The last time that Wyoming and Central Michigan met on the gridiron, it was a memorable one—for the Cowboys, at least.
On December 22, 2017, Josh Allen played his last contest in the Brown and Gold.
The Cowboys started the season 7-3 with Allen under center, but after a right shoulder injury sidelined Allen for the remainder of the regular season, the Cowboys would falter in their final two games to finish the season 7-5.
That set UW up for a date with CMU in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, where Allen would return to the field for the final time as a Cowboy.
Dec. 22, 2017
With the return of Allen and the sour taste of a loss to a previously one-win San Jose State team to end the regular season still in their mouths, the Cowboys would go on to dominate the 2017 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Allen would be named the game's MVP as the Cowboys rolled to a 37-14 win over the Chippewas.
While Allen put on an impressive display of offensive ability in the contest, an imposing Cowboy defense also put forth an effort to be remembered as well. The defense forced a program record eight turnovers, which included a scoop-and-score by defensive end Carl Granderson in the fourth quarter, which ultimately sealed the win for the Cowboys. Eight different Cowboys contributed to each turnover, as well.
Offensively, the Cowboys only put up 275 yards of total offense, with 151 of those yards being contributed by Allen. Still, his spirited return to the field for his last contest at UW before declaring for the NFL draft was a commendable one as he led the Cowboys to their first bowl game win since 2009.
While UW's win over CMU in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl nearly a decade ago is the most memorable of the two team's three all-time meetings, the Cowboys did not have as good of a time the last time these two met in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
Sept. 7, 2002
Playing in their second straight game on the road to kick off the 2002 season, the Cowboys entered Mount Pleasant off the back of a 47-7 loss to a 4th ranked Tennessee team. Conversely, the Chippewas were hosting their second straight game off the back of a dominant 34-10 win over Sam Houston.
The Chippewas took an early 10-0 lead, but the Cowboys were quick to respond and take a lead of their own at 13-10 after two straight passing touchdowns by Casey Bramlet, a Hall of Fame member at UW and the school's all-time passing yards record holder.
The Chippewas answered with 16 straight points to seize a 13-point lead late in the third quarter, but a 67-yard touchdown strike by Bramlet to wide receiver Malcom Floyd kept the Cowboys within six heading into the final quarter.
Bramlet's efforts would not be enough for the Cowboys, however, as the Chippewas sealed the contest by controlling most of the time of possession in the fourth quarter and scoring late to take a 32-20.
CMU would go on to win three straight to start its season in 2002, but only mustered one other win that season to end the year 4-8. The Cowboys struggled themselves that season, finishing 2-10 on the year and finishing last in the Mountain West for the third straight season.
This season, both teams will be entering the contest on even footing after narrowly defeating FCS opponents at home, with UW leading the series record at 2-1.
