Wyoming sputters once again, loses by 20 to BYU

If you continue to perform the same action over and over again, expecting a different outcome, that is the definition of insanity.

Wyoming’s offense has looked no different from their opener in Tempe to last night’s game against BYU.

Coach-speak isn’t the answer.

Staying the course isn’t the answer.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st Quarter (7-0 BYU Advantage)

5:58 – 20-yard pass from QB Jake Retzlaff to WR Keanu Hill (Will Ferrin PAT)

Wyoming 0 – BYU 7

2nd Quarter (10-7 BYU Advantage)

9:12 – 3-yard pass from QB Jake Retzlaff to WR Kody Epps (Will Ferrin PAT)

5:11 – 2-yard run by QB Evan Svoboda (John Hoyland PAT)

Wyoming 7 – BYU 14

0:45 – 49-yard field goal by K Will Ferrin

Wyoming 7 – BYU 17

HALFTIME

3rd Quarter (17-0 BYU Advantage)

14:45 – 100-yard kickoff return for WR Keelan Marion (Will Ferrin PAT)

Wyoming 7 – BYU 24

9:42 – 37-yard field goal by K Will Ferrin

Wyoming 7 – BYU 27

0:02 – 20-yard pass from QB Jake Retzlaff to WR Darius Lassiter (Will Ferrin PAT)

Wyoming 7 – BYU 34

4th Quarter (7-0 WYO Advantage)

6:29 – 1-yard run by QB Evan Svoboda (John Hoyland PAT)

Wyoming 14 – BYU 34

FINAL

BYU COUGARS 34 – WYOMING COWBOYS 14

WYOMING PLAYER OF THE GAME

N Wrook Brown – The most impactful defender, Brown came up with an early interception to stymy the Cougars’ redzone offense. He had chances to bring down another pick or two, but was unable to come down with them. Showcasing his role as an on-field leader, Brown will need to maintain his efforts if Wyoming looks to find their first win of 2024.

GRADES

Offense – D-

The score doesn’t reflect how anemic this side of the ball has been since Jay Sawvel has taken over in Laramie.

Alex Taylor, writer for WyoSports, reported on the newly-updated statistics as of Sunday.

*These rankings are out of 133 FBS teams

Total offense: 132nd (201.7 yards per game)

Scoring offense: Tied for 130th (11.3 points per game)

Passing offense: 128th (114.7 yards per game)

Rushing offense: 120th (87 yards per game)

Only two out of 12 drives ended in points.

QB Evan Svoboda had moments of solid play, throwing receivers open and delivering darts.

Alas, that is still far and between – exemplified by a 43.8% completion percentage.

The running game was nowhere to be found.

Sam Scott, D.J. Jones and Dawaiian McNeely combined for 19 carries and 45 yards.

2.36 yards a carry is not going to cut it.

Even the return of John Michael Gyllenborg was underwhelming – the tight end didn’t record a single reception.

Many fans clamored for one of Wyoming’s backup QBs (Jayden Clemons or Kaden Anderson) to get some snaps in the 4th quarter.

That did not happen.

Sawvel made it known to the media after the game that his confidence in Svoboda has not wavered and that the Pokes have played two P4 teams in their first three games.

Wyoming plays North Texas in Denton, Texas, next week.

If a similar performance occurs in the Lone Star state, change should be expected.

Defense – C-

As the offense goes, so does the defense.

The thing is, I can’t blame those under Aaron Bohl’s leadership to have a tough time maintaining their defensive fortitude.

If you know the offense isn’t going to do squat when they get the ball back, motivation is hard to come by.

The defense held strong in the 1st half, limiting BYU to 17 points and keeping the Cowboys in the fight as they went to the locker room.

However, Cougar QB Jake Retzlaff found his rhythm coming out out of the half – finishing the game with 291 yards and 3 TDs.

I will say that outside of Retzlaff’s improvisation when forced out of the pocket, Wyoming held the run game in check – limiting BYU to 78 yards.

An interception by Wrook Brown prevented the Pokes from losing the turnover battle.

Special Teams – D+

Punting can only curve your performance so much.

Credit to Jack Culbreath and his ability to flip the field – he had eight chances to do so.

But when you allow a kick return touchdown right out of halftime that swings momentum violently in one direction, the fallout is on you as a unit.

A potential three-and-out on BYU’s opening possession of the second half could have been massive.

That TD put the game out of reach due to the Cowboys inability to march down the field when in possession.

Kicker John Hoyland converted two PATs, but nothing more.

WHAT DOES THIS RESULT SIGNIFY?

Not even a storied rivalry going back to 1922 was able to turn this ship around.

Sometimes, teams can have disappointing starts, yet, they see a bright light up ahead and know that the season will get better.

Wyoming?

You lost your lone FCS game and haven’t looked anywhere near competitive against two Big 12 teams expected to finish in the middle-to-bottom tier of the conference.

More importantly, I haven’t seen any contagious energy on the sideline or buzz within the team.

Lethargic, melancholy…you can pick whatever adjective you like.

But a team under a new head coach should never evoke this feeling three games in.

GOING FORWARD

North Texas.

Your last non-conference opponent before Mountain West play begins.

The Mean Green are 2-1 with not much on their resume.

A 52-38 win @ South Alabama.

A 35-20 vs FCS Stephen F. Austin.

A 66-21 loss @ Texas Tech where UNT gave up 52 points in the 1st half.

As of now, DraftKings favors North Texas by nine points.

Barring a miraculous turnaround after the bye week in early October, this team will not go bowling.

Mountain West cellar dwellers have improved (New Mexico, Utah State, San Jose State).

The Cowboys’ next two games are arguably their easiest left on the schedule (UNT and Air Force).

Jay Sawvel, Evan Svoboda, and everyone associated with Wyoming football need a win in the next two weeks.