7220sports.com Kickoff Show: Welcome Back, Waylee
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., -- Will the return of Harrison Waylee light a fire under this Wyoming team Saturday afternoon in New Mexico?
It certainly doesn't hurt.
The Cowboys' senior running back missed the first eight games of the season after suffering a knee injury late in fall camp. Though he was cleared to play at least two weeks ago, the Iowa product instead decided to redshirt this season, meaning he can appear in four games and still return to Wyoming's backfield in 2025.
Waylee is just 124 rushing yards shy of reaching 3,000 for his career. If he can eclipse that against a Lobos' defense that allows 234 yards on the ground per outing, the visitors could put a three-game losing skid in the rear-view mirror.
Waylee rushed for 191 yards and a touchdown on just 18 carries last October in a 35-26 win over New Mexico.
Kaden Anderson will also make his first-career start Saturday inside University Stadium. The redshirt freshman was solid in an extended role against Utah State, completing 15-of-24 passes for 182 yards in a 27-25 loss to the Aggies. The Texan led the Cowboys on five of their six scoring drives.
Cody Tucker and Jared Newland break it all down on the latest episode of the 7220sports.com Kickoff Show. You can find that right HERE.
MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:
* Gear up for game day: New Mexico Lobos
* Wyoming's Kaden Anderson on late father: 'He'd be very proud'
* Know Wyoming's Foe: New Mexico Lobos
* Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 8
* Wyoming cornerback Keany Parks showing promise on perimeter
* Wyoming Football: News and Notes Ahead of New Mexico
* WR Alex Brown to miss rest of season with broken leg
* QB Kaden Anderson will start for Wyoming at New Mexico
We talk about the miscues that have led to this 1-7 start to the Jay Sawvel era, including costly -- and poorly timed -- turnovers, penalties and missed calls. There were plenty of those yellow hankies hitting the turf last Saturday night.
Wyoming (1-7, 1-3) and New Mexico (3-5, 2-2) are scheduled to kickoff Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be televised on TruTV and streamed on MAX.
* Make sure to download the free 7220sports.com app to stay up to date on all the latest Wyoming football news. You can do that right HERE. Also, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter right HERE. Never miss a Roaring Repeater Podcast or a 7220 Sports Kickoff Show with Cody Tucker and Jared Newland. You can find those past episodes HERE.
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* Did you miss any of our Utah State coverage? Check all of that out right HERE.
Here is all you need to know -- and the links -- for Saturday's tilt in ABQ:
WHO: Wyoming (1-7, 1-3) at New Mexico (3-5, 2-2)
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. MST
WEATHER: High of 72, low 43, mostly sunny, wind 11 mph
WHERE: University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M. (39,224 capacity)
TRAVEL: NMRoads
STREAMING: MAX
TV: TruTV
RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network
TICKETS: Wyoming Ticket office
BOX SCORE: ESPN
ROSTERS: Wyoming / New Mexico
HISTORY: Wyoming leads the all-time series, 40-36
BETTING ODDS: UNM -6.5, O/U 60.5
HEAD COACHES: Jay Sawvel / Bronco Mendenhall
Meet the Lobos:
* Head coach: Bronco Mendenhall (1st year) 3-5 overall record, 2-2 in Mountain West play
* Offensive coordinator: Jason Beck (1st year); Defensive coordinator: Nick Howell (1st season)
* Record in 2023: 4-8 overall, 2-6 in Mountain West Conference
* Offense in 2024: Average 33.8 ppg, 468.1 ypg (208.3 rush, 259.9 pass)
* Defense in 2024: Allow 39.8 ppg, 478.3 ypg (234.1 rush, 244.2 pass)
* Key Players - Offense: Devon Dampier (QB - 164-279, 2,079 yds, 9 TD, 11 INT; 81 rush, 538 yds, 10 TD), Eli Sanders (RB - 84 rush, 456 yds, 4 TD; 9 catch, 90 yds), Javen Jacobs (RB - 40 rush, 277 yds, 3 TD; 17 catch, 130 yds, TD), Luke Wysong (WR - 50 catch, 663 yds, TD), Ryan Davis (WR - 35 catch, 513 yds, TD), Nic Trujillo (WR - 15 catch, 262 yds, TD), Caleb Medford (WR - 10 catch, 200 yds, 2 TD), Trace Bruckler (TE - 15 catch, 99 yds, 2 TD)
* Key Players - Defense: Christian Ellis (S - 71 tackles, 3 PBU, INT, FR, TD), Noah Avinger (CB - 59 tackles, 4 PBU, FR, TD), Randolph Kpai (LB - 56 tackles), Bryson Taylor (S - 46 tackles, 10 PBU), Dimitri Johnson (LB - 39 tackles, 2 sacks, PBU, INT, FR), Noa Pola-Gates (S - 33 tackles, 4 PBU, FR), Nigel Williams (DB -28 tackles, 2 PBU, FF), Moso'oipala Tuitele (DE - 27 tackles, 2 sacks)
University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players