Wyoming secures 41-35 win over UNLV behind late defensive stop
Cornerback Tyson Shamsid-Deen, playing with a club on his repaired hand, intercepted a pass in the end zone to preserve the Cowboys' Mountain West lead.
By Tyler Khalil ·
Wyoming football defeated the UNLV Rebels 41-35 on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The victory moved the Cowboys to a 6-3 overall record and a 5-1 mark in Mountain West Conference play. This result secures the program's first bowl eligibility since 2023 and places the team in sole possession of second place in the league standings.
The game featured a late-game threat to Wyoming's lead. With under two minutes remaining in regulation, UNLV quarterback Alex Orgi attempted a pass from the Wyoming 11-yard line. The ball was intended for wide receiver Taeshaun Lyons. Cornerback Tyson Shamsid-Deen intercepted the pass in the back of the end zone. This was his second interception of the contest and the final play of the regulation clock.
Shamsid-Deen made the catch while wearing a bulky white club on his right hand. He suffered a surgical injury to that hand during a Week 3 loss at Central Michigan. The injury forced him to miss the following three games against Hawaii, North Dakota State, and San Jose State. Wyoming linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz noted the difficulty of playing in that position with such a device. Stuhlsatz finished the game with a team-best 10 tackles and three quarterback sacks.
Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel credited the defense for holding the lead despite a 20-point cushion evaporating in the second half. The Rebels scored two touchdowns and forced a turnover on downs to close the gap. Sawvel said he trusted his defensive unit to make a play in the critical moments. The team had won just seven games over the previous two seasons combined before this campaign.
Quarterback Landon Sims led the offense after replacing Tyler Hughes in the first half. Hughes left the game with a forearm injury that affected his grip. Sims completed two of six passes for 25 yards and one touchdown. He also threw one interception. The backup signal caller maintained confidence in the defensive line throughout the late stages of the game.
Wide receiver Ke'Lyn Washom contributed a key offensive play in the second quarter. He caught a 32-yard pass over two defenders to extend the Wyoming lead. Washom left the game shortly after that catch with a hip injury. The Cowboys established a 31-21 lead at halftime after Sims scored on a 13-yard run.
UNLV coach Dan Mullen criticized his team's performance in the first half. He stated that the Rebels did not compete at the required level during that period. The loss leaves UNLV 1-8 on the season and 0-5 in conference play. The team is now largely out of contention for the Mountain West title.
Wyoming will travel to El Paso next Saturday to face the UTEP Miners. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. Mountain Time and will air on FS1. The Cowboys hold a 26-6-1 all-time record against UTEP. The Miners have lost seven consecutive games and are winless in their last 10 meetings against Wyoming.
