So Much for That Relaxing Weekend, Eh, Owen?

LARAMIE -- So much for a relaxing couple of days off, eh, Owen?

Air Force's senior running back was planning to kick back on Saturday with postseason eligibility and Mountain West title aspirations firmly in hand. Instead, Wyoming's defense recovered three fumbles Friday night and quarterback Tyler Hughes accounted for a trio of touchdowns, including two through the air, in a 28-14 win over the Falcons.

Owen Allen last Tuesday said he looked forward to playing the role of villain inside a blacked-out War Memorial Stadium, a venue Air Force hasn't won in since 2012. He embraced being "hated."

When asked by the local media if playing on a Friday night reminded him of his high school days, he agreed, before adding unnecessary fuel to this already heated front-Range rivalry. That bulletin-board material made its way directly to the home locker room.

"(There will be) plenty of time to celebrate the weekend after the victory," Allen said, confidently.

Oops.

Steven Perez, standing behind the podium postgame, didn't even let the full question be asked before saying, "yeah, I got something to say about that."

Boy, did he.

"So, obviously, it's very amazing playing on Fridays because we get to celebrate on Saturday and Sunday extra longer," the intense linebacker said, fresh off a career-high 17-tackle performance. "So, that's what I'd like to say, because I don't like how you're going to come into our crib and try to disrespect us. We're not going to let that slide."

Ethan Stuhlsatz, who finished this outing with 11 stops, simply smiled.

"We were made aware of that comment," the senior said, eye-black smeared all across his face. "You know, like Steven said, I'm going to enjoy this one throughout the whole weekend."

Air Force entered this meeting, averaging 343 rushing yards per game. That was the second-most production in the nation. The Cowboys limited that damage to just 304. The visitors' lone touchdown came via the passing game. That was a 5-yard scoring strike from Evan Medders to wideout Grant Wayne on the opening drive of the second half.

In that same weekly press conference down in Colorado Springs, head coach Troy Calhoun credited his offensive staff and ball-handlers -- and lots and lots of drills in practice -- with arguably the most important aspect of this triple-option attack: zero fumbles in 380 rushing attempts.

That all changed on the sixth play from scrimmage when Medders failed to connect with his running back on an inside handoff. Wyoming edge rusher Esaia Bogar pounced on the loose change at the Falcons' 44-yard line.

That was the first giveaway on the ground in 554 run plays, dating back to the second-to-last game in 2025 against New Mexico.

Air Force would hand two more gifts to the Cowboys on this chilly night on the high plains, including a fumble from third-string quarterback Josh Johnson that eight snaps later turned into the dagger, courtesy of a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Markell Holman.

Allen wasn't the only Falcon who seemingly treated this game like a foregone conclusion.

Roger Jones Jr., the safety who last October picked off Evan Svoboda in the end zone, sparking an Air Force comeback and eventual 24-21 victory at the academy, was asked about the team's struggles at 7,220 feet.

"At the end of the day, it's just a 100-yard field there," he told the local press. "I don't know what they have in that air over there that we have not won there, but that's going to change this week. That's all I can say about that. I'm excited for it."

Jones tallied just three tackles Friday and couldn't catch up with Wyoming's senior quarterback, who took the second play from scrimmage 68 yards for a touchdown. Jones also thought he made the third-down stop on the Cowboys' second score of the night, only to have Eric Richardson complete the hook-and-ladder toss right into the hands of running back Samuel "Tote" Harris, who cruised into the end zone from 11 yards out.

Allen, who capped this one with 42 rushing yards on 13 attempts, said the then five-game losing streak in Laramie was "unacceptable."

Add another win to the pile: the Falcons are now "Owen-six."

Jay Sawvel didn't take the bait. Yes, he knew about the comments, but said that, in this league, anyone can beat anyone.

The Cowboys also didn't need any additional reasons to be amped for this one, the third-year head coach added.

"I knew going into this game, like I told people all week long, our players, they're going to be through the roof," Sawvel said with a smile. "This is not going to be a hard game to get them ready for. This is not going to be a hard game to get them up for. You could sense that all week long."

Wyoming is now 4-1 in conference play, tied for second place with North Dakota State in the loss column. The Bison take on front-running New Mexico Saturday night in Albuquerque.

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