Know Wyoming’s Foe: Colorado State Rams

LARAMIE -- Jay Sawvel wants his team to mash the reset button after a disappointing loss last Saturday at Air Force.

Wyoming's head coach is hoping the appointment of Jovon Bouknight as the team's new offensive coordinator can provide that "jolt."

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Colorado State is looking for a complete reboot.

Jay Norvell, after three-plus seasons in Fort Collins, was fired Sunday after posting an overall record of 18-26. The Rams have just two victories this season, one of which came courtesy of an overturned touchdown call in the dying seconds of a 21-17 decision over Northern Colorado, an FCS team from right across Interstate-25 in Greeley.

After a stunning four-touchdown win over Fresno State, CSU rolled up just 261 yards of total offense and allowed Micah Alejado to throw three touchdowns last Saturday in a 31-19 homecoming setback in front of the largest crowd in Canvas Stadium history.

That type of performance will earn you a pink slip.

Tyson Summers, who is in his first season as the defensive coordinator down south, has been named the interim head coach ahead of the 117th edition of the Border War. The position isn't totally foreign to the 45-year-old. He was the head man at Georgia Southern from 2016-17, capping that brief two-year stint with a 5-13 mark.

Summers was fired six games into his second season. That winless start included a 22-12 loss to FCS program New Hampshire.

"I think the beauty of me is, you know, I've failed. I've failed. I've failed and I've won. I've failed and screwed it up. I've failed and I've done better -- and I keep coming back," Summers told the media on Monday. "I think having made mistakes, I think having learned from those mistakes, are all things that are really cool. I like my scars, you know? Not everybody likes theirs. I like mine and I think I'm at the best version of myself and the best point right now because of those things."

What does all of that mean? Nada.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* PODCAST: Bizarre Border War Up Ahead?

* What Will Wyoming's Offense Look Like Under Jovon Bouknight?

* BREAKING: Jay Johnson Out as Offensive Coordinator at Wyoming

* Colorado State Notebook: Sawvel Looking For Border War 'Jolt'

* Tuck's Take: Crucial Mistakes Racking up for Wyoming Offense

* Costly Fourth-Quarter Interceptions Derail Pokes at Air Force

* Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What's Next for UW Football

* LIVE FILE: Air Force 24, Wyoming 21

* Rants and Raves: Air Force Edition

* Touchdown Grab Could Spark Michael Fitzgerald

* Wyoming to Debut Coal-Inspired Black Uniforms in Border War

Sawvel said during his weekly press conference he isn't quite sure what to expect from the new regime on the opposing sideline. He joked it could be a situation where they fake three punts.

His focus lies elsewhere.

"We've got to get our players ready to play, and play very well, and be on top of what we've got to do," he said. "Hopefully, in playing well ourselves, we make them react to what we're doing, as opposed to being on the other side of it."

Wyoming (3-4, 1-2) has had the upper hand in this matchup of late, winning seven of the last nine. CSU (2-5, 1-2) got in a lick last November, knocking off the Cowboys 24-10 and extending its lead in the overall series to 60-51-5.

Kickoff Saturday inside War Memorial Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

Extra Points:

* CSU is plus-2 in turnover margin this fall, picking off seven passes and scooping up six fumbles.

* 103rd. That's where the Rams rank in the FBS in terms of third-down opportunities, converting just 34-of-95 (35.8%).

* The visitors do feature one of the better kick-return units in the country, averaging 22 yards per attempt.

* On 19 trips to the red zone, CSU has scored on 17 of those, including 10 touchdowns.

* Defense inside the 20-yard line, however, hasn't been so good through seven games. The Rams have allowed 18 scores on 20 trips, 13 of which have gone for six.

* CSU has been one of the worst teams in the nation when it comes to racking up sacks, managing just nine. The offensive line has been even worse, allowing 21 quarterback sacks. Brousseau has yet to throw an interception this season, but he has been taken down in the backfield 14 times already.

Meet the Rams:

* Head coach: Tyson Summers (Interim)

* Offensive coordinator: Grant Chesnut (tight ends/ Interim, 1st year); Defensive coordinator: Tyson Summers (1st year)

* Record in 2024: 8-5 overall, 6-1 in Mountain West Conference

* Offense in 2025: Average 21.9 ppg, 332.4 ypg (148.3 rush, 184.1 pass)

* Defense in 2025: Allow 27 ppg, 409.7 ypg (172.9 rush, 236.9 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense in 2025: Jackson Brousseau (QB - 69-112, 741 yds, 6 TD, 0 INT; 34 rush, 9 yds, TD), Jalen Dupree (RB - 83 rush, 429 yds, 2 TD; 11 catch, 86 yds), Lloyd Avant (RB - 57 rush, 328 yds, 3 TD; 8 catch, 49 yds), Justin Marshall (RB - 27 rush, 192 yds, TD), Armani Winfield (WR - 19 catch, 261 yds, 2 TD), Tommy Maher (WR - 16 rush, 176 yds), Tay Lanier (WR - 10 catch, 113 yds), Jaxxon Warren (TE - 7 catch, 95 yds, TD), Rocky Beers (TE - 10 catch, 94 yds, 3 TD)

* Key Returners - Defense in 2025: Owen Long (LB - 93 tackles, sack, 2 PBU, FR), Jake Jarmolowich (DB - 42 tackles, sack, PBU), Lemondre Joe (DB - 34 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 11 PBU), Robert Edmonson (LB - 32 tackles, sack, INT), Jahari Rogers (DB - 22 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 6 PBU, INT), Andrew Laurich (DL - 21 tackles), Jacob Ellis (LB - 20 tackles, 2 PBU, FF), Jace Bellah (DB - 15 tackles, 3 INT)

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players