Behind the numbers: Wyoming vs. New Mexico
LARAMIE -- "1-0"
Coach speak. Cliché. T-shirt jargon.
Call it what you want, but it is obviously the most important stat to come out of each and every Saturday. Wyoming has already done that four times in five attempts, the latest a 35-26 victory over visiting New Mexico.
"Conference play is here," Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl said postgame. "We knew it was going to be a challenging game and coach (Danny) Gonzales does a great job. Their team is getting better."
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The scrappy Lobos rolled up 417 yards of total offense, 203 of which came through the air. Dylan Hopkins completed 15-of-31 passes and hit Jeremiah Hixon on a perfectly-thrown 17-yard touchdown to cap the visitor's opening drive.
New Mexico statistically featured the worst offensive production in the nation a season ago. Those days are long gone.
Here are some other important stats from the Pokes' homecoming victory:
433
That's the number of yards Wyoming's offense rolled up -- a season high -- in the win over the Lobos, including 239 on the ground on just 31 carries. That's an average of 7.7 yards per attempt.
191
Harrison Waylee accounted for this many of those rushing yards, including breaking a 46-yard run for a touchdown in the third quarter. The junior transfer from Northern Illinois also had a 66-yard scamper before being caught near the UNM 11.
3
That's how many 100-yard rushing performances Waylee has had in as many games. The last Wyoming running back to accomplish that feat was Xazavian Valladay, who did it five straight times in 2019.
16
That's how many throws Andrew Peasley completed on 25 attempts. The Cowboys' senior signal caller bounced back from a 5-of-15 outing against Appalachian State. He only threw for 31 yards against the Mountaineers. There was a pick-six, too. That changed Saturday with 194 yards through the air, including a 66-yard touchdown pass to Ayir Asante. He also rushed for a score in the win.
9
That's how many receivers caught balls from Peasley on Saturday. That's the most since Josh Allen did that in 2017. Treyton Welch, Wyatt Wieland and Ryan Marquez all led the way with three receptions.
6
That's how many penalties Wyoming committed a week after being hit with eight flags against App State. Kolbey Taylor, a sophomore cornerback from the Greater Houston Area, was tagged with three 15-yard penalties in the second half.
2-of-11
The Cowboys offense had yet another dismal performance in the third-down category against the Lobos. UW was just 3-of-12 on third down against App State.
6-of-14
Wyoming's defense also had a tough time getting off the field against New Mexico. A week ago, they allowed 10 conversions on 19 opportunities.
3
That's how many drives reached double-digit snaps for the visitors Saturday inside War Memorial Stadium. New Mexico had possessions of 12, 10 and 11.
3
That's the number of interceptions Wyoming nickel corner Wrook Brown has this season. He picked off Dylan Hopkins in the third quarter on Saturday afternoon.
4
That's how many field goals John Hoyland booted through against the Lobos. He connected from 38, 34, 26 and 38.
8
That's how many plays the Cowboys' offense produced of more than 15 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown pass to Asante and a 66-yard run by Waylee.
2
That's how many turnovers UW forced in the win. Brown had the interception and Wyett Ekeler forced a fumble on a strip sack. That also likely saved a field-goal attempt to end the half.
2
That's how many sacks the Cowboys tallied against the Lobos, both belonging to Ekeler. He could've had three but a false start negated one late in the third quarter.
8
That's how many tackles Easton Gibbs finished with Saturday to lead the team. Isaac White and Brown both capped their day with five.
9
That's the number of pass breakups Wyoming finished with against UNM, including a team-high two from Taylor, Gibbs and White.
1
That's how many sacks Wyoming's offensive line allowed on the day. New Mexico also registered three tackles for loss.
1
That's the number of blocked kicks in the win. Like last week, DeVonne Harris did the dirty work, batting down the boot. Jakorey Hawkins scooped up the loose change and took it to the house. That same scenario took place against App State, only it was on a field-goal attempt and led to six points. This one counted for two on a point-after attempt.
3
That's how many points UNM scored in the third quarter. It was the first points Wyoming has allowed in that frame all season long.
41-35
That's now Wyoming's record all-time against New Mexico.
13-12
That's now the Cowboys' record in Mountain West openers.
25,477
That was the announced attendance inside War Memorial Stadium on a 77-degree September day in the Gem City.
5-0
No. 24 Fresno State rolls into town next Saturday night for a showdown under the lights. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 6 p.m. Mountain Time and will be televised nationally on FOX.
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