Cowboys Set to Open 2025 Season at Akron on Thursday Evening
John Michael Gyllenborg — John Durgee (UW AthMarketing)
Contest slated for 5 p.m. MT Start on ESPN+
Jay Sawvel Weekly Press Conference
LARAMIE, Wyo. (August 24, 2025) – The Wyoming Cowboys will open up the 2025 season on Thursday heading to Akron for a 5 p.m. start on ESPN+. It marks Wyoming’s first trip to the State of Ohio since 2011 and the first contest against the Zips.
The contest will be broadcasted on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi on the call joined in the booth by Ryan Cavanaugh. The game will also be available on the 26 stations of The Cowboy Sports Network with Keith Kelley on the call, Kevin McKinney on color and Erick Pauley on the sidelines.
What Head Coach Jay Sawvel Had to Say
“It is time. I’m excited to go out and see this group play and compete. We expect that we are going to have to go on the road and play well and that is the expectation we have internally. It is a big deal for us to get started.”
Notes on the Contest
Against the MAC: The Cowboys are 12-6 all-time against teams from the Mid-American Conference. Since 1996 when the Wyoming Cowboys first played a Mid-American Conference team in Western Michigan, the Cowboys are 12-5 all-time against current teams from the MAC. UW is 5-3 against MAC foes in Laramie, 4-2 on the road and 3-1 at neutral sites. Wyoming fell in overtime against Ohio in the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl 30-27 in 2022 but won 15-14 against Toledo in the same game the following season. Wyoming will meet Akron for the first time and play in the State of Ohio for the first time since playing Bowling Green in 2011.
Season Openers: As the Wyoming Cowboys enter their 129th season of college football in 2025, the Pokes record in season openers stands at: 80-65-2 (.633) in 128 previous season-opening games. The Cowboys are 60-18-1 (.772) in season-opening games at home and are 20-28-1 (.418) in road games to begin the season.
Wyoming’s record in 128 Previous Season Openers (Home & Away) 80-46-2 (.633)
UW in Season-Opening Games at Home (79 Games) 60-18-1 (.772)
The Cowboys in Season-Opening Games on the Road (49 Games) 20-28-1 (.418)
UW vs. Non-Conference Opponents in Season Openers 66-29-1 (.700)
The Pokes vs. Non-Conference Opponents at Home in Season Openers 51-11-1 (.817)
UW’s record vs. Non-Conference Opponents on the Road in Season Openers 15-18-0 (.454)
Wyoming’s record vs. Conference Opponents in Season Openers 14-17-1 (.453)
Interesting, But Not That Interesting: The Wyoming Cowboys will travel 1,359 miles to face Akron in the season opener. But what is interesting, but really not that interesting is that Wyoming will not get on a plane for a contest till the team heads to San Diego State to face the Aztecs with travel day set for Oct. 31.
Gyllenborg Named to John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List: Wyoming tight end John Michael Gyllenborg was named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List . Given annually to the most outstanding collegiate tight end, it marks the second-straight season that Gyllenborg has been named to the preseason list. Gyllenborg was named Preseason All-MW by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He was also named to the College Football Freaks List by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic.
Jack Walsh Named to Lombardi Award Watch List: Wyoming center Jack Walsh was named to the Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List on Tuesday. This prestigious accolade continues to honor the Outstanding College Football Lineman, whether on offense or defense, who displays exceptional performance and ability and embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life. He was named Preseason All-MW by members of the conference media, as well as numerous publications. He was also named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List.
Evan Svoboda Named to Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List: he Wuerffel Foundation today announced a record 116 nominees to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, recognizing college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement. Wyoming tight end Evan Svoboda was named to the list. Widely regarded as college football’s premier award for community service, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the trophy’s founding.
Walsh Named to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List: Cowboy football center Jack Walsh was named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List on Tuesday morning. It marks the third-straight year that Wyoming has had a player on the list with Jordan Bertagnole named the previous two seasons. Walsh is the first offensive lineman on the list since Keegan Cryder in 2021. The 50 returning standout interior linemen on the list represent nine of the FBS conferences and Independents. The 2025 season will close with the award’s 80th winner selected from players spread among at least 35 different programs that includes one returning FWAA All-American.
Svoboda Named to Allstate AFCA Good Works Team: Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association today announced a record-breaking 197 nominees for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, the highest in the award’s 34-year history. College football student-athletes and head coaches from all levels of the sport are recognized for their commitment to community service and leadership beyond the gridiron. Wyoming tight end Evan Svoboda was named a nominee for his work on and off the field for the Brown and Gold. Svoboda excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community. He was an Academic All-Mountain West selection. He also works in the community with working various youth camps in the region and work with local non-profits such as the Jae Foundation.
Walsh and Barnett Named Preseason All-MW: The Mountain West Conference released its 2025 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-Conference Team as selected by Mountain West media members at MW Media Days. A pair of Cowboy offensive linemen were named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Squad.
Wyoming seniors Caden Barnett, who moved to guard this season along with Jack Walsh, now at center for the Brown and Gold were named to the team. It marks back-to-back seasons that Walsh has been named to the squad. The Cowboys and Boise State were the only teams with two players named to the All-MW Preseason team with multiple offensive lineman on the list.
Production Returning on Catches: The Wyoming Cowboys return a solid number of both receivers and tight ends and others that hauled in passes a season ago. In total of the 181 receptions last season the Pokes return 111 receptions for 61 percent of the total from a season ago. Wyoming returns its top three targets in Chris Durr, Jr. with 31, John Michael Gyllenborg with 30 and Jaylen Sargent with 23. In terms of yards returning Wyoming returns 1,398 yards, which is also 61 percent of the teams total last season.
Return to Ohio for Sawvel: Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel is returning to his home state of Ohio in the season opener. He grew up in Barnesville, Ohio which is 112 miles away from Akron. He played college football at Division III powerhouse Mount Union, which is only 38 miles from Akron.
Gibson is Also Home: Wyoming defensive tackles coach Deonte Gibson is a native of Cleveland. Gibson attended St. Edward’s High School where he served as team captain of the first state championship football team in school history. Defensive lineman Aneesh Vyas is a native of West Chester, Ohio, which is 227 miles from Akron.
About Akron: The Zips finished 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the Mid-American Conference in 2024. Akron, which concluded the campaign on a high note with back-to-back wins over Kent State and Toledo, was picked to finish tied for 11th in the 2025 MAC preseason coaches poll.
Quarterback Ben Finley, a 6-foot-3 senior, passed for 2,604 yards with 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. Despite rushing for only 52 yards, Finley is the Zips’ top returning rusher. The running back competition this summer was bolstered by the addition of transfers Jordan Grant, an FCS freshman All-American at Tennessee State, and Cam Macon, who rushed for 964 yards at the Division II level. Finley is expected to lean on former all-MAC wide receiver Alex Adams and 6-4 and 240-pound tight end Jake Newell in the passing game. Two starters return on the offensive line, another area the Zips have attempted to fortify via the portal.
Defensive linemen Bruno Dall and Julien Laventure, linebackers Shammond Cooper and Gage Summers and safety Justin Anderson lead Akron’s defense, which ranked 109th in total yards allowed (414.5 ypg) and 111th in points allowed (32.0 ppg) last season.
This will be the first meeting between Akron and Wyoming on the gridiron. The Zips are scheduled to make the return trip to Laramie in 2028. The Cowboys are 12-6 all-time against MAC teams, including recent bowl victories over Kent State (2021 Potato Bowl) and Toledo (2023 Arizona Bowl). Northern Illinois, which is 0-2 against UW, will move from the MAC to the Mountain West in 2026 as a football-only member.