Every Game is a Bohl Game

The Cowboys have had an amazing season. And it wasn't over yet. The Cowboys had 8 wins, two more than the 6 required to receive an invitation to a Bowl game. The Cowboys would be playing in their first bowl game since 2011, when they lost in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. This time they would be playing in the San Diego Country Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl against longtime rivals Bringam Young University.

Wyoming and BYU have a long historic rivalry dating back to 1922. The two teams had played together in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Skyline Conference, the Western Athletic Conference and in the Mountain West Conference over a total of 73 years and 77 games.

One of the most recent games was in 1996 when the two teams played in the WAC Championship game. BYU, ranked 6th, beat Wyoming, ranked 20th, 28-25 in overtime to win the WAC. But what came next fueled this rivalry even more. The Cougars got a invitation to the Cotton Bowl. Wyoming didn't get an invitation. It was once said, by former BYU coach LaVell Edwards after a loss in a Wyoming snowstorm in 1981, "I would rather lose and live in Provo than win and live in Laramie."

However, the two teams have not played each other since 2010 when BYU left the MWC to become an independent team. This would be the first time the two teams would play in 6 years.

December 21, 2016, Wyoming v. Bringam Young University, 6:00pm, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Ca. ESPN.
San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl!!!

After arriving in San Diego on Saturday, the cheer team has an amazing opportunity to experience the city. I, personally, was beyond excited for the activities on our itinerary, having lived in San Diego from 2005-2008. Sunday we spent the day on Coronado Island. Monday we went to the San Diego Zoo and then went downtown to the Battle of the Bands with Western Thunder Marching Band and the BYU spirit team and band. Tuesday we made an appearance at the team luncheon on the USS Midway and at the UW Alumni dinner.

Wednesday finally rolled around. Game Day!!! I was a beautiful morning. The sun was out and the temperature was warm. We got ready and departed for the Stadium. Upon our early arrival, we went over the days schedule. We joined the band in the parking lot, took tons of photos, and headed to the Cowboy Joe Club Wyoming tailgate. After a quick performance and some fan interaction, we headed to the Bowl tailgate for a performance, and then the Poinsettia Bowl DexCom winter fest for one more preformance. We returned to the bus, gathered our bags, and stopped at the CJC UW tailgate one last time. We were then escorted into the stadium through the exterior tunnel. As we entered the stadium, it was kinda sureal. Having performed on this exact field 9 years ago in an SDSU dance camp, I knew what the stadium looked like, but to be on this NFL field again cheering on my Cowboys was completely difference. We ate a quick snack and began warming up. After warming up one timeout, big clouds began to roll into the valley where the stadium is located.

As kickoff approached, it started to rain. And it never rains in San Diego. The game began and the rain came down harder. Completely unprepared for rain, we were soon soaked. But none the less we were still going to cheer on our Cowboys.

The first quarter got off to a slow start. After multiple back and forth possessions, with 1:25 left in the first quarter, Wyoming was up to punt the ball. It was snapped but Wood missed the ball as its slippery surface slipped through his hands. This resulted in a turn over on downs and BYU taking possession on the 4 yard line. BYU took advantage and scored a Cougar touchdown. Wyoming 0. BYU 7. The second quarter began, but looked a lot like the first.  After multiple back and forth possessions no one had scored. With just over 3 minutes left in the half, BYU kicked a field goal. Wyoming 0. BYU 10. At this point the cheer team now had rain ponchos. The half was now over.

The teams would enter the locker rooms. The UW cheerleaders were escorted upstairs to the San Diego Bowl Games hospitality room to warm up and dry off. As half time came to a close, we returned to the field. The rain had slowed down, but had not stopped.

Upon returning to the field the Cowboys slowly but surely marched the ball down the field. And from the five yard line, the ball was handed off to Hill who ran for the first Wyoming touchdown of the game. Wyoming 7. BYU 10. BYU took possession and moved into the red zone. With 2:50 left in the third quarter, BYU's quarterback threw the ball to the end zone. With 3 BYU players and 4 Wyoming players in the area, Wyoming's Lucas Wacha tipped the ball, Wyoming's Antonio Hull tipped the ball, BYU finally ended the play, catching the ball and scoring a touchdown. Wyoming 7. BYU 17.

The fourth quarter began. As BYU moved the ball down the field, they gave the ball to their running back. He ran 30 yards into the end zone for another touchdown. Wyoming 7. BYU 24. Wyoming took possession and responded with a march down the field. Allen threw the ball from the 9 yard line to the back of the end zone. Gentry was there to catch the ball. Wyoming touchdown. Wyoming 14. BYU 24. 7:35 left in the game. The rain had finally stopped and the we were able to take our rain ponchos off. The Cowboys got the ball again and continued to move down the field. With just over 2 minutes left in the game, Allen threw the ball 30 yards toward the end zone. Gentry was there to receive. Gentry in the end zone. Touchdown Cowboys. Wyoming 21. BYU 24. BYU would get the ball, but the Cowboy defense would hold the Cougars. With a sack on third down the Cougars were on 4th and 16. BYU kicked the ball, and with 1:44 left in the game, the Cowboys got the ball on the 50 yard line. Wyoming would have one last chance. A great screen play to Hill would move the ball to the 32 yard line. Allen would get the ball. Allen threw the ball to the 10 yard line. Interception. Wyoming had lost the ball. The fans all gasped. BYU would get into victory formation. The ball game would end. Wyoming 21. BYU 24.

After an amazing run, the Cowboy's season would come to a close. It was a great season and a phenomenal experience. I can't wait to see what next season has in store. But for now, we focus on Basketball.

Until next time,
Ashley

The Cowboys are going Bohling

As I woke up December 4th, the only thing on my mind was Bowl sections. The selection show was scheduled for that afternoon and the suspense was building.

Around 2pm, the University of Wyoming athletic department posted on social media the results. The University of Wyoming Cowboys would be playing in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl against Brigham Young University Cougars on December 21st at Qualcomm Stadium.

Preparations began imediatly. A spirit team meeting was scheduled for Monday night. A temporary itinerary was handed out. We would be leaving Saturday December 17th and driving. It would be a two day trip. But later that week, we had another last minute team meeting. Through the great work of our team administrator and a few other key individuals, we no longer were driving. Instead, we would be provided the amazing opportunity to travel via chartered plane. We would bus from Laramie to Cheyenne and then fly directly from Cheyenne to San Diego.

We just had to make it through the next two weeks. Dead week and finals.

As I write, we're on a plane over what I think is Utah. In a little over an hour we will land in San Diego. Forecast: 60 degrees and mostly sunny. Much different from Wyoming's 1 degree and snowing.

I can't wait for this amazing once in a lifetime experience with my team. Keep you updated.

Until next time
Ashley

Those who stay will be champions

Last weekend the Cowboys suffered a tough loss against the University of New Mexico. But they weren't the only team with a loss. In fact, the nigh before, Air Force had beat Boise State, and Saturday night, Colorado State would beat San Diego State.

As the Cowboys went to sleep Friday night, they knew they would be playing next weekend, but the location was still undetermined.

With a Boise loss, Wyoming would secure its position in the Mountain West Championship game.

Because both UW and SDSU loss, neither were in the national rankings, and the host site would be determined on a series of online databases. Sunday morning the decision was made.

The University of Wyoming would host the 2016 Mountain West Conference Football Championship.

This would not only be the first time UW would play in the Mountain West Conference Championship, but the first time they would play in a conference championship since their loss to BYU in the WAC in 1996. It was also the first time a championship game would be played at War Memorial Stadium since it opened in 1950.

It would also be the first time Wyoming would play a home football game in December since 1902. That's right. Nearly 114 years ago on December 13th, the Cowboys beat Cheyenne High School 18-0, ending their season 1-0. But man have times changed.

The Cowboys were picked to finish last in the Mountain division at media days over the summer. Now, the Cowboys were the Mountain Division Champions, and one of only 14 Division 1 FBS teams playing in a conference championship game. The Cowboys had receive multiple post season MW honors: one honorable mention, 3 second team players, 4 first team players, as well as Freshmen Player of the year, Logan Wilson, and MW Coach of the year, Coach Craig Bohl. Coach Bohl had led this team from a 2-10 record last season to 8-4 this season; the best turnaround in the nation.

December 3, 2016, Wyoming v. San Diego State University, 5:45pm, War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wy. ESPN.
Mountain West Championship!!

The Cowboys prepared to take on SDSU once again. The two teams had played exactly two weeks ago. The weather was nice and the Cowboys came out with the win. But now the beautiful Laradise weather was long gone. The temperature at 5:45pm kickoff was a high of 30 degrees and getting colder, with 16 mph winds.

The cheer team bundled up and took to the field.The stands were packed and the stadium covered in Wyoming gold and Mountain West purple. The entire lower half of the east stands were filled with students. Tonights attendance, 24,001!! The cameras were ready, the fans were excited. The game began.

After 7 hard fought minutes, the Cowboys were in field goal range. Cooper took the field. He kicked the ball. It flew through the cold dry air. It looked like to was good, but then it began to fall. The ball bounced on the uprights. And into the backfield. The kick was good!! Wyoming 3. San Diego 0. The Wyoming defense took the field. A sack on 1st down put SDSU at 2nd and 17. With continued pressure, the ball was tipped and intercepted my the Cowboys. The Cowboys took advantage with a throw from Allen to Hollister. Touchdown Cowboys!! Wyoming 10. San Diego 0.

The Aztecs would respond with a touchdown at the end of the first and a field goal at the beginning of the second. Wyoming 10, San Diego 10. The two teams would go back and forth for the rest of the half, ending the half tied at 10-10. The teams would return to the locker rooms, warm up, and prepare for the second half.

The two teams took the field once more. The Aztecs would score first with a touchdown. Wyoming 10. San Diego 17. And then again at the end of the third. Wyoming 10. San Diego 24. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, on a 3rd down play, the Aztec defense applied pressure. Allen dropped back. Moving across the field, Allen threw the ball. 46 yards down the field in the end zone, the ball was caught by Gentry. Touchdown Cowboys!! Wyoming 17. San Diego 24. The Aztec responded with a field goal making the score Wyoming 17 San Diego 27. The Cowboys would immediately respond. Again, under pressure, Allen threw the ball 35 yards to CJ Johnson, who then ran the ball the other 15 yards into the end zone. Touchdown Cowboys!! Wyoming 24. San Diego 27. After a back and forth battle in SDSU territory, the Cowboys, unable to convert to a first down, gave the ball back to San Diego. The Aztec took a knee and that was the ball game. Wyoming 24. San Diego 27.

After an amazing season, a freezing cold game, and one of the hardest fought battles of the season, the Cowboys had come up just short a MW conference title.

But with out a doubt in any Wyoming fans heart, this had been an amazing season. The Cowboys had proved everyone wrong. They had had the comeback season you can dream of. They had a winning season, beaten two ranked teams, qualified for a Bowl game, won the Mountain Division, and hosted the MW Conference Championship. What a spectacular season!!!

I can personally say, that I am proud to be a Cowboy!! I am proud of the fans, the coaches, and most importantly, those boys. They played with heart and determination this season. They believed in their coaches. And they played as a team.

And just like Coach Bohl said when he first arrived at UW three years ago, "Those who stay will be champions."

But the Cowboys aren't done yet. They are Bowl eligible. Selection would be made the following afternoon. And until then, we wait.

Until next time
Ashley