Preview: CMU football aims to continue momentum against Wyoming
With a 13-10 victory over Colgate now in the rearview mirror, the Central Michigan football team now focuses its attention on another test at home against the Wyoming Cowboys.
This is only the second time the Chippewas have ever faced off against Wyoming, falling 37-14 during current Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s final collegiate game in the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Nearly nine years later, both programs appear to have become mirror images of each other.
“You’ve got Wyoming coming in, who’s an outstanding opponent, super well coached and almost an exact replica of ourselves,” Central Michigan head coach Matt Drinkall said. “Very tough, prides themselves on being physical, disciplined and well coached, and they absolutely are.”
The two programs enter this game 1-1 on the season, each experiencing a week one blowout loss and a close week two win over a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent.
Meet the opponent
Wyoming coach Jay Sawvel is in his third season with the Cowboys, but the program hasn’t seen the level of success they anticipated, currently sitting at an 8-18 record during his tenure.
To start the 2026 season, Wyoming suffered a 35-13 defeat to its rival Colorado State in Week 1, before finding victory against Northern Colorado 21-13 in a fourth quarter comeback.
Quarterback Tyler Hughes, a senior transfer from William and Mary, is still finding a rhythm with 279 passing yards for two touchdowns and three interceptions. Hughes additionally has 78 rushing yards for one touchdown.
No receiver for the Cowboys has broken the 100-yard threshold, with the ball being spread across the offense to 11 different players. Tight end Jake Wilson is currently Hughes’ most productive pass catcher, with five catches for 86 yards.
Defensively, Wyoming has allowed 370.5 yards per game on average, including 345 against last week’s FCS opponent Northern Colorado. The Cowboys have only created two turnovers this season, both being interceptions last week by safety Jones Thomas.
Thomas was the statistical leader among the safeties at Wyoming in 2025 with 57 tackles and two interceptions, but in the same locker room was current CMU safety Justin Taylor, who is looking forward to facing his former teammates.
“It’s going to be pretty funny seeing some of my guys on the opposite side of the football as me,” Taylor said. “For the most part, it’s just another game. It’s just another opportunity for me and my boys to go out, shine and show what we can do as a team.”
Keys to victory
Both teams’ offenses rank among the bottom fifteen in the nation, with CMU averaging 212.5 yards per game as compared to Wyoming’s 288.5 average.
CMU coach Drinkall will address this issue with more consistency at the quarterback position.
“When [Angel Flores] came in and stayed in, the offense moved a lot better,” Drinkall said. “You’ll see him remain as the starter and probably play more. … You will see [Jadyn Glasser and Marcus Beamon] sprinkled in here or there and used in stretches of what they do well.”
With less rotation at quarterback on the offense, Central Michigan has an opportunity to settle in against a struggling Wyoming defense. CMU must also look to its defense to maintain momentum following a four-turnover performance against Colgate.
In addition to on-field strategies, Drinkall wants to lean into having the home-field advantage.
Saturday’s game will be a mesh of multiple game themes, including CMU and You Day, as well as Band Day. With these two game themes in 2025 against Eastern Michigan, the Chippewas hosted 28,605 fans, the ninth most in school history.
Additionally, Traditions Day with the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe will take place against Wyoming, featuring the annual pregame drum ceremony.
“We need everybody at the game,” Drinkall said. “The biggest thing I want to talk about is our student section is now free access to the opposing team … I want us to have the reputation of the most hostile student section in the entire conference.”
With kickoff set for 1 p.m. Saturday, CMU has an opportunity to claim another victory in front of the maroon and gold faithful by finding stability on offense and maintaining intensity on defense.
Central Michigan (1-1) vs. Wyoming (1-1)
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Date: Saturday, Sep. 19
Stadium: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Location: Mount Pleasant, Michigan
TV: ESPN+
