If you’re a fan of the Pokes, the Wyoming Cowboys football schedule 2025 was basically a wild ride that didn't exactly end in a sunset gallop. Honestly, looking back at it now from early 2026, it’s one of those seasons where the box scores don't tell the whole story, but the 4-8 record definitely stings.
Laramie is a tough place to play, and War Memorial Stadium—at 7,220 feet—usually acts like a 12th man. But 2025 was a year of transition under Jay Sawvel. He was in his second year as head coach, and the pressure was on. You’ve got a fan base used to Craig Bohl’s grit, and trying to replicate that while modernizing an offense is, well, easier said than done.
The Brutal Reality of the 2025 Slate
The season kicked off on a Thursday night in late August. Most people expected a bit of a struggle, but Wyoming actually handled business against Akron with a 10-0 shutout. It was ugly. It was defensive. It was classic Wyoming football.
Then came the home opener.
Seeing Northern Iowa on the schedule usually feels like a trap, but the Cowboys cruised to a 31-7 win. At 2-0, Laramie was buzzing. People were starting to think maybe, just maybe, Sawvel had figured out the offensive rhythm with Kaden Anderson under center.
Then the schedule got real. Fast.
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The middle of September was a gauntlet. Hosting Utah—a Big 12 powerhouse—was never going to be easy. The Utes came into 7,220 territory and handed the Pokes a 31-6 reality check. A week later, the team traveled to Boulder. Playing Deion Sanders and Colorado is a spectacle, sure, but for Wyoming, it was a 37-20 loss that exposed some serious depth issues in the secondary.
A Rollercoaster in Mountain West Play
Conference play is where seasons are made or broken in the Mountain West. For the Cowboys, it was a bit of both.
The "Border War" against Colorado State is the game everyone circles. On October 25, the Pokes put together their most complete performance of the year. A 28-0 shutout. Keeping the Bronze Boot in Laramie is basically a season-saver for most fans, even if the rest of the year is shaky.
But look at the back half of the Wyoming Cowboys football schedule 2025. It was rough.
- October 4: UNLV came to town and left with a 31-17 win.
- October 11: A high-scoring 35-28 victory over San Jose State.
- October 18: A heartbreaking 24-21 loss at Air Force.
- November 1: A 24-7 thumping at San Diego State.
Honestly, the fatigue of playing at elevation and then traveling to the coast seemed to catch up with them. By the time they hit the November stretch, the wheels were wobbling.
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The Struggles of a Young Offense
We have to talk about Kaden Anderson. He’s a sophomore with a ton of heart, but 2025 was a learning year. He finished with about 955 yards and a 6:3 TD-to-INT ratio. Those aren't "blow the roof off" numbers.
The running game was supposed to be the anchor. Sam Scott did his best, averaging nearly 5 yards a carry, but when you’re playing from behind against teams like Fresno State or Boise State (who Wyoming actually missed on the conference rotation this year), you can't just run the ball into a stacked box.
The November collapse was the hardest part for the faithful. Four straight losses.
Losing to Nevada at home 13-7 on November 22 was probably the low point. It was cold, it was windy, and the offense just couldn't find the end zone. Then, the season ended with a long flight to Hawaii, resulting in a 27-7 loss on November 29.
Looking Ahead: What Needs to Change?
The 2025 season showed that the "harder, faster, smarter" mantra Jay Sawvel preaches is still a work in progress. Defensively, the Pokes weren't terrible. They actually ranked 30th nationally in points allowed per game (about 20.5). That’s winning football.
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The problem? The offense was 131st out of 136 teams. You can't win in modern college football averaging 16 points a game.
So, what's next?
- Hit the Portal: Sawvel already brought in guys like Max White (Iowa transfer) and Michael Fitzgerald II, but the O-line needs more mass.
- Quarterback Competition: Kaden Anderson has the experience now, but expect a wide-open battle in spring camp.
- Third Down Efficiency: The Cowboys struggled to stay on the field, which gassed a very talented defense.
The Wyoming Cowboys football schedule 2025 is in the books, and while a 4-8 record isn't what anyone wanted, the core of the defense remains. If you're looking to gear up for next year, keep an eye on the early 2026 signing day. The staff is reportedly targeting two more offensive tackles to protect the blindside.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, start scouting the 2026 non-conference opponents now. Wyoming is slated to face some regional rivals that will test that improved depth immediately. Go Pokes.