Press Pass: Runnin’ with the Rebels

LARAMIE -- Hey fans, DJ Johnson here with this week’s version of "Press Pass."

Well, that was fun! After several weeks of battling back and forth in close ones, our Cowboys finally blew one out and eased everyone’s nerves during a home game. In a 53-17 shellacking of UNLV, the Cowboys put up 498 yards of total offense, netting 374 yards on the ground and 124 in the air.

War Memorial was packed with 23,029 fans, with a majority participating in the themed “White Out,” while also giving thanks to our military personnel as it was also the annual “Military Appreciation Day."

Throw in the presence of an entire ESPN crew being on-hand to broadcast the game, and the table was set for a great game. Let’s take a look at some things that happened on the field …

As mentioned, the game was broadcast on ESPNU, which meant the entire set-up of the game took on a different tone prior to kickoff. ESPN deploys an entire crew to Laramie to cover the game, which requires them to begin their set-up about six hours prior to kickoff. It’s like a moving crew, as they unpack, and set-up all of their equipment, shoot/produce the game, and then pack up and head to their next city. From camera operators to the operations director and sideline reporters, it’s quite a feat to observe the overall operation.

Wow, what a difference a week makes. Last Saturday, junior offensive lineman, Logan Harris (79) laid motionless on Skelly Field in Tulsa, Okla., and was carted off to a local hospital via ambulance a few minutes later. This week, he’s on the sidelines, in civvies, walking on and off the field with his teammates. Here’s to a quick recovery, Logan, hope to to see you back on the field ASAP.

Somehow I just can’t let a week go by without a Pistol Pete reference, so here’s this weeks. After Wyoming redshirt freshman tight end, Jackson Marcotte (82) hauled in a 20-yard TD reception, he flew through the end zone, flashing the face of Pistol Pete for all to see. Always great to see Pistol Pete make an end-zone appearance at any game.

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Ya’ll have probably already seen this picture posted to the 7220sports.com website and Facebook pages; however, I feel it is truly worthy to post again. At halftime, as the team trickled into the locker room, Wyoming senior linebacker, and Cheyenne East High School alum, Ben Wisdorf (43) stayed in the north end zone, watching the big-screen and waiting on a message from someone special. As the 20-minute halftime timer began to tick down, the big-screen flickered and Wisdorf’s brother, Jordan Wisdorf, appeared on the screen. He is currently assigned as a Black Hawk Crew Chief with the Army National Guard, and is currently deployed to the Middle East. Jordan recorded a greeting for this brother, to be played at UW’s “Military Appreciation Day” game, which brought the crowd to its feet, as War Memorial echoed with applause.

Those guys in stripes get thirsty too, but they don’t travel with athletic assistants who provide them hydration during the game. Therefore, at every NCAA game you’ll see the home team’s athletic assistants trotting out during timeouts to offer up shots of H2O to the officiating crew. Here one of Wyoming’s finest provides Center Judge, Ian Malepeai, with a cold refreshment.

You don’t always have to see the end zone to be in it. That’s what happened when UNLV quarterback Kenyon Oblad (7) took a snap from the one-yard line and snuck it up the middle for a 1-yard touchdown plunge. We needed to stuff that gap a little quicker, before the Runnin’ Rebels offensive line gained position on our defenders.

Whenever there’s a nationally televised game, what fan (especially a kiddo) doesn’t want to be seen? From the looks of it, this youngster spent some time preparing this sign, highlighting Sean Chambers, Josiah Hall, Cooper Rothe and Logan Wilson -- or maybe it was Harris? -- all while highlighting ESPNU in red. Good job kid, and I hope you made it on TV!

Well, it’s not exactly a selfie, but I thought this to be better than a selfie. Shout out to our Facebook friend, Debbie Martinez, who snapped this picture of me while I was obviously concentrating on something taking place on, or near, the Wyoming bench. I’d actually like to also point out that stellar Wyoming Cowboys Digital Camo hoodie that I’m sportin’ – wore it especially for “Military Appreciation Day.”

Well, our first bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. As we head into a week off, we are 1-0 in Mountain West Conference play and are able to give our ailing players a little extra time to get healthy and prepare for our second league contest against San Diego State on Oct. 12. Enjoy the time off my friends, and I’ll catch up with you in two weeks as we pack the bags and head to what I hope to be sunny California!