Wyoming Players, Coaches Eager for Josh Allen’s Return

LARAMIE -- He dodged. He weaved. He made it all look way too easy.

Get our free mobile app

Josh Allen sidestepped an oncoming blitzer, put his right foot in the ground and started sprinting to his left, never taking his eyes off his downfield target. At around the Utah State 47-yard line, the then 6-foot-5, 240-pound gunslinger, cocked his powerful right arm and uncorked a throw that is still talked about to this very day:

On the other end of that laser back in 2016 was the signal caller's favorite receiver Tanner Gentry, who hauled in the pass at turf level as he slid out of the east side of the south end zone inside War Memorial Stadium.

See the person in the gold hooded sweatshirt who raises both hands to signify the miraculous touchdown grab?

That's Andrew Johnson, Wyoming's current safety, who Monday called that arguably his favorite memory of the Allen era on the high plains.

"I was at all those games, so I saw a lot of fun moments," the senior from Cheyenne said. "That one really stands out."

Allen, the NFL's reigning Most Valuable Player, will return to Laramie this Saturday for the first time since his pro-day workout back in 2018. His No. 17 is set to become the first officially retired number in the 132-year history of the Wyoming football program.

Johnson, who will also be playing his final home game, said players like Allen, along with Brian Hill, Eddie Yarbrough and many others, sparked his love for this university and its football team. They also served as an example, he added, of the responsibility that comes with wearing this uniform.

Those guys made time for Johnson. He never forgot that.

"It's everything," he said. "That's why I try and make sure that I give (young fans) the time of day, you know, toss them gloves, headbands, whatever, because I see how impactful that can be on a kid's life. You know, it takes me 30 seconds. It costs me absolutely nothing. And, who knows, I might be changing that kid's life."

Joe Tripodi's memories of Allen and Co. are not so fond.

Wyoming's current offensive line coach served in that same capacity at Northern Illinois from 2013-18. He was on the visiting sideline for the future first round draft pick's coming-out party.

Tripodi doesn't remember the exact score (it was 40-34), how many overtimes that barnburner took (three) or what time the game ended (2:34 a.m.), but said he'll never forget watching the sophomore make what seemed like the entire Huskie defense miss before leaping into the brown-and-gold paint for the game-winner:

As a constant reminder, Tripodi joked, a graphic of that postgame celebration is plastered on the wall inside the Cowboys' weight room.

"He's one of the best players in the world," he said. "He gets to come back, and, I mean, he had some pretty special moments here. I happened to be on the other side of one of them. But, no, I'm excited. I hope I get a chance to shake his hand and just say how much we appreciate him."

He's not the only one.

"Being a player here and knowing that he walked the same halls as us, it's pretty cool, especially, you know, him being MVP and all that stuff," senior defensive tackle Ben Florentine said. "Getting to see him come back for his jersey retirement, it's going to be a special occasion. I'll remember it forever."

During Allen's three-year college stint, he threw for 5,066 yards and 44 touchdowns, including 28 in 2016, the same season he led Wyoming to a Mountain Division title and berth in the Mountain West Championship game. In his two seasons as a full-time starter, the Firebaugh, Calif., product led the Cowboys to a pair of postseason appearances, the Poinsettia and Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

He's the only QB to top Boise State. He went 2-0 against Border War rival Colorado State, too. No one will soon forget the 16-13 slugfest in the snow followed by a furious comeback that turned to a blowout in the final meeting between these two inside Hughes Stadium.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 11

* PODCAST: Can Cowpoke Salvage Season?

* Nevada Notebook: Cowboys Still in Search of Offensive Identity

* Why Has Wyoming's Offense Struggled So Mightily This Fall?

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

* Rants & Raves: Fresno State Edition

* FINAL LIVE FILE: Fresno State 24, Wyoming 3

* Cornerback Dainsus Miller Has Been a 'Godsend' in Wyoming's Secondary

* Will Landon Sims Attempt to Play Again After Third Knee Injury?

With the No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Allen was selected by the Buffalo Bills. He has since led that franchise to five consecutive division crowns and two appearances in the AFC Championship game. He currently has 28,890 passing yards and 213 touchdown tosses on his Hall of Famer résumé. He's also rushed for 4,493 yards and found the end zone with his legs 75 more times.

Jay Sawvel said what Allen truly means to not only the program, but the state, can't truly be measured.

"It's super exciting for what this week is with Josh Allen coming back here and everything that way," Wyoming's head coach said. "The amount of free publicity that the University of Wyoming gets every time that Josh Allen ever steps on a football field, and even on that 5-to-10 second clip when he says, Josh Allen, University of Wyoming, and it's Sunday Night Football and there's 40 million people watching, I mean, you can't put a price tag on that.

"So, what he's done for the university, what he does for our program, can't be calculated in that way."

The Cowboys will host Nevada Saturday in the sold-out regular-season finale. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. and the game will be aired by Altitude TV. The contest will also be streamed on the Mountain West Network.

Allen's ceremony will take place at halftime.