The 2016 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming as a member Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-year head coach Craig Bohl, the Cowboys compiled an overall record of 8–6 record with mark 6–2 in conference play, sharing the MW's Mountain Division title with Boise State and New Mexico. Based on tiebreakers, Wyoming advanced to the Mountain West Championship Game, which the Cowboys hosted, but lost to San Diego State. Wyoming was then invited to the Poinsettia Bowl, where the Cowboys were defeated by BYU. The team played home games at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyoming.
Schedule
Preseason At Mountain West media days, the Cowboys were picked to finish last in the Mountain Division. Additionally, three players were named to the pre–season all–conference team: junior running back Brian Hill, senior offensive lineman Chase Roullier, and sophomore free safety Andrew Wingard. Hill was also named to the watchlists for the Maxwell Award and the Doak Walker Award, Roullier was named to the watchlists for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award, Wingard was named to the watchlist for the Jim Thorpe Award, and senior punter Ethan Wood was named to the watchlist for the Ray Guy Award.
Game summaries Northern Illinois
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 19–29, 245 YDS, 2 TD; Drew Hare (NIU): 24–39, 329 YDS, 3 TD Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 33 CAR, 125 YDS, 2 TD; Kenny Golladay (NIU): 6 CAR, 82 YDS, 1 TD Receiving leaders: Jake Maulhardt (UW): 5 REC, 106 YDS; Kenny Golladay (NIU): 10 REC, 144 YDS, 2 TD
At Nebraska
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 16–32, 189 YDS, 1 TD; Tommy Armstrong Jr. (NEB): 20–34, 377 YDS, 3 TD Rushing leaders: Austin Conway (UW): 3 CAR, 70 YDS; Devine Ozigbo (NEB): 15 CAR, 44 YDS, 1 TD Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 7 REC, 124 YDS, 1 TD; Alonzo Moore (NEB): 3 REC, 109 YDS, 1 TD
UC Davis
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 11–15, 198 YDS, 3 TD; Ben Scott (UCD): 18–31, 178 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 25 CAR, 207 YDS, 2 TD; Joshua Kelley (UCD): 7 CAR, 46 YDS Receiving leaders: C.J. Johnson (UW): 3 REC, 67 YDS, 1 TD; Keelan Doss (UCD): 7 REC, 104 YDS, 1 TD
At Eastern Michigan
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 19–29, 234 YDS, 1 INT; Todd Porter (EMU): 14–28, 214 YDS, 1 TD, 4 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 22 CAR, 82 YDS, 1 TD; Ian Eriksen (EMU): 27 CAR, 120 YDS, 1 TD Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 12 REC, 127 YDS; Nigel Kilby (EMU): 4 REC, 84 YDS
At Colorado State
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 7–18, 165 YDS, 1 TD; Collin Hill (CSU): 23–41, 370 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 19 CAR, 166 YDS, 1 TD; Izzy Matthews (CSU): 5 CAR, 38 YDS Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 3 REC, 91 YDS, 1 TD; Michael Gallup (CSU): 4 REC, 75 YDS
Air Force
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 15–27, 173 YDS, 3 TD; Nate Romine (AF): 6–19, 188 YDS, 2 TD, 3 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 29 CAR, 92 YDS, 1 TD; D.J. Johnson (AF): 7 CAR, 73 YDS Receiving leaders: Jake Maulhardt (UW): 3 REC, 42 YDS, 1 TD; Jalen Robinette (AF): 3 REC, 101 YDS, 1 TD
At Nevada
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 8–12, 135 YDS; Ty Gangi (NEV): 27–43, 300 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 29 CAR, 289 YDS, 3 TD; James Butler (NEV): 14 CAR, 73 YDS, 2 TD Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 4 REC, 109 YDS; Wyatt Demps (NEV): 8 REC, 97 YDS
Boise State
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 18–31, 274 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT; Brett Rypien (BSU): 22–35, 295 YDS, 1 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 28 CAR, 146 YDS; Jeremy McNichols (BSU): 18 CAR, 143 YDS, 2 TD Receiving leaders: Jacob Hollister (UW): 6 REC, 144 YDS, 2 TD; Cedrick Wilson Jr. (BSU): 4 REC, 84 YDS
Utah State
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 16–26, 261 YDS, 4 TD, 1 INT; Kent Meyers (USU): 17–29, 235 YDS, 1 TD Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 25 CAR, 142 YDS, 2 TD; Tonny Lindsey (USU): 5 CAR, 75 YDS Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 4 REC, 93 YDS, 2 TD; Ron'Quavion Tarver (USU): 8 REC, 104 YDS
At UNLV
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 14–31, 334 YDS, 4 TD, 2 INT; Kurt Palandech (UNLV): 20–32, 252 YDS, 3 TD Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 23 CAR, 119 YDS, 3 TD; Kurt Palandech (UNLV): 16 CAR, 157 YDS, 1 TD Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 5 REC, 184 YDS, 3 TD; Devonte Boyd (UNLV): 10 REC, 127 YDS
San Diego State
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 16–31, 282 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT; Christian Chapman (SDSU): 15–26, 211 YDS, 2 TD Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 31 CAR, 131 YDS, 2 TD; Rashaad Penny (SDSU): 5 CAR, 79 YDS Receiving leaders: C.J. Johnson (UW): 5 REC, 85 YDS, 1 TD; Donnel Pumphrey (SDSU): 5 REC, 52 YDS
At New Mexico
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 18–28, 248 YDS; Lamar Jordan (UNM): 4–5, 122 YDS, 1 TD Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 26 CAR, 126 YDS, 3 TD; Teriyon Gipson (UNM): 13 CAR, 217 YDS, 2 TD Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 5 REC, 112 YDS; Richard McQuarley (UNM): 2 REC, 58 YDS
San Diego State—Mountain West Championship Game
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 14–31, 248 YDS, 3 TD, 2 INT; Christian Chapman (SDSU): 6–13, 85 YDS, 1 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 16 CAR, 93 YDS; Rashaad Penny (SDSU): 16 CAR, 117 YDS, 2 TD Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 3 REC, 81 YDS, 1 TD; Mikah Holder (SDSU): 2 REC, 56 YDS
BYU—Poinsettia Bowl
Passing leaders: Josh Allen (UW): 17–32, 207 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT; Tanner Mangum (BYU): 8–15, 96 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing leaders: Brian Hill (UW): 23 CAR, 93 YDS, 1 TD; Jamaal Williams (BYU): 26 CAR, 210 YDS, 1 TD Receiving leaders: Tanner Gentry (UW): 7 REC, 113 YDS, 2 TD; Nick Kurtz (BYU): 3 REC, 59 YDS
Personnel Coaching staff Name Position Seasons atWyoming Alma mater Before Wyoming Craig Bohl Head coach 3 Nebraska (1982) North Dakota State – Head coach (2013) Steve Stanard Defensive coordinator / Linebackers 3 Nebraska (1989) North Dakota State – Linebackers (2013) Brent Vigen Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks 3 North Dakota State (1998) North Dakota State – Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks (2013) Mike Bath Running Backs / Fullbacks 3 Miami, Ohio (2001) Miami, Ohio – Interim Head Coach / offensive coordinator (2013) AJ Cooper Special teams coordinator / Defensive Ends 3 North Dakota State (2006) North Dakota State – Defensive ends / Co-Special Teams (2013) Scott Fuchs Offensive line 3 North Dakota State (1995) North Dakota State (2013) Mike Grant Wide receivers 1 Nebraska (1993) North Texas – Wide receivers / receiving coordinator (2015) Pete Kaligis Defensive tackles / Nose Tackles 8 Washington (1994) Montana – Offensive line (2008) Curt Mallory Defensive pass game coordinator / Secondary 2 Michigan (1992) Michigan – Secondary (2014) John Richardson Cornerbacks 3 North Dakota State (2010) North Dakota State – Cornerbacks (2013) Russell Dennison Director of Sports Performance / Head Strength and Conditioning Coach 1 Oklahoma (2006) Oklahoma – Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Gordie Haug Director of Recruiting 3 Bemidji State (2009) North Dakota State – Running backs (2013) Josh Firm Offensive Graduate Assistant 2 Missouri S&T (2013) Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons – Offensive coordinator (2014) Grant Olson Defensive Graduate Assistant 2 North Dakota State (2014) North Dakota State – Student assistant (2014) Blake Andersen Defensive Graduate Assistant 1 University of Sioux Falls (2011) Northwest Missouri State – Defensive Graduate Assistant (2015) Jacob Claborn Offensive Graduate Assistant / tight ends 1 California Lutheran (2009) Central Washington – Offensive line (2015)
Roster 2016 Wyoming Cowboys FootballQuarterback 9 Isaac Leppke – freshman (6'4", 173) 11 Chandler Garrett – freshman (6'5", 213) 15 Nick Smith – sophomore (6'4", 229) 17 Josh Allen (C) – sophomore (6'5", 222) 18 Nick Szpor – freshman (6'3", 202)
Tailback 5 Brian Hill – junior (6'1", 219) 16 Milo Hall – freshman (5'8", 190) 21 Shaun Wick – senior (5'10", 210) 22 Nico Evans – sophomore (5'9", 206) 23 Mike Green II – freshman (5'11", 205) 28 Garrett Gardner – freshman (6'0", 205) 29 Kellen Overstreet – sophomore (5'11", 196) 32 Paul Lomanto – freshman (6'1", 200)
Fullback 35 Zach Taylor – freshman (5'11", 214) 36 Drew Van Maanen – junior (6'1", 241) 47 Matt List – sophomore (5'11", 240) 48 Jordan Ellis – senior (6'2", 250)
Wide receiver 3 Joseph Parker – sophomore (5'10", 185) 4 Tanner Gentry – senior (6'2", 210) 12 Dontae Crow – freshman (5'9", 170) 13 John Okwoli – freshman (6'2", 205) 14 C.J. Johnson – freshman (6'2", 196) 19 Ayden Eberhardt – freshman (6'2") 24 Jerard Swan – freshman (6'0", 186) 25 Austin Conway – freshman (5'10", 172) 26 Nick Wilson – freshman (5'11", 168) 31 Isaac Jefferson – freshman (5'8", 163) 80 James Price – sophomore (6'2", 208) 83 Jake Maulhardt – senior (6'6", 230) 89 Parker Dumas – freshman (6'5", 200)
Tight end 33 Josh Harshman – sophomore (6'3", 226) 81 Austin Fort – sophomore (6'4", 231) 82 Alec Stewart – freshman (6'4", 223) 84 Grant Lewis – sophomore (6'5", 235) 85 Tyree Mayfield – sophomore (6'3", 237) 87 Sam Maughan – freshman (6'3", 220) 88 Jacob Hollister (C) – senior (6'4", 239) Offensive lineman 55 Gavin Rush – freshman (6'3", 301) 59 Ryan Cummings – junior (6'6", 319) 60 Du'Ryan Ebbesen – senior (6'2", 309) 61 Kaden Jackson– sophomore (6'2", 294) 62 Eli Moody – senior (6'3", 281) 63 Dustin Weeks – freshman (6'8", 288) 64 Charlie Renfree – junior (6'3", 281) 65 Boyd Draeger – freshman (6'4", 296) 66 Laitham Johnson – freshman (6'5", 243) 67 Cole Turner – sophomore (6'4", 280) 68 Chris Steffey – freshman (6'5", 293) 69 Richard Bettencourt – sophomore (6'3", 310) 71 Jace Webb – freshman (6'4", 321) 72 Zach Wallace – sophomore (6'7", 297) 73 Chase Roullier (C) – senior (6'4", 313) 74 Brinkley Jolly – sophomore (6'5", 273) 75 Kurtis Stirneman – junior (6'5", 296) 77 Pahl Schwab – freshman (6'5", 306)
Defensive lineman 29 Garrett Crall – freshman (6'5", 221) 34 Jaret Falkowski – freshman (6'3", 243) 42 Kevin Prosser – sophomore (6'2", 215) 51 Trevor Meader – senior (6'4", 239) 53 Josiah Hall – freshman (6'1", 237) 57 Chase Appleby – senior (6'0", 268) 58 Taniela Lolohea – junior (6'1", 253) 60 Kendall Dickson – freshman (6'4", 229) 76 Darius Baker – junior (6'3", 289) 78 Shane Henderson – freshman (6'0", 317) 86 Adam Kinder – senior (6'2", 252) 87 Conner Cain – sophomore (6'4", 279) 90 Mark Hall – junior (6'2", 248) 91 Carl Granderson – sophomore (6'5", 243) 92 Shiloh Windsor – freshman (6'3", 224) 93 Youhanna Ghaifan – freshman (6'4", 290) 95 Hunter Van Emmerik – junior (6'4", 281) 96 Sidney Malauulu – sophomore (6'3", 301) 97 Ja'Chai Baker – freshman (6'6", 283) 98 Dalton Fields – junior (6'3", 284) 99 Brent Gilliland – freshman (6'2", 274) Linebacker 7 D.J. May – senior (5'11", 216) 11 Eric Nzeocha – senior (6'3", 231) 12 Christian Irving – sophomore (5'11", 208) 15 Jaylon Watson – freshman (6'0", 239) 23 Tim Kamana – junior (5'11", 213) 30 Logan Wilson – freshman (6'2", 225) 32 Adam Pilapil – sophomore (6'1", 211) 43 Ben Wisdorf – freshman (6'1", 213) 44 Devin McKenna – senior (6'2", 228) 45 Lucas Wacha (C) – senior (6'1", 230) 46 Cassh Maluia – freshman (6'0", 223) 47 Drew Harvey – freshman (6'0", 234) 50 Adrian King – freshman (6'1", 220) 52 Jahmari Morre – freshman (6'2", 219) 54 Austin Lopez – freshman (6'3", 223)
Defensive back 2 Robert Priester – junior (5'9", 180) 3 Alijah Halliburton – freshman (6'2", 180) 5 Rico Gafford – junior (5'11", 180) 6 Marcus Epps (C) – sophomore (6'0", 203) 8 Jalen Ortiz – junior (5'10", 196) 9 Tyler Hall – freshman (5'10", 184) 13 Ethan Patrick – junior (6'0", 191) 16 Riley Sessions – freshman (5'11", 193) 17 Deandre Watson – freshman (5'11", 187) 19 Anthony Makransky – sophomore (5'10", 184) 20 Josh Boyd (I) – freshman (6'2", 175) 21 Antonio Hull – sophomore (5'10", 188) 22 Sidney Washington Jr. – freshman (5'9", 164) 24 Braden Smith – freshman (5'10", 177)