Group of Five Power Rankings 2019: Mountain West rising in Week 3

For a while on Saturday in Week 2, it looked like Wyoming might squander all the goodwill they earned in knocking off Missouri in the season opener. The Cowboys found themselves down 14-3 late in the second quarter in San Marcos, but a seven-yard Sean Chambers run with less than three minutes remaining in the half pulled Wyoming within four points at the intermission.

From there, the Cowboys defense stiffened and kept the Bobcats off the scoreboard the rest of the game. Tyler Hall returned a Gresch Jensen interception 72 yards for a Wyoming score, one of three turnovers forced by the Pokes defense on the road. While they gave up 394 yards in the air to Jensen, they held Texas State to just 50 rushing yards over the course of the day.

Chambers once again did as much damage for Wyoming with his legs as his arm, as the quarterback finished 8-of-18 for 103 yards and a touchdown. He added 50 yards and the rushing touchdown on eight carries, singlehandedly matching Texas State’s production on the ground. Trey Smith added 54 yards on 16 carries, and Titus Swen pitched in 45 yards on 12 carries in a balanced backfield effort.

FCS Idaho comes to Laramie next weekend for an interstate battle, and the 1-1 Vandals should cause little worry for the Cowboys. Wyoming then heads to Tulsa for their final non-conference game before diving headlong into Mountain West competition.