Texas Longhorns Week 3 Opponent Preview: Wyoming Cowboys

The Texas Longhorns will face the Wyoming Cowboys in Week 3 of the 2023 season at DKR.

Emotions are running high for the Texas Longhorns after a historic win over Alabama last week, but that does not mean losing sight of Wyoming, their Week 3 opponent.

For the first time since 2012, Texas and Wyoming will meet at DKR in Austin to face off on Saturday. Historically speaking, the Longhorns have clobbered the Cowboys with a five-game winning streak, dating back from 1974 to 2012.

The Cowboys just came off of a successful 2022 season. Wyoming was predicted to finish in fifth place in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference last year. Ultimately, however, the Cowboys claimed second in their division and landed a spot for their fifth bowl-game appearance within the past seven seasons.

The Cowboys also entered spring football camp with 18 out of 24 returning starters.

Approaching Week 3, the Wyoming Cowboys are undefeated (2-0), previously defeating Texas Tech in double overtime and Portland State.

Although the quarterback slot was a highly anticipated position for the Cowboys in the offseason, the position ended up in the hands of Andrew Peasley, a returning starter. After the first two weeks, Peasley recorded a total of 350 yards off of 50 attempts, five touchdowns and one interception

On the Longhorn's side, however, incumbent quarterback Quinn Ewers spent the offseason becoming one of the most improved players on Texas' roster, and his grind paid off. In only two matchups this season, Ewers has a total of 609 yards, six touchdowns and zero interceptions. One of those recorded touchdowns was a 44-yard bomb to Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy, impressively against former No. 3 Alabama. 

Even though the Longhorns are missing the return of star running back Bijan Robinson who was recently drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, Texas is pretty evenly matched with the Cowboys at the running back position. Longhorns' running back Jonathon Brooks leads Texas with 109 total yards while running back Sam Scott leads the Cowboys with 114 yards.

Defensively speaking, one of the best linebackers to ever wear a Wyoming Cowboy jersey returned as a coach for the defensive ends. Brian Hendricks took the coaching slot of retired Marty English.

Wyoming Cowboys

2022 record: 7-6, 5-3 Mountain West Conference

Head coach: Craig Bohl

Passing: QB Andrew Peasley

2022 stats: 144-of-275, 1,574 yards, 10 touchdowns, nine interceptions

2023 stats: 350 yards, 50 attempts, five touchdowns, one interception

Rushing: RB Sam Scott

2023 stats: 18 carries, 114 yards, one touchdown 

Receiving: WR Ayir Asante 

2022 stats: 21 catches, 458 yards

2023 stats: three catches, 96 yards

Returning defensive leaders:

Tackles: 

LB Shae Suiaunoa is leading in solo tackles (11) this season 

DE Braden Siders, 13.5 tackles for loss in 2022

Sacks: DE DeVonne Harris, 8 in 2022