The Wyoming Cowboys fell to 2-2 on the season after a 27-24 Friday night loss to the Eastern Michigan Eagles (3-1). The Cowboys were looking for their first road win since November 1st, 2014 when Wyoming defeated Fresno State but it was not to be. The Eagles made a late quarterback change with Junior QB Brogan Roback coming into the game for Todd Porter with about eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Eagles did not score on his first drive under center but he lead his team to a game winning 5 play, 44 yard touchdown drive with 1:41 left. That drive was capped by a 15 yard touchdown run by RB Ian Eriksen.
The Cowboys had many opportunities to take control of the game but failed to do so. The offense could not sustain many drives because they only converted four out of thirteen third down chances.
After a Brian Hill second quarter touchdown run with 9:05 left in the first half Wyoming lead 17 to 3. On the next Eastern Michigan drive the Eagles scored on a 50 yard run by RB Breck Turner to make it 17-10. Right before the half Eastern Michigan cashed in on a Tanner Gentry fumble to tie the game at 17 after a Todd Porter pass to WR Johnnie Niupalau.
The Wyoming defense had a solid day intercepting four passes which is quite amazing considering they only intercepted six passes during the entire 2015 season. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns which boosted Wyoming’s scoring production. The first interceptions was a 66 yard return by Marcus Epps with 7:37 left in the first quarter giving Wyoming a 7-0 lead. While the second took place with 12:56 left in the fourth quarter when linebacker Logan Wilson gave Wyoming a 24 to 20 lead.
Next up the Cowboys will travel to Fort Collins to take on the Colorado State Rams in the Border War in the battle for the Bronze Boot. Kickoff is set for 8:15pm MT and the game can be seen on ESPN U.