Hughes Named MW Player of the Week After 4-Touchdown Performance

LARAMIE -- Tyler Hughes was urged to simply "let it rip" after the worst outing of his career.

He has taken those words to heart.

Since that dreadful performance inside the Fargodome, one in which the senior completed just 5-of-14 throws for 52 yards and tossed an interception on the opening play from scrimmage, he has been one of the top quarterbacks in the Mountain West Conference.

The league solidified that statement Monday, naming the Georgia native the Offensive Player of the Week.

Hughes ran for a career-high 183 yards on just 12 carries in a dominating 41-23 victory over Northern Illinois Saturday inside a sun-splashed War Memorial Stadium. He also crossed the goal line four times, becoming the first Wyoming signal caller to do that since Levi Williams did that to Kent State in the 2021 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Williams, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, also finished that contest with 200 rushing yards.

The William and Mary transfer also completed 16-of-19 passes for 196 yards against the Huskies. Most importantly, he didn't turn the ball over one time.

"He told me, just go play," Hughes said postgame, referring to a conversation with head coach Jay Sawvel, following the 28-0 road loss to North Dakota State. "Like, go play football how you know how to do it. Those words pretty much set in for me and I've been able to put together two pretty solid weeks."

Hughes was coming off his best performance of the season in a 16-13 overtime victory over San Jose State. He rushed for a team-best 92 yards, but it took 27 attempts -- and six sacks -- to get there. He also connected on 16-of-24 throws for 114 yards, including an eight-yard strike to tight end Jake Wilson in the back of the end zone, late in the fourth quarter.

Hughes helped lead the Cowboys to their best offensive day since 2024, beginning with a 53-yard jaunt to the end zone right through the teeth of the Huskies' defense on the second possession of the afternoon. He then added a 24-yard touchdown run, followed by two more from six and 11 yards out in the second half.

Wyoming rolled up a season-high 41 points and 510 yards of total offense in the win.

The Cowboys are now 3-1 in conference play and will host front-running Air Force Friday night in Laramie. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the game will be televised on The CW.

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