Behind the numbers: Pokes vs. Rebels

LAS VEGAS -- Wyoming is a running team.

I know, breaking news, right?

In Friday's lopsided 45-14 blowout road win over UNLV, the Cowboys rushed the ball 57 times for 399 yards. It was more than 400, but Dawaiian McNeeley was dragged down in the backfield on the Pokes' final possession.

Craig Bohl loves to break wills of opposing teams with a power running attack. Even without the services of Xazavian Valladay for nearly three quarters in Las Vegas, the Cowboys did just that.

When it works, it sure is pretty, huh?

Check out some stats from the Pokes' trip to the desert:

164

That's how many yards Trey Smith rushed for against the Runnin' Rebels. It was a career high for the sixth-year senior transfer, who also added a 28-yard touchdown run, replacing Valladay, who was injured early in the second quarter.

78

Before Valladay was forced to the bench with an apparent leg injury, he had already put in plenty of work. On the second offensive play from scrimmage, the junior running back blew right through the middle of the Rebels' defense -- untouched -- for a 78-yard touchdown run. He finished the first quarter with 94 yards on six carries.

3

That's how many rushing touchdowns quarterback Levi Williams had Friday afternoon. That is the most scores by one UW player since Brian Hill punched it in the end zone three times against New Mexico in 2016.

7

This is how many games in a row Wyoming had lost on the road before Friday, dating back to last September. That was a 23-14 win over Texas State.

3

That's the number of sacks Chad Muma finished with against UNLV. The Cowboys' middle linebacker is the first to accomplish that since current New Orleans Saint Carl Granderson did it against Boise State in 2017.

5

Along with Muma's three sacks, Garrett Crall and Jaylen Pate also tallied a quarterback takedown.

2

That's how many times the Rebels turned the ball over inside Allegiant Stadium Friday afternoon. Wyoming, which is now a plus-1 in turnover margin on the season, did not put the ball on the turf or throw an interception. Cameron Smith jumped on a UNLV fumble and Braden Smith hauled in his second-career interception in the win.

24

That's the number of yards the Mountain West's fourth-leading rusher, Charles Williams, amassed on just nine carries for the Rebels.

22

That's the number of days between the Cowboys' last two games. Wyoming last played Nov. 5 in Fort Collins before the last two games were canceled due to COVID-19.

14

The series between the Rebels and Cowboys is now 14-11 overall, with Wyoming holding the slight advantage. Friday was the Pokes' first win in Sin City since 2012.