Special Teams Woes Doom Cowboys in Hail-Covered Loss to UNLV
The Wyoming Cowboys couldn’t shake off a pair of costly special teams errors in a 31–17 loss to UNLV on a hail-dusted Saturday night at War Memorial Stadium. The Mountain West opener turned in the Rebels’ favor early, as two blocked punts returned for touchdowns proved to be the difference.
Wyoming’s offense moved the ball efficiently, piling up 356 total yards — 254 through the air and 102 on the ground — while limiting UNLV to just 254 yards overall. The Cowboy defense held the Rebels to only 102 passing yards and just 167 total yards entering the fourth quarter.
Running back Sam Scott led the Wyoming attack with 49 rushing yards and added two receptions for 45 more. Freshman Deion DeBlanc chipped in 26 rushing yards, a touchdown, and one catch, while quarterback Kaden Anderson completed 25 of 46 passes for 254 yards, spreading the ball to 13 different receivers.
Defensively, Jones Thomas matched a career-high with eight tackles, including one for loss. Fellow safety Andrew Johnson notched six stops and a tackle for loss, while linebacker Evan Eller recorded six tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery.
The Cowboys opened the night with promise, forcing a fumble on UNLV’s first play — a trick-play flea flicker — that Brayden Johnson jarred loose and Eller recovered deep in Rebel territory. Erik Sandvik’s 36-yard field goal gave Wyoming an early 3–0 edge.
UNLV answered quickly, marching 67 yards on six plays capped by Keyvone Lee’s six-yard touchdown run. Moments later, the Rebels capitalized on a blocked punt returned for another score to make it 14–3, then extended the lead to 17–3 with a 36-yard field goal. A second blocked punt late in the half stretched the gap to 24–3 at the break.
Wyoming found life early in the third quarter as DeBlanc raced in from 12 yards out, highlighted by a 36-yard screen catch from Scott on the drive. But UNLV’s steady fourth-quarter drive pushed the margin to 31–10. Tight end Justi Erb hauled in his first career touchdown late, and Wyoming recovered the ensuing onside kick, but the comeback fell short.
UNLV’s Jai’Den Thomas led all rushers with 94 yards and a touchdown grab, while quarterback Anthony Colandrea finished with 102 passing yards and one score.
The Cowboys (2–3, 0–1 MW) look to rebound next Saturday when they host San Jose State under the lights at 5 p.m. inside War Memorial Stadium
.