Pokes Upset Bid Falls Short in 17-13 Loss to No. 12 Boise State

LARAMIE -- The Wyoming Cowboys took the 12th-ranked team in the land to the deep end, but a two-yard plunge into the end zone by Jambres Dubar with 5:02 remaining in regulation was just enough as Boise State held on for a 17-13 victory inside War Memorial Stadium.

Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty eclipsed the 2,000-yard rushing mark Saturday night and the visitors clinched a berth in the Mountain West title game, remaining on track to crash the College Football Playoff party.

UW held Boise State to 140 yards under their season average on offense. The Broncos converted just 1-of-10 third downs in the win.

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“I give credit to Boise State,” Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said. “They have a great football team. They have a great football program. I’m proud of our players tonight. We had a game plan of what we wanted to do – to milk clock and control the ball – and I thought our seniors showed up tonight and did a really good job. They fought tonight. I’m thankful for the fans. We had a great crowd tonight. We have to finish games. We have to give them the product that finishes games. We’ve lost four games by a combined 13 points and two others that were within our grasp.”

The Cowboys got out to a 3-0 lead on the opening drive with a season long field goal of 54-yards from John Hoyland. Jeanty recorded a 61-yard touchdown score to give Boise State a 7-3 lead late in the opening frame.

Wyoming took a 10-7 lead on a touchdown reception from Kaden Anderson to Justin Stevenson from five yards, but the Broncos tied the game at 10-10 to close the first half. Neither team could find pints in the third quarter, but Hoyland connected on a 35-yard field goal for a 13-10 lead for the Brown and Gold. But Jeanty led a drive that proved to be the game winner for a 17-13 lead. Wyoming would have 19 seconds remining, but the Bronco survived with the win.

Wyoming recorded 319 yards of total offense with 203 yard passing and 116 rushing. Boise was held to 352 yards with 185 rushing and 167 yards passing. Wyoming held on to the ball for nearly 35 minutes in the contest.

The Cowboys were led offensively wide receivers Stevenson and Jaylen Sargent with four receptions. Stevenson had a career-best 82 yards with Sargent adding 86. Running back Harrison Waylee added 69 yard rushing to lead the Cowboys. Anderson left the game at half with an injury but was 9-of-14 for 116 yards with a touchdown. Backup Evan Svoboda was 6-of-13 for 87 yards.

The Wyoming defense was led by linebacker Connor Shay with seven tackles with a tackle for loss. Keany Parks added six with three others adding five. Linebacker Shae Suiaunoa added a sack as did defensive end DeVonne Harris.

The Broncos were paced by Jeanty with 169 yards and a score. Zion Washington led the way with nine tackles.

The Cowboys head to Washington State next Saturday in Pullman, Wash. The contest is slated for a 4:30 p.m. MT start on The CW in the final game of the season for the Brown and Gold.

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players