{"id":11406,"date":"2021-12-19T12:03:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-19T19:03:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/?p=11406"},"modified":"2021-12-19T12:40:05","modified_gmt":"2021-12-19T19:40:05","slug":"wyoming-vs-kent-state-bowl-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/2021\/12\/wyoming-vs-kent-state-bowl-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Wyoming vs Kent State Bowl Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wyoming started the season off as hot as they could have, starting off at 4-0, but a loss at Air Force derailed their season and sent them onto a 2-6 slide to finish the season. The Cowboys got wins over their chief rival Colorado State in the annual Border War, and also beat the MAC (Northern Illinois) and Mountain West (Utah State) champions during their season. However, puzzling losses to Hawaii and New Mexico kept the team from reaching higher dreams.<\/p>\n

Kent State started with a brutal schedule, going to Texas A&M, Maryland, and Iowa for their first three of four games. Looking at a 1-3 start to the MAC championship game was a nice accomplishment for the Golden Flashes, led by MAC player of the year Dustin Crum the Golden Flashes beat Northern Illinois during the regular season but lost to them in the MAC championship a month later.<\/p>\n

What does this mean? Kent State will bring their rush heavy offense to Boise Idaho to take on Wyoming in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Kent State will be playing in their fifth all-time bowl game. Their previous bowl game was a 2019 victory in the Frisco Bowl against Utah State, 51-41. Prior to that they had appearances in 1954 in the Refrigerator Bowl, 1972 Tangerine Bowl, and the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl, all three losses. Wyoming will be playing in their 17th bowl game. Wyoming\u2019s last appearance was in 2019, a 38-17 victory over Georgia State in the Arizona Bowl. Wyoming is 8-8 all-time in bowls.<\/p>\n

Kent State Golden Flashes<\/a> (7-6, 6-2)<\/strong>
\nKent, OH
\nMid-American Conference
\nHead Coach: Sean Lewis (19-23, 4th season)<\/p>\n

Player Award Winners<\/strong><\/p>\n

QB Dustin Crum \u2013 MAC Player of the Year, MAC 1st Team
\nWR Dante Cephas \u2013 MAC 1st Team
\nCB Elvis Hines \u2013 MAC 1st Team
\nOL Bill Kuduk \u2013 MAC 2nd Team
\nOL Nathan Monnin \u2013 MAC 3rd Team
\nK Andrew Glass \u2013 MAC 3rd Team<\/p>\n

Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date<\/strong><\/td>\nOpponent<\/strong><\/td>\nResult<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/4\/2021<\/td>\nAt Texas A&M<\/td>\n10-41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/11\/2021<\/td>\nVirginia Military Institute<\/td>\n60-10<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/18\/2021<\/td>\nAt Iowa<\/td>\n7-30<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/25\/2021<\/td>\nAt Maryland<\/td>\n16-37<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/2\/2021<\/td>\nBowling Green<\/td>\n27-20<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/9\/2021<\/td>\nBuffalo<\/td>\n48-38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/16\/2021<\/td>\nAt Western Michigan<\/td>\n31-64<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/23\/2021<\/td>\nAt Ohio<\/td>\n34-27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/3\/2021<\/td>\nNorthern Illinois<\/td>\n52-47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/10\/2021<\/td>\nAt Central Michigan<\/td>\n30-54<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/20\/2021<\/td>\nAt Akron<\/td>\n38-0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/27\/2021<\/td>\nMiami<\/td>\n48-47<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12\/4\/2021<\/td>\nNorthern Illinois<\/td>\n23-41<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kent State Key Players<\/strong>
\nDustin Crum, QB \u2013 228\/355 for 2922 yards, 16 TD, 868 yards rushing, 11 TD
\nMarquez Cooper, RB \u2013 1144 yards rushing, 11 TD
\nXavier Williams, RB \u2013 837 yards rushing, 3 TD
\nDante Cephas, WR \u2013 1124 yards receiving, 8 TD
\nClark Dean, S \u2013 71 tackles, 2 TFL
\nMontre Miller, CB \u2013 4 INT, 37 tackles
\nElvis Hines, CB \u2013 43 tackles, 3 INT, 10 BU<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wyoming Cowboys<\/a> (6-6, 2-6)<\/strong>
\nLaramie, WY
\nMountain West Conference
\nHead Coach: Craig Bohl (44-50, 8th season)<\/p>\n

Player Award Winners<\/strong><\/p>\n

LB Chad Muma \u2013 Walter Camp 2nd Team All-American, PFF MW Defensive Player of the Year, PFF MW 1st Team, MW 1st Team, Butkus Finalist
\nOL Keegan Cryder \u2013 PFF MW 1st Team, MW 2nd Team
\nDL Cole Godbout \u2013 PFF MW 2nd Team, MW Honorable Mention
\nCB Azizi Hearn \u2013 PFF MW 2nd Team
\nOL Logan Harris \u2013 PFF MW 2nd Team, MW Honorable Mention
\nRB Titus Swen \u2013 PFF MW 2nd Team
\nWR Isaiah Neyor \u2013 PFF MW 3rd Team, MW 2nd Team
\nRB Xazavian Valladay \u2013 PFF MW Honorable Mention, MW 2nd Team
\nOL Frank Crum \u2013 PFF MW Honorable Mention
\nLB Easton Gibbs \u2013 PFF MW Honorable Mention
\nKR Cameron Stone \u2013 PFF MW Honorable Mention
\nCB CJ Coldon \u2013 MW 2nd Team
\nDL Garrett Crall \u2013 MW Honorable Mention<\/p>\n

Schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Date<\/strong><\/td>\nOpponent<\/strong><\/td>\nResult<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/4\/2021<\/td>\nMontana State<\/td>\n19-16<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/11\/2021<\/td>\nat Northern Illinois<\/td>\n50-43<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/18\/2021<\/td>\nBall State<\/td>\n45-12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9\/25\/2021<\/td>\nat Connecticut<\/td>\n24-22<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/9\/2021<\/td>\nat Air Force<\/td>\n14-24<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/16\/2021<\/td>\nFresno State<\/td>\n0-17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/23\/2021<\/td>\nNew Mexico<\/td>\n3-14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10\/30\/2021<\/td>\nat San Jose State<\/td>\n21-27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/6\/2021<\/td>\nColorado State<\/td>\n31-17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/12\/2021<\/td>\nat Boise State<\/td>\n13-23<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/20\/2021<\/td>\nat Utah State<\/td>\n44-17<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11\/27\/2021<\/td>\nHawaii<\/td>\n14-38<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n


\nWyoming Key Players<\/strong><\/p>\n

Titus Swen, RB \u2013 761 yards rushing, 7 TD
\nXazavian Valladay, RB \u2013 1009 yards rushing, 5 TD
\nChad Muma, LB \u2013 80 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INT
\nCole Godbout, NT \u2013 31 tackles, 5 TFL, 4 sacks
\nLevi Williams, QB \u2013 63\/109 for 1988 yards, 8 TD, 317 yards rushing, 1 TD
\nIsaiah Neyor, WR \u2013 39 receptions for 791 yards, 11 TD<\/p>\n

Key Statistics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Category<\/strong><\/td>\nKent State<\/strong><\/td>\nWyoming<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sagarin Ranking<\/td>\n105<\/td>\n88<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Massey Index<\/td>\n89<\/td>\n85<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Offense<\/td>\n480\/ypg<\/strong><\/td>\n360\/ypg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total Defense<\/td>\n466\/ypg<\/td>\n346\/ypg<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Passing Yards Per Game<\/td>\n237\/ypg<\/strong><\/td>\n165\/ypg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rushing Yards Per Game<\/td>\n243\/ypg<\/strong><\/td>\n195\/ypg<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Def. Passing Yards Per Game<\/td>\n276\/ypg<\/td>\n177\/ypg<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Def. Rushing Yards Per Game<\/td>\n190\/ypg<\/td>\n169\/ypg<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Turnover Margin<\/td>\n+13<\/strong><\/td>\n-3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Third Down Conversions<\/td>\n42%<\/td>\n42%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Red Zone Offense<\/td>\n82%<\/td>\n85%<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Red Zone Defense<\/td>\n83%<\/strong><\/td>\n87%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Penalty Yards Per Game<\/td>\n69\/ypg<\/td>\n42\/ypg<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an interesting match-up for a lot of reasons. Wyoming brings a very good defense to the game, especially in pass defense, and Kent State brings a very good offense to this game, especially on the ground. On the reverse of that, Wyoming brings a very good rushing attack to the game, while Kent State brings a very poor defense overall. You could say that Wyoming will have no trouble running on the Golden Flashes, same could be said for Kent State rushing against Wyoming\u2019s porous rush defense. Dustin Crum is a very talented quarterback who can sling it through the air and run the ball very effectively.<\/p>\n

For Wyoming to win they have to contain Dustin Crum, the MAC player of the year. If you\u2019re the best offensive player in #MACtion, there\u2019s a good chance that you\u2019re going to get whatever yards you want. For Kent State to win they need to shut down Wyoming\u2019s rushing attack and learn how take Chad Muma out of the game. Muma will become very disruptive if he\u2019s not dealt with appropriately.<\/p>\n

For the gambling degenerates out there, you know who you are, Wyoming is a -3 spread, and a -154 on the moneyline with an over\/under of 59<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n

The game will be played on Tuesday, December 21st at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, ID. The game will kickoff at 1:30pm MT and can be viewed on ESPN, or heard on the Cowboy Radio Network.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Wyoming started the season off as hot as they could have, starting off at 4-0, but a loss at Air Force derailed their season and sent them onto a 2-6 slide to finish the season. The Cowboys got wins over their chief rival Colorado State in the annual Border War, and also beat the MAC […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11407,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[635,1158,1267,334,31,155],"class_list":["post-11406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wyoblog","tag-craig-bohl","tag-famous-idaho-potato-bowl","tag-kent-state-golden-flash","tag-mountain-west-football","tag-wyoming-cowboys","tag-wyoming-football"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11406"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11420,"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11406\/revisions\/11420"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wyonation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}