Follow @adamwyo
The Wyoming Cowboys capped their tumultuous 2021 season off with a big win against MAC foe, Kent State. The pokes bested the Golden Flashes 52-38 in an offensive onslaught that saw both teams eclipse the 500 yard mark of total offense.
The MVP @IDPotatoBowl X #RideForTheBrand pic.twitter.com/g01a6QzX40
— Wyoming Cowboy Football (@wyo_football) December 22, 2021
Led by quarterback Levi Williams, the Cowboys amassed 408 yards on the ground, Williams would finish the day with 200 on the ground as well as adding 127 through the air, an effort that landed him MVP honors for the game.
Wyoming didn’t play a flawless game, there were mistakes made during the game that came back to hurt them, but the relentless rushing attack, paired with timely and accurate throws, allowed the pokes to take advantage of a less than stellar Kent State defense.
FRENCH FRY BATH 🍟 @IDPotatoBowl | @wyo_football pic.twitter.com/uL7oBGFQqK
— ESPN (@espn) December 22, 2021
First Half
Kent State started the game on offense, driving the ball into Wyoming territory, a drive that stalled at the Wyoming 33 yard line after a failed fourth down attempt.
Wyoming took over and promptly marched 67 yards for the first touchdown of the game, ending in a five yard scramble by Williams.
Following the Wyoming score, Kent State went on a scoring tear, putting up 17 unanswered points before missing on a field goal attempt and swinging momentum back in the Cowboys favor. The pokes would take the field and move the ball 77 yards in four plays to bring the score to 17-14 in Kent State’s favor.
Another fourth down stop allowed the Cowboys to score once more before half when Williams connected with Isaiah Neyor for a 42 yard strike.
Kent State, unfazed by the quick Wyoming drive, took the ball 75 yards down the field in 1:18 to take back the lead with 24 seconds left in the half, they would take the 24-21 lead into the locker room.
Second Half
Coming out of half Wyoming struck first with a touchdown on the opening possession, taking the lead and not relinquishing it for the remainder of the game.
Miscues by the team from Ohio allowed Wyoming to tack on 21 unanswered points in the second half, going in to the fourth quarter momentum was all in Wyoming’s hands.
Despite a couple of garbage time touchdowns by Kent State in the fourth quarter, Wyoming had completely dominated the second half.
When all was said and done the pokes were able to send off their seniors with a 52-38 victory against a tough MAC team.
Final Thoughts
Wyoming needed this victory after a season where they failed to live up to expectations. Coming into the game many wondered which Wyoming team would show up, the dominant one that made eventual conference champs Utah State look foolish, or the team that lost to New Mexico, fortunately for Cowboys fans, it was the former.
Levi Williams outran the entire defense for rushing TD No. 4️⃣ ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/IwN38Gm18J
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 21, 2021
On a national stage, Williams proved that he may well be the proven successor to a certain signal caller for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. He completely took over in this game, rushing all over the field, and making big throws when needed, this might be his coming out game.
This was a tough season on the Cowboys, they had glimpses of greatness, but failed to live up to the high expectations of the preseason, it will be sad to see so many great seniors leave the program, but that’s college football, and at least they got to go out champions.
The 2021 season is officially in the record books, and the pokes set their attention to next season, 2021 was a good one, let’s hope 2022 is better.
