LARAMIE — Wyoming had its playoff game early.
After stringing together wins against San Diego State and Tennessee, the Cowboys traveled to UNLV on Thursday. At stake: The winner would be one win away from becoming bowl-eligible while the loser would be eliminated from bowl contention.
Wyoming’s three second-half turnovers were too much to overcome in a 22-14 loss.
“The new Pokes came out in the first half and scored without committing turnovers,” coach Joe Glenn said. “In the fourth quarter, they turned back into the old Pokes. We just tried to do a little too much.”
The Cowboys will be left out, and so might their coach.
Glenn’s job has been on the line since Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman said at the beginning of the season that he wanted a bowl-eligible team in 2008.
With bowl hopes dashed, the Cowboys turn to the 100th edition of their rivalry against CSU and a battle for the Bronze Boot. The game will be at noon Saturday in Laramie.
“This is the biggest game of the year,” said Greg Bolling, a junior wide receiver from Aurora. “When it comes to ‘Sheep Week,’ we have to put on our boots and go.”
The Border War has never been defined by either team’s record going into the game. In the 40 years since The Boot rivalry kicked off, each team has won 20 times.
Despite no chance of getting to a bowl, Glenn knows the importance of the game.
“Pride is on the line,” Glenn said. “We are going to fight hard to bring that (Bronze Boot) back.
“The Boot is just a boot, but it’s all about what it stands for.”
