6 1 7
2 2 MURRAY, C. 3 1 4 25 HARRINGTON, Blake 1 0 1 12 STONE, Cameron 1
0 1 42 WHITE, Isaac 0 1 1 0.5-1 31 EKELER, Wyett 1 0 1 11 CARTER,
Xavier 1 0 1 Secondary Totals 65 33 98 7.0 2.0 1-12 9
John Hoyland Continues Tradition of Cowboy Kickers From
Colorado: Current Wyoming starting place-kicker John Hoyland walked
on to the Wyoming Football team this year from Broomfield, Colo.,
where he played at Legacy High School. Hoyland joins a long line of
former Cowboy kickers from the state of Colorado. Wyoming’s
recently graduated place-kicker, Cooper Rothe, became the leading
scorer in University of Wyoming history over his career from
2016-19. But he isn’t the only successful UW kicker from Colorado,
in fact four of the all-time leading scorers in Wyoming Football
history were place-kickers who grew up in Colorado. Cowboy Kickers
From ColoradoRanking Among UW Career Scoring Leaders Hometown1.
Cooper Rothe, pk 2016-19 342 Points Longmont, Colo.3. Cory Wedel,
pk 1994-97 301 Burlington, Colo.7. Deric Yaussi, pk 2002-05 219
Fort Collins, Colo.9. Stuart Williams, pk 2011-14 188 Nederland,
Colo.John Hoyland, pk 2020- 36 Broomfield, Colo.
Wyoming Adds Three New Defensive Coaches in 2020: The Wyoming
coaching staff has added three defensive coaches to its staff for
the 2020 season. The Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator is Jay
Sawvel, who previously served as defensive coordinator at the
University of Minnesota and Wake Forest University.
Benny Boyd is the new cornerbacks coach for the Poke. Boyd is
entering his 19th season as a college coach and most recently
coached at Eastern Illinois University. A familiar face to Wyoming
fans returns to the Cowboy Football program this year as Marty
English returns. English previously coached at Wyoming from
2003-2011. He served as the linebacker coach and defensive
coordinator during his first stint in Laramie. He will coach the
defensive ends in 2020. Below are comments from head coach Craig
Bohl about the Cowboys three new defensive coaches.
Jay Sawvel joined the Wyoming coaching staff in February 2020 as
defensive coordinator. He will also coach the Cowboy safeties. He
will be entering his 26th season as a college coach in 2020. “Jay
comes from the great coaching tree of Jerry Kill and has a long
relationship with Coach Kill,” said Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl.
“I’ve admired Jay’s work through the years. He’s an outstanding
recruiter, a great secondary coach and an experienced
coordinator.”
Benny Boyd was announced as the new cornerbacks coach for
Wyoming Football in February of 2020. Boyd comes to Wyoming from
Eastern Illinois University. He will be entering his 19th season as
a college coach. “Benny (Boyd) is a very capable corners coach and
special teams coordinator, as well,” said Bohl. “He has
demonstrated his skills by molding young men and doing an excellent
job of mentoring many players over his long career.”
Marty English returned to the Cowboy coaching staff in February
of 2020. English will coach the Wyoming defensive ends and recruit
the state of Colorado for the Pokes. He previously coached at
Wyoming for nine seasons from 2003-11. “Marty English enjoys a
great reputation recruiting the Rocky Mountain area,” said Bohl.
“He has spent time previously here at Wyoming, at Colorado State
and at Northern Colorado. He’ll be coaching our defensive ends. He
has tremendous defensive experience. Marty will add great value on
our defensive staff, and we look forward to his recruiting efforts
in the state of Colorado.”
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MOUNTAIN WEST NOTESMOUNTAIN WEST NOTES
2020 Mountain West ConferencePreseason Poll: The Mountain West
Conference announced the results of its 2020 Preseason Media Poll
and the Wyoming Cowboys were picked to finish second in the
Mountain Division by conference media members. The Cowboys received
a total of 90 points, including one first-place vote. It is the
second time in the last three seasons and the second time in the
history of the Mountain West that the Cowboys have been picked to
finish second or higher -- the other time was 2018 when UW was also
selected to finish second. Boise State is the preseason pick of
conference media members to win the Mountain Division. The Broncos
received 20 of the 21 first-place votes, with the Cowboys receiving
the other first-place vote. Air Force came in third, followed by
Utah State in fourth, Colorado State in fifth and New Mexico in
sixth. In the West Division, San Diego State received 19 of 21
first-place votes to garner top honors. Nevada received the other
two first-place votes to finish second. Hawai’i came in third, with
Fresno State in fourth, San Jose State in fifth and UNLV in
sixth.MOUNTAIN DIVISIONRank Team (first-place votes) Points1. Boise
State (20) 1252. Wyoming (1) 903. Air Force 864. Utah State 605.
Colorado State 596. New Mexico 21WEST DIVISIONRank Team
(first-place votes) Points1. San Diego State (19) 1222. Nevada (2)
1003. Hawai‘i 744. Fresno State 735. San José State 436. UNLV
29
Sophomore Linebacker Charles Hicks Named Mountain West Defensive
Player of the Week vs. Hawai’i: University of Wyoming sophomore
linebacker Charles Hicks has been named the Mountain West
Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in
Wyoming’s 31-7 home victory over Hawai’i last Friday. Hicks was
part of a Cowboy defense that held Hawai’i to only 233 yards of
total offense, including 123 rushing yards and 110 passing yards.
With the Wyoming Cowboys leading 17-7 in the fourth quarter and
Hawai’i driving, Hicks intercepted a pass and returned it 47 yards
to the UH 17-yard line, setting up a Cowboy touchdown four plays
later to give UW a 24-7 lead with 8:19 remaining in the game. Hicks
also had 2.0 sacks and 2.0 tackles for loss against the Rainbow
Warriors. He ended the night with 4 total tackles (3 solos and 1
assist). This is Hicks first MW Defensive Player of the Week award
of his career, and is the first Defensive Player of the Week for
the Cowboys this season.
Freshman Place-kicker John Hoyland Named Mountain West Special
Teams Player of the Week vs. Nevada: Wyoming true freshman
place-kicker John Hoyland was honored as the MW Special Teams
Player of the Week for his performance in the first college game of
his career at Nevada on Oct. 24, 2020. Hoyland was a perfect 4 for
4 in field goals and 2 for 2 in PATs at Nevada. Hoyland connected
from 27 and 36 yards in the first half to keep the game a one score
game (14-6) at halftime. His third field goal came with only 23
seconds remaining in the game. He came in the game in the
pressure-packed situation and converted from 42 yards out to tie
the game at 31-31. The fourth field goal attempt for the freshman
came in the first overtime from 38 yards to give Wyoming its first
lead of the game at 34-31.
Xazavian Valladay and Keegan Cryder Selected to 2020 Mountain
West Preseason All-Conference Team: University of Wyoming juniors
Xazavian Valladay and Keegan Cryder were named to the 2020 Mountain
West Preseason All-Conference Football Team. The All-Conference
team was selected by media members covering the Mountain West.
Valladay ended his sophomore season of 2019 being named to the
All-Mountain West First Team as a running back in voting by
conference head coaches and media. Cryder was named to the 2019
All-Mountain West Second Team as a center by the conference coaches
and media. The two helped lead the Cowboys to an 8-5 record in 2019
and a 38-17 win over Georgia State in the 2019 NOVA Home Loans
Arizona Bowl. Wyoming is one of six Mountain West schools -- out of
12 conference institutions -- to have at least two players on this
year’s Preseason All-Mountain West team. Valladay is coming off a
2019 season in which he rushed for 1,265 yards to lead the Mountain
West. He ranked 18th in the nation in rushing yards per game
(105.4). The native of Matteson, Ill., also led the MW in
all-purpose yards and ranked No. 26 in the nation, averaging 124.08
yards per game. His 204-yard performance in Wyoming’s 38-17 Arizona
Bowl victory earned Valladay a spot on the 2019 Associated Press
All-Bowl Team. He also caught three passes for 91 yards in the bowl
game and scored one touchdown rushing and one receiving while
accounting for 295 all-purpose yards. Valladay was one of only
three running backs in the nation named to the team, joining Penn
State’s Journey Brown and Florida’s Lamical Perine. During the 2019
regular season, Cryder played 769 total snaps and led Wyoming with
over 100 knockdown blocks. He allowed only 1.0 sack for the entire
2019 season, and he was also called for only one penalty. He was a
key to the Wyoming offense ranking No. 2 in the MW and No. 23 in
the NCAA in rushing offense, averaging 214.8 rushing yards per game
as a team. Cryder helped Wyoming rank No. 4 in the Mountain West
and No. 32 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.62 per game).
Cryder and his offensive line teammates paved the way for four
different Cowboys to record a total of 12, 100-yard rushing games
in 2019. The Wyoming offensive line unit was one of only two
Mountain West O-Lines and one of only 24 nationally to be named to
the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll for 2019.
2020 MOUNTAIN WEST FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE
TEAMOffenseQB Hank Bachmeier, Boise StateRB Xazavian Valladay,
WyomingRB Charles Williams, UNLVWR Khalil Shakir, Boise StateWR
Warren Jackson, Colorado StateWR Tre Walker, San José StateOL
Keegan Cryder, WyomingOL Parker Ferguson, Air ForceOL Nolan
Laufenberg, Air ForceOL John Ojukwu, Boise StateOL Ilm Manning,
Hawai‘iTE Trey McBride, Colorado StateDefenseDL Scale Igiehon,
Boise StateDL Dom Peterson, NevadaDL Cameron Thomas, San Diego
StateDL Keshawn Banks, San Diego StateLB Demonte Meeks, Air ForceLB
Riley Whimpey, Boise StateLB Dequan Jackson, Colorado StateLB
Justin Rice, Fresno StateDB Kekaula Kaniho, Boise StateDB Avery
Williams, Boise StateDB Darren Hall, San Diego StateDB Tariq
Thompson, San Diego StateSpecialistsP Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado
StatePK Brandon Talton, NevadaKR Savon Scarver, Utah StatePR Avery
Williams, Boise State
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NFL COWBOYS AND NATIONAL WATCH LISTSNFL COWBOYS AND NATIONAL
WATCH LISTS
Former Cowboys in the NFL: A total of 16 former Wyoming Cowboys
were with NFL teams for the 2020 season. Here are those former
Cowboys and the NFL teams they were with in 2020.
Cowboys Currently With NFL TeamsJosh Allen, QB, Buffalo
BillsMarcus Epps, S, Philadelphia EaglesAustin Fort, TE, Denver
BroncosRico Gafford, WR, Oakland RaidersTashaun Gipson, S, Chicago
BearsCarl Granderson, DE, New Orleans SaintsTyler Hall, CB, Atlanta
FalconsBrian Hill, RB, Atlanta FalconsJacob Hollister, TE, Seattle
SeahawksCassh Maluia, LB, New England PatriotsMark Nzeocha, LB, San
Francisco 49ersMike Purcell, NT, Denver BroncosChase Roullier, C,
Washington RedskinsLogan Wilson, LB, Cincinnati BengalsAndrew
Wingard, S, Jacksonville JaguarsEddie Yarbrough, DE, Minnesota
Vikings
Logan Wilson and Cassh Maluia Drafted in 2020 NFL Draft:
University of Wyoming senior linebackers Logan Wilson and
Cassh Maluia were both selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Wilson
was selected as the first pick in the third round of the 2020 NFL
Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. Wilson became the 10th highest
overall NFL Draft pick by a Wyoming Cowboy in school history. He
also became the highest NFL Draft pick of a Wyoming Cowboy who also
was a native of the state of Wyoming. The previous highest
selection in the NFL Draft of a Wyoming native, who also played for
the Cowboys, was running back Jerry Hill back in 1961, when he was
the seventh selection in the third round by the Baltimore Colts.
Hill was a native of Lingle, Wyo.
Wilson’s senior season he became recognized as one of the
nation’s top linebackers. He was selected as one of six national
finalists for the 2019 Butkus Award. He earned First Team
All-America honors from Pro Football Focus, Second Team
All-American from USA Today and Third Team All-American from
Associated Press. Maluia was the 25th pick in the sixth round of
the 2020 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. He joined his
linebacker running mate Wilson as a 2020 NFL Draft pick. It is the
first time since 2017 that Wyoming had two players selected in the
same NFL Draft. In 2017, Wyoming running back Brian Hill was
selected by the Atlanta Falcons and offensive lineman Chase
Roullier was selected by the Washington Redskins. The last time
Wyoming had two players taken in the same NFL Draft at the same
position was the 1989 NFL Draft when Wyoming defensive linemen Dave
Edeenand Pat Rabold were selected by the Phoenix Cardinals and
Buffalo Bills, respectively.
Maluia was a 2019 Honorable Mention All-Mountain West Conference
selection.
Maxwell Award Names Xazavian Valladay to Preseason Watch List,
Maxwell Award Presented to Most Outstanding Player in College
Football: The Maxwell Football Club announced on July 24 its 2020
watch list for the 84th Maxwell Award presented annually to the
most outstanding player in college football. Among the players
named to the watch list was University of Wyoming junior running
back Xazavian Valladay. Since 1937, the Maxwell Award has been
presented to the College Player of the Year. It is named in honor
of Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a former standout at Swarthmore College
who went on to become a well-known sportswriter and football
official. Valladay is coming off a 2019 season in which he rushed
for 1,265 yards to lead the Mountain West. He ranked 18th in the
nation in rushing yards per game (105.4). The native of Matteson,
Ill., also led the MW in all-purpose yards and ranked No. 26 in the
nation, averaging 124.08 yards per game. Valladay was a First Team
All-MW honoree as a sophomore as selected by MW head coaches and
media. He rushed for 100 or more yards seven times in the 12 games
he played in 2019, and he rushed for over 200 yards twice. His best
games were 206 rushing yards vs. Nevada and 204 against Georgia
State in the NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. His 204-yard performance
in Wyoming’s 38-17 Arizona Bowl victory earned Valladay a spot on
the 2019 Associated Press All-Bowl Team. Valladay was one of only
three running backs in the nation named to the AP All-Bowl Team,
joining Penn State’s Journey Brown and Florida’s Lamical Perine.
The winner of the 2020 Maxwell Award will be announced as part of
the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10, 2020.
The formal presentation of the Maxwell Award will be made at the
Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel &
Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., on March 12, 2021.
Xazavian Valladay Selected to Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch
List,Award is Presented to the Nation’s Top College Running Back:
Wyoming junior running back Xazavian Valladay was named to the
prestigious Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List by the PwC SMU
Athletic Forum on July 15, 2020. The Forum annually presents the
award to the nation’s top college running back. The PwC SMU
Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists for
the Doak Walker Award in November. Three finalists, as voted on by
the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will be
announced later in November. The committee will cast a second vote
in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection
Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and
college All-America running backs, media members and selected
special representatives. The recipient of the 2020 Doak Walker
Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football
Awards Show. The award is named for SMU’s three-time All-America
running back Doak Walker.
Keegan Cryder Named to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List,
Trophy Honors Nation’s Most Outstanding College Interior Lineman:
Wyoming junior center Keegan Cryder was recognized as one of the
top returning interior linemen in the nation by the Football
Writers Association of America (FWAA) on July 21, 2010 as the FWAA
announced its 2020 Outland Trophy Watch List. The Outland Trophy is
presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding interior
lineman. This is the 75th Anniversary season of the Outland Trophy.
During the 2019 regular season, Cryder was a key to the Wyoming
offense ranking No. 2 in the MW and No. 23 in the NCAA in rushing
offense, averaging 214.8 rushing yards per game as a team. Cryder
helped Wyoming rank No. 4 in the Mountain West and No. 32 in the
nation in fewest sacks allowed (1.62 per game). The Wyoming
offensive line unit was one of only two Mountain West O-Lines and
one of only 24 nationally to be named to the Joe Moore Award
Midseason Honor Roll for 2019. Only interior linemen on offense
(centers, guards and tackles) and defense (tackles and nose
tackles) are eligible for the Outland Trophy. The award is named
for the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn at the
turn of the 20th century. The recipient of the 75th Outland Trophy
will be announced in early December. The official presentation to
the winner will be made in Omaha, Neb., at the Outland Trophy
Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the
Greater Omaha Sports Committee on Jan. 13, 2021.
Keegan Cryder Earns His Place on 2020 Rimington Trophy Watch
List, Trophy Honors Nation’s Most Outstanding FBS Center: Wyoming
junior center Keegan Cryder has earned a place on this year’s
Rimington Trophy Watch List. The Rimington Trophy is presented
annually to the nation’s most outstanding center at the Football
Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level. The junior from Littleton, Colo.,
earned Second Team All-Mountain West Conference honors from MW head
coaches and media as a sophomore in 2019. In 2018, he was named a
First Team Freshman All-American by the Football Writers
Association of America (FWAA). The Rimington Trophy is presented
annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College
Football. Dave Rimington, the award’s namesake, was a Consensus
First Team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981
and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy’s
only two-time winner as the nation’s finest college interior
lineman.
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NATIONAL POLLSNATIONAL POLLS
Pokes in the Polls, Through the Years: Below is a breakdown of
the Wyoming Cowboys in the four major college polls through the
years. The abbreviations below are: Associated Press (AP), United
Press International (UPI), Coaches’ Poll (Coaches) and Football
Writers Association of America (FWAA). The first column lists a
summary of the years Wyoming ended the season in a national poll.
The second column lists the highest ranking UW received in any
given year. Wyoming’s Season-Ending Wyoming’s High Rankings
Rankings in the National Polls in the National PollsYear AP UPI
Coaches FWAA Year AP UPI Coaches FWAA1950 12th 14th 1950 12th 14th
1956 16th 1956 16th 1959 16th 1959 16th 1961 17th 1961 17th 1966
15th 1966 15th 1967 6th 5th 1967 5th 5th 1976 20th 1987 21st1988
20th 21st 1988 10th 10th 1990 15th 1993 19th1996 22nd 22nd 1996
16th 15th 1998 25th 25th 1999 27th 35th2004 38th 2004 34th 38th
2005 35th 34th 41st 2007 44th 37th 39th 2016 33rd 31st 2017 45th
2019 35th
Wyoming Opponents/MW Schools Ranked or Receiving Votes in the
2020 College Football Polls: Below are Wyoming’s 2020 opponents/MW
schools ranked or receiving votes in the current national college
football polls. Below is a breakdown.
2019 Ranked OpponentsWyo ming USA/TodayOpp. Associated Press
CoachesSJSU RV / Tie No. 32 RV / No. 34Boise St. RV / Tie No. 32 RV
/ No. 36Nevada NA RV / No. 37
2020 Final National Polls: Below are the 2020 Associated Press
Media Poll and USA Today/Amway Coaches’ Poll.
Associated Press Poll
(Rankings As of Nov. 29, 2020)
1. Alabama 8-02. Notre Dame 9-03. Ohio State 4-04. Clemson 8-15.
Texas A&M 6-16. Florida 7-17. Cincinnati 8-08. BYU 9-09. Miami
(Fla.) 7-110. Indiana 5-111. Georgia 6-212. Iowa State 7-213.
Oklahoma 6-214. Coastal Carolina 9-015. Marshall 7-016.
Northwestern 5-117. USC 3-018. Wisconsin 2-119. Oklahoma State
6-220. Louisiana 8-121. Oregon 3-122. Tulsa 5-123. Washington
3-024. Iowa 4-225. Liberty 9-1
Others receiving votes: North Carolina 65, Buffalo 56, Texas 39,
Auburn 25, Colorado 21, NC State 11, Boise State 8, San José State
8, SMU 8, UCF 1, Oregon State 1
•2020 Wyoming opponents and MW teams in bold
Amway Coaches’ PollPowered by USA TodayRankings As of Nov. 29,
2020)
1. Alabama 8-02. Notre Dame 9-03. Clemson 8-14. Ohio State 4-05.
Florida 7-16. Texas A&M 6-17. Cincinnati 8-08. BYU 9-09. Miami
(Fla.) 7-110. Georgia 6-211. Indiana 5-112. Iowa State 7-213.
Oklahoma 6-214. Coastal Carolina 9-015. Marshall 7-016. USC 3-017.
Northwestern 5-118. Oklahoma State 6-219. Wisconsin 2-120. Oregon
3-121. Louisiana 8-122. Tulsa 5-123. Washington 3-024. Iowa 4-225.
Liberty 9-1
Others receiving votes: Auburn 75, North Carolina 68, Missouri
43, Texas 40, NC State 40, Appalachian State 33, Buffalo 29,
Colorado 27, San José State 19, Memphis 17, Boise State 15, Nevada
14, Boston College 10, Army 6, Ole Miss 3, West Virginia 2, UCF 1,
Florida Atlantic 1
•2020 Wyoming opponents and MW teams in bold
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PAGE 11#RIDEFORTHEBRANDGOWYO.COM
WYOMING FOOTBALL HISTORY AND FACILITIESWYOMING FOOTBALL HISTORY
AND FACILITIES
2020 Will Mark the 124th Season of Wyoming Football: The 2020
season will mark the 124th season of Wyoming Football. The Cowboys
first season was 1893. Since that first season, there have been
only four seasons in which Wyoming has not played football. In
1918, Wyoming had a team but they played no games due to an
influenza epidemic. The other three seasons Wyoming did not field a
team were 1943, ‘44 and ‘45 during World War II.
Wyoming Football’s All-Time Record: The Wyoming Cowboy Football
program has played a total of 1,151 games in its history. Wyoming
is 37 games under .500 all-time (543 wins to 580 losses), and has
played 48 more road games than home games in its history (542 home
games to 590 road games).The Cowboys played their 1,000th game on
Sept. 6, 2008, against Air Force.
Wyoming All-Time Football Record 543-580-28 (.484) -- 1,151
Total GamesWyoming All-Time Home Football Record 324-200-18 (.614)
-- 542 Home GamesWyoming All-Time Road Football Record 210-370-10
(.364) -- 590 Road GamesWyoming Neutral-Site Football Record 9-10-0
(.474) -- 19 Neutral-Site Games
War Memorial Stadium Will Host Its 71st Season in 2020: The 2020
college football season will be the 71st season of War Memorial
Stadium Wyoming has won 66.0 percent of its games in War Memorial
Stadium. “The War” first opened on Sept. 16, 1950, with UW
recording a 61-13 win over Montana State. War Memorial’s original
capacity was 20,000 in 1950. It was expanded to 25,500 in 1970, and
the seating was increased to a capacity of 33,500 in 1977.
Following reconstruction of the upper deck on the West side of War
Memorial Stadium in the summer of 2004, the new capacity of War
Memorial Stadium was 30,514. With the construction of the
Wildcatter Stadium Club & Suites in 2009-10, the current
capacity is 29,181.
War Memorial Stadium by Decade Decade Record in “The War” 1950s
30- 9-4 (.744) 1960s 37- 4-1 (.893) 1970s 26- 25-1 (.510) 1980s 44-
16-0 (.733) 1990s 45- 15-1 (.746) 2000s 28- 30-0 (.483) 2010s 37-
26-0 (.587) Total 247-125-7 (.661)
379 Total Games
Mick and Susie McMurry High Altitude Performance Center
Benefitting All UW Student-Athletes: The University of Wyoming held
a Grand Opening for the Mick and Susie McMurry High Altitude
Performance Center (HAPC) on Aug. 18, 2018. The HAPC is one of the
preeminent athletic facilities in the country. It will add 71,000
square feet of new space and will expand the current Curtis and
Marian Rochelle
Athletics Center to over 118,000 square feet. “A successful
athletics program generates excitement,” Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead
said in when fundraising was announced. “This leads to better
student recruitment, better alumni support and stronger schools. I
recommended $20 million in matching funds for the expansion and
renovation of the Rochelle Athletics Center for these reasons. I
thank Marian H. Rochelle for this generous gift and her continued
support of the University of Wyoming.” The project is funded by $24
million in private donations that were raised by UW Athletics and
the UW Foundation and $20 million in state matching approved by
Gov. Mead and the Legislature. Overwhelming interest by donors—55
total—saw the fundraising efforts completed ahead of schedule.
Marian Rochelle and her family donated $3 million as a leadership
gift to kick off the project, and the combined gifts of Marian
Rochelle and her daughter April Brimmer Kunz have since grown to
$4.1 million. “Mick and Susie McMurry’s generosity and their
commitment to making the University of Wyoming a premier university
in both athletics and academics will be symbolized by the High
Altitude Performance Center that will bear their name,” says Tom
Burman, UW athletics director. “We also want to thank Marian
Rochelle and April Brimmer Kunz for their generous lead gift for
this project. And we of course want to thank Governor Mead and the
members of the Wyoming State Legislature for making funds available
to match the private funds that we raised for this facility. “The
High Altitude Performance Center will be one of the best facilities
of its kind in all of college athletics. It will provide the
student-athletes in all of our sports the athletic training
resources to compete with the best in the nation, and it will
provide our academic counseling unit exceptional resources to help
our student-athletes achieve their educational and career goals.”
“The Mick and Susie McMurry High Altitude Performance Center will
redefine Cowboy football,” says UW Head Football Coach Craig Bohl.
“This facility will play a critical role in our vision of
recruiting to what we call the Wyoming Profile. That recruiting
effort involves attracting a young man who is committed to earning
a meaningful degree from an outstanding academic institution and
has a laser-like focus to win Mountain West Conference
championships. The High Altitude Performance Center will put us at
the top of the league in terms of training and academic facilities,
which is where we also aspire to be on the field of competition.”
The new facility will focus on the unique advantages of training at
an altitude of 7,220 feet. From strength and conditioning training,
to nutrition, to recovery and rehabilitation services following
injuries, the HAPC will serve the needs of all of Wyoming’s
400-plus student-athletes. The facility’s design will stay true to
the architectural tradition of iconic sandstone buildings featured
throughout the UW campus. Located just beyond the north end zone,
the High Altitude Performance Center will enhance the aesthetics of
War Memorial Stadium. Due to its location, the HAPC will be highly
visible for national television audiences. It will show the
commitment that the state of Wyoming has in ensuring Wyoming
Athletics continues to successfully compete at the NCAA Division I
level -- the highest level of competition in college sports. The
ground level of the HAPC will house both an Olympic sport
weight-training area and a separate strength and conditioning
center for the Cowboy football team that will overlook Jonah Field.
Also on the first floor will be a sports medicine area that will
nearly double the size of its previous space, allowing for more
effective and efficient treatment of UW student-athletes. The
football locker room, like the football strength and conditioning
area, will overlook the field and will include a player lounge. The
second floor will include an expansive academic center to house
academic counselors, tutoring areas and a computer lab, as well as
enhanced and renovated football offices, meeting rooms, a new
recruiting lounge and the nutrition center/training table. The
theater-style team meeting room will span both the first and second
floors. Construction on the project will begin after the conclusion
of the 2016 Cowboy football season. It is estimated that the
project will take 18-20 months to complete. The original Curtis and
Marian Rochelle Athletics Center was opened in 2001 at a total cost
of $9.4 million. Fundraising for the RAC included a historic $4.2
million gift from the Rochelles, which was the largest donation in
school history at the time. A total of 167 donors contributed to
the original RAC.
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� PAGE 12#RIDEFORTHEBRANDGOWYO.COM
HEAD COACH CRAIG BOHLHEAD COACH CRAIG BOHL
The 2020 season will mark Craig Bohl’s seventh season leading
the University of Wyoming Football program and his 18th season as a
head coach at the collegiate level. The success that Cowboy
Football has enjoyed and the excitement generated around the
program under Bohl’s direction is just what UW Athletics Director
Tom Burman had hoped for when he hired Bohl. In terms of success,
the Cowboys have become regular contenders in the race for the
Mountain West Conference title. UW won eight games in 2016, ‘17 and
‘19, hosted the 2016 Mountain West Championship Game, earned three
bowl bids in four years and won the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
and 2019 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl. In addition in the 2018
season, the Cowboys earned bowl eligibility. The last time that UW
had achieved bowl eligibility in four consecutive seasons were the
1996-99 seasons. Wyoming also had two players, linebackers Logan
Wilson and Cassh Maluia, selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, marking
the fourth consecutive year that Wyoming has had at least one
player selected in the NFL Draft and the fifth year out of the past
six NFL Drafts that the Pokes have had a player drafted. The
excitement surrounding Wyoming Football included the extensive
coverage of former Cowboy quarterback Josh Allen, who was selected
as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Buffalo
Bills. That marked the highest selection by a Wyoming Cowboy in the
history of the program and was the second highest selection by a
Mountain West player since Utah’s Alex Smith was selected No. 1 in
2005. Leading up to Allen being drafted, Wyoming’s Pro Day was
covered live by both ESPN and the NFL Network. At the conclusion of
the 2017 football season and the 2018 NFL Draft, media coverage of
Wyoming Football for the past year was estimated by Joyce
Julius & Associates at over $159 million. Cowboy linebacker
Logan Wilson was one of six national finalists for the 2019 Butkus
Award, honoring the nation’s top collegiate linebacker. Wilson
earned multiple All-America honors, including being named a First
Team All-American by Pro Football Focus. In 2018, Wyoming had two
finalists for national awards for the first time in program
history. Place-kicker Cooper Rothe was one of three national
finalists for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, that
honors the nation’s top collegiate place-kicker each year. Free
safety Marcus Epps was one of only three national finalists for the
Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding
football player in America who began his career as a walk-on. Epps
went on to be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the sixth round
of the 2019 NFL Draft. For the third and fourth times in Bohl’s
tenure as Wyoming’s head coach he had a freshman earn Freshman
All-America honors from the Football Writers Association of America
(FWAA). Cowboy center Keegan Cryder earned the honor in 2018. UW
defensive end Solomon Byrd earned the honor in 2019. When Bohl was
hired as head football coach at Wyoming, he was open in saying that
he wanted to bring Cowboy Football back to a place of national
prominence. The Cowboy defense ranked No. 11 in the nation in
scoring defense and No. 11 in rushing defense in 2019. Wyoming’s
defense also was No. 6 in the country in red-zone defense and
scored three defensive touchdowns to rank No. 12 in the FBS. The UW
offense ranked No. 10 in the nation in passing yards per
completion, were No. 23 in the country in rushing offense and No.
32 in third-down conversions. That combination of offensive and
defensive balance led to an 8-5 record and a victory in the NOVA
Home Loans Arizona Bowl. Wyoming was also one of the best defensive
teams in the nation in 2018. The Cowboys ranked No. 19 in the
nation in total defense, No. 25 in rushing defense, No. 28 in
scoring defense and No. 32 in pass defense. The 2017 season saw the
Cowboys post an 8-5 record and finish second in the MW Mountain
Division. The Pokes were led by their defense in 2017, ranking No.
1 in the nation in forcing turnovers (38) and leading the Mountain
West and ranking No. 9 in the nation in scoring defense, allowing
opponents only 17.5 points per game. Wyoming’s defense also ranked
No. 1 in fumbles recovered (18), No. 2 in interceptions (20), No. 8
in defensive touchdowns scored, 13th in the NCAA in pass defense,
and 23rd in total defense. UW placed second in the Mountain
Division and captured the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in a convincing
37-14 win over Central Michigan. In 2016, Bohl’s team defeated two
Top 25 ranked opponents, was named the National Team of the Week by
the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) for one of those
wins and received votes itself in the national polls. Wyoming also
captured the Mountain Division title of the Mountain West
Conference, earned the right to host the 2016 MW Football
Championship Game as the highest ranked team in the conference and
was invited to the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.
His Cowboys ended the year with an 8-6 record and featured one of
the NCAA’s top scoring offenses, averaging 35.9 points per game to
rank No. 25 in the nation. Bohl was recognized for his turnaround
of Cowboy Football by being named the 2016 Mountain West Conference
Coach of the Year in voting by conference head coaches and media.
Two Cowboys earned All-America honors in 2016 in running back Brian
Hill and center Chase Roullier. Linebacker Logan Wilson earned
Freshman All-America honors in 2016, joining Andrew Wingard, who
earned Freshman All-America honors a year earlier. Bohl currently
serves on the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Board of
Trustees, having been elected by a vote of the membership at the
2012 AFCA national convention. He was also appointed to the
13-member NCAA Division I Football Competition Committee in January
of 2017. He became a member of the NCAA Football Oversight
Committee in August 2020. Bohl, who was part of building National
Championship teams at North Dakota State and Nebraska, was
introduced by University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman
as the new head football coach of the Wyoming Cowboys on Sunday,
Dec. 8, 2013. Bohl became the 32nd head football coach in
University of Wyoming history. He came to Wyoming after building a
national power at North Dakota State as a head coach for 11 seasons
from 2003-13. His teams won three consecutive National
Championships at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
level in 2011, ‘12 and ‘13. NDSU became only the second FCS school
in NCAA history to win three consecutive national football titles,
tied the FCS record for consecutive wins (24 from 2011-13) and
became the first undefeated FCS National Champion since 1996. Not
only did Bohl win three national titles at the FCS level, but he
was the linebackers coach at his alma mater, Nebraska, when the
Huskers won the 1995 and 1997 National Championships. The 2013 NDSU
team also set a North Dakota State single-season record for wins,
posting a perfect 15-0 record. The Bison became the first
undefeated FCS National Champion since Marshall went 15-0 to win
the 1996 FCS title. In 2012 and ‘13, Bohl received both The Sports
Network Eddie Robinson FCS National Coach of the Year Award and the
American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS National Coach of
the Year Award. He became the first coach in the first 27 years of
the Eddie Robinson Award to win it in consecutive seasons. In 2013,
he also received the Liberty Mutual FCS Coach of the Year Award,
which is presented in partnership with the National Football
Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. His other National
Coach of the Year honor came in 2006, when he was recognized by the
Football Gazette as the FCS National Coach of the Year and the
Northwest Region Coach of the Year. Bohl grew up in Lincoln, Neb.,
and went on to attend the University of Nebraska where he was a
reserve defensive back from 1977 to 1979 under head coach Tom
Osborne. Bohl was part of Nebraska’s 1979 Orange Bowl and 1980
Cotton Bowl teams. The 2020 season will be Bohl’s 40th year
coaching at the college level. Born July 27, 1958, Bohl will be 62
years old when the 2020 season kicks off. He earned his bachelor’s
degree in business administration from Nebraska in 1982. Bohl’s
family includes wife Leia, and children Mallory and Morgan, Aaron
and Elijah.
A
W
s
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PAGE 13#RIDEFORTHEBRANDGOWYO.COM
HEAD COACH CRAIG BOHLHEAD COACH CRAIG BOHL
Craig Bohl’s Career Coaching Honors2016 Mountain West Conference
Coach of the Year2013 The Sports Network Eddie Robinson FCS
National Coach of the Year America Football Coaches Association
(AFCA) FCS National Coach of the Year Liberty Mutual, National
Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame FCS National
Coach of the Year AFCA Region 4 Division I FCS Coach of the Year
Missouri Valley Football Conference Bruce Craddock Coach of the
Year2012 The Sports Network Eddie Robinson FCS National Coach of
the Year The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS
National Coach of the Year Elected to the AFCA Board of Trustees
Missouri Valley Football Conference Bruce Craddock Coach of the
Year2011 Finalist for The Sports Network Eddie Robinson FCS
National Coach of the Year AFCA Region 4 Division I FCS Coach of
the Year Missouri Valley Football Conference Bruce Craddock Coach
of the Year2007 Finalist for The Sports Network Eddie Robinson FCS
National Coach of the Year 2006 Football Gazette FCS National Coach
of the Year Football Gazette FCS Northwest Region Coach of the Year
Finalist for The Sports Network Eddie Robinson FCS National Coach
of the Year Great West Football Conference Coach of the Year
Craig Bohl’s College Head-Coaching Record Overall Record
Conference Record Conference PostseasonSeason School W L % W L %
Finish Appearance2020 Wyoming 2 2 .500 2 2 .5002019 Wyoming 8 5
.615 4 4 .500 4th in Mountain Div. Arizona Bowl Champions2018
Wyoming 6 6 .500 4 4 .500 3rd in Mountain Div. 2017 Wyoming 8 5
.615 5 3 .625 2nd in Mountain Div. Idaho Potato Bowl Champions2016
Wyoming 8 6 .571 6 2 .750 1st in Mountain Div. Poinsettia Bowl2015
Wyoming 2 10 .167 2 6 .250 6th in Mountain Div. 2014 Wyoming 4 8
.333 2 6 .250 T5th in Mountain Div. 2013 North Dakota State 15 0
1.000 8 0 1.000 1st in MVFC FCS National Champions2012 North Dakota
State 14 1 .933 7 1 .875 1st in MVFC FCS National Champions2011
North Dakota State 14 1 .933 7 1 .875 Tie 1st in MVFC FCS National
Champions2010 North Dakota State 9 5 .643 4 4 .500 Tie 3rd in MVFC
FCS Quarterfinals2009 North Dakota State 3 8 .273 2 6 .250 6th in
MVFC 2008 North Dakota State 6 5 .545 4 4 .500 Tie 4th in MVFC 2007
North Dakota State 10 1 .909 3 1 .750 2nd in GWFC Reclassifying to
FCS2006 North Dakota State 10 1 .909 4 0 1.000 1st in GWFC
Reclassifying to FCS2005 North Dakota State 7 4 .636 3 2 .600 3rd
in GWFC Reclassifying to FCS2004 North Dakota State 8 3 .727 2 3
.400 3rd in GWFC Reclassifying to FCS2003 North Dakota State 8 3
.727 5 2 .714 2nd in NCC Record as Head Coach (18 years) 142 74
.657 74 51 .592 4 Titles 3 National Titles
Craig Bohl’s College Assistant-Coaching Record Overall Record
Conference Record Conference PostseasonSeason School W L T % W L %
Finish Appearance2002 Nebraska (Def. Coord./LB) 7 7 0 .500 3 5 .375
4th Big 12 North Independence Bowl2001 Nebraska (Def. Coord./LB) 11
2 0 .846 7 1 .875 Tie 1st Big 12 N. Rose Bowl 2000 Nebraska (Def.
Coord./LB) 10 2 0 .833 6 2 .750 2nd Big 12 North Alamo Bowl
Champions1999 Nebraska (Linebackers) 12 1 0 .923 7 1 .875 Big 12
Champs Fiesta Bowl Champions1998 Nebraska (Linebackers) 9 4 0 .692
5 3 .625 2nd Big 12 North Holiday Bowl1997 Nebraska (Linebackers)
13 0 0 1.000 8 0 1.000 Big 12 Champs National Champs / Orange1996
Nebraska (Linebackers) 11 2 0 .846 8 0 1.000 Big 12 Runner-up
Orange Bowl Champions1995 Nebraska (Linebackers) 12 0 0 1.000 7 0
1.000 Big Eight Champs National Champs / Fiesta1994 Duke (Def.
Coord./LB) 8 4 0 .667 5 3 .625 Tie 3rd ACC Hall of Fame Bowl1993
Rice (Defensive Coord.) 6 5 0 .545 3 4 .429 Tie 4th SWC 1992 Rice
(Defensive Coord.) 6 5 0 .545 4 3 .571 Tie 2nd SWC 1991 Rice
(Defensive Coord.) 4 7 0 .364 2 6 .250 8th SWC 1990 Rice (Defensive
Coord.) 5 6 0 .455 3 5 .375 Tie 4th SWC 1989 Rice (Defensive
Coord.) 2 8 1 .227 2 6 .250 Tie 6th SWC 1988 Wisconsin
(Linebackers) 1 10 0 .091 1 7 .125 Tie 9th Big 10 1987 Wisconsin
(Linebackers) 3 8 0 .273 1 7 .125 10th Big 10 1986 Tulsa
(Linebackers) 7 4 0 .636 0 0 ----- Independent 1985 Tulsa
(Linebackers) 6 5 0 .545 5 0 1.000 1st MVC 1984 North Dakota State
(DB) 11 2 0 .846 8 1 .889 1st NCC National Runner-up1983 Nebraska
(Grad Assistant) 12 1 0 .923 7 0 1.000 1st Big 8 Orange Bowl 1982
Nebraska (Grad Assistant) 12 1 0 .923 7 0 1.000 1st Big 8 Orange
Bowl Champions1981 Nebraska (Grad Assistant) 9 3 0 .750 7 0 1.000
1st Big 8 Orange BowlRecord as Assistant Coach (22 years) 177 87 1
.670 106 54 .663 2 National Titles
Overall Record as a Head Coach 142-74 (.657) in 18
seasonsOverall Record as a College Assistant Coach 177-87-1 (.670)
in 22 seasons
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� PAGE 14#RIDEFORTHEBRANDGOWYO.COM
Brent Vigen Aaron Bohl Marty English Associate Head Coach
Linebackers Defensive Ends Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Years at Wyoming: 7th Years at Wyoming: 4th Years at Wyoming:
10th Alma Mater: North Dakota State ‘98 Alma Mater: MSU Moorhead
‘16 Alma Mater: Northern Colorado ‘86
Jay Sawvel Benny Boyd Mike Grant Gordie Haug Defensive
Coordinator/ Cornerbacks Wide Receivers Director of Player
Personnel/ Safeties Running BacksYears at Wyoming: 1st Years at
Wyoming: 1st Years at Wyoming: 5th Years at Wyoming: 7th Alma
Mater: Mount Union ‘93 Alma Mater: Aurora ‘00 Alma Mater: Nebraska
‘93 Alma Mater: Bemidji State ‘09
Pete Kaligis Bart Miller Shannon Moore Defensive Run-Game
Coordinator Offensive Run-Game Coordinator Tight Ends/Fullbacks
Defensive Tackles/Nose Tackles Offensive Line Special Teams
Coordinator
Years at Wyoming: 12th Years at Wyoming: 2nd Years at Wyoming:
2nd Alma Mater: Washington ‘94 Alma Mater: New Mexico ‘07 Alma
Mater: Black Hills State ‘00
In The Press Box
COACHING STAFFCOACHING STAFF
On The Field
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PAGE 15#RIDEFORTHEBRANDGOWYO.COM
2020 WYOMING DEPTH CHART (AS OF MONDAY, NOV. 30, 2020)2020
WYOMING DEPTH CHART (AS OF MONDAY, NOV. 30, 2020)
Defense Cornerbacks21 C.J. Coldon (6-1, 178, Jr., Belleville,
Ill.) 6 Keonte Glinton (6-0, 185, RFr., Bakersfield, Calif.)
Strong Safeties26 Braden Smith (5-10, 186, Sr., Lakewood, Colo.)
2 Cameron Murray (6-1, 175, So., Aurora, Colo.)
Free Safeties 5 Esaias Gandy (6-1, 198, Sr., Aurora, Colo.)14
Miles Williams (6-1, 194, Jr., Oxnard, Calif.)
Cornerbacks20 Azizi Hearn (6-1, 193, Jr., Oceanside, Calif.)12
Cameron Stone (5-10, 175, Fr., Rosharon, Texas)
Nickel Backs / Strong-Side (SAM) Linebackers18 Keyon
Blankenbaker (5-10, 175, Jr., Oak Park, Ill.) 6 Keonte Glinton
(6-0, 185, RFr., Bakersfield, Calif.)25 Blake Harrington (5-11,
180, So., Prosper, Texas)
Middle (MIKE) Linebacker48 Chad Muma (6-3, 227, Jr., Lone Tree,
Colo.)43 Shae Suiaunoa (6-3, 227, RFr., Houston, Texas)
Weak-Side (WILL) Linebackers33 Charles Hicks (6-3, 228, So., San
Diego, Calif.)28 Easton Gibbs (6-2, 216, RFr., Temecula,
Calif.)
Defensive Ends88 Garrett Crall (6-5, 233, Sr., Hicksville,
Ohio)85 Cameron Smith (6-4, 230, Fr., Parker, Colo.)
Nose Tackles90 Gavin Meyer (6-4, 240, Fr., Franklin, Wis.)76
Justis Borton (6-2, 282, Sr., Wheatland, Wyo.)
Defensive Tackles96 Jordan Bertagnole (6-4, 254, RFr., Casper,
Wyo.)95 Caleb Robinson (6-2, 265, Fr., Omaha, Neb.)
Defensive Ends91 Jaylen Pate (6-3, 241, RFr., Chicago, Ill.)93
DeVonne Harris (6-4, 217, RFr. , Big Lake, Minn.)
SpecialistsPlace-kickers (Field Goals/PATs)46 John Hoyland
(5-10, 162, Fr., Broomfield, Colo.)42 Luke Glassock (5-10, 170,
RFr., Buffalo, Wyo.)
Place-kickers (Kickoffs)17 Nick Null (5-11, 175, Gr., Bradenton,
Fla.)42 Luke Glassock (5-10, 170, RFr., Buffalo, Wyo.)
Punters17 Nick Null (5-11, 175, Gr., Bradenton, Fla.)
Holders13 Hank Gibbs (6-5, 217, Fr., Fayetteville, Ark.)20 Ryan
Marquez (6-1, 189, So., Arvada, Colo.)
Long Snappers45 Read Sunn (6-2, 226, Fr., Arden, N.C.)
OffenseQuarterbacks15 Levi Williams (6-5, 240, RFr., Canyon
Lake, Texas) 3 Gavin Beerup (6-5, 190, Fr., Camarillo, Calif.)
Running Backs 6 Xazavian Valladay (6-0, 196, Jr., Matteson,
Ill.) 7 Trey Smith (6-0, 218, Gr., Madison, Miss.)
Fullbacks80 Parker Christensen (6-2, 225, RFr., Sheridan,
Wyo.)35 Skyler Miller (5-11, 234, Sr., Torrington, Wyo.)
Wide Receivers (X) 8 Dontae Crow (5-9, 178, Sr., Sheridan, Wyo.)
4 Devin Jennings (6-2, 189, RFr., Houston, Texas)
Wide Receivers (Z)19 Ayden Eberhardt (6-2, 195, Sr., Loveland,
Colo.) 5 Isaiah Neyor (6-3, 210, RFr., Fort Worth, Texas)
Tight Ends (Y)81 Treyton Welch (6-3, 230, So., Buffalo, Minn.)84
Nate Weinman (6-7, 267, Jr., Creston, Ohio) OR82 Jackson Marcotte
(6-7, 257, So., Mt. Carmel, Ill.)
Left Tackles58 Latrell Bible (6-4, 295, RFr., Minneapolis,
Minn.)62 Rudy Stofer (6-6, 300, Jr., Kearney, Neb.)
Left Guards69 Eric Abojei (6-5, 350, Jr., New Hope, Minn.)68
Mason Schultz (6-4, 265, RFr., Aurora, Colo.)
Centers73 Keegan Cryder (6-4, 309, Jr., Littleton, Colo.)60
Marco Machado (6-4, 312, So., Waco, Neb.)
Right Guards79 Logan Harris (6-3, 310, Sr., Torrington, Wyo.)65
Zach Watts (6-5, 302, So., Windsor, Colo.)
Right Tackles75 Frank Crum (6-7, 314, So., Laramie, Wyo.)76
Emmanuel Pregnon (6-6, 265, Fr., Denver, Colo.)
Return SpecialistsPunt Returners 8 Dontae Crow (5-9, 178, Sr.,
Sheridan, Wyo.)19 Ayden Eberhardt (6-2, 195, Sr., Loveland,
Colo.)
Kickoff ReturnersNo. 1 Tandem 8 Dontae Crow (5-9
