Wyoming’s trip to Lincoln was looking an awful lot like their last trip to Nebraska in 2013 for the first three quarters of the game. In that 2013 season opener, Wyoming lost a highly contested match-up 37 to 34 in the final minutes. The Cowboys weren’t as fortunate this season falling by a score of 52 to 17 to the Huskers in the first road game of 2016.

While not playing perfect football with a number of missed opportunities Wyoming gave Nebraska a game through three quarters. Those missed opportunities included: two missed field goals by kicker Cooper Rothe and an errant pass from Josh Allen to a wide open receiver that could have been a touchdown. Even though the staple of the offense Brian Hill ( 17 rushes for 49 yards and a TD) and the running game never got going the Pokes trailed by just seven points (24-17) heading into the final quarter of action.

The final fifteen minutes of the contest was a nightmare for the Cowboys with the Huskers scoring 28 points and Wyoming turning the ball over four times (three interceptions and a fumble). After giving up a Husker touchdown with 13:11 left in the game, extending the Nebraska lead to 14 the Cowboys went into self destruct mode. On the first play of the ensuing drive, Wyoming threw a backwards pass that was ruled a fumble. That play saw Nebraska take over at the Wyoming 1 yard line where they made the score 38-17. The Wyoming mistakes weren’t done there as QB Josh Allen (16 of 32, 189 yards, 1 TD and 5 INTs) would throw interceptions on the next three Cowboy possessions. Nebraska cashed two of the turnovers into touchdowns and a seven point game ended in a 35 point route.

Despite the disastrous end to the game, the signs of improvement for Wyoming are there and the Cowboy defense looks especially improved in some areas. Wyoming will not face many teams as talented as Nebraska the rest of the season. If Coach Bohl can keep his players confidence high and they give the level of effort that we saw for the first three quarters in Lincoln. Wyoming will have an opportunity to be in (and possibly win) the rest of the games on the schedule this season.

Wyoming will be looking to match their win total for the entire 2015 season (two) next week as FCS opponent UC-Davis comes to Laramie. Kickoff is scheduled for 2pm and the game can be seen on the Mountain West Digital Network.