#66 Wyoming

Laramie, WY

Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium

September 9, 2023

Wyoming 31 - Portland St 17 (ESPN Recap)

Welcome to 7,220!

Before I made it to Laramie, I was peer pressured on Friday night into spending two hours in Boulder for the tailgate of Coach Prime’s home opener and the Fox Big Noon kickoff (at 10am mt). Dinner with OD/T/Lins was great and then Saturday saw some old river trip and Aspen buds before booking it north.

Laramie is a two-hour drive due north of Boulder, and 6:10 hours to the east of Jackson Hole. Going there for a game in September seemed like the right move rather than waiting for snow and freezing temperatures. Also, had to be in Wyoming for work on Sunday, so another excuse to go. The Cowboys fans go crazy for their football program! Coming off a huge win against Texas Tech at home, they had the tailgates rocking and 75% of the stadium full for a FCS opponent who lost by 74 points a week ago.

I parked right next to the stadium in a free lot. 100 yards of walking and I was whisked into a free school-sponsored, alcohol-free tailgate where they gave me a clear fanny pack, sun glasses, sun block, chapstick, and waters/soda, all for free. Beautiful yard and games set up.

I walked into the mix of the real tailgate and found a free Bud Lite sponsored tailgate. Free Subway, free beer, free cookies, games, and a photo booth. Can't believe Wyoming has their own BL cans and that now I am being served FB ads for those cans.

Free luck appeared to wear out when I had to purchase a ticket off a scalper for $25. However, pregame while watching warmups from the endzone a woman came up to me and handed me $16 cash she thought I dropped (I don’t drop cash), so the ticket was almost free!

The game featured two turnovers in the first 5 mins, a 56-yard FG, some booming punts, and a 19-year old phenom from Delray Beach winning her first Grand Slam title at the US Open. I was on the U52.5 which game down to the final drive and final play of the game which was fun since it was a 4th and goal from the 10 where Portland did not score. This came two plays after they did score on 2nd and G from the 10 on a beautiful play, but illegal man downfield points come off the board and back them up 5 yards to the 15. Big penalty! The doo-rag wearing #6 QB1 for Wyoming was not nearly as good as he was against TTU a week prior.

Everyone was wearing cowboy boots and many were wearing cowboy hats and/or a Josh Allen college jersey. They run a horse across one endzone every time Wyoming scores named Cowboy Joe, and they shoot off a single cannon shot as well.

There is also a fan named Cowboy Ken that I did not get the story on but I am sure there is a story. Lots of really passionate vocal fans throughout the game, which I tip my cap to considering it was a FCS opponent.

The downtown area was eerily quiet for a gameday Saturday night and the food options were lacking, so I headed out first thing Sunday morning and hit Wind River Brewing just a short 4 hours NW of Laramie and perfectly on the way to Jackson. Thanks for the rec Lins!

At the top, I am holding my printout ticket for the 50/50 raffle tickets that I bought at the game. Longer than a CVS receipt which is impressive.

The video of the halftime hype guy #21 on Portland St below is fantastic. Make that guy captain already!

I would come back to Laramie for another game sometime.