Wyoming faces UTEP in 1995 rematch

Wyoming football is 6-3, but the margin for error is thin. The Cowboys hold a 5-1 record in the Mountain West Conference. They need a win to keep their conference championship hopes alive.

The team travels to El Paso, Texas, for Saturday’s game against UTEP. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on FS1. This matchup marks the first meeting between these two schools since 1995. They have not played since leaving the Western Athletic Conference.

UTEP is struggling offensively. The Miners average 281 passing and rushing yards per game. That total ranks 137th in the nation. Their conference record is 0-5. They enter Saturday with an overall record of 1-8.

Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said the late-season schedule offers a chance to compete for the title. "I think for Wyoming fans, this becomes fun because we're sitting here, we're going to be in mid-November, you're looking at an opportunity you're still in the conference-championship chase," Sawvel said.

Landon Sims will make his first start at quarterback. Starter Tyler Hughes is out. Sims must protect the ball and manage the game. The Cowboys have not given up many extra possessions recently. Keeping UTEP on the sideline is a key factor.

The running game remains Wyoming’s best offensive weapon. The Cowboys average 205 rushing yards per game. That figure ranks 21st in the country. Markell Holman and Samuel Harris have carried the load in recent weeks. A strong ground attack will keep UTEP’s defense honest.

Wyoming won its last four games. Those victories included a 41-23 win over Northern Illinois on Oct. 17. They also defeated Air Force 28-14 on Oct. 23. Both games were played at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. The team now plays on the road for the first time in that stretch.