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Wyoming vs New Mexico: Three Keys to a Cowboys Victory
Nico Evans Is Day To Day
Contact/Follow @jessetachiquin & @MWCwire
Do the Cowboys have enough left to get to 6 wins?
WEEK 12: Wyoming Cowboys (5-6, 3-4 MW) vs. New Mexico Lobos (3-8, 1-6 MW)
WHEN: Saturday, November 24 — 1:30 PM MT
WHERE: Dreamstyle Stadium; Albuquerque, NM.
TV: AT&T Sportsnet
RADIO: Wyoming | New Mexico
SERIES RECORD: Wyoming leads 36-34
WEBSITES: GoWyo.com | GoLobos.com
GAME NOTES: Wyoming | New Mexico
ODDS: Wyoming -7
The Cowboys season has come full circle as the 2018 season comes to it’s culmination. Wyoming’s first game of the season was in Las Cruces against New Mexico State and the Pokes looked like they would be a force to reckon with after finishing with a dominant 29-7 win. After a disappointing 2-6 record through their first 8 games, the Cowboys have won 3 in a row and find themselves looking to extend their season. With a second win in New Mexico, this time in Albuquerque against the Lobos, Wyoming will become bowl eligible for the 2018 postseason.
Stop The Run
The last time Wyoming traveled to Albuquerque, the Lobos rushed for 12.3 yards per carry on their way to a 56-35 thrashing of the Pokes. Last week against Air Force, Wyoming’s defense was gashed for 363 rushing yards. If the Cowboys can stop New Mexico’s running game, they should have a nice chance to win.
Find Something Vander Waal Does Well
Tyler Vander Waal isn’t the athlete that Sean Chambers is but that doesn’t mean the offense can’t move the ball. Chambers (broken fibula) will miss the rest of the season but the Cowboys completely changed their offense to fit his skill set. If Wyoming abandons the offense that started their 3 game winning streak, Saturday could be a long day. Vander Waal is a good enough athlete to gain yards on the read option. He’s not Sean Chambers, Wyoming can throw out the QB Sweep play that made its way into the playbook, but that doesn’t mean they need to go back to the inside run-inside run-incomplete pass cycle that plagued the Pokes during his first tenure behind center.
Perfection from Rothe
Wyoming kicker Cooper Rothe was named as one of 3 finalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker. Rothe earned his way on the list by a perfect 24 of 24 on extra points and 15 of 16 on field goals. Even more impressive has been the distance he has gained on his kickoffs this season. With an offense that has been hit hard with injuries recently and a defense that is coming off a terrible performance, the Cowboys need Rothe to continue his terrific season.
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