Not Fairly, However a Win: Wyoming shuts out Akron 10-0 for first win

[ad_1] “It ain’t a lot, however it’s trustworthy work.”

Wyoming has a method of successful that jogs my memory of farming.

You possibly can’t rush the expansion of a crop.

The progress itself isn’t thrilling to look at.

However there's a tried-and-true method of being profitable.

Followers of the Pokes know that successful in Laramie entails staunch protection, controlling the clock, and sporting down opponents brick by brick.

In Akron, it was no completely different.

First Downs: WYO 19 - AKR 13

Third Downs: WYO 9/20 (45%) - AKR 3/15 (20%)

Fourth Downs: WYO 1/3 (33.3%) - AKR 2/3 (66.6%)

Whole Yards: WYO 426 - AKR 228

Passing Yards: WYO 260 - AKR 139

Dashing Yards: WYO 166 - AKR 89

Occasions Sacked: WYO 0 - AKR 3

Penalties: WYO 7 for 40 yards - AKR 5 for 34 yards

Wyoming moved the ball at a excessive clip in opposition to the Zips, amassing over 400 yards and practically doubling Akron’s offensive output.

The Cowboys made their method into opposing territory seven occasions.

Solely 10 factors to indicate for it.

Yards solely imply a lot for those who put factors on the board.

That can matter because the season strikes ahead.

The numbers are extra complimentary than what these on TV and in-person noticed.

The Cowboy protection did what they're finest recognized for - suffocating offenses and making them slog by way of drives.

Permitting simply 231 complete yards (139 passing and 92 speeding), Wyoming cornered the Zips into 15 Third-down conditions. Akron transformed simply three of these.

Higher but, Akron’s QB - Ben Finley - tried simply 3.7 move yards per try.

It’s by no means good for a crew when they're barely above their speeding common (3.4).

Individually, defensive sort out Lucas Samsula led the way in which with 1.5 sacks, adopted by Ben Florentine (1) and Chisom Ifeanyi (0.5).

Brayden Johnson’s interception was a momentum-altering level within the sport after Kaden Anderson gave the Zips beginning place contained in the Pokes’ 40.

One of many only a few alternatives for Akron to attain was stifled by Johnson on a 2nd-and-goal move try on the WYO 5-yard line.

That interception not solely preserved the eventual shutout, however allowed the Cowboy offense to function from some extent of consolation.

Take a bow, punter Bart Edmiston.

First sport as a Cowboy and he went out to punt seven occasions.

His stats might not look spectacular, however Edmiston was pressured to take the sector on quite a few events when Wyoming was in opposing territory.

Not many possibilities to let unfastened and boot it.

Kicker Erik Sandvik went 100%, changing his lone try from 25 yards out.

Wyoming, and all of America, welcome to the Chris Durr Jr. present.

In right now’s local weather inside school athletics, there was an inevitable feeling that Durr Jr. would go away after his freshman season.

However in a shock transfer, he stayed in Laramie to proceed his development as a Cowboy.

He's going to reap the rewards in 2025, at the same time as solely a sophomore.

In Akron, he collected eight receptions for 190 receiving yards, together with one landing.

Nobody else within the receiving room did a lot as Jackson Holman discovered himself with 35 yards and tight finish John Michael Gyllenborg ended with simply 19 yards on three catches.

On the bottom, Sam Scott was a workhorse - carrying the rock 29 occasions for 132 yards.

He's not one to blow up for a 40+ yard each sport, however he's going to run between the tackles and make linebackers meet him head on.

Quarterback Kaden Anderson had a less-than-stellar day, throwing for 260 yards, one TD, and one INT. A completion share below 50% isn't ideally suited, however one has to suppose that sport by sport, he'll increase the accuracy to a extra respectable degree.

And a fast shoutout to the offensive line as they saved Anderson clear for all 60 minutes - not permitting a single sack.

The star of Thursday’s win…the massive guys within the trenches on either side of the ball.

Contemplating how few wins Poke followers have been capable of get pleasure from in ‘24, these in Wyoming must be using a 1-0 file right through the work week as they put together to tackle FCS-member Northern Iowa subsequent Saturday in Laramie.

No win must be taken with no consideration, even in opposition to decrease FBS/FCS competitors.

Take a look at North Texas and Idaho from a yr in the past.

The Panthers, based mostly in Cedar Falls, have a traditionally sturdy program that has constantly fought to the tip in opposition to the likes of Iowa State, Iowa, and Hawaii during the last decade.