LARAMIE – Esaia Bogar provided a spark of lightning before the delay.
 
The Wyoming defensive end scooped up the loose football after defensive tackle Jayden Williams blocked a field goal attempt and returned it for a touchdown that would have given the Cowboys the lead on the third snap of the fourth quarter.
 
Northern Colorado was saved by a delay-of-game penalty, which wiped away the momentum-changing score and allowed the visitors to punt.
 
UW lost a fumble on the ensuing drive, headed to the locker room for 40-minute delay and then outscored the Bears 14-0 to win 21-13 last Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
 
"From our players to our coaches, nobody lost their mind, nobody lost their cool, nobody lost belief," head coach Jay Sawvel said of the sequence of events leading into the unexpected break. "If anything, we increased our belief, we upped our urgency.
 
"When we got in (the locker room), it looked like everything was working against you. You block a field goal; you're going to score a touchdown … delay a game."
 
Bogar's sense of calm and consistent play has stood out during an up-and-down start to the season for the Cowboys.
 
In the opener at Colorado State, Bogar was on the field for 60 of the defense's 67 snaps, finishing with 11 tackles and drawing a holding penalty that erased a 41-yard completion for the Rams. He had a 10-yard sack and a pass breakup against UNC.
 
Even though linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz is second in the FBS in tackles per game (13.0) and safety Jones Thomas is tied for the Mountain West lead with two interceptions, Bogar has been a shining example for the Pokes early on.
 
"I think he's our best defensive player through two games," Sawvel said. "He's got stats for one, but also just the effort level and the way he plays and the motor. He's very impactful."
 
Bogar had 13 total tackles and one sack in 10 games last season. After transferring from Riverside (Calif.) City College, where he was the defensive player of the year in the National Southern Conference, he adjusted to the FBS level.
 
"Last year, I started with an injury to my hand, and I hurt my ankle and that kind of set me back a couple of games. Coming to the season, first game, healthy, I was really confident," Bogar said. "My main focus is staying healthy, being available for the team. I'm doing everything in my power, sleeping, eating, just the little things."
 
In 2025, Bogar was noticeable because he was wearing an oversized cast on his right hand throughout the campaign. He was essentially sparring with 300-pound offensive tackles with one hand tied behind his back.
 
"On the D-line, you're taught thumbs up, elbows in. With the club, you can't really grab anyone or really strike them, especially when your hand's broken," Bogar said. "Being free of that, it has allowed me to use my hands much more, get off blocks, and just play more confidently."
 
The soft-spoken Bogar will be a focal point on Central Michigan's scouting report when UW faces the Chippewas Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium (11 a.m., ESPN+).
 
"I'm really excited for him. He's a great kid, he works his tail off," defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl said. "Last year was kind of an injury-riddled season for him, and he did a great job this offseason of preparing his body to play at a higher level, from strength to nutrition, everything like that, where now he can afford to play as hard and physical as he can. He's staying healthy because of what he did in the offseason. …
 
"His voice is coming out more. It's in segmented sections, but when he speaks, everyone listens because they know the work he's put in."
 
CMU is averaging 10.0 points per game (136th in the FBS) and 212.5 total yards per game (137th).
 
The Cowboys allowed four plays of over 25 yards against UNC but only three total yards in the decisive fourth quarter.
 
Saturday's forecast in Mount Pleasant, Mich., calls for rain and a high temperature of 64 degrees.
 
"I'm looking forward to this game," Bogar said of the Chippewas' run-dominated attack. "We're going to face pulling guards, split zone runs and stuff like that. I'm going to be ready to spill the ball out to the linebackers. That's fun, too. At the end of the day, we're playing football. Sacking the quarterback is fun, but winning games, that's also fun."
 
Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.
 
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