Behind the Numbers: Missed Tackles Mount in Mitten

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich., -- There's a players-only meeting scheduled for Sunday in Laramie.

What's likely on the agenda?

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Well, when it comes to the defense, missed tackles were a major issue during Saturday's 24-10 loss to Central Michigan in soggy Mount Pleasant. Wyoming missed nine of those, and that's likely a generous number.

Dash Bauman, who was making his first-career start, was responsible for three of those. He was filling some rather large shoes, stepping in for Ethan Stuhlsatz (ankle), whose 26 tackles was tied for second most in the nation after Week 2.

Bauman missed CMU quarterback Angel Flores in the hole on what appeared destined for a tackle for loss. It instead turned into an 8-yard run, which led to an easy third-down conversion on the following snap. Four plays later, running back Jayden Clerveaux burst out into the open for a 38-yard touchdown run. That gave the Chippewas a commanding 24-3 lead in the third quarter.

"Honestly, there's not a lot of excuses you can make for tackling," said Bauman, who finished his day with 12 tackles, including one stop in the backfield. "I think that it's just something we've got to improve on. Just get the guy with the ball and get him down.

"I don't really know what else we can do besides that."

That was just a microcosm of a forgettable day inside Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Jack Dunkley whiffed on a tackle in the backfield. So did Dante Drake. Desman Hearns got juked on the outside, allowing a 13-yard run after catch by Shawn Foster. That was part of a 17-play, 90-yard drive that led to a touchdown just before the half.

Steven Perez failed to bring a ball carrier down. So did cornerback Tyson Shamsid-Deen -- twice. One of those was an impressive 19-yard run by Flores on a 4th-and-1.

"They have to understand what it takes to fight back if something doesn't go right," head coach Jay Sawvel said.

Here are some other numbers from Wyoming's loss to CMU:

4

That was the number of carries running back Samuel Harris finished with in Mount Pleasant. The Texan they call "Tote" averaged 5.8 yards per attempt and capped his light day with 23 yards. He also caught three balls out of the backfield for 13 yards. Why wasn't the sophomore featured in this one? Great question. Harris has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but Sawvel said last Monday he was feeling better than he has all season.

2

That's the number of catches from Wyoming wide receivers on Saturday. Eric Richardson snagged one for four yards. Deion DeBlanc caught the other. That went for a loss of one. The outside threats were once again silent in Week 3 and have just 12 combined catches so far in 2026.

13

Gary Rutherford led all tacklers with that amount. The Cowboys' weakside linebacker was benched midway through last week's tilt with Northern Colorado. Sawvel said he was "slow," causing him to insert Steven Perez into the lineup.

2

Tyler Hughes entered this game with three interceptions so far this year. All of those came in the opener at Colorado State. That number also matched his season total from last fall at William and Mary. The graduate transfer tacked on a couple more Saturday and they couldn't have come at a worse time. Instead of firing a sure first down into the flat in the fourth quarter, he decided to go deep into double coverage. It didn't work. Former Wyoming safety Justin Taylor easily snagged the gift, thwarting any legit shot the visitors had of a comeback. Hughes was also picked off in the end zone on the final drive of the day.

17

That's the number of plays CMU lined up for on the final offensive drive of the first half. Led by Angel Flores, the Chippewas marched 90 yards and punched it over the white stripe with just two ticks left to up their lead to 17-0 at halftime.

35:48

When you run the ball 59 times, you win the time-of-possession battle. That indeed happened Saturday in Mount Pleasant. Wyoming finished with 24:12.

339

Wyoming allowed CMU to run for that many yards. That's an average of 5.7 yards per rush. The last time the Cowboys gave up that many yards on the ground was back in 2023 when Air Force rolled up 356 yards in a 34-27 win in Colorado Springs.

163

Flores was responsible for that many rushing yards, including two touchdown jaunts. That's the senior's fourth 100-plus yard day and the most he's rushed for in a single game in his career.

2

That's the number of tackles for loss Wyoming racked up on 59 rushing attempts.

3-for-3

The Chippewas converted on every one of their fourth-down attempts Saturday. Wyoming finished 1-of-2.

9

Taylor received the game ball after tallying that many tackles. He also picked off a Hughes' pass in the fourth quarter. He played for the Cowboys last fall, registering 19 total tackles and an interception. That came last November at San Diego State.

15,552

That is the announced attendance inside Kelly/Shorts Stadium on a rain-soaked day in mid-Michigan.

2-2

The series between these two schools is now all tied up. Wyoming won the last meeting back in 2017. That was in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The Cowboys and Chippewas -- for now -- are scheduled to meet next fall in Laramie.