How the Cowboys and Lobos match up
Today, 5:30 p.m., War Memorial Stadium (29,181). TV: ESPU. Radio: 770 AM/94.5 FM. Series: Cowboys lead 35-34. Last meeting: Lobos 56, Cowboys 35, Nov. 26, 2016.
In three of their last four games, against Tulsa, Air Force and Colorado State, the Lobos have rushed for more than 300 yards. Wyoming’s run defense is probably better than those teams’ but not as good as that of Fresno State, which held the Lobos to 109 yards and a 2.9-yard average per carry. If UNM can break the 300-yard barrier tonight, or come close, they’ll have a great chance to win. Defensively, the strong arm, fleet feet and improvisational skills of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen could have Lobo tongues dragging in Laramie’s 7,200-foot elevation. Senior strong safety Jacob
Girgle, in the absence of injured free safety Bijon Parker, will need to make good and quick decisions on whether to come up to make a tackle or stay back in coverage. Allen has been sacked 16 times, and Wyoming has had 41 tackles for loss. UNM defense (12 sacks, 36 TFLs), take note.
The script has been flipped in Laramie. Last season, the offense was prolific and the defense suspect. This year, the defense has been solid and the offensive anemic. On offense, most of the skill players that surrounded quarterback Josh Allen in 2016 are gone. Allen isn’t the whole show, but the offense begins and ends with him. “The quarterback’s a bother,” said UNM safety Michael Sewell Jr. “He’s a nice, big physical body, and he’s gonna bring his ‘A’ game.” After last season, Cowboys coach Craig Bohl fired his defensive coordinator and hired Scottie Hazelton, who had worked for Bohl at North Dakota State. Lobos coach Bob Davie said he doesn’t see much difference in scheme, but said, “They really play fast, and they run to the ball. That’s not just coach speak. When you put on the tape, you see that.” DE Carl Granderson leads the MWC in sacks with seven.