Gear Up For Game Day: Portland State

LARAMIE -- As always, I love to utilize this space each week during the season to not only give you the important info -- game time, TV channel, betting lines, etc. -- but also drop a bit of randomness on your plate.

Bruce Barnum is a likeable guy.

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That was on display more than ever in September of 2021 when he decided to throw a party for Portland State fans.

Have a drink, on me, the Vikings' veteran head coach announced.

When the dust settled, Barnum dropped $14,448 on 2,064 beers, 1,260 of which were Coors Lights. Surprisingly, just 786 local IPAs were guzzled.

"It blew up a little bit," Barnum told KGW TV after a 21-7 victory over Western Oregon inside Hillsboro Stadium. "... I was thinking 'pandemic, college football hasn't been around, let's kind of get a little crew and have beers on top of the roof like Shawshank Redemption.' But this blew up a little too much."

Yes, it was a PR stunt. Yes, it was brilliant.

"I heard everybody had a good time," Barnum said of the reported 3,124 fans in attendance. "I was told by the brass immediately after the game that everybody had a blast. So good for it. I hope that brings somebody back. I hope there's some 'hey, that was fun, let's go back out and watch the Vikings play football.'"

Craig Bohl, your move.

Here is all you need to know -- and the links -- for Saturday's tilt in Laramie:

WHO: Portland State (0-1) at Wyoming (1-0)
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 9 at 2:00 p.m. MST
WEATHER: High of 77, low 49, partly cloudy, winds at 11 mph, 20% chance of rain
WHERE: War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wyo. (29,181 capacity)
TRAVEL: WyoRoad.info
STREAMING: Mountain West Network
RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network
TICKETS: Wyoming Ticket office
BOX SCORE: ESPN
ROSTERS: Wyoming / Portland State
HISTORY: First meeting
HEAD COACHES: Craig Bohl / Bruce Barnum

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Know Wyoming's foe: Portland State Vikings

* Show us your picks: Week 2

* Wyoming's Sabastian Harsh 'I was just feeling so blessed'

* Wyoming's defense throws Tech's air raid 'out of whack'

* Texas native hauls in INT that turns Tech game around

* Wyoming fullback snags memorable touchdown in win over Tech

* Wyoming-Portland State will meet for first time Saturday

* Craig Bohl's rare fourth-down call sparks comeback

* Roach: 'He meant so much to his players and the Wyoming fans'

* Wyoming Football: News and notes ahead of Portland State

* Paul Roach, legendary Wyoming football coach, dies at 95

* Tuck's Takes: Peasley's gritty performance propels Pokes

* Three stars of the game: Pokes vs. Red Raiders

* Behind the numbers: Wyoming vs. Texas Tech

* Wyoming wins double-OT thriller over Texas Tech, 35-33

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

During the summer of 2021, 7220Sports.com counted down the Top 50 football players in University of Wyoming history, presented by Premier Bone & Joint Centers, Worthy of Wyoming.

The rules are simple: What was the player's impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn't a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220's Cody Tucker are Robert Gagliardi, Jared Newland, Ryan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS -- only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don't agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports - #Top50UWFB

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players