LIVE FILE: Wyoming Cowboys vs. Washington State Cougars

LARAMIE -- Yes, that dateline means I'm in Wyoming.

So, tonight, we will be watching together as the Cowboys try to close out this mostly forgettable 2024 campaign on a high note against Washington State. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 p.m. inside Martin Stadium and the game will be televised on The CW.

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The visitors are shorthanded in this one -- to say the least.

Starting quarterback Kaden Anderson is still sidelined, dealing with the ramifications of a concussion he sustained late in the first half of last week's home loss to Boise State, per sources. The redshirt freshman missed the entire second half of that 17-13 setback against the No. 12 team in the land.

Evan Svoboda will be under center in Pullman. Gage Brook will back him up.

Wide receiver TK King (undisclosed) also won't play tonight against the Cougars. Same can be said for right tackle Caden Barnett. He suffered an ankle sprain against the Broncos.

Edge rusher Braden Siders (undisclosed) likely won't suit up. His running mate, Sabastian Harsh, is out for the season with a left knee injury. Defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole wasn't able to go last Saturday. He's dealing with a foot injury. His status is unknown, though he told Alex Taylor of WyoSports he was going to try and play.

PREGAME:

* The weather in eastern Washington couldn't be better. Highs today hit the 40's. According to weather.com, there's a low of 29 and a slight breeze by the time this one wraps up.

* Wyoming hasn't beaten Wazzu since 1990. That was Paul Roach's 1990 squad that went into Pullman and came away with a 34-13 victory. The Cowboys have lost two straight in the series, including a 41-19 setback in Laramie back in 2018. The Cougars own a 5-2 edge all-time.

* The Pokes will be wearing their gold "third" jersey and white pants. The only other time the team wore that top, it lost to Idaho in the home opener. Wyoming wore brown pants on that day. Wazzu will be decked out in all crimson, per its official X account.

* No one in college football has accounted for more touchdowns -- 42 -- than Cougar QB John Mateer. The school's former starter, Cam Ward, comes in second with 39. The latter also became the single-season passing leader in Miami history last week. They've had some good ones roll through the Palouse, will Mateer make it his permanent home? He's bound to be a hot commodity in the transfer portal and some reports say he's already been offered $1 million by an unnamed school.

* Head coach Jay Sawvel will not be doing a postgame press conference over Zoom at the conclusion of tonight's game. Full transparency, Ryan Thorburn, Director of Communications and Creative Strategy, will be asking questions and reporters in Wyoming will be receiving the audio file.

* Former Wazzu QB Ryan Leaf is the color commentator tonight. You might recall he was the No. 2 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft behind Peyton Manning. He has an incredible story. Worth looking into if you haven't.

FIRST QUARTER:

* Caden Barnett (ankle sprain) is in at right tackle. Source said midweek he would not be in the lineup. The big Texan is a tough kid. Good to see him out there. We'll see if he can gut out all four quarters.

* Connor Shay and Tyce Westland with a combined sack. We've started to see more pressure from those guys of late. 3rd and 16 ahead for the Cougs

* *TURNOVER ON DOWNS* There's another sack. Credit that one to Ethan Day. This defense is picking up right where it left off these last six quarters. Pokes will take over at the 39.

* Couple of off-target throws for Svoboda there. Pokes will punt it away. This Wyoming team needs to find success on the ground tonight.

* Meteer with a 37-yard touchdown hookup with Williams. That was a 5-play, 70-yard drive. WSU 7 Wyoming 0 6:08/ 1Q

* Really good blocking down field for the Cougs. Ekeler couldn't catch Williams. This is offense is so dangerous. Just showed you a glimpse right there.

* Three straight completions for Svoboda. He just hit Chris Durr right down the middle for 32. Great throw, great catch. Pokes in biz at the Wazzu 18

* *FIELD GOAL* Hoyland boots through a 40-yard field goal to put the Pokes on the board. That was a 10-play, 52-yard drive that took 6:05 off the clock. WSU 7 Wyoming 3 0:04/ 1Q

* Wyoming had a chance tp jump on a loose ball right there. WSU fumbles the kickoff. Missed opportunity there. We're at the end of the first quarter. WSU 7 Wyoming 3

* Hearing Wyoming TE Justin Erb, who just caused that fumble, is on his way to the locker room with a shoulder injury. He’s going to be a good one. UW is putting him in scholarship next season.

SECOND QUARTER:

* Wyoming has struggled this season against mobile QBs. That's not different tonight, so far, against John Mateer. Cougs at the UW 12.

* Mateer crossed the white stripe from two yards out. He already has 40 yards on the ground for the Cougs. That was a 10-play, 74-yard drive that took 5:18 off the clock. WSU 14 Wyoming 3 9:42/ 2Q

* This is exactly the game Wyoming wants to play ... slow, methodical. Svoboda isn't snapping the ball until the play clock is under 5.

* Svoboda is 4-7 for 49 yards so far in this one. Wyoming has just 30 yards on the ground on 16 attempts. That's less than 2 yards per carry. Need to fix that. WSU 14 Wyoming 3 3:07/ 2Q

* Colson with an easy interception. Miscommunication right there between Svoboda and his intended target, who stopped on the route. There was a wide-open tight end over the middle, too. Disaster of a play

* Was just told Caden Barnett's own family was shocked to see him out there tonight. He was a game-time decision, at best. Hat tip to that Cowboy.

* Ethan Day just forced and recovered a fumble. Officials say Mateer was down.

* Quinn Grovesteen-Matchey is in for Caden Barnett, who is out, at least for now, with that nagging ankle.

* Couple of explosive plays from Svoboda and Waylee. Pokes are deep in the red zone

* *FIELD GOAL* Pokes tack on points just before the half. That was an impressive drive right there. Hoyland good from 22 yards out. WSU 14 Wyoming 6 HALFTIME

* Wyoming TE Justin Erb is out for the rest of this game, sling on the right shoulder

THIRD QUARTER:

* There's a quick 3-and-out. Nice start to this half for the defense

* Edge rusher Tyce Westland is now off to the visiting locker room, I'm hearing. He has been playing really good ball of late. Had four tackles, half-a-sack and a TFL tonight.

* Cowboys force another punt here. This defense has been rock solid over the last eight-plus quarters.

* Tyce Westland is in street clothes on the visiting sideline. Wyoming's defense is now without DE's Harsh, Siders and now Westland.

* Justin Stevenson hit with a questionable holding call on the edge. Officials even it out with a face-mask call. Automatic first down.

* Now WR Will Pelissier is in the tent. This is insane

* Svoboda picks up the third down with his legs. Drive continues. Big play

* *FIELD GOAL* Hoyland is true again, this time from 42 yards out. That was a 14-play, 62-yard drive that took 6:02 off the clock. WSU 14 Wyoming 9 2:07/ 3Q

* Pokes D is forcing another punt here.

* Now DeVonne Harris is walking off slowly. Westland is already done for the night. This DE group is beat up

FOURTH QUARTER:

* There's the disaster this offense couldn't afford. Svoboda strip-sacked. Wazzu ball. A solid drive went to hell in a hurry. WSU 14 Wyoming 9 11:06/ 4Q

* There's another Svoboda fumble. That was 100% on him. Can't happen.

* Connor Shay with a big sack. Here comes Wazzu's punt team again. What an effort from these guys tonight.

* We're at the 2-minute timeout. Pokes have the ball 1st-and-10 at their own 19. They also have all three timeouts. WSU 14 Wyoming 9 2:00/ 4Q

* There's a pair of completions and the Pokes are on the right side of the 50.

* Will Pelissier with a big-time play. Pokes are inching closer to the red zone with 1:01 to go

* Gyllenborg over the middle. Pokes are now at the Cougars' 14. Wow

* *TOUCHDOWN* Gyllenborg with an 18-yard touchdown grab on fourth down. Holy smokes.

* Pokes can't pick up the 2-point conversion. It's 15-14 with 0:24 to go. Wazzu has two timeouts.

* Wazzu quickly to the Wyoming 47 with 19 ticks remaining

* That 28-yard pass is under review

* Incomplete. Wazzu has 19 ticks left and is back to the 25.

* Ben Florentine with a big sack. 12 ticks remain

* *INTERCEPTION* Tyrecus Davis with the game-sealing pick. Wyoming with a huge road win to cap this 2024 campaign.

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players