“It ain’t much, but it’s honest work.”
Wyoming has a way of winning that reminds me of farming.
You can’t rush the growth of a crop.
The progress itself isn’t exciting to watch.
But there is a tried-and-true way of being successful.
Fans of the Pokes know that winning in Laramie involves staunch defense, controlling the clock, and wearing down opponents brick by brick.
In Akron, it was no different.
By The Numbers
First Downs: WYO 19 – AKR 13
Third Downs: WYO 9/20 (45%) – AKR 3/15 (20%)
Fourth Downs: WYO 1/3
(33.3%) – AKR 2/3 (66.6%)
Total Yards: WYO 426 – AKR 228
Passing Yards: WYO 260 – AKR 139
Rushing Yards: WYO 166 – AKR 89
Times Sacked: WYO 0 – AKR 3
Penalties: WYO 7 for 40 yards – AKR 5 for 34 yards
Turnovers: WYO 1 – AKR 1
Wyoming moved the ball at a high clip against the Zips, amassing over 400 yards and nearly doubling Akron’s offensive output.
The Cowboys made their way into opposing territory seven times.
Only 10 points to show for it.
Yards only mean so much if you put points on the board.
That will matter as the season moves forward.
The Eye Test
The numbers are more complimentary than what those on TV and in-person saw.
Defense
The Cowboy defense did what they are best known for – suffocating offenses and making them slog through drives.
Allowing just 231 total yards (139 passing and 92 rushing), Wyoming cornered the Zips into 15 3rd-down situations. Akron converted just three of those.
Better yet, Akron’s QB – Ben Finley – attempted just 3.7 pass yards per attempt.
It’s never good for a team when they are barely above their rushing average (3.4).
Individually, defensive tackle Lucas Samsula led the way with 1.5 sacks, followed by Ben Florentine (1) and Chisom Ifeanyi (0.5).
Brayden Johnson’s interception was a momentum-altering point in the game after Kaden Anderson gave the Zips starting position inside the Pokes’ 40.
One of the very few opportunities for Akron to score was stifled by Johnson on a 2nd-and-goal pass attempt at the WYO 5-yard line.
That interception not only preserved the eventual shutout, but allowed the Cowboy offense to operate from a point of comfort.
Special Teams
Take a bow, punter Bart Edmiston.
First game as a Cowboy and he went out to punt seven times.
His stats may not look impressive, but Edmiston was forced to take the field on numerous occasions when Wyoming was in opposing territory.
Not many chances to let loose and boot it.
Kicker Erik Sandvik went 100%, converting his lone attempt from 25 yards out.
Just do your job.
Offense
Wyoming, and all of America, welcome to the Chris Durr Jr. show.
In today’s climate within college athletics, there was an inevitable feeling that Durr Jr. would leave after his freshman season.
Others did.
But in a surprise move, he stayed in Laramie to continue his progression as a Cowboy.
He is going to reap the rewards in 2025, even as only a sophomore.
In Akron, he collected eight receptions for 190 receiving yards, along with one touchdown.
Not too shabby.
No one else in the receiving room did much as Jackson Holman found himself with 35 yards and tight end John Michael Gyllenborg ended with just 19 yards on three catches.
On the ground, Sam Scott was a workhorse – carrying the rock 29 times for 132 yards.
He is not one to explode for a 40+ yard every game, but he is going to run between the tackles and make linebackers meet him head on.
Cowboy style.
Quarterback Kaden Anderson had a less-than-stellar day, throwing for 260 yards, one TD, and one INT. A completion percentage under 50% is never ideal, but one has to think that game by game, he will boost the accuracy to a more respectable level.
And a quick shoutout to the offensive line as they kept Anderson clean for all 60 minutes – not allowing a single sack.
The star of Thursday’s win…the big guys in the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Moving Forward
Considering how few wins Poke fans were able to enjoy in ‘24, those in Wyoming should be riding a 1-0 record all the way through the work week as they prepare to take on FCS-member Northern Iowa next Saturday in Laramie.
No win should be taken for granted, even against lower FBS/FCS competition.
Look at North Texas and Idaho from a year ago.
The Panthers, based in Cedar Falls, have a historically strong program that has consistently fought to the end against the likes of Iowa State, Iowa, and Hawaii over the last decade.
This past weekend, Northern Iowa beat Butler 38-14.
Up Next: Home Opener vs. Northern Iowa (FCS/Missouri Valley Conference) on Saturday, September 6th (2:00 p.m. MT).
Let us know your thoughts on Wyoming’s win and Chris Durr Jr.’s star-studded performance in the comments!
