MWC football: Wyoming has chance to go bowling

Not long ago, it appeared Wyoming might not win another game. Then the Cowboys defeated lowly San Diego State at home, which was followed by a surprising 13-7 victory at Tennessee last Saturday.

Of course, the Volunteers have struggled this season, too, and coach Phillip Fullmer resigned days before the Cowboys arrived in Knoxville. Still, it was a big win for Wyoming, as well as the entire Mountain West Conference, to knock off a Southeastern Conference team on the road.

Prior to beating the Aztecs, the Cowboys had dropped five straight games. They scored just 17 points in their first five conference games and lost to BYU and Utah by a combined score of 84-7. Now, with two games remaining, they are two wins away from becoming bowl-eligible.

Wyoming coach Joe Glenn was gratified with the triumph at Tennessee.

"It was a good way to come out of a tough run. We've played some good football teams in the last month," he said. "We made 13 points stand up. Our defense was outstanding all day long. We did what we had to do to win in front of a crowd at one of the largest stadiums in the country. I think that's pretty good for a team that has struggled so much. Probably the most amazing statistic was, in the Phillip Fullmer era, they were 38-2 against nonconference opponents.

For Wyoming to get it done is a real feather in our cap."

Despite all their troubles this season, the players never gave up, Glenn said. "Through it all they have fought hard and played hard. We kept saying, 'Keep sawing wood and good things will happen.' And they did."

This week, the 'Pokes visit UNLV, which also needs two wins to be bowl-eligible. "With what's on the line," Glenn said, "it will be a fight to the bitter end."

Wyoming visits Colorado State in the season-finale. The Rams, who host New Mexico this week, also need two wins to be bowl-eligible.

As for his tenuous job situation, Glenn declined comment. "All I know is what I can control and that is getting our game plans ready and keeping the kids positive. We're playing pretty darn good football right now."

DOBBS ON THE SPOT: Wyoming senior linebacker Ward Dobbs earned MWC defensive player of the week for his effort against Tennessee, recording a game-high 13 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.

The Cowboys led 7-0 when Dobbs picked off a Volunteer pass at the Tennessee 24-yard line and scored to give Wyoming a 13-0 advantage.