Wyoming Cowboys vs. BYU Cougars

LARAMIE — Do you know a better team to battle against?

BYU, a team that hasn’t played a game at War Memorial Stadium since 2009, makes its long-awaited return to the high plains tonight.

The Cougars enter this game 2-0 overall and are on a nine-game winning streak against the Cowboys. Wyoming has yet to win, losing 17-13 to Idaho in front of a packed house in Laramie last Saturday.

Keep refreshing this page throughout tonight’s match for the latest insights and comments from the match.

BEFORE THE COMPETITION:

* There’s a BYU fan under the press box wearing what may be the worst T-shirt I’ve ever seen. It just says “Wyoming.” The “Y” is the Cougars logo. Disgusting.

* It’s picture perfect in the Gem City right now. It’s 74 and sunny with a light breeze.

* BYU is wearing all-white uniforms with blue caps. Wyoming is back to its traditional look: brown jerseys, gold pants. How cool would it have been to see them show up in those 1988 uniforms?

* Former UW head coach Craig Bohl is in the house tonight. I just saw him shaking hands with the referees at midfield.

* Some scary looking military helicopters just flew over The War. Really cool.

* BYU just ran out of the tunnel… one with the Wyoming state flag?

FIRST QUARTER:

* Pokes with a quick 3-and-out on their opening possession. Svoboda long on a couple of deep balls.

* Parks with a nice PBU on 3rd and 3. BYU’s offense stays on the field at the UW 42

* INTERCEPTION: Wrook “Crook” Brown intercepts Retzlaff at the goal line. Pokes ball. There’s that elusive turnover. And who else but Wrook? Wyoming starts this drive at the 1.

* Boddie couldn’t get in Svoboda’s third-down fast ball. Pokes will score from their own end zone here.

* 20-yard touchdown passes don’t get much easier than that. Keanu Hill, who killed the Cowboys in Provo in 2022, slips into the flat and is all alone. That was a 7-play, 44-yard drive for the visitors. BYU 7 Wyoming 0 5:58/ 1Q

* Svoboda completes his first pass of the game and of course it is wiped out by a penalty. Ferrell gets a personal foul. Ball back on the 13.

* Pokes are 0-3 on third down to start this one. Svoboda is 1-5 for 12 yards. His lone completion to Utah native Jaylen Sargent. BYU 7 Wyoming 0 4:14/ 1Q

* Wrook Brown almost had his second pick. That was a floater from Retzlaff. Tough choice for Brown.

* Wrook Brown again. Did just enough on that 3rd-and-long to force the incompletion on the sideline.

* It’s the end of the first quarter here on a perfect night in Laramie. Wyoming has just picked up its first down of the night and will line up for a 2nd-and-2 from its own 34 after the break. BYU 7 Wyoming 0 END OF FIRST QUARTER

SECOND QUARTER:

* Cowboys can’t get two yards on back-to-back snaps. Here comes Culbreath.

* Jayden Williams was down after the play. BYU lineman took him down. He’s back up and jumping. Hopefully a good sign.

* Tyrecus Davis on the field now. If he had kept his eyes on the ball, he could be celebrating in BYU’s end zone right now.

* BYU has 2nd-and-goal from the 4. Wyoming’s offense has 41 total yards. Can’t afford to fall behind much more than this…

* BYU is in the endzone again. This time a 3-yard pass to Epps. That’s two TD tosses tonight for Retzlaff. That was a 9-play, 74-yard drive that took 4:23 off the clock BYU 14 Wyoming 0 9:12/ 2Q

* Former CSU Ram Clay Nanke just hauled in a 24-yard rocket from Svoboda. Pokes are in midfield

* *TOUCHDOWN* Svoboda from three yards out. That was a really nice offensive drive for the Cowpokes. By far the best of the young season. 11-play, 75-yards, 4:01. Huge response. BYU 14 Wyoming 7 5:11/ 2Q

* Svoboda was 5-of-6 for 60 yards through the air on that drive. The junior QB capped it off with a 2-yard TD plunge.

* More QB-center exchange issues on that one. Fia’s shotgun snap was to the left of Svoboda. I’m not sure he was even ready for it. That derailed that drive in a hurry. Pokes point. BYU ball on the 26

* Chase Roberts is finishing off the Cowboys. That’s catch #5. He has 99 yards receiving

* White with a pick at the goal line, but he is out of bounds. Late throw by Retzlaff

* BYU blasts through a 49-yard field goal to extend its lead. That was a 7-play, 43-yard drive that took 2:04 off the clock BYU 17 Wyoming 7 0:45/ 2Q

* UW Offense: First Half Stats 100 Total Yards (77 Passing, 23 Rushing) 6 First Downs 2-8 on Third 3.1 Yards Per Play 13:19 TOP Svoboda: 7-15, 77 yds; 5 Rush, 11 yds, TD Jones: 9 Rush, 6 yds (!!!) Nanke: 24 yd catch Brown: 15 yd catch Sargent: 12 yd catch

THIRD QUARTER:

* BYU returns the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown. My goodness. Just a huge hole and Marion hit it.

* Wyoming goes 3-and-out. This could get ugly if the defense can’t hold up here

*BYU moves right down here, aided by a great catch from Roberts and some terrible tackling, coverage. This one is going to get really lopsided, really fast

* And another blow over Svoboda’s head. Man…

* Dawaiian McNeely down after the game. Dude can’t catch a break. Already playing with a brace on that surgically repaired left knee and a dislocated thumb.

* Wyoming will lose the ball on downs and the boos will rain down. Svoboda just missed a wide open Jaylen Sargent in the endzone. Brutal. BYU 27 Wyoming 7 2:35/ 3Q

* Wrook Brown is penalized for targeting. After reviewing the replay, it appears he is guilty. If so, the Texas Cowboys nickel will miss the first half of next week’s game in Denton.

* Touchdown. Retzlaff just threw his third scoring strike of the night. It was a 20-yard toss to Lassiter. Ugly stuff from the home team. The Cowboys are outscored 17-0 in the third frame. BYU 34 Wyoming 7 0:02/ 3Q

FOURTH QUARTER:

* Svoboda was just intercepted on a deep ball by Evan Johnson. BYU will take over at its own 25.

* • TOUCHDOWN • Evan Svoboda scores his second rushing touchdown of the night. It was also from two yards. BYU 34 Wyoming 14 6:29/4Q

* Kaden Anderson warms up on the sideline.