Skip to main content

Cowboy Football Opened Fall Camp on Wednesday

News Letter Journal - Staff Photo -
courtesy photo
By
Nick Seeman Assistant Athletic Director, Communications, University of Wyoming Athletics

Pokes open season at Colorado State on Sept. 5

LARAMIE, Wyo.  (August 5, 2026) – The Cowboy football team officially opened fall camp on Wednesday morning inside War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. Wyoming, under third-year head coach Jay Sawvel opens the season at Colorado State on Sept. 5. Wednesday’s workout was the first of 24 practices prior to the contest against the Rams.

Sawvel on First Day of Camp

“This team was excited to get on the field and that is a big positive right away,” Sawvel said to the media following practice. “One thing that stands out as coaches is we are a better-looking football team at a lot of different positions. Today’s practice tempo wise was good and the players have done a good job keeping up with what we need to do offensively and defensively.”

Harris Named to Maxwell Award Watch List

The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award on Monday presented annually to the outstanding player in college football. Cowboy running back Samuel "Tote" Harris was named to the list for the first time in his career. The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell who was a former standout at Swarthmore College and a renowned sportswriter and football official.

Harris was a preseason All-MW selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. Harris was Wyoming's leading rusher last season, appearing in 11 games with seven starts. He finished the season with 558 yards on 100 carries for 5.6 yards per rush. He added a rushing score on the season coming against Northern Iowa. He also added 184 yards receiving on 16 catches. He rushed for a career-high 126 yards against Colorado with a career-long rush of 50 yards. He had four receptions at Air Force for a season best and had 58 yards receiving including a long of 52 against San Jose State. He also rushed for 102 yards against Fresno State on only 12 carries.

Cowboy Schedule

The Pokes will open their home portion of the schedule against Northern Colorado on September 12 with a 2 p.m. start on the conference's new stream service MW+ with more information being released in the coming weeks.

The Pokes will host Hawai'i on September 26 for a 1 p.m. start on The CW, which marks three-straight home contests on the network. UW will host MW newcomer Northern Illinois at 1:30 p.m. on October 17 then a Friday contest with Air Force on October 23 at 7 p.m.

Wyoming will host New Mexico on Friday, November 20 at 7 p.m. in a contest on FS1 and closes the regular season hosting UCONN on November 28 on the Fox Family of Networks with a time to be determined.

The Cowboys open the season with the Border War against Colorado State on Saturday, September 5 at 4 p.m. in a contest on the USA Network. Wyoming's game at Central Michigan on Saturday, September 19 will kick at 11 a.m. on ESPN+.

Wyoming's contest at North Dakota State is set for a 1:30 p.m. start on The CW on October 3. UW's game at San Jose State shifted to Friday, October 9 and is set for a 7 p.m. start on CBS Sports Network.

The Cowboys will play at UNLV in an 8:30 p.m. kick on Saturday, November 7 also on CBS Sports Network. UW will renew their rivalry with UTEP on the Fox Family of Networks on Saturday, November 14 with time and station to be determined at a later date.

Ensure These Stories Are Told

Despite the challenges facing independent local journalism, what sustains us — and fills us with deep gratitude — is the loyal support of readers who believe our communities deserve accurate, trusted, and locally rooted news.

It is no exaggeration to say that we are here because of you. Every story we report, every local issue we follow, every public meeting we cover, and every community voice we lift up is made possible by readers who understand the value of an independent newspaper.

Your support does more than fund articles. It helps protect the independence that allows us to report honestly, ask important questions, and keep our community informed without fear or favor.

If you are able, please consider supporting the News Letter Journal by donating to our Unabridged Fund today. Whether your gift helps cover reporting time, printing costs, video, photography, editing, or distribution, every contribution helps keep local journalism strong in Wyoming.

All gifts are deeply appreciated. Your support helps ensure that local stories continue to be told, local decisions continue to be watched, and local voices continue to be heard.

Thank you for standing with independent community journalism.

--- Online Subscribers: Please click here to log in to read this story and access all content.

Not an Online Subscriber? Click here for a one-week subscription for only $5!.